Seven different dreams alive in remarkable scrap for glory
Five teams were showing signs of pulling away, and the usual separation between top half and bottom half looked like it might hold.
Fast forward to this week, and the table tells a wildly different story: just three points separate the top seven sides.
The race for Europe, and potentially the title, is not just wide open, it's chaotic and gloriously unpredictable.
In a league that refuses to settle, this season may be the most tightly contested yet.
Bohemians and Derry City, two clubs that had slipped into mid-table mediocrity, have flipped the script in dramatic fashion.
Both were, not long ago, drifting in no man's land; they looked off the pace and out of ideas.
But form is everything in football, and right now, no one's better. In the last five games both of these sides sit on top of the form table, collecting more points than anyone else and injecting themselves into the European conversation.
Bohemians, under Alan Reynolds, are playing with renewed belief.
The likes of Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy have stepped up in big moments, their evident faith in their manager providing big results when needed the most.
Meanwhile, Derry have quietly got themselves back in it. When most of the title favourites slipped up over the Easter weekend they got back to back wins, there loss against Waterford last Friday will seem like a setback but that successful Easter period has done them wonders.
Then there's Shamrock Rovers. After three wins on the bounce, they've taken just two points from their last three outings - each one a Dublin derby, each one a match where they were in a winning position at some point.
Stephen Bradley's side will feel they've let key moments slip. When you're trying to regain the title, there's no room for complacency.
Tonight's clash against Cork City feels like a must-win for them, not just for the points, but to restore confidence. Rovers are very experienced. Writing them off would be foolish.
St Patrick's Athletic are another club who'll be wondering how they've let things slide.
No wins in their last three. Against Rovers and Bohemians, they led. Against Drogheda, they failed to score but managed a draw. That makes tonight's game against Galway United critical.
Galway have already turned them over once this season and they arrive full of confidence after the win against Drogheda last weekend which leaves them joint top.
Brendan Clarke's return in goal is timely, while Moses Dyer's form up front has added bite and belief.
Galway have conceded more than they usually would, but they look like a side who enjoy the fight, a team which takes great joy in causing problems.
Speaking of teams who love a scrap, Kevin Doherty's Drogheda United deserve all the praise going.
First time transitioning to full-time football, they've been punching above their weight all season.
Their recent form - three games without a win - might raise eyebrows, but performances have remained spirited.
They had chances to nick a point against Galway last weekend, and tonight's fixture against Sligo represents a real opportunity to get back on track.
If they can keep defying the odds over the next few weeks, we may begin to see echoes of Shelbourne last year, a side who simply wouldn't go away and held on long enough to lift silverware.
What makes this season so unique is that no narrative seems to be holding for longer than a fortnight.
Just when you believe the table is taking shape, results rip it that narrative to shreds. Teams expected to falter, like Bohs and Derry, don't.
Sides expected to kick on, like Shamrock Rovers and St Pat's, stall.
New threats, like Galway, arrive weekly. Even Shelbourne, who have been impressive so far this season, will be surprised with the competitive nature of the league.
"There's something extremely enjoyable about this season's campaign."
That's not a sign of weakness in the league. Quite the opposite. It's proof that the league has never been stronger in terms of competitive depth.
Squads are better equipped. Coaching is better. Investment has improved. And the entertainment value? Off the charts.
There's something extremely enjoyable about this season's campaign. No team is dominating their way to dominance.
No one is running away with it. And fans across the league are rewarded with high-stakes drama almost every week.
If you're watching, you're hooked.
Seven teams within three points. Seven different dreams still alive.
