Disgraceful scenes spoil yet another

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Sligo Rovers St Patrick’s Athletic

Since being schooled on October 1 by Shamrock Rovers, who are now champions, Rovers have won twice and drawn twice.

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Significantly, they’ve taken

0 points off three of the teams that will finish above them in the standings – Dundalk, FAI Men’s Cup finalists Derry City and St Pat’s.

Indeed, this 11th loss in 35 games for St Pat’s, who are fourth, means that the Inchicore outfit need Derry to win the FAI Men’s Cup in order to feature in Europe next year.

Factor in the excellence of experienced goalkeeper Richard Brush, who has stepped in with aplomb since injury ended the season of first choice custodian Luke McNicholas, as well as

But we’re not discussing all of the above – we’re still fretting about the crowd disturbances at the Jinks Avenue Stand that marred the halftime break.

It was ugly stuff and while so-called supporters from both clubs were involved, Rovers can only worry about their own latchicos, with the club having issued a statement that promises “lengthy stadium bans” for those already identified on CCTV cameras in that part of stadium where the incidents occurred.

Then there’s another terrible situation to be investigated when St Pat’s goalkeeper David Odumosu was allegedly subject to racist remarks by a member of the home crowd. This caused the second-half to be delayed. Rovers approached this game – their final home fixture of 2022 – with something to prove.

Recent performances have shown that the Bit O’Red can compete and, while Shamrock Rovers will be out of reach, and Derry as well (given the financial resources now available to them), Rovers must be targeting a topfour place or FAI Men’s Cup glory in 2023.

Greg Bolger and Colm Horgan