Oct 18,2024
The most bizarre SSE Airtricity League season in memory will edge ever closer to its climax this evening, but you still wouldn't like to be the one calling the winner.
Leaders Shelbourne, who host Waterford at Tolka Park, are two points clear of Derry City, who go to bottom club Dundalk, who could be officially relegated tonight.
Shamrock Rovers, level on points with the Candystripes, continue their pursuit of another piece of League of Ireland history, travelling to Weavers Park to take on Drogheda United, who themselves are battling to avoid the relegation play-off match.
At Richmond Park, the loser of St Patrick's Athletic against Galway United will surely be out of the title race but the winner, if there's to be one, could be right in the middle of that conversation come 10pm.
There's been some discussion over whether the tightness at the top is a reflection of an overall increase in quality across the board in the league, or whether Rovers - champions for the last four years - have merely come back to the pack.
Either way, this has been the most exciting run-in for some time with just three games left for each club to play.
Shelbourne v Waterford, Tolka Park
Two teams in particularly poor form will battle it out in Drumcondra. The Blues have just seven points from their last 10 games in the league, but Shels have only managed one more.
If there's a positive for Damien Duff and his squad, it's that when they last played, losing to 2-0 to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght, it seemed like they would be off the top of the table by the time this fixture came around.
Derry's failure to win their last two games, however, has kept the Reds two points clear of the chasing pack, although they do have the worst goal difference of the top three.
It would have made keeping morale high that little bit easier for the former Republic of Ireland winger, but they are rapidly running out of lives.
"We've had a great two weeks," said Shelbourne manager Duff.
"I don’t usually like breaks, but it came at a good time for the lads. We’ve worked hard; typically, after a break, we play an in-house game or a friendly, but we didn’t do that this time. Instead, we trained hard and I think we got more out of it.
"It's an incredibly exciting time. If anyone’s feeling nervous, now isn’t the time for that, nor for looking elsewhere or dreading these games. I can’t wait, and the players can’t wait either. These are the moments to be savoured."
For Waterford, one win in six means has left them a half-dozen points off a top-four place. Realistically, Keith Long's troops are playing for a top-half finish at best.
Dundalk v Derry City, Oriel Park
The mission for Dundalk is a clear one: win, or the club will be relegated. Even a victory might not be enough for the Lilywhites, who trail neighbours Drogheda United by eight points with just three fixtures to fulfil.
Their return to the second tier is likely a matter of when, not if, whatever happens.
Derry, on the other hand, have it all to play for, but the Candystripes will have to rapidly regroup after two real setbacks last weekend.
Firstly, having beaten them away in the FAI Cup, the Foylesiders couldn't see off Bohemians at the Ryan McBridge Brandywell Stadium.
Then came Sligo Rovers on Monday night, and once again, Derry had to come from behind merely to take a point from the game.
With Shels coming to town on the last night of the season, the title is still very much within the grasp of Ruaidhrí Higgins and his players. Questions remain over whether they have the required temperament to see it out.
Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers, Weavers Park
A big game at both ends of the table as Cup finalists Drogheda look to keep the pressure on Bohs in the battle for eighth spot.
For many followers of the league, it won't matter whether it's Drogs or Bohs who face the First Division play-off winner, with the Premier Division outfit set to be massive favourites. That said, there are no guarantees in sport, so Kevin Doherty will look to reduce the risk of another massive game in the week of the FAI Cup final.
In Shamrock Rovers those, they face a formidable task. The Hoops have won four of their last six games in the league, including a victory over leaders Shels last time out.
Add their battling Conference League draw with APOEL at Tallaght into mix, and it has been a really positive period for the five-in-a-row chasers.
Rovers are facing into three very winnable games - with Dundalk and Waterford to come after tonight - and if they can reach 61 points, they'll give themselves every chance of creating League of Ireland history at the start of next month.
For so long it looked like the opportunity had slipped away, but this crazy season has seen them drawn back into the conversation.
Manager Stephen Bradley, who will miss the game as he serves the second a of three-game suspension, says his players have got to deploy their tunnel vision.
"Our focus now is just in front of us, and that's Drogheda and doing everything we can to go on and win three points," he said.
"We will look at the points totals at the end of the season, but right now it's about full focus and concentration on what’s in front of us and what we're going to have to do to win the game."
St Patrick's Athletic v Galway United, Richmond Park
What a job Stephen Kenny has done since his return to the League of Ireland.
Pat's, rudderless at the start of the campaign, nearly made the group stages of the Conference League and now, win tonight, and they get to continue one of the great come-from-nowhere league title challenges.
2025 holds so much promise for the Inchicore outfit and while they realistically need to win their remaining three games to have a chance of lifting the title on 1 November, qualifying for Europe is now a realistic target.
The same, of course, is true for visitors Galway who have acquitted themselves superbly in their first season back in the top flight. They've had two weeks to dwell on that sickener against Dundalk last time out, when they conceded a 96th-minute equaliser to Drogheda at Eamonn Deacy Park.
It's a massive test of character to see if they can get back on the horse and keep their title hopes and - more importantly, like Pat's - their European qualification ambitions on track.
For manager John Caulfield, it's a chance to go one better than they did the last time the sides met.
"They're on a fantastic run with a glorious chance of winning the league," he said of the Super Saints.
"Their form has been red-hot, after taking 22 out of 24 points from the last eight games. But we’re the last team to take points off them, which gives us some encouragement.
"We know we’re going into a game where they are the red-hot favourites. All year, our lads have been fantastic. They’ve been up against it right from the start of the season and have done brilliantly. We know it will take an incredible performance to get a result."
