League of Ireland Talking Points: Scheduling three matches over four days at Tallaght was asking for trouble
ASKING FOR TROUBLE: A general view of the stadium before the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Cork City at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Was scheduling three matches over four February days at Tallaght asking for trouble? Cork City fans are entitled to feel that way after bearing the brunt of the soggy surface taking 210 minutes over Thursday and Friday.
Once Ireland’s women’s players bemoaned the state of the pitch after Friday’s win over Turkey, and the rain poured down over the weekend, a risk engulfed the fixture. Fresh from postponements at Wexford and UCD on Friday, contagion swept into the Premier Division two days later.
Common sense would have fixed this game for Monday originally, allowing the pitch an extra day to recover.
Whilst Damien Duff was quick to roll in behind Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley regarding the real “problem child” of Irish football that is the FAI after his side’s win over Waterford FC.
The former Irish International will be buzzing that his side managed to pick up three points on the road.
That win was mainly down to the link-up of the striking duo in Sean Boyd and Mipo Odubeko with both men causing problems all night. Darragh Leahy will be having nightmares over Boyd’s ability to get the better of himself and Ryan Burke in the build-up to Odubeko match winner.
His opposite number Keith Long will be bemoaning the injuries that his side currently have with five players ruled out. The Blues boss recruited Matty Smith, James Olayinka and Trae Coyle in the window, but they have yet to feature. His options are currently limited and he need this players back really soon.
John Caulfield spoke in pre-season about their being a growing gulf between the top and bottom half of the league, citing the money being spent in Dublin and Derry.
The unspoken implication was that any of the ‘regional’ clubs would struggle to emulate his side’s fifth-place finish of 2024, let alone anything achieve anything greater.
His side’s performance on Friday night poked a hole in his theory. Drogheda too continue to punch above their weight. Cork will always fancy themselves.
United have the advantage of a settled squad. Galway is quickly losing its appeal as a favoured away journey, as visitors struggle with a physical and direct team that doesn’t lack quality.
Last season’s champions were undone in the west twice. St.Pat’s are as strong as any in 2025 but were humbled in Terryland on Friday.
Continuing this home form will be central to any success United might have this season.
While Sligo are suffering a tough start to the campaign, with nine new players featuring in their opening two games, familiarity is proving favourable for Drogheda United.
Kevin Doherty has named an unchanged team in the two matches so far - with seven of those players all regulars from last season. Were it not for injuries to Elicha Ahui and Douglas James-Taylor, the team would be even more recognisable.
The decision not to fix what wasn't broken is paying dividends.
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