Mixed results, but don’t panic just yet

IF SLIGO Rovers were to finish this season in the same position as they are now, fourth, it wouldn’t be all that bad, would it?

Of course, they’d be relying on one of the three clubs above them to have won the FAI Cup in order to be planning for a third successive European campaign under Liam Buckley.

In the minutes following full-time last Saturday night, with Rovers stumbling to secure a draw with visitors UCD, few fans were looking to the Premier Division standings for comfort.

A third successive game at The Showgrounds without a win and, even accounting for the fact that one of these fixtures, the 1-0 loss to Bohemians, was a re-fixture from round one, the UCD result meant Rovers were on a four-game winless streak.

The Bit O’Red have gone weeks without winning games before, so nothing new there, but it’s baffling that the recent dropped points were against three clubs currently worse off than Rovers in the table.

Shelbourne, Bohemians and UCD were apparently there for the taking, considering their respective results and struggles, but Rovers failed to take advantage. The inability to win games that should be won is what separates title contenders from also-rans. Leaders Derry, still unbeaten, may not be deserving of all their 23 points but they’ve gone the distance in each of their nine games so far.

Rovers, in contrast, have spluttered since letting slip that 2-0 lead against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium.

Goalkeeper Ed McGinty has been making big saves and the defence, generally, has been solid.

Even with more assured options in midfield and attack, things haven’t sparkled as much as they should have and as suggested by the players available to manager Liam Buckley.

Max Mata’s goals against UCD at least means the team isn’t toothless when Aidan Keena is unavailable. With two away games to come, maybe a change of scenery and different pitches will see a revived Rovers. With three-quarters of the season to go, they’ve plenty to play for.

2021 – FIRST SERIES

LEAGUE POSITION: 3rd.

POINTS: 16

GAMES WON: 4

GAMES DRAWN: 4

GAMES LOST: 1

GOALS SCORED: 11

GOALS CONCEDED: 7

EVENTUAL FINISH: 3rd

2022 – FIRST SERIES

LEAGUE POSITION: 4th.

POINTS: 13

GAMES WON: 3

GAMES DRAWN: 4

GAMES LOST: 2

GOALS SCORED: 12

GOALS CONCEDED: 8

EVENTUAL FINISH: To be decided

CEREMONY: At Hazelwood last Sunday afternoon, ahead of the presentation of the SLDSL Sligo Pallets Premier League title to Calry Bohs, were Sligo-Leitrim District Soccer League Executive Committee members Robert Kennedy, Noel M Kennedy and John Loftus and Andrew Mullen of Sligo Pallets (sponsors of the SLDSL second tier).