There are some hugely significant games in the League of Ireland this weekend with early title clashes, North Dublin Derby and return of the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division.
There are some hugely significant games in the League of Ireland this weekend with early title clashes, North Dublin Derby and return of the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division.
Highlights
SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City
Tallaght Stadium
March 3, 2023 – 20:00
Stephen Bradley has to contend with suspensions galore after a run of red cards at the back of his Champions side and welcome Derry City who will be looking to lay down an early and significant marker in the hunt for the 2023 title.
Questions remain as to who Bradley will go for at his back three but Alan Reynolds, Derry City’s Assistant Manager, feels that Rovers will be as strong as ever, especially in their first game at home this season.
"There's very little between the teams and it's early in the season. People are still finding their feet so it'll be another tight game I'm sure."
Asked about the hosts' defensive issues, the Waterford man rejected any suggestion that would have any real bearing on the night.
"They have the likes of Sean Hoare, Sean Kavanagh, Gary O'Neill and Sean Gannon to step into the back line- plenty of league winners medals there- so I wouldn't be complaining about those options."
The visitors don't have their own sorrows to seek either- Cameron Dummigan, Cameron McJannet, Michael Duffy and Adam O'Reilly all missed last weeks' win over Cork City while Sadou Diallo served the final match of his ban.
"Sadou will be back and that's a great bonus for us and Adam has a chance of making it, but the rest will be out for another week at least" said Reynolds.
"As Ruaidhri says though, we have the squad to cope with these things much better now.
"We lost narrowly on our two visits to Tallaght last year and it's something we want to improve on, so it's a game we'll go and try to win."
The match kicks off at 20:00 and is live and exclusive on LOITV.
Shelbourne v Bohemians
Tolka Park
3 March, 2023 – 19:45
The hottest ticket in town seems to be in Tolka Park this Friday with a scramble for tickets on either side of the Royal Canal ahead of the first edition of the North Dublin Derby this Friday.
Shels had the moment of their 2022 Season against Bohs last time out in the Extra.ie FAI Men’s Cup but struggled slightly in the league against Bohs who had the better of Duff’s charges twice out of the four games last year. A fixture which saw red cards, jerseys being thrown into away ends and goals galore in some of the games is set for another feisty game this Friday night.
Speaking to LOI Central, Declan Devine believes the “soul” of Bohemians is well and truly back but has been impressed by Shels’ performances in the opening two games despite picking up just a solitary point in the two rounds.
Duff, who celebrates his birthday today, bemoaned the Reds not getting three points on Friday night which he feels they deserved. Shels lost 1-0 to St Pat’s with a late Eoin Doyle goal the decider.
Shels will be keen to get a first win of the season but Bohs know another win will keep them top of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division table with Shamrock Rovers and Derry City playing eachother across town.
SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division
Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers
March 4, 2023 – 17:00
The Showgrounds
Collie O’Neill takes charge of his first game with the returning Shamrock Rovers in the opening round of the new SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division season.
The Hoops have been the centre of some high profile transfers this off season with Abbie Larkin, Aine O’Gormain and Stephanie Zambra all coming in but O’Neill is not bothered by the noise.
“As a manager, if you’re not upsetting other managers in the league and signing other players then you’re not doing your job right”, he told The42. ”It’s part and parcel of it. We have gone about our business to try and attract the best players out there. We have only done our job.
“I met Noel [King, Shelbourne manager] when we were meeting Vera [Pauw], and I asked Noel if he was still talking to me. He said, ‘Why wouldn’t I be? You’ve only done what I have done every other year.’ It’s part and parcel of being a manager.”
Sligo Rovers, for their part, will be looking to spoil the party and securing the services of Emma Doherty should give them a chance of doing just that.
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Waterford v Galway United
RSC
3 March, 2023 – 19:45
This season’s two favourites for promotion come head to head in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division on Friday night with Waterford looking to bounce back from last week’s disappointing draw at home to Longford Town.
Galway United have had a fast start but will have to do without their Manager John Caulfield on the side lines who is serving a ban.
If Galway can get a third win on the bounce it will open up the title race already and put serious pressure on Waterford who were tipped by many at the start of the season to win the Division and secure a return to the top flight.
Full fixtures
Friday, March 3, 2023
SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division
Cork City v UCD – Turner’s Cross, 19:45
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers – Weaver’s Park, 19:45
Dundalk v St Patrick’s Athletic – Oriel Park, 19:45
Shelbourne v Bohemians – Tolka Park, 19:45
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City – Tallaght Stadium, 20:00
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Kerry v Treaty United – Mounthawk Park, 19:45
Wexford v Athlone Town – Ferrycarrig Park, 19:45
Waterford v Galway United – RSC, 19:45
Finn Harps v Bray Wanderers – Finn Park, 20:00
Saturday, March 4, 2023
SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division
Galway United v Wexford Youths – Eamon Deacy Park, 14:00
Shelbourne v Cork City – Tolka Park, 14:00
Treaty United v Bohemians – Markets Field, 17:00
Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers – The Showgrounds, 17:00
Athlone Town v Peamount United – Athlone Town Stadium, 19:00
SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division
Longford Town v Cobh Ramblers – Bishopsgate, 19:30
