League of Ireland: All the action as domestic football returns following the international break
Good evening. The pain of missing out on the latest instalment of the World Cup finals has lingered this week but it feels about time we all moved on with our lives and luckily for those who follow the national league, Easter weekend provides a double helping of action – starting tonight with another set of matches fixed for Monday. Back-to-back draws for Bohemians have seen their lead at the top of the Premier Division table cut to a single point, with Alan Reynolds’ men at Sullivan & Lambe Park to face Drogheda United, who are winless since February 13. Spearheading the chasing pack are the resurgent St Patrick’s Athletic as Sligo Rovers travel to Richmond Park knowing their away form (one point from a possible 12) needs to improve if they are to climb clear of the relegation danger. Champions Shamrock Rovers will look to close the three-point gap on their big rivals with a win over bottom-placed Waterford – still chasing their first victory under Jon Daly having already conceded 19 goals this season. Ciarán Kilduff brings his Dundalk team to the home of Shelbourne – the final club he lined out for as a League of Ireland player – with two points separating the sides. At Eamonn Deacy Park, Galway United and Derry City contest the game being shown on Virgin Media Two at 8pm, as the pressure continues to mount on Candystripes boss Tiernan Lynch. There are five more fixtures in the First Division with pacesetters Cork City making the trip to Ballybofey and second-placed Bray Wanderers – who this week announced that 18-year-old midfielder Billy O’Neill will join Bristol City in the summer – away to Wexford. As ever, we’ll be following the drama around the country with input from our reporters in the field so stick around.
