SSE Airtricity League Making the best of an unforeseen postponement Alan Finn

Remains positive after Rovers’ scheduled home game against Galway United was called off

AFTER SIX consecutive weekends of games at The Showgrounds involving either the Sligo Rovers senior men’s team or the club’s senior women’s team, it was a shock to the system to see that run come to an end last Saturday as the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture against Galway United fell victim to the elements.

Amid a wave of disappointment from Rovers fans and conspiracy theories from Galway United fans, it probably wasn’t the worst decision – both from a health and safety point of view and player availability point of view as far as the hosts would have been concerned.

Without kicking a ball, Rovers still find themselves in the top four thanks to another interesting week of results in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.

By now, with the first series of games almost completed, it would

have been expected that the inevitable frontrunners would start pulling away and the the rest would be battling amongst each other to avoid the foot of the table.

Yet we find ourselves with

Shelbourne still sitting pretty on top of the heap with 21 points – six clear of second-placed Derry City, with the gap down as far as eighth being a mere five points, summing up how competitive and unpredictable these opening

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION P D F

9 3 13 9 3 14 9 1 10 8 3 11 8 3 11 9 2 11 8 1 5

8 1 9 8 4 7 8 3 3

weeks have been. Just as champions Shamrock Rovers looked to have been getting their act together, they suffered a 2-1 loss last Friday at the hands of a St Patrick’s Athletic side undoubtedly buoyed by their 3-0 win over Sligo

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Rovers the previous Monday.

Damien Duff’s Shelbourne continued to demonstrate their determination and grit by claiming a point away to Drogheda United thanks to a late, late Sean Boyd equaliser – they have yet to lose after nine games.

Alan Reynolds found he still has plenty of work to do as his Bohs side fell to a 1-0 defeat to Waterford in the new manager’s first home game in charge. Perhaps the match with the

Gurteen Celtic squad (v Mervue United): Catherine Gallagher, Helen Mulligan, Megan McCormack, Sarah Gallagher (c), Grainne Phillips, Claudia McGovern, Mathona Conheady, Leanne McGowan, Tara Phillips, Katie Hannon, Katie Walsh, Angela Brett, Crea McLoughlin, Catherine Cryan, Ciara Higgins, Aisling O’Gara, Leilah O’Toole, Molly O’Reardon

AWARD: Gurteen Celtic’s Megan McCormack, left, is presented with the Player of the Match award by Ger McGrath (Connacht FA committee member). PRESENTATION: Gurteen Celtic captain Sarah Gallagher is presented with the Connacht FA Women’s Shield by Ger McGrath (Connacht FA committee member).

KEY PLAYER: Rovers full-back JR Wilson could be back after injury for the upcoming game against Shamrock Rovers.

Shelbourne Derry City St Patrick’s Ath Sligo Rovers Shamrock Rvrs Waterford FC Galway Utd Bohemians Drogheda Utd Dundalk W 6 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 1 0 L 0 2 4 2 2 4 4 4 3 5 A 6 8 9 7 9 11 6 11 12 15 Pts 21 15 13 12 12 11 10 10 7 3