First Division Round-Up: Series 4
Credit:
Shelbourne and UCD maintained their 100% records last weekend, Mervue United and Wexford Youths notched up their first wins, and Sporting Fingal embarrassed Kildare County.
1st UCD:
Another game, another win, another goal for Kilduff: An excellent start by a team who were relegated and completely reorganised during the off-season. Four wins is impressive, but when they include wins in Santry and Ballybofey, doubly so. A home tie against Kildare this Friday gives Martin Russell’s side ample opportunity to bulk up their goal difference: Expect this 100% start to continue.
2nd Shelbourne:
Shels’ look excellent going forward and it was to this reporters surprise that they failed to turn their dozen decent chances into more than just one goal on at Tolka Park on Friday. However, they won again, and were very convincing for most of the match. Anto Flood’s third goal of the season was enough to beat a poor Limerick side bereft of attacking opportunities for about eighty minutes. A trip out to a Mervue side, on a high following their first win of the season, should be treated with care. However, another win, and with that an extension to their perfect start, is expected.
3rd Sporting Fingal:
Was this the weekend that Sporting finally clicked into gear, or is it more likely that they played within themselves against a side that could not compete in any aspect of the pitch. Either way, the eye-catching result on Friday was Kildare County 0-8 Sporting Fingal. Eamon Zayed (2), Conan Byrne (2), Shaun Williams (2), Robbie Doyle and Ross Gaynor all chipped in for what should be the biggest win of the season - any competing scoreline will no doubt feature one or both of these sides. Up to third, Fingal host Finn Harps this Friday and should really make it three wins in a row, especially with their players on such a goal scoring high.
4th Athlone Town:
Athlone were unbeaten going into last weekend and when Noel McGee put them one up against Waterford with just twenty minutes remaining, it looked like they would maintain their third place in the First Division. However, a Willy John Kiely brace, separated by McGee’s red card ten minutes from time, spoiled the party. Nevertheless, Athlone have already proven their progress from last season – it will be interesting to see who emerges with the points when they host Wexford Youths on Saturday.
5th Waterford United:
Take a bow Willy John Kiely. As mentioned above it looked bleak for Waterford, who desperately needed a win following their disappointing loss to Shels last week. They got it, and with a home game against Longford Town this Saturday, they really should maintain their chase with the leading two.
6th Finn Harps:
Home points will be Finn Harps primary haul this season, as most sides don’t enjoy travelling north for some reason. So when Michael Funston equalised in bizarre fashion against UCD after just twelve minutes, it must have given Harps the confidence required to push on and be the first side to take points from the Students. However what use is confidence if you concede a penalty within 60 seconds. A result is possible, yet unlikely, at Morton Stadium on Friday.
7th Longford Town:
Longford went to Wexford with understandable belief that they could get a win from the game. However, despite Brian McCarthy hauling them level in the second half, Jim Sheridan’s dismissal for his frustration with Wexford’s second goal ended any hope of a result. It will be tough to get anything at Waterford on Saturday.
8th Limerick FC:
Outplayed for most of the match at Tolka Park, Limerick almost stole a draw at the death. Dave Ryan’s performance up front was very good and caused Shels’ backline far more trouble than he alone should have. However, if you don’t take your chances against Shels, as Waterford found last week, a loss is a likely outcome. Winning twelve corners and plenty of free kicks in Shels’ half, it is disappointing that so few chances were created.
9th Mervue United:
Last week's improvement, in what was ultimately a disappointing draw, was furthered again as Mervue recorded a historic victory over Monaghan United. Mike Tierney’s early opener set Mervue up for another tense end to a game, however, unlike last week, Mervue added a late second through Dave Goldbey, rendering Monaghan’s immediate reply incidental rather than costly.
10th Wexford Youths:
Mick Wallace was vocal about how he felt his side would now push on, following their difficult start against three promotion candidates. He was proved right as Wexford recorded their first win of the season against Longford. Gavin Doyle got the Youths off to a great start and, despite conceding an equaliser, Dave Miller’s finish from the impressive Conor Sinnott’s smart free kick squeezed just over the line to win the game.
11th Monaghan United:
Losing to Mervue, at home, it is fitting that the only reason Monaghan are not bottom is the result of another fixture's emphatic scoreline. Monaghan’s aspirations of pushing on from last year look flawed and this result will be incredibly disappointing. A tough trip to Limerick follows for Mons, a victory is needed.
12th Kildare County:
When you play for your local team, occasionally a loss is greeted by your manager with a ‘Well done lads, I can’t fault you for effort. It just wasn’t your day’. But our very own Graeme McQueen admitted that “Kildare contributed to their own downfall with some schoolboy defending and were perhaps fortunate not to lose by more.” It is tough for Kildare, with a young side and such little funds. This result could be more damaging than just the three points.
