Derry City 2-1 Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers have lost in their third consecutive chance to clinch the league title with a 2-1 loss to Derry City on Sunday at the Brandywell.
After back to back losses to Dublin rivals Shelbourne and St Pats, Rovers travelled to the Brandywell with a view to finally putting the season to bed with a win against their championship rivals.
Instead, goals from Brandon Fleming and Sadou Diallo gave the Candystripes the victory, further delaying Rovers’ coronation. A late consolation by Rory Gaffney wasn’t enough to rescue the game for the visitors
Hoops boss Stephen Bradley had competed in the Dublin city marathon earlier that day, but it’s the marathon on the pitch that might be taking its toll on the squad. A build up of cup and Conference League fixtures have left the side with just one win in their previous 6 games, and the wear and tear appears to be setting in. They host Galway on Wednesday for another chance at securing the title, if not the race will go to the final day.
For Derry City, the win may simply have delayed the inevitable. For them to win the league, Rovers need to lose their last two games, while Derry need to beat Cork in their final game while also overturning a +11 goal differential, a qualifier which may prove insurmountable.
Bohemians 2-3 Shelbourne
Dalymount Park was the scene of a thrilling North-Dublin Derby as Shels overturned an early 2-0 deficit to snatch a late victory against their neighbours across the canal, in a game that had heavy implications for next year’s Europe qualification.
Successive goals from Ross Tierney and Jordan Flores gave Bohs an early lead over a listless opposition, but a goal before halftime from John Martin gave the visitors a glimmer of hope.
The second half saw Joey O’Brien’s men push aggressively for an equaliser against a resilient defence. The breakthrough would eventually come in the 87th minute, with Harry Wood heading home a searching cross from Kerr McInroy, cueing manic celebrations in the away end.
The celebrations were topped 10 minutes later, when McInroy himself fired home a screamer from 30 yards out to win the game in the 7th minute of additional time.
The win sees Shelbourne clinch a Conference League spot for next season, with Bohs pushed into a 3-way standoff with St Pats and Drogheda for the remaining spot that would open up should Shamrock Rovers win the FAI Cup final.
Galway United 1-1 Drogheda United
Galway’s relegation battle was given a small boost as they came back to secure a 1-1 draw at home against Drogheda.
After a cagey first half that saw both sides exchange chances without scoring, it was Luke Heeney who opened the scoring for the visitors, capitalising on some calamitous defending by Galway to find the back of the net.
Drogs were given a scare not long after when a clearance by Galway keeper Brendan Clarke was caught by the wind, forcing his opposite number, Luke Dennison, to make a heart-stopping save.
Dennison was unable to stop Stephen Walsh from scoring moments later, his goal coming nearly by accident when a blocked shot by teammate Patrick Hickey rebounded directly to him to be deflected over the line.
The incidental nature of the goal didn’t deter the celebrations however, as John Caulfield’s side stayed level on points with their two relegation rivals going into the final week, with a view to picking up more points midweek versus a beleaguered Shamrock Rovers side.
Saint Patricks Athletic 1-1 Waterford F.C.
The frustrations continued for Pats on Friday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation threatened Waterford. After a strong opening to the game, young starlet Mason Melia put the hosts in front for his final goal at Richmond Park before his move to Tottenham next month.
Approaching the break, the Saints looked comfortable in front until a lapse of concentration allowed Ryan Burke to equalise with a header from a corner on the stroke of half time.
Coming out of the half, Stephen Kenny’s side looked lethargic in pursuit of an equaliser. All the energy from the first half had seemingly vanished, as a dull second half played out without any threat of a goal.
Pats were given a boost with the returns of both Romal Palmer and Aidan Keena from injury, both appearing as second half substitutes. Palmer’s appearance in particular garnering cheers from the home crowd, the English midfielder was a breakout star in the team the previous year, but has sparingly played this season due to recurring injury problems.
The Saints travel to Tolka Park to face Shelbourne next week, hoping to secure a result that helps them fend off Bohemians and Drogheda for 4th place. Meanwhile Waterford host Galway, in a match that may very well decide which team plays in the relegation playoff in November.
Sligo Rovers 1-1 Cork City
Saturday’s match saw a hard fought draw between two sides in the lower end of the table. Sligo, also hoping to avoid the dreaded promotion-relegation playoff, hosted already-relegated Cork in a bid to boost their own chances of survival.
Alex Nolan gave the visitors the lead shortly after half time, slapping a shot across Sam Sargeant’s goal into the corner. The celebrations were short lived however, as shortly after Sligo were awarded a penalty for a rash clearance during a scramble in the box.
Owen Elding continued his run of great form for the Bit O’ Red, tucking the penalty away for his 11th goal of the season. Rovers pressed forward in search of a winner, and thought they may have had it when Cian Kavanagh struck the ball into the bottom corner, but the referee had already blown his whistle after an earlier collision in the box, nullifying the effort.
The result leaves Sligo in 8th place, level on points with 9th place Waterford and 7th place Galway, leaving it all to play for on the final day. Sligo travel to Tallaght for their final game of the season. The result does little for Cork, with their faith long decided. Their focus will be on the FAI Cup final in November, as they look to pull off an upset against Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva.
