First Review of the Eircom League Premier and First Division before the World Cup Break.

The top end of the eircom Premier Division league table going into the mid-summer break bodes well for an exciting remainder to the season.

Just six points separate the top five teams at this juncture and the competition is sure to intensify further when the league programme resumes on Friday, June 23rd.

Drogheda United’s position at the summit is well deserved, considering they have conceded just two goals in their eleven matches - both of which came during their only defeat thus far in the 2-1 reverse against Shelbourne.

‘Shels’ moved into second place on Tuesday, a point behind Drogheda, by defeating Derry City 1-0 at Tolka Park thanks to a last minute winner from Irish International striker Jason Byrne.

Champions Cork City are placed third in the Division, two points adrift of the leaders with a game more played but the hopes of the ‘Rebel Army’ retaining their title are still very much alive, especially with Drogheda to visit Turners Cross for a vital encounter two weeks from Friday.

Five points dropped in their last two games has pushed last season’s runners-up Derry City back into fourth spot. Manager Stephen Kenny won’t be too displeased with his side’s showing, as they are well capable of stringing a run of wins together.

St Patrick’s Athletic have been the surprise packets in the title race this season. They occupy fifth position in the table and with some better fortune in the home games against Waterford and Drogheda United, could be even higher in the table at this stage.

Promoted teams Sligo Rovers and Dublin City will be satisfied to be sitting in sixth and seventh position respectively. Bohemians, however, need an upturn in results when the league re-starts to lift them above their present placing behind the ‘Vikings’.

UCD picked up a credible point against Derry City on Friday night and that could ignite their campaign and 10th placed Longford Town, with the least amount of games played in the Division, have started slow but are sure to improve in the coming months.

Bray have not begun the season as well as last term and are just one place of the bottom where Waterford United lie. The ‘Blues’ are without a win and manager Mike Kerley has his work cut out to rally his troops after the break.

Next Fixture

vs DROGHEDA UNITED

Date: June 12th (7:45pm)
Competition: League
Venue: Richmond Park
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Team	Pld	Pts
Shamrock Rovers	20	40
Bohemian FC	20	34
St Patrick's Athletic	19	32
Dundalk	19	29
Shelbourne	19	26
Derry City	20	22
Galway United	18	21
Drogheda United	19	21
Sligo Rovers	19	19
Waterford FC	19	11