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Irish Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rory Gaffney fires a brilliant brace as Shamrock Rovers go 10 points clear
Rory Gaffney fired Shamrock Rovers into a whopping 10-point lead at the top as the Hoops shredded Derry City's fading title aspirations. The 35-year-old striker has made a habit over the years of delivering big moments, and didn't disappoint here with two second-half goals to sink the Candystripes. Rovers were not at their best in the first-half, but Gaffney took control by making it double figures for the season with strikes in the 47th and 65th minutes. And in doing so, the Hoops took a giant step towards reclaiming the title with a show of strength against a visiting side that finished with 10-men after Alex Bannon saw red. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Rovers couldn't have asked for a better chain of events over the bank holiday weekend, as they prepare for Thursday's European clash away to Ballkani in Kosovo. Shamrock Rovers Rory Gaffney celebrates scoring the second goal of the game with Lee Grace and Roberto Lopes (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) Second-placed Bohemians sabotaged their own hopes of forcing a title race by losing at the death to Drogheda United on Friday night. And that teed up this game, with Stephen Bradley and his players knowing full well how significant a win would be against a side that hasn't beaten them now in 10 meetings. 'In the second-half we dominated the game,' said Bradley. 'The spaces were there in the first-half but we just didn't see them clearly, but we did in the second half and we were ruthless. 'Rory deserves incredible credit. Last year he had a torrid time with injuries. Coming to pre-season he said 'let me prove that I'm ready to go again'. 'He came in and trained without getting paid and proved that he was ready to go and when you get Rory like he is now, he's unplayable. 'Derry have three big centre-backs and (Mark) Connolly has been around, but Rory had his way with the three of them and he was different class.' But Bradley refused to accept that Rovers are now home and hosed in the title race with just 10 games to go. 'There's a long way to go and another round of matches. We're not calling that. What we do want to do is extend the lead and that's why tonight is so important,' he said. 'We want to go deep in Europe by playing Thursday-Sunday and that can be difficult, so it was important that we gave ourselves a buffer in the league.' Shamrock Rovers' Dan Cleary and Dipo Akinyemi of Derry City (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) The Rovers performance in the second-half was night and day compared to the first, where they allowed Derry the space and time to look the more dangerous side. Michael Duffy had a spark about him in those exchanges and the Derry stalwart had the best chance of the half, cracking the woodwork after 12 minutes. Sadou Diallo spotted Duffy's darting run, clipping a ball over the defence. Duffy took a touch and unleashed on the turn, only to hit the post. Duffy chanced his arm again when he jinked inside Pico Lopes and Dan Cleary before driving a ball towards Ed McGinty's goal, only to see it veer off course. At that stage, Derry had plenty about them going forward and caused problems. Their new full-back Brandon Fleming, snapped up from Hull City, was a handful in particular. The crosses he fizzed into the box from the left were usually on the money, but the big difference was that Derry had no Rory Gaffney-type figure to finish them off. Managers Stephen Bradley and Tiernan Lynch before the game at Tallaght Stadium (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) Rovers closed out the half with another effort, but Brian Maher got behind Danny Mandroiu's free-kick on the edge of the box after Connolly fouled Dylan Watts. But the Hoops made their first chance of the second-half count when Gaffney pounced for the opener, tapping home at close range. Josh Honohan crossed from the left before Adam O'Reilly could shut him down. Jamie Stott was covering the back post, but Gaffney outfoxed him. Connor Malley, snapped up on loan from Sligo Rovers, then crashed a long-range drive off the crossbar on his debut before Honohan flashed a shot across goal. He ought to have scored, having done all the hard work, but that manic, six-minute burst of energy sparked Rovers into life. Not only that, they never looked back as Gaffney doubled his tally and finished the Candystripes off in the 65th minute. Watts sent a ball up the right flank from deep and Gaffney raced onto it. Alex Bannon was covering but Gaffney tied him up in knots before rifling left-footed into the corner. And Bannon's night would go from bad to worse with 11 minutes to go when he was sent off on a second-yellow card to compound Derry's miserable night. SHAMROCK ROVERS: McGinty 7; Cleary 7 (O'Sullivan 86, 5), Lopes 7, Grace 7; Grant 7 (McGovern 74, 6), Watts 7, Healy 7, Honohan 7; McEneff 6 (Malley 45, 6), Mandroiu 7 (McGovern 74, 6); Gaffney 8 (Noonan 69, 6). DERRY CITY: Maher 6; Bannon 5, Connolly 5, Stott 6; O'Reilly 6, Diallo 6 (R Boyce 85, 5), Winchester 6, Duffy 6 (Doherty 85, 5), Fleming 6; L Boyce 6 (Whyte 63, 6), Akinyemi 6 (Mullen 63, 6). Referee: P McLaughlin MOTM: Rory Gaffney (Shamrock Rovers) Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
