The Irish Premier League is truly well underway, and things at the top are starting to shape up. We have had early favourites, and now that we’re halfway through the season, things are more clear than they were before. Yet, nothing is over yet, and with more than a dozen of games left to be played, the league table might look quite different than it is today. Let’s check out the current favourites together.
Shamrock Rovers
The current league leaders are in the pole position to take the title home. With eleven more games to go, we just can’t see them slipping, and losing the title race. They have the league’s leading attack, while their defense is not too shabby either. So far, the Rovers have scored 44 league goals, and that’s what propelled them to the top of the table. Stephen Bradley is leading his team with confidence and has managed to get the best out of his top players. Graham Burke is at the top of his game, and with seven goals and five assists in twenty four appearances, is showing the league his quality. He is aided by Rory Gaffney and Aaron Greene who both added six goals each. The biggest surprise of the year is, without a doubt, Michael Noonan who also scored six goals. Unlike the three experienced players we mentioned, Noonan is only 16 years old and is the future of both Shamrock Rovers and Irish football. With Rovers’ potent attack, Jack Byrne is having an easy job in delivering assists as he has seven so far. Shamrock team is the favourite to win the Irish Premier League this season, and this is as good a moment as any to find the best crypto casino bonus, take it, and make a wager on the Rovers to win the title.
Derry City
Derry City is the only team keeping up with the Shamrock Rovers. The Derry outlet is hitting the right form at the right time as they are on a four-win streak right now. If they continue their good run of form, and the Rovers slip a few times as they have in the last three rounds against Sligo Rovers and Bohemians, there’s a genuine chance that Derry City can lift the title. So far they’ve collected 40 points, and are trailing Shamrock by 9. Derry has scored 35 goals and conceded 24. Their next duel is away against Sligo, and it is a must win duel if they’re to keep their title aspirations. Tiernan Lynch is leading his team with poise and is well aware that there’s no room for mistakes if they’re to win the title. Michael Duffy has been leading the team so far in the league, scoring 8 goals and assisting 7 more, making him one of the best players in the championship. With Paul McMullan, Adam O’Reilly, Liam Boyce, and Mar Connolly all giving their contribution, Derry City can mount a serious title challenge only if they keep their form up in the coming weeks.
Shelbourne
Yes, we know, it is a long shot. Yet, we wouldn’t discard the last year’s champions if we were you. This was not the best season by Shelbourne’s standards, yet we believe they can make it up in the next few rounds. Can they lift the title? It is a hard task to be put in front of the team which is 5th in the table right now, trailing the league leaders by 14 points. The wonders are possible, and with a good run of form, Shelbourne can get closer to the top. Damien Duff has had a rough start to his coaching career, yet we believe he can turn things around. Ademipo Odubeko can do even better than the current 6 goals he has. More experienced players such as John Martin, and Sean Boyd also need to step up. Harry Wood has been amazing so far with 5 goals and 3 assists, and he’s been leading the way for last year’s champions. The same can be said for the young Evan Caffrey who added 3 goals and 5 assists more. The team has enough quality to turn things around, but they will need luck to get to the top of the table. What’s achievable is to reach spots that lead to European competitions, and if you ask us, the title might be out of sight but do not doubt that Shelbourne is going to be one of the two top teams come the year’s end.
While Shamrock Rovers sit lonely at the top right now, they better not believe that the title race is over. There’s still plenty of games left to be played, and if they slip up, Derry City and Shelbourne will be right up there waiting for their downfall.
