42 minutes agoBen BlakeTonight’s LOI fixtures (7.45 unless stated):
Premier Division Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers Galway United v Bohemians Shelbourne v Derry CityWaterford v DundalkSt Patrick’s Athletic v Shamrock Rovers, 8.0 – Virgin Media Two
First Division Cork City v Cobh RamblersKerry v Bray WanderersUCD v Athlone TownWexford v Finn Harps 3 minutes agoBen Blake“Being raised in Tallaght, I had no access to cricket pitches or I didn’t know anyone who played it, but I found the the tactical challenge of Test cricket fascinating.”
Seán O’Connor: They have not made the printed programme here this evening, but Stephen Kenny’s pre-match notes raised some eyebrows earlier today.
Here’s a taster from the St Pat’s website, make of it what you will. 8 minutes agoBen BlakeConnolly hoping to bring positives from FAI Cup run into league form
There is a real feelgood atmosphere at the Brandywell following the Derry City quarter-final win over Dundalk last Sunday, and interim boss Mark Connolly wants that to bring that into tonight’s away at Tolka Park. ‘The boys are smiling’ – Derry City chief bidding to maintain feelgood factor with another win at ShelbourneDerry City chase crucial League points at Shelbourne as Mark Connolly’s side look to turn FAI Cup momentum and Tolka Park form into another big result.www.independent.ie 9 minutes agoBen BlakeSligo Rovers manager Darren Purse. Michael P Ryan/SportsfileRelegation six-pointer in Louth
Daniel McDonnell is taking in the meeting of Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers
On a night of big games, I’m in Sullivan & Lambe Park where it’s less about excitement and more about stress.
Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers are the bottom two, with the visitors five points adrift at the bottom of the table.
In reality, if Darren Purse’s side are to avoid automatic relegation, they probably have to win here.
They haven’t picked up three points in a league game since a shock win at Shamrock Rovers in May with John Russell in the dugout.
Drogheda are four points off eighth spot and will view this as a chance to move closer to the pack above them yet – deep down – there must be a sense of knowing they cannot afford to lose this match to give the Connacht club some hope.
Sligo Rovers have a dreadful record. 16 minutes agoBen BlakeShamrock Rovers players Jake Mulraney and Dylan Watts at Richmond Park. Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileTop-of-the-table clash in Inchicore
Seán O’Connor is back from his trip to Seville following Real Betis’ new favourite striker, and sets the scene for the Dublin derby:
Good evening and welcome to a sunny Richmond Park where this result between St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers could go a long way in deciding the destination of the title.
The state of play is as follows, the Hoops are six points clear at the top with seven games to go while the Saints sit in second. A home win would blow the race wide open and cut that gap to just three points, but Rovers could put one hand on the trophy with victory here.
Despite still sitting at the summit, Rovers have struggled for form of late and arrive to Inchicore winless in six games, having suffered exits in the FAI Cup (to St Pat’s just under a month ago) and Conference League in recent weeks.
St Pat’s on the other hand will be looking to bounce back following their dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat to Bohemians in last weekend’s FAI Cup quarter-final clash. Before that, Waterford came here in the league and were full value for their 2-0 victory, so Stephen Kenny’s side have a point to prove in front of an expectant home crowd.
Kenny has made two changes from that FAI Cup defeat to Bohs, as Barry Baggley and Ryan Edmondson come in for Chris Forrester and Anthony Olusanya. Stephen Bradley makes just one change after Rovers’ 0-0 draw to Shelbourne last week, as Will Fitzgerald comes in for recent Ireland debutant Adam Brennan.
If the Saints are to end their 13-year wait for the title, three points here is simply a must. A cracker awaits at Richmond. 23 minutes agoBen BlakeOwen Heary is this week’s LOI legend
The Shelbourne and Bohemians stalwart sits down with Seán O’Connor in the latest interview of the series. ‘If I lost a game, I’d be in bed for two days. I couldn’t talk to my missus, couldn’t talk to the kids. The time, the dedication, I don’t want to do that anymore’In our latest League of Ireland Legend interview, Shelbourne and Bohemians hero Owen Heary explains why he’ll never return to managementwww.independent.ie 28 minutes agoBen BlakeJamie Lennon: “It hurts because you want to be talked about as being one of the best teams in the league”.