The Irish Sun
44 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Rory Gaffney hits double as Shamrock Rovers move 10 points clear with 10 to go in League of Ireland title race
The veteran striker bagged both goals in dominant win over 10-man Derry as Hoops close in on fifth title in six years TEN STARS Rory Gaffney hits double as Shamrock Rovers move 10 points clear with 10 to go in League of Ireland title race RORY GAFFNEY'S 10th goal of the season against 10-man Derry City moved Shamrock Rovers 10 points clear with 10 games to go. And the Candystripes have now gone 10 matches without a win against the Hoops. Advertisement 2 Rory Gaffney landed his tenth goal of the season for Shamrock Rovers in the win over Derry City 2 Rovers' win gives them a ten-point lead in the Premier Division as Derry City are winless in ten Rovers were on the back foot for most of the first half but were a different animal after the break as they put Derry City to the sword. Gaffney, 35, was taken off midway through the second half and replaced by 17-year-old Michael Noonan but he had already done more than enough. If his first goal was a tap-in, from Josh Honohan's cross, his second was anything but. Played in down the right by Dylan Watts, he cut inside Alex Bannon before unleashing a thunderous left-foot drive into the far corner. Advertisement The Tuam native only re-signed for the Hoops a week into the league season after proving his fitness after an ankle injury which had sidelined him last year. But how glad Rovers are to have him as he has now netted four times in his last five games and is their top scorer with 10 goals in all competitions. With Bohemians and Derry City both taking just one point from their last two outings, the Hoops have stretched their lead to double digits. And, even if they find themselves in a prolonged European campaign, it is hard to envisage the kind of drop-off in domestic form which would be required for anyone to catch them and prevent Stephen Bradley's side from winning a fifth league title in six years. Advertisement After they sleepwalked their way through a 0-0 draw against St Joseph's on Thursday - having earned the right to do so after a 4-0 win in Gibraltar - this represented a serious step-up in intensity. Lee Grace, Daniel Cleary, Dylan Watts, Matt Healy and Danny Mandroiu were restored to the starting XI. Son Heung-breaks down in tears as Tottenham legend is given emotional farewell in final match They started well and had a couple of half-chances with Aaron McEneff unable to keep his effort on target after being teed up by Gaffney. Gaffney was then played through by Roberto Lopes and sped past Mark Connolly. Alex Bannon came across to cover but the former Limerick striker got past him too only to fire wide. Advertisement But, thereafter, the only chance they had before the break was from a free-kick when Connolly fouled Watts but Mandroiu's strike was straight at Brian Maher. Derry were more threatening, particularly down the left where their recent recruit from Hull City, Brandon Fleming, was a danger, along with Michael Duffy. Duffy went closest to breaking the deadlock when he ran in behind to latch onto Sadou Diallo's pass. His shot beat Ed McGinty but struck the far post with Roberto Lopes mopping up before any Derry player could pounce on the rebound. Advertisement Later he fired wide of goal after he had found a gap between Lopes and Dan Cleary on the right. Alex Bannon had a header from a corner saved with Fleming twice off target, the second after he had nutmegged Danny Grant. Bradley made a switch at half-time with Connor Malley - signed on loan from Sligo Rovers - coming on for his debut in place of Aaron McEneff. And, although he had no role in it, Rovers went ahead almost straight from the restart with Josh Honohan getting the better of Adam O'Reilly on the left before crossing in to Gaffney who escaped the attentions of Jamie Stott for an easy tap-in. Advertisement It marked the start of complete dominance for the home side who could quite easily have scored twice more in the following four minutes. First, Malley struck