The Airtricity League 2013 - Thus Far

So here we are, slightly over a third of the way through the League of Ireland season, and things aren't going quite as was predicted before the seasons started. Sligo Rovers have exceeded expectations having lost players in the off season, while Shamrock Rovers have, for all intents and purposes, failed to show up. The battle at the bottom has gone a little bit more closely to plan, with Bray and UCD battling it out with Shelbourne for safety. What can the early season tell us about what is yet to come?

Sligo Rovers have started off this season where they ended the last. Their early form was superb, and it included victories over early season challengers Derry and Dundalk. They have also secured a comprehensive victory at Dalymount. They won their first eight games on the spin, and this run was only stopped by third placed St. Pat's on match day nine. March's Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month for March Anthony Elding is the League's top goalscorer and they have the best defensive record in the division.

That defeat to Pat's seemed to take the wind out of Sligo's sails however, and it was followed by two draws. This allowed Pat's, as well as Derry, to erase Sligo's lead at the top. The Bit o' Red reaffirmed their ambitions however, by defeating Derry at The Showgrounds earlier this week, and it would seem that a trip to the Carlisle Grounds is the perfect match to allow them to get back on a winning run.

Derry have also looked very impressive this season, with victories at Oriel Park, Dalymount and Turner's Cross. They also managed to get a point away at Pat's and inflict one of only two defeats for Shamrock Rovers this season. Michael Rafter and Rory Patterson have helped Derry to prevail as the most dangerous team going forward in the League. How they react to last week's disappointing heavy defeat to Sligo will be very important. They face UCD this weekend, who I will come to later, and they must be confident against a team that they scored six against at Belfield in March.

St Pat's complete the breakaway group at the top. They inflicted Sligo's only defeat of the season at Inchicore, and their away form has been very good. It has seen them pick up fifteen of their twenty six points thus far this season. Their next League game is against Shamrock Rovers, a team they already lost 3-0 to in Tallaght, so it will be a great chance for Pat's to put out a statement of intent for the rest of the season. Whether they have the scoring threat to mount a title challenge remains to be seen.

Shamrock Rovers have been the surprise package of this season, but for the wrong reasons. Their form has been stale, winning only three games, and their failure to score enough goals means that they might struggle to even challenge for a European place, never mind for the League itself. Their game against UCD at Belfield exemplified this, as they dominated possession but still managed to lose 2-0. They face two time winners Drogheda United in the Setanta Sports Cup Final this weekend, and it provides them with a chance to kick start their push for a European place.

UCD started the season unable to put points on the board. It wasn't a reflection of their performances however, and they were competitive in most of their games, with the exception of the visits of Sligo and Derry to Belfield. It took until match day five for them to gain their first point, and match day ten for them to record their first win. It was the bit of luck that day against Rovers, including the Tallaght club hitting the post and the crossbar, coupled with a solid defensive display, which has given College bit of momentum. Defeat to fellow strugglers Shelbourne was disappointing, but they followed it up by defeating Bohemians.

Pre-season signing Dinny Corcoran has been a disappointment for College, but fellow-signing Craig Walsh has impressed. Sean Russell seems to have come into his own, and he has been very impressive from full-back. Gary Bourke has looked dangerous for UCD also, while David O'Connor has filled in the gap left by long term injured skipper Mick Leahy with confidence and assurance. The return of Leahy will act to further shore up that UCD defence.

UCD will face a struggle to stay in the division, without a doubt. Recent form is highly encouraging however, and it now depends on how much confidence the team can take from recent victories over Rovers and Bohs in their battle to avoid relegation. An away trip to Derry on Friday, where they won last season, will be a real test of how much they have actually improved, following their 6-0 to the same opposition at The Bowl only eight weeks ago. I still think they can realistically finish 10th, and perhaps higher if things go their way.