O’Sullivan regains his precious crown
DAVY O’SULLIVAN has regained his crown for the time being. The Wicklow Town native got back on the goal trail as he fired Longford Town to three points at the City Calling Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Town side was littered with men from the Garden County as they picked up a 1-0 win over Finn Harps. Willie Tyrell manned the defence, Kevin O’Connor and Rhys Gorman provided spark and guile in midfield, while O’Sullivan provided the winner up front.
A handball by a Harps defender in the 25th minute saw the hosts award a penalty and Charlesland dweller O’Sullivan managed to squeeze his spot kick beyond the dive of Conor Winn to earn his side the win.
Danny Ledwith was also celebrating being on the scoresheet this week. Tried out in his original role of midfield against UCD on Friday, the left-footer revelled and enjoyed a hatful of chances, one of which he took with devastating effect.
Aaron Greene chipped the ball into the Ledwith and from a tight angle, he ploughed home a volley at the back post.
Earlier, Ledwith had been sent through on goal by Greene but was denied by Conor O’Donnell and the Arklow man enjoyed several other chances against his former side but had to make do with the one strike.
On Monday evening, the Bit O’Red were on the road and Dalymount Park was their destination.
Although Andy Mulligan was not in Owen Heary’s plans, Ledwith retained his place in midfield and played his part in his side’s 0-2 success.
Mulligan had togged out on Friday as the Gypsies fell to city rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic. Mulligan started on the left wing and witnessed first-hand Jason Byrne’s sensational opener but Bohs would go on to lose 3-1 and Mulligan was replaced at half time by Karl Moore.
UCD’s Hughie Douglas had a similar experience to Mulligan. He was forced to sit out the drubbing at the hands of Sligo as he served the last game of his suspension but he reclaimed his centre half position on Monday for the 0-1 loss to league leaders Cork City.
Billy Dennehy struck early for the Leesiders and it would have been 0-2 in the 55th minute when Garry Buckley got a touch to Brian Lenihan’s cross, but Douglas made a vital interception to keep it out.
Derry City’s Aaron Barry had plenty of defensive work to do as well as his side kept two clean sheets over the weekend. Unfortunately for the Candystripes, their opponents – Bray Wanderers and Limerick – kept clean sheets also.
Barry starred at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night as City held Wanderers to stalemate and then on Monday, Barry was switched to left back and was withdrawn after 67 minutes of City’s 0-0 with Limerick at the Brandywell.
Barry’s former Sheffield United team-mate Shane Murray seems to be turning the tide. Now back to full fitness, he caused Shamrock Rovers B plenty of problems with his set-piece delivery at the RSC on Friday evening.
In the end, Waterford picked up a 1-0 win over the Hoops, who had Corie Treacy back in defence but were missing the injured Chris Lyons.