SSE Airtricity League Round-Up: Cork City drop first points of the season

Galway United proved that runaway Premier Division leaders Cork City are only human after all as they came from behind to draw 1-1 in Eamon Deacy Park. Conor McCormack had given his side the lead but it lasted only two minutes with Stephen Folan equalising. Cork are still twelve points clear at the top but still, their aura of invincibility has taken a little knock. For Galway, that point lifts them off the bottom of the table. Finn Harps drop to the bottom as they were beaten 3-0 at home by Bray Wanderers, who are now second. Gary McCabe, Ryan Brennan and Aaron Greene with their goals. Dundalk went third as they bounced back from their defeat to Galway last week by beating Sligo Rovers 4-0 at Oriel Park. Jamie McGrath got a hat-trick, his first for Dundalk, with Niclas Vemmelund getting the other. This was new Rovers manager Gerard Lyttle’s first defeat since he took charge, and it gave him an indication of the job he has on his hands.

Despite drawing 1-1 away to Limerick, Derry City remain 4th in the league. They had looked on course for all three points when Aaron Barry gave them the lead with ten minutes to go, but former Cork player Chiedozie Ogbene scored a stoppage-time leveller for his new side. Shamrock Rovers are up to 5th as Stephen Bradley’s side were two nil winners away to bitter cross-city rivals Bohemian FC in the Dublin Derby at Dalymount Park. Brandon Miele and Trevor Clarke scored the goals for the Hoops. St. Patrick’s Athletic got themselves out of the bottom three thanks to a 2-0 home win against Drogheda United. Ian Bermingham and Kurtis Byrne their scorers. They will now take on Sligo Rovers in a clash of two sides of whom more was expected, but both have struggled so far.

In the First Division, it is still Athlone Town dominating the headlines as the FAI and UEFA continue to investigate match-fixing claims. The FAI have requested bank and phone records from the Athlone players. They appointed a new full-time manager during the week, bringing back Roddy Collins, who previously managed them in 2013 when he led them to promotion to the Premier. He is one of the most outspoken characters in the league and Athlone supporters will be hoping he can bring some order back to the chaos that currently engulfs the club. On the pitch, they were beaten 2-1 by Shelbourne in Tolka Park. Waterford FC are back on top spot as they beat South East rivals Wexford 1-0. UCD are third thanks to their 1-0 win away against Longford Town. Cobh Ramblers are fourth thanks to their 2-0 home win against Cabinteely in St. Colman’s Park. Cabinteely are one of the most progressive sides in the league and have recently announced a friendly against the New Zealand national side, which will take place at their home ground of Stradbrook on Tuesday, June 6th, and tickets are selling well for what will be a novel fixture.