1st UCD:
Another game, another win, another goal for Kilduff: An excellent start by a team who were relegated and completely reorganised during the off-season. Four wins is impressive, but when they include wins in Santry and Ballybofey, doubly so. A home tie against Kildare this Friday gives Martin Russell’s side ample opportunity to bulk up their goal difference: Expect this 100% start to continue.
2nd Shelbourne:
Shels’ look excellent going forward and it was to this reporters surprise that they failed to turn their dozen decent chances into more than just one goal on at Tolka Park on Friday. However, they won again, and were very convincing for most of the match. Anto Flood’s third goal of the season was enough to beat a poor Limerick side bereft of attacking opportunities for about eighty minutes. A trip out to a Mervue side, on a high following their first win of the season, should be treated with care. However, another win, and with that an extension to their perfect start, is expected.
3rd Sporting Fingal:
Was this the weekend that Sporting finally clicked into gear, or is it more likely that they played within themselves against a side that could not compete in any aspect of the pitch. Either way, the eye-catching result on Friday was Kildare County 0-8 Sporting Fingal. Eamon Zayed (2), Conan Byrne (2), Shaun Williams (2), Robbie Doyle and Ross Gaynor all chipped in for what should be the biggest win of the season - any competing scoreline will no doubt feature one or both of these sides. Up to third, Fingal host Finn Harps this Friday and should really make it three wins in a row, especially with their players on such a goal scoring high.
4th Athlone Town:
Athlone were unbeaten going into last weekend and when Noel McGee put them one up against Waterford with just twenty minutes remaining, it looked like they would maintain their third place in the First Division. However, a Willy John Kiely brace, separated by McGee’s red card ten minutes from time, spoiled the party. Nevertheless, Athlone have already proven their progress from last season – it will be interesting to see who emerges with the points when they host Wexford Youths on Saturday.
5th Waterford United:
Take a bow Willy John Kiely. As mentioned above it looked bleak for Waterford, who desperately needed a win following their disappointing loss to Shels last week. They got it, and with a home game against Longford Town this Saturday, they really should maintain their chase with the leading two.
6th Finn Harps:
Home points will be Finn Harps primary haul this season, as most sides don’t enjoy travelling north for some reason. So when Michael Funston equalised in bizarre fashion against UCD after just twelve minutes, it must have given Harps the confidence required to push on and be the first side to take points from the Students. However what use is confidence if you concede a penalty within 60 seconds. A result is possible, yet unlikely, at Morton Stadium on Friday.
7th Longford Town:
Longford went to Wexford with understandable belief that they could get a win from the game. However, despite Brian McCarthy hauling them level in the second half, Jim Sheridan’s dismissal for his frustration with Wexford’s second goal ended any hope of a result. It will be tough to get anything at Waterford on Saturday.
8th Limerick FC:
Outplayed for most of the match at Tolka Park, Limerick almost stole a draw at the death. Dave Ryan’s performance up front was very good and caused Shels’ backline far more trouble than he alone should have. However, if you don’t take your chances against Shels, as Waterford found last week, a loss is a likely outcome. Winning twelve corners and plenty of free kicks in Shels’ half, it is disappointing that so few chances were created.
9th Mervue United:
Last week's improvement, in what was ultimately a disappointing draw, was furthered again as Mervue recorded a historic victory over Monaghan United. Mike Tierney’s early opener set Mervue up for another tense end to a game, however, unlike last week, Mervue added a late second through Dave Goldbey, rendering Monaghan’s immediate reply incidental rather than costly.
10th Wexford Youths:
Mick Wallace was vocal about how he felt his side would now push on, following their difficult start against three promotion candidates. He was proved right as Wexford recorded their first win of the season against Longford. Gavin Doyle got the Youths off to a great start and, despite conceding an equaliser, Dave Miller’s finish from the impressive Conor Sinnott’s smart free kick squeezed just over the line to win the game.
11th Monaghan United:
Losing to Mervue, at home, it is fitting that the only reason Monaghan are not bottom is the result of another fixture's emphatic scoreline. Monaghan’s aspirations of pushing on from last year look flawed and this result will be incredibly disappointing. A tough trip to Limerick follows for Mons, a victory is needed.
12th Kildare County:
When you play for your local team, occasionally a loss is greeted by your manager with a ‘Well done lads, I can’t fault you for effort. It just wasn’t your day’. But our very own Graeme McQueen admitted that “Kildare contributed to their own downfall with some schoolboy defending and were perhaps fortunate not to lose by more.” It is tough for Kildare, with a young side and such little funds. This result could be more damaging than just the three points.
About Gordon Hunt
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