DUFFY’S DERRY BIG IMPACT
THAT’S another ‘blink and you’ll miss loads’ week in the topsy-turvy world of the Premier Division – with so much happening, it’s a task trying to figure out where to start.
St Pat’s boss Jon Daly was dumped by the Saints, who then held champions Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on Friday as the Hoops’ stuttering campaign yielded just one point from this week’s two games.
It’s looking less unlikely that former Ireland boss Stephen Kenny will replace Daly – but that’s a story which will conclude in a day or two as the Saints head into key games against Derry City and Shelbourne.
OUTINGS
The Reds remain at the top of the table, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Drogheda United at Tolka Park. Damien Duff’s side has won just one of their last nine league outings.
It’s been a decent few days for Derry – but it’s been a wonderful week for Waterford as the Blues made it three wins on the bounce with Friday’s defeat of Dundalk and now lie fourth.
More of Waterford in a moment, but first up is Derry, who moved to within a point of Shels by virtue of a 1-0 win against Bohemians at the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Friday. “We’re thrilled with the win,” said Derry boss Ruaidhrí Higgins.
“It’s been a difficult week, with games against Shels and Bohs. We’ve taken four points from six, which isn’t a bad return.
“It was a really tough game against Bohs. They’re a good side and they’re going to get better. But what we were able to introduce in the latter stages got us through the game.”
Michael Duffy scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute. He was one of five changes Higgins made after the break, which indicates that the Candystripes are close to full strength again.
BRILLIANT
“It was a brilliant goal,” added Higgins. “Michael looked really sharp. He hasn’t done much in the last few weeks, as he’s had a niggly problem. I’m delighted to get him on the pitch.
“Patrick McEleney, Sadou Diallo and Michael all made great impacts when they came on. Patrick McEleney came on at half-time. Sam Todd came on and defended really well.
“Our substitutes had a huge impact on us getting the three points.”
Meanwhile, Waterford are the only side showing serious form lately, picking up nine points in eight days, including last Monday night’s impressive 3-1 win in Tallaght against champions Rovers.
They followed that with Friday’s four-goal haul (Maleace Asamoah netted a hat-trick) against bottom side Dundalk at the RSC, which left Blues boss Keith Long upbeat after ending their recent run of disappointing home results.
“It was an important win for us,” he said. “Crucial to the game was our second goal. It was a great finish from Maleace Asamoah to bring us in 2-1 at half-time.
“And getting the third goal as quickly as we did in the second half sort of sucked the oxygen out of Dundalk.
“We’ll dust ourselves down during the week and get ourselves ready as best we can for what’s going to be a really tough challenge away to Shelbourne in Tolka Park.”