For the Saints midfielder, tonight’s game is not only a chance to reduce the Hoops’ lead but also to make a point to those who have effectively written Stephen Kenny’s side off.‘People said we’d struggle to qualify for Europe’ — Jamie Lennon hopes St Pat’s can keep proving doubters wrongDerby clash against champions will be vital in title duelwww.independent.ie 31 minutes agoBen Blake“You can have all the talent and ability, but if your mind is not right, your football will suffer.”
Waterford defender John Mahon, who has been named SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for August, speaks openly about feeling rejected from his hometown club, Sligo Rovers, following an injury-plagued stint in Scotland and how therapy sessions with a psychologist have helped him to find form and happiness.‘I was in denial’ — Waterford’s John Mahon on how therapy sessions helped to save his career after Sligo rejectionWaterford defender John Mahon reveals how therapy, rejection at Sligo Rovers and Graham Coughlan’s regime reshaped his career and mindset.www.independent.ie 34 minutes agoBen BlakePremier Division injury updates and verdicts
Aidan Fitzmaurice previews this evening’s five top-flight fixtures. Friday’s League of Ireland previews: Team news, talking points and verdictsDROGHEDA UNITED v SLIGO ROVERS
(Sullivan & Lambe Park, 7.45)www.independent.ie 35 minutes agoBen BlakeThe LOI Show: Are we set for a title race or will the Hoops put one hand on the trophy?
Seán O’Connor and Aidan Fitzmaurice chat through the talking points ahead of tonight’s matches. LOI Preview with 2nd vs 1st and plenty of drama elsewhereSeán O’Connor is joined by Aidan Fitzmaurice to preview this Friday’s League of Ireland Premier Division action where we have five massive fixtures. At the top of the table, league leaders Shamrock Rovers travel to Inchicore to take on St Patrick’s Athletic, while at the bottom Drogheda United host bottom side Sligo Rovers.
Elsewhere, Galway United welcome Bohemians out west, Shelbourne take on Derry City at Tolka Park and in-form Waterford face Dundalk.
For more, visit independent.ie/sport
#LeagueOfIreland #Football #Ireland #IrishFootballIrish Independent, youtube.comExternal contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 43 minutes agoBen BlakeSt Pat’s players Aidan Keen and Chris Forrester arrive at Richmond Park prior to tonight’s top-of-the-table clash. Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileHello there. It feels like a pivotal stage in this season’s Premier Division as, with seven matches remaining, Shamrock Rovers hold a six-point advantage over fellow Dublin sides St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians.
The defending champions, who are without a win in their last six games in all competitions, head to Richmond Park to face second-placed Saints in tonight’s televised fixture (8.0).
A win would see the country’s most successful club take a major step towards their sixth title in seven years. However, defeat for Stephen Bradley’s men might open the door to their nearest rivals and a potential title race that could take us into the final weeks of the season.
The Saints, who will want to bounce back after losing out to Bohs in the FAI Cup quarter-finals on penalties, have been hit with a partial stand closure following an incident in which Waterford’s Jorgen Voilas appeared to be struck by a fan.
Alan Reynolds’ Gypsies head to Eamonn Deacy Park to take on Galway United, who also booked their place in the semi-finals last weekend.
The Tribesmen will come up against Derry City in that tie next month, and the Candystripes are in the capital this evening for a meeting with Shelbourne.
Meanwhile, the bottom two clash at Sullivan & Lambe Park as Drogheda host Sligo Rovers, while in-form Waterford entertain Dundalk at the RSC.
In the First Division, newly-crowned champions Cork CIty have a home derby with Cobh Ramblers in one of four matches. TickarooLive Blog Software