Eircom title looks set to go down
to the wire
 By David
Thorpe
With just three weeks of action left in the Premier Division Derry City
produced their best performance of the season to defeat Shelbourne last
week and open up the race for the Eircom League title.
The Candystripes can go level on points with their Dublin rivals if they
win their game in hand against rock-bottom Waterford United as Eircom
League fans savour the closest title race in many years.
Derry would also appear to have the easier run-in of the two teams —
two of their games are against struggling sides.
First they meet a poor Bray side at the Brandywell on Friday followed
by a St. Patrick’s Athletic outfit with nothing left to play for
this season.
Their only tough game looks like being a high-profile last-day-of-the-season
clash with Cork City at the Brandywell.
Derry were deprived of the league title by Damien Richardson’s men
on the final day of last season and will surely want to avenge that.
Pat Fenlon’s Shelbourne have been top of the Eircom League table
for most of the season but their inability to beat some of the weaker
teams in this division has seen their lead pegged back.
Their title hopes received a blow this week when it was revealed that
defensive lynch-pin and team captain Owen Heary will miss the remainder
of the season with a knee injury sustained in the Dubliner’s recent
match against UCD.
Joseph Ndo or Alan Moore could come into a rejigged back line to cover
for the absence of the experienced Heary.
They host Drogheda United at the weekend and with the Louth outfit still
trying to secure European football for next season there will be plenty
at stake for both teams.
Shelbourne must then travel to Turner’s Cross to face a Cork City
side anxious to round off their season in style.
The final round of matches could be a real cracker with Shelbourne hosting
Dublin arch-rivals Bohemians at the same time as Derry visit Cork.
A final twist in the tail might be the court action which is currently
being taken by Shelbourne who are seeking to have their match against
Bohemians replayed.
Bohs won the game 2-1 but it later emerged that the Gypsies had fielded
Jason McGuiness who should have been suspended.
The Dalymount Park side were docked three points as a result but Shels
claim that the game should be replayed, or they be awarded the points.
While the FAI’s own rulebook is unclear on the matter most Eircom
League fans will be hoping that the destination of this year’s Championship
can be decided on the pitch rather than in the courtroom.
This week in the Eircom league
Derry City - Bray Wanderers
The Brandywell 7.45pm Friday
Title-chasing Derry are likely to pull out all the stops to ensure there
are no slip-ups against struggling Bray.
Neither side have any fresh injury or suspension concerns but Bray, who
are struggling to score goals, are likely to field three up-front
against Derry who have the meanest defence in the league, while wingers
Paddy McCourt and Gareth McGlynn provide plenty of attacking options.
The Foylesiders should maintain their title charge with a comfortable
victory against the Wicklow men.
Verdict: Home win
Cork City - Waterford Utd
Turner’s Cross 7.45pm Friday
This Munster Derby could be even tighter than usual with Waterford
battling relegation and an in-form Cork side determined to round off
their season in style.
Long-term absentee John O’Flynn is the only player missing for the
Leesiders while Waterford report no new injury or suspension concerns.
It’s hard to see Cork dropping points against a Waterford side who have
been woeful all season.
Verdict: Home Win
Shelbourne - Drogheda Utd
Tolka Park 7.45pm Friday
This could be the easiest game of Shelbourne’s title run-in. Drogheda
have little enough to play for and could have their minds on their FAI
Cup quarter-final tie three days later. ]
Shelbourne will be firmly focused on the league however and their only
injury doubt is Owen Heary with Alan Moore likely to come into the
defence.
It’s hard to see Shelbourne slipping up at this late stage of their
title charge and they should collect the points here.
Verdict: Home win
Bohemians Longford Town
Dalymount Park 7.45pm Friday
Two mid-table teams with little to play for and no new injury or
suspension concerns are likely to play out a typical end-of-season draw.
Bohemians said this week that they are unlikely to have a new manager in
place before the end of the season while Longford have shown much
improved form as the season draws to a close.
With Longford’s excellent defensive record and Bohemians being so
shot-shy a 0-0 draw seems like the most plausible result.
Verdict: Draw
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