Positive start for Sligo and the league overall

A Friday night in Dublin presents many, many possibilities – and mine worked out a treat last week.

After wrapping up at work at 7pm, a leisurely stroll through our capital city up through Temple Bar, across the Liffey and on to Phibsborough and one of the great sporting venues in this country – Dalymount Park.

It may not be as prominent as it once was, but Dalymount is rightly regarded as the spiritual home of football owing to its history of hosting Irish internationals over the years when huge crowds packed in to watch the home team battle against visiting nations.

Last Friday’s attendance for the SSE Airtricity League meeting of Bohemians and Sligo Rovers had a capacity crowd (though a far less modest total attendance when compared to those heady days back in the 1970s) and a cracking atmosphere. Watching out from the ‘Mono Stand’, with St Peter’s Church providing the backdrop, it was a perfect setting for football and both sides served up a decent contest.

In an overall sense, it was a great occasion. A superb atmosphere was matched by a game in which there were plenty of thrills and spills and the overall match experience, pre- and post-game, was great. Likewise, the reports coming in from all of the other grounds on Friday night in both the Premier Division and the First Division were all positive.

There were 4,432 patrons in attendance at Dalymount while down in Tallaght, 7,610 people watched Shamrock Rovers begin their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Dundalk. Across the two divisions on Friday, some 34,480 spectators attended fixtures around the country.

The thirst for live action continues – and long may that be the case.

So what are the early impressions of the Bit O’Red?

I would suggest, given the largely pessimistic atmosphere surrounding Rovers heading into the season, travelling supporters would have headed back down the N4 with a pep in their step at the performance, if not the result.

Conceding so late on (the 94th minute) after an encouraging display was a real pity, but it didn’t take away from the fact that John Russell will take plenty of positives.

Rovers started quite poorly and conceded a cheap goal to fall behind early on but thereafter they played some really good stuff. Ellis Chapman, one of the recent new signings, was productive in the middle third and Reece Hutchinson’s opener for the visitors was a product of a brilliant ball in behind along the left flank. Simon Power looked busy while Fabrice Hartmann’s lead goal on the stroke of half-time was the result of some deft trickery inside the area.

Thereafter, Rovers stuck in there but maybe were guilty of sitting back a little towards the last fifteen minutes. Whether this was a tactic, or just a result of tiring bodies, it did allow Bohs more possession and that pressure eventually told when they netted the equaliser in the 94th minute courtesy of a free header in the area from James Clarke. It was a deflating finish for the visitors. Yet, they will take consolation from several things, not least the assured display of Ed McGinty in goal and the performance of several newcomers.

The return of Max Mata on loan from Shrewsbury Town was only confirmed the day before, yet he led the line and even if he wasn’t as prominent as one would like from a Sligo Rovers point of view, his return to the squad and his ability to score goals leaves supporters looking forward with a little more optimism.

On the basis of Friday’s fare, it’s difficult to make the case for either team to finish in the top four spots but then again, this will be a topsy turvy season.

Shamrock Rovers are by some distance the favourites to win the title, again, and secure an unprecedented fifth crown in a row.

Derry City must deliver this season and delivery comes in the form of a league title. Ruaidhri Higgins is highly rated and has been backed with a number of big signings since taking over at the Brandywell, with the off-season arrival of Pat Hoban a major coup. Even though they finished second last season, Derry never really pushed Shamrock Rovers to the extent everyone expected. Anything less than that this term will be a major disappointment.

St Patrick’s Athletic won the Cup last season but they’ve had quite a turnover in terms of players over the last number of months which leaves one questioning whether they can sustain another push this time around. They also received quite a large new manager bounce from the appointment of Jon Daly in May when he took over from Tim Clancy.

Beyond those three clubs, Shelbourne would appear to be the next best but it’s quite an even spread you’d feel. That means there’s loads of opportunities for the likes of Sligo Rovers – but there’s also the possibility of getting stuck in the mud in terms of a relegation battle, particularly with UCD now out of the equation.

Galway United and Waterford came up from the First Division and both sides will be particularly sticky opposition. Galway will be well set up with John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan at the helm and they'll be extremely well drilled, especially at home. They proved as much against St Pat’s on Friday, a game which they narrowly lost by a goal to nil.

Waterford held Shels to a 1-1 draw at the RSC, where they will also be tough to beat. In Keith Long, they've a manager with lots of experience.

So, you're starting to look around. Who is the weakest in the league? At the outset, it's hard to pick one. It'll take a few weeks for things to take shape but on all evidence to hand from pre-season and the opening night, this will be a tight table at the end of the season.

Derry City are the visitors to the Showgrounds this Friday night and that presents another big challenge, but Rovers should be a bit more optimistic about their prospects after last Friday’s showing. However, as John Russell and co will be all too aware, it’s results that really matter.