This is the most important weekend of the season so far and what a set of fixtures to sink your teeth into. I love this time of year. Everyone is running out of time, teams only have to play each other once more and therefore there’s no second chances.
The pressure dial has been turned right up and we’re all waiting to see who cracks first. What more do you want? We’ve a three horse race for the title because I believe Shamrock Rovers are back in the mix and can have a big say yet. READ MORE: Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley on what his players must do to continue winning run READ MORE: Dundalk takeover latest as owner issues stark warning and Stephen Kenny reacts to ongoing crisis And, for the first time in a long time, Shels, Derry and Rovers are all on equal games played with seven matches apiece remaining.
No more ‘if we win our games in hand we might do this or that’. It’s level pegging and all on the line now. I was in Derry last weekend for their FAI Cup quarter-final win over Shelbourne and there’s no question they were the better side.
But that was the Cup and the league is a different beast. I’d be wary of putting too much stock on that one performance, but if that’s your thing then good luck. The real rewards are in the league - and the financial rewards too and what they can do to transform your team and club.
Ruaidhri Higgins and Damien Duff are both chasing their first league titles as managers and that’s the ultimate prize for them. This is what it’s all about and we’re shaping up for the best run-in since Dundalk and Cork City went down to the final day in 2014. But having that third team in the mix makes all the difference and I’m expecting epic drama between now and the end of the season.
Rovers still have to play Shels and Derry, and then Derry and Shels face each other on the final day of the season. There’s scope for a potential nine point swing in there and looking at the table this morning, that puts Rovers well in the hunt. Right now, it’s all ifs, buts and maybes and some teams have a habit of clinging onto that stuff and just talking a good game and hoping for the best.
Then you have the teams who go out and do the business and actually put the points on the board. Last week should be a slap in the face for Shels and serve as a big reminder of what’s within their grasp. I’ve no doubt it will be and while Galway is one of the toughest places to go in this league, I expect them to get back to basics tonight and find a way to win.
Derry host Shamrock Rovers in another fascinating game, and I’ll be at the Brandywell for this one. I’ve been on commentary duty for most of Rovers games in Derry over the last few years and Derry haven’t turned up for too many of them. I questioned their big game mentality but while the Cup is the Cup, last week was still an important win for them and I think they’ll be up for this one.
We’ll see two high class midfields in operation with Patrrick McEleney finding his way back to fitness and form, along with Will Patching, and then there’s Jack Byrne. Two years ago up in Derry, I couldn’t take my eyes off Jack as he was just outstanding and ran the game. He’s starting to find his form again after injury.
Tonight’s renewal should be a belter on a pivotal night in the title race where the rewards for winning are huge, but the implications for losing are detrimental. DING DONG BATTLE AT THE BOTTOM A lot has been made of Derry City and Shelbourne facing each other on the final day of the season. The title race could boil down to that game at the Brandywell.
But the script writers have also thrown in another beauty, with Drogheda United hosting Dundalk on the final night. That Louth derby clash could decide the relegation battle between the bottom two. Dundalk were in a dire situation this week but I wasn’t surprised that a deal was done to claw the club back from the brink of extinction.
I went through it with Shels in 2006 and people might think it only affects the team in trouble, but it has a huge knock on effect for everyone. When Dublin City went bust in 2006, the administration minefield was a head melt for everyone. With only six games to go, maybe Lady Luck was on Dundalk’s side as I’m not so sure they’d have been saved were it the middle of the season.
I come from a generation of players that have huge respect for Dundalk. But the mullet and moustache brigade have to realise that football existed before 2015 when they started going to League of Ireland games. History is important in all walks of life but especially so in this league and we’re all delighted to see Dundalk back in the fight.
But you couldn’t script the drama that could yet unfold on the final day of the season. Despite being second bottom of the table, Kevin Doherty has got a lot of respect for how Drogheda have played this season. There’s just something about them and I know Kev, he’ll be searching for that secret recipe.
I was lucky to be involved in title races rather than relegation scraps but no matter what end of the table you’re at, this stage of the season is just about winning. HAVE A SHAVE Please, can you let me know when this moustache buzz is finally over once and for all? I’ve a few people I want to say ‘told you so’ to. You’ve a two-way camera on your phone, so have a little gawk at yourself there and sort it out.
You look like a pillock. BUCKO HAS THE DRIVE Keith Buckley was driving around my neck of the woods the other day, in his ‘I Play For Bohs’ sponsored car. Keith’s a townie and when a townie turns up in Finglas you have to give them the stare.
But no, we had a great chat and it was good to catch up with him and here’s hoping he gets to make an appearance before the season ends. It’s 11 months since he did his cruciate but I’ll hand it to him, he’s a tough kid and listening to him, he’s held it together really well. You can see why he’s a captain.
If I was out that long, I’d have burst someone by now. Bucko was like Ronaldo stepping out of his ‘I Play For Bohs’ car. Is it possible to look too fit? The rumours are true, he’s flying at the moment.
But now that I know he’s only around the corner, I’ll be outside his house blaring the horn the night before Bohs and Shels play when he’s back leading the Gypsies! Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts ..
