LOI TV Commentator & host of Between the Stripes LOI podcast Kieran Burke reacts to this week’s big news story in the LOI and picks out his best bets for Friday’s latest round of matches.
The big news in the League of Ireland this week was the departure of Dundalk manager Stephen O’Donnell. The former Dundalk captain leaves the club sitting bottom of the Premier Division but the blame for Dundalk’s dreadful start to the season shouldn’t be laid exclusively at O’Donnell’s door. Recruitment has been a disaster while years of mismanagement off the pitch have left the club treading water while the rest of the clubs have kicked on and are experiencing unprecedented levels of growth in terms of attendances and subsequently increased revenue.
Where Dundalk go next remains to be seen but whoever takes over will have a huge job on their hands to keep the club in the Premier Division. How on earth are we saying this about a club who have twice played in the group stages of Europe? That’s for another day…..
WATERFORD FC v GALWAY UNITED – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
A meeting of the two newly-promoted sides with both Waterford FC and Galway United acquitting themselves well back at this level.
Both teams have won three times this season with Waterford upsetting Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday to snap a winless run of four matches while Galway saw their trip to Sligo postponed due to storm Kathleen. Prior to that, the Tribesmen stunned Derry City at the Brandywell to end a winless run of three, so all in all both Waterford and Galway have enjoyed similar yet positive campaigns.
One glaringly obvious difference between the two outfits can be found in the goals scored column with the Blues netting 11 times in 9 matches compared to Galway’s return of just 5 goals in 8 games, only rock-bottom Dundalk have scored fewer.
Defensively, Galway have been far meaner at the back than Waterford with the Munster men conceding as many times as they’ve scored (11) while the Westerners boast the league’s joint-best defensive record of just 6 goals conceded.
Veteran striker Padraig Amond has scored roughly half of Waterford’s goals this season with the former Shamrock Rovers striker sinking Bohemians with a fine finish on Friday, he could hold the key to this fixture.
Amond was on the scoresheet in the reverse fixture won by Galway (2-1) but Waterford had taken the lead in that game before a Vincent Borden equaliser and a dreadful goalkeeping error allowed the hosts to turn things around.
Having scored in all but one of their four home games so far, Waterford’s impressive attacking record and home advantage may seem them turn the tables with Galway in this latest encounter.
BEST BET: Waterford FC (6/4)
SHAMROCK ROVERS v SLIGO ROVERS – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
The Champions were turned over by Dublun rivals St.Patrick’s Athletic on Friday but a return to home comforts may see Shamrock Rovers bounce back against a Sligo side who have tasted defeat in all of their last three visits to Tallaght.
The Hoops are unbeaten at home in this fixture since 2021 (5 matches) and had been on a three-match winning run before Friday’s flop in Richmond Park. A mistake from goalkeeper Leon Pohls wasn’t helpful but generally, performances have been positive even if results haven’t always matched.
Not many would have had Sligo Rovers above Shamrock Rovers going into this game but the Bit O’Red were hammered 3-0 by St.Pat’s in their most recent game and there’s a chance they’ll be outclassed by a host with a point to prove.
BEST BET: Shamrock Rovers (2/5)
FINN HARPS v ATHLONE TOWN – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
It’s been at home that Harps have had headaches of late with the Donegal men failing to win any of their last three matches at Finn Park. On the road, Darren Murphy’s side are a perfect three from three and look a solid proposition away to a volatile Athlone Town.
The Westmeath side have claimed just one win from their last eight matches (losing four) and have conceded the second-highest number of goals in the division.
Finn Harps are not a brilliant side but they are solid and that’s enough to do well in what is a very weak First Division this season. In Success Edogun they have an out-and-out target man who can tear open a defence with his pace, power, and intelligence and he should enjoy coming up against this leaky Athlone defence, who will be without their best defender after Dylan Hand was harshly sent off in Friday’s 3-0 loss in Bray.
BEST BET: Finn Harps (6/5)
- A €20 treble on Kieran’s best bet selections could return €154.40.