Now beyond the midway point of the 2023 campaign, both the League of Ireland Premier and First divisions are filled with competitive challenges, as clubs aim for Europe at the highest level and promotion from the second tier. There’s also plenty at stake towards the wrong end of each table, albeit with plenty of time left for those who are struggling to turn things around.
Often the case in the top divisions of Irish football, the final stretch of the season will undoubtedly be filled with fierce competition and plenty of drama, right up to the very last games are played. While this can be thrilling for the neutral observers, it’s all part of the sporting lifestyle for loyal supporters who experience the full gamut of emotions, hopeful their teams will bring joy instead of tears when the final reckoning unfolds.
Shamrock Rovers are sitting pretty at the top
Although it was Bohemians who set the pace at the beginning of the season, form and results took a turn for the worst in May and that continued into June, as they fell away from the League of Ireland Premier Division summit. Happy to leapfrog their way to the top, Shamrock Rovers enjoyed an excellent unbeaten run spanning 13 games, until back-to-back defeats against Drogheda United and Cork City.
Nevertheless, three straight wins have put Rovers firmly back in charge, as the chasing pack jostle for position behind them, providing a tight four-way split of teams battling for the Europa Conference League qualifying spots. As of 19th June, Derry City would appear to be the strongest candidates with online sportsbooks giving the club second-favourite odds, priced at 4/1 by Betway to finish just ahead of St-Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians.
Meanwhile, down at the wrong end of the table, UCD appears to be spiralling headlong towards what now seems an inevitable relegation. Having achieved just 6 points from 20 matches, they probably need more than a miracle to survive in the top tier. Cork City find themselves in the danger zone, albeit within touching distance of Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United, which means that both are looking anxiously over their shoulders.
Galway United taking giant strides
After finishing third in the League of Ireland First Division last season, Galway United eventually came unstuck against Waterford in the promotion play-offs. Eager to avoid any such woes this time around, they have been practically untouchable this term, bolstering the squad with key signings. Winning all but two games, the solitary loss came at Longford Town in May, before drawing on the road against Bray Wanderers at the start of June.
Having thrashed Finn Harps 6-0 at Eamonn Deacy Park, then comfortably beating Wexford 0-2 away, the Tribesmen are now runaway leaders at the top of the table. Amassing a 12-point margin, they seem destined to clinch the one automatic promotion spot. The nearest among the chasing pack is Waterford, who themselves have a healthy lead of 11 points above Bray Wanderers in third position.
Competition for the remaining promotion play-off positions remains wide open. Indeed, the gap between Bray Wanderers in 3rd and Finn Harps in 9th is just 7 points, which means that everyone but basement club Kerry are in with a shout. Only founded in 2022 and in the midst of their debut season, Kerry have really struggled to get themselves going, managing just 1 win and 3 draws, losing the remaining 16 of their 20 games in 2023.
Tracking the top marksmen
One thing every team will be reliant upon in the battles to come is reliability and precision will be worth their weight in gold when it comes to goals. Experienced 30-year-old midfielder Chris Forrester leads the way in the Premier Division, registering 10 goals in 23 appearances, produced from 1788 minutes on the pitch for St Patrick’s Athletic. Just behind is Max Mata of Sligo Rovers with 9 goals, then Frederick Draper with 8 for Drogheda United.
Stepping down a level, Ronan Coughlan has demonstrated the sharpest eye for goals in the First Division, banging in 25 in 17 appearances for Waterford so far this season. Some way behind him is Frantz Pierrot with 13 goals for Athlone Town, followed by Aaron Dobbs with 10 for Wexford.
