It's tight at the top

FOR the second year running, Derry City look set to push the eircom League race right to the wire, and while Cork City will once again be their final opponents, this time its Shelbourne who the Candystripes have in their sights.

Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over Shels in front of a packed house at the Brandywell has cut the Dubliners’ lead at the top to three points — and Derry also have a game in hand.

The run-in for the Foylesiders will see them face Bray Wanderers at home, Drogheda United away, St Patrick’s Athletic away, Waterford United away and Cork City at home.

Shels, meanwhile, who have just four games to go, take on Drogheda United at home, Sligo Rovers away, Cork City away and Bohemians at home. Shelbourne also have a better goal difference of six.

Last season’s campaign ended on a momentous night at Turner’s Cross with Cork City outplaying Derry to clinch the title. One year on, D-Day will be November 17 when it’s the turn of the reigning champions’ to visit the Brandywell while Shels are hosting Bohemians in a Dublin derby at Tolka Park.

Mathematically, both third-placed Cork and fourth-placed Drogheda are still in with a shout but while both clubs could have a significant say inthe destination of the title, it wouldrequire a spectacular double collapseby the teams in first and second placeif the Premier Division silverwareisn’t to end up in either Dublin or Derry.

A blow for Shelbourne is that it looks as though they have lost Owen Heary to a hamstring injury for the remainder of the season but manager Pat Fenlon is consoled by the reality that the title is still theirs to lose.

But Derry now have the momentum generated by another pulsating night at the Brandywell and while their next goal is the FAI Cup semi-final in Sligo on Sunday, there is no evidence that the demands of a long and arduous season in Ireland and Europe are taking their toll.

Manager Stephen Kenny, whohas already presided over a LeagueCup triumph against Shels, has paid tribute to his players for theirresilience.

“We’ve played ten games in 32 days or something like that,” he says. “It’s a game every three days so we haven’t been able to train properly in months, it’s just recovery time, recovery time, recovery time. Lads are playing with injuries and everything, they’re showing such courage, but it’s great to be a part of it.”

And the Derry boss also praised the fans who filled the Brandywell yet again on Tuesday.

“I hope we can do it for them now. The gap was ten points a week or two ago, and now it’s down to three with a game in hand. It’s not about closing gaps any more – it’s about getting past them [Shelbourne].”

Meanwhile the FAI appointed Independent Appeals Board are unlikely to announce the result of their deliberations until next Wednesday on the case of Bohemians fielding a suspended player, Jason McGuinness, in their Premier Division game against Shelbourne on August 15 last.

Bohemians won that match at Dalymount Park 2-1 with McGuinness setting up the winner for Stephen Caffrey and claimed they had not been notified of the ban.

The League’s Protest Committee met on September 27 and theirfindings were passed on to theLeague Board of Control whomade the decision on October 3 to deduct three points from Bohemians.

Shelbourne had always claimed that they should get the three points or at least a replay of the match. Last Wednesday week, the Appeals Board adjourned their meeting and now league sources suggest no decision will be made until Wednesday.