Where will the early goal most likely come from?

GETTING a good start in games can be the difference between a happy, successful football team and one that drives its supporters to distraction. So, in 2013, which Premier Division teams were most likely to give themselves a good head-start, and which ones took to the field still half asleep, only waking up after their opponents had already taken the initiative? 

Looking only at the opening nine minutes of last season’s games, which team scored the most goals? Was it eventual champions St Patrick's Athletic? No. How about runners-up Dundalk? No, not them either.

It was, in fact, Derry City. The Candystripes netted five of their overall total of 57 goals (or 8.8 per cent), in the first nine minutes of their matches. Next quickest out of the blocks were Bohemians, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers and UCD, all with four apiece. With 14.8pc of their overall total of 27 scored in this opening period, Bohemians had the highest percentage-based figures.

At the other end of the scale Drogheda United were the slowest team to breach their opponent’s defence. They netted just one of their overall total of 44 in the opening nine minute time segment.

Why do I ask? Because on the opening weekend of this season’s Premier Division it took a whopping 35 minutes before anyone managed to score a goal. Paddy Kavanagh was the man who ended the drought when he netted a 35th minute goal for Bohemians in the Gypsies’ 3-0 win against UCD at Belfield. Here’s hoping that this weekend sees a more sprightly start to match-night.