Deserved success for the Bit O’Red

Sligo Rovers are deserved Airtricity League Champions and should be heartily congratulated on a fabulous campaign. Losing only one game throughout the season was a tremendous feat.

Furthermore, they did it with style unlike some of the recent winners who would’ve been only too delighted to win every game one-nil.

The side is terrifically balanced, littered with experience and possesses a manager who didn’t rant or rave, which I believe was of primary importance.

When you have an extremely experienced side, full of strong-minded players, the last thing you want is a gaffer who doesn’t know when to shut up.

Ian Barraclogh’s easy manner was definitely more suited to Rovers than Paul Cook, who departed to take over at Accrington Stanley just before the season kicked off.

Sligo, unlike so many in recent years-particularly during the full-time nonsense- were able to rotate without losing shape, which was a malaise that afflicted quite a number of sides in the last decade. Some teams employed two or three different formations in the first half, which is, of course, in coaching terms is ok in theory but the reality is much different.

The fans in Yeats country have craved another title for many years and like everyone else they haven’t been without their ups and downs during the last two decades.

However, the hard work that people have put into the club behind the scenes is exemplified by their ground, which is fantastic.

Hopefully, they can build on what they’ve achieved- good luck to them!

In politics they say ‘a week is a very long time.’

For Declan Devine, the Derry City boss, the last week must seem like a dream.

Having drawn at the Brandywell against Shelbourne in the FAI Cup semi-final, the rumours surrounding the Derryman’s future were rampant in the northwest; with most claiming he was one game away from dismissal.

However, Derry have returned from Dublin during the last seven days with two tremendous victories against Shels, who they defeated 3-0 in the replay, and Shamrock Rovers, who they overturned 3-1, at Tallaght Stadium in a league game.

There’s a buzz in the Maiden City this weekend, with a cup final to look forward too.

It’s a very fine line, as someone once said!

Managing any team, no matter what level you are at, is about getting the best out of the players you have.

Although, the present group of footballers at Giovanni Trappatoni’s disposal isn’t great, he certainly isn’t getting the best out of them.

Whether, Delaney and Co have the finances to sack the Italian is debatable, which means they may well be hoping for a very poor result in the Faroes that might tempt Trap into calling it a day!

Anyone who’s read my ramblings in this Blog and watched on Setanta Sports will know I’m not a great fan of modern-day coaching.

Gareth Southgate has apparently suggested he didn’t apply for a technical director’s job at the English FA because he didn’t really understand coaching.

Now there’s a Shock!