the woodwork with an effort from outside the box and then Honohan dragged a shot wide of the far upright after he had been set up by Mandroiu. Derry offered little in return and Gaffney got the second goal in the 65th minute. And, any hope of a comeback from the visitors was ended in the 79th minute when Bannon was sent off after two bookable offences, for fouls on Mandroiu and Honohan. Advertisement SHAMROCK ROVERS 2-0 DERRY CITY SUN STAR MAN: Rory Gaffney (Shamrock Rovers) SHAMROCK ROVERS: McGinty 7; Cleary 6 (O'Sullivan 86, 3), Lopes 6, Grace 7; Grant 6 (McGovern 74, 5), Healy 7, McEneff 6 (Malley 46, 7), Honohan 7; Watts 7, Mandroiu 7 (Matthews 74, 5); Gaffney 8 (Noonan 69,5 ). DERRY CITY: Maher 6; Bannon 4, Connolly 5, Stott 6; O'Reilly 6, Stott 6, Diallo 6 (R Boyce 85, 3), Fleming 7; L Boyce 6 (Mullen 64, )5, Akinyemi 5 (Whyte 64, 5), Duffy 7 (Doherty 85, 3). REFEREE: P McLaughlin (Monaghan) 6
Irish Daily Mirror
44 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Alex O'Neill dethrones Sarah Healy to run out shock winner of 800m
Alex O'Neill dethroned Sarah Healy to run out a shock winner of the 800m at the Irish National Senior Championships in Santry, Dublin. European indoor 3000m champion Healy went into the race as the hot favourite having qualified fastest from the heats. But in a tactical race, once O'Neill kicked for home off a slow pace, the alarm bells began to ring for Healy. Boxed in by the eventual winner and Maeve O'Neill, Healy dug in and rallied up the inside lane in a barnstorming finish. But the line came up just in time for Clare woman Alex O'Neill to win her first national senior title and take Healy's scalp. O'Neill said: "I'm delighted. I haven't raced in a national championship in a while, so it's huge to get a senior title, an unbelievable feeling. "I've been feeling really strong lately and I was hoping it would go to a kick finish although I was a little bit apprehensive to do that after leading. "But I was just trying to keep them off at the bends and make them work that little bit extra." She added: "I was just trying to do as my coach said, to make my stride shorter and relax my face. I am not sure if I managed to do that, but it was great to be able to hold them off." There was also a thrilling finish to the men's 800m final as the two protagonists Mark English and Cian McPhillips engaged in a prolonged battle down the straight. But it was 32-year-old English, in the form of his life, who got the better of the younger man to win his tenth national title in a time of 1:48.76. Asked what has clicked this year, the Donegal man and Irish record holder said: "I changed coach back in November, and I've increased the volume a little bit, so I think they have been the differences. "After the indoor season, I went out to altitude again, so that might have had an effect too. But I guess it's just an accumulation of all the little changes I've made over the last year. "I'm hoping to have another race or two before the world championships. I can't wait for that as I'm in great shape at the minute." There was also a tenth national title for Sarah Lavin as she stormed away from the field to win the 100m hurdles in a time of 12.92. Having finished second to Sharlene Mawdsley in the 200m final on Saturday, Lavin excelled in her favourite discipline to stretch clear of silver medallist Molly Scott and bronze medallist Sarah Quinn. There was also a big winning distance in the men's 100m final as Bori Akinola streaked away to take gold. Into a headwind, the 23-year-old ran an impressive time of 10.29 to finish clear of Sean Aigboboh (10.41) and Lorcan Murphy (10.57). In the men's 5000m, Brian Fay attempted to nullify the speed of Andrew Coscoran by kicking for home early. But Coscoran, 29, had plenty in reserve to pass Fay up the home straight and go clear at the line in time of 13:34.14. Coscoran wasn't done there, though. Ninety minutes later, the Balbriggan man lined out in a stacked field for 1500m final. Cathal Doyle, looking for his fourth consecutive win in the race, made a decisive move to the front with 200m to go, though, and never let up to win in a time of 3:53.60. Coscoran looked to be showing the effects of his 5000m exertions when fifth coming around the final bend, but to his great credit, he powered up the straight to snatch second from Nick Griggs. In the women's 400m, Sophie Becker, in the absence of Sharlene Mawdsley, was the favourite to defend her title, and she did so in great style, hitting the line in 52.87, ahead of Rachael McCann and Cliodhna Manning. Becker's Donore Harriers' training partner Jack Raftery also went back-to-back in the men's 400m, clocking a winning time of 45.71 to finish ahead of five-time champion Chris O'Donnell and Ciaran Carthy.
