Whoever said the Eircom League was boring...
In the last 9 days or so...
Cork beat Appolon Limmasol in the first leg of their Champions League tie at home, the following night Drogheda hold a one nil lead over Helsinki in the UEFA Cup for most of the match, and come away with a draw and the important away goal. Speaking of which, Derry beat Gothenburg away in the first leg of their tie, sparking more celebrations and column inches the following day.
The following night, St. Pats start as favourites at home to Bohemians, but manage to lose, Waterford concede 7 in four days, and Derry avoid a European hangover to beat Longford,.Only one team out of 5 manages to win at home, while off the pitch the Shels to Santry rumours continue.
On Wednesday, Cork go one down, and when it looks like the floodgates might open, find immense strength somewhere to play some great football and get the all important goal to take them through to the next round. The next day, Cork are told two of their main players will miss the next round after a post-match fracas.
At the same time, back home, Dublin City shock everyone by dropping out of the league mid-season, with no prior warning. Everyone has their points won against them revoked, and despite no games being played, the whole table changed, most notably in the top four, where the lead switched to Drogheda, despite Shelbournes recent form.
In the next week, Cork will play former European Cup winners, Red Star Belgrade, with their 6 World Cup players, Derry will play former UEFA cup winners Gothenburg again, and Drogheda have a great chance of beating Helsinki. Apart from this there is also the small matter of the rest of the league program, the glances in the direction of Tolka Park after Dublin City's demise, the possibility of a legal battle to regain points won against Dublin City, and the rumours that always surround the transfer window.
I tell you, it beats Fair City anyway...
Eircom League is anything but boring. I love betting on Ireland's clubs this time of the year.
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