First Division Round-up: Series 6
Credit:
UCD are now the clear leaders at the top of the First Division after a convincing victory away at second placed Shelbourne, with wins elsewhere last weekend for Sporting Fingal, Mervue United, Limerick FC, Waterford United and Athlone Town.
1st UCD:
So that’s that. UCD blew away Shels on Friday, scoring three times to take the points against a disappointing home side. Despite a ten minute spell early in the second half in which the host’s pulled the score back to 2-1 and really threatened an equaliser - ultimately ended by a red card for David McGill - UCD were by far the better side. Ronan Finn was a cut above the rest and the odds of 6/1 for the title given before the game have been halved since.
2nd Shelbourne:
Shelbourne were difficult to evaluate before the UCD game. They had yet to perform well in any of their previous games; however the fact that they had five wins from five looked ominous for when they did hit top form. Ultimately, they were found out by a mobile and creative UCD side and leaving the stadium it was difficult to see Shels maintain this run for the season. However Monday night saw Shels recover incredibly and get a morale boosting victory in the EA cup in a game which Shelbourne did play well, very well, for the entire ninety minutes. Big game at Morton Stadium on Friday.
3rd Sporting Fingal:
Four wins on the spin now for Sporting, the three goal demolition of Monaghan the latest of their exploits. Liam Buckley’s men had a slow start however they recovered well, admittedly with a nice run of fixtures, and the visit of Shelbourne this Friday should be a good measurement for both sides chances this season. It is against the top sides that Sporting have struggled this year, losing to UCD and drawing with Waterford, so it is important they get a win this time.
4th Waterford United:
Saturday’s win at Finn Harps was a great result. Always tough to travel the length of the country to play a game, doubly so when you concede early. However, Stephen Henderson has assembled a quality side for this campaign and their response through a Gary Dunphy goal sandwiched by a Graham Cummins brace was impressive. They should handle the visit of Monaghan this weekend comfortably to keep pace with the top.
5th Athlone Town:
Athlone continue to impress in the league this year. Last week’s disappointing loss at home to Wexford Youths was overcome by a commanding display away at Longford. Athlone dominated the game from the get-go and were well worth their victory. Thomas McGauley’s goal brought Athlone’s tally from the opening six games to ten points - a fine return for Brendan Place’s side. The home game against Finn Harps this week should be close.
6th Limerick FC:
Limerick recovered from last week’s poor draw against Monaghan to record their first victory under new manager Pat Scully. Wexford had been the form team going into this game however goals from Colin Scanlon and Paul Walshe saw Limerick leapfrog the Youths to sixth place in the league. With Kildare visiting this weekend, Scully’s men should make it two in a row.
7th Mervue United:
A second victory in three games for Mervue was no less than they deserved at Station Road on Friday. Damian O’Rourke scored twice before the break and David O’Dowd added a third for a comfortable win for the visitors, repeating their 3-0 success of last season’s relegation/promotion play-off. Both wins have been away from Galway this season and this week’s home game against Longford affords them a great opportunity to sort out their form.
8th Wexford Youths:
Two wins on the trot going into this round, Mick Wallace’s men would have felt confident of victory; however Limerick stole the show and the points. It is important for his young side to get back to winning ways as soon as possible, however, a trip to UCD is hardly an easy place to start.
9th Finn Harps:
Finn Harps’ best chance of success this season is in winning their home games, however again they lost there, this time to Waterford. Travelling to Athlone this weekend, it looks likely they’ll lose again.
10th Longford Town:
It’s been a tough start to the season for Longford yet it looked like they had a decent chance of beating Athlone last weekend. However losing the midlands derby has underlined the gap between Longford and many teams above them.
11th Monaghan United:
Last round’s scoreless draw in Limerick looked like something to build on for Monaghan, but Sporting Fingal are hardly the side they would have chosen to get the win they hoped to push on to. Comprehensively beaten by a far superior side, again, it will be a tough year for Mons.
12th Kildare County:
Home to Mervue posed the greatest opportunity of the season for Kildare to get things going. A three nil loss produces only disappointment. Still bottom.
1st UCD:
So that’s that. UCD blew away Shels on Friday, scoring three times to take the points against a disappointing home side. Despite a ten minute spell early in the second half in which the host’s pulled the score back to 2-1 and really threatened an equaliser - ultimately ended by a red card for David McGill - UCD were by far the better side. Ronan Finn was a cut above the rest and the odds of 6/1 for the title given before the game have been halved since.
2nd Shelbourne:
Shelbourne were difficult to evaluate before the UCD game. They had yet to perform well in any of their previous games; however the fact that they had five wins from five looked ominous for when they did hit top form. Ultimately, they were found out by a mobile and creative UCD side and leaving the stadium it was difficult to see Shels maintain this run for the season. However Monday night saw Shels recover incredibly and get a morale boosting victory in the EA cup in a game which Shelbourne did play well, very well, for the entire ninety minutes. Big game at Morton Stadium on Friday.
3rd Sporting Fingal:
Four wins on the spin now for Sporting, the three goal demolition of Monaghan the latest of their exploits. Liam Buckley’s men had a slow start however they recovered well, admittedly with a nice run of fixtures, and the visit of Shelbourne this Friday should be a good measurement for both sides chances this season. It is against the top sides that Sporting have struggled this year, losing to UCD and drawing with Waterford, so it is important they get a win this time.
4th Waterford United:
Saturday’s win at Finn Harps was a great result. Always tough to travel the length of the country to play a game, doubly so when you concede early. However, Stephen Henderson has assembled a quality side for this campaign and their response through a Gary Dunphy goal sandwiched by a Graham Cummins brace was impressive. They should handle the visit of Monaghan this weekend comfortably to keep pace with the top.
5th Athlone Town:
Athlone continue to impress in the league this year. Last week’s disappointing loss at home to Wexford Youths was overcome by a commanding display away at Longford. Athlone dominated the game from the get-go and were well worth their victory. Thomas McGauley’s goal brought Athlone’s tally from the opening six games to ten points - a fine return for Brendan Place’s side. The home game against Finn Harps this week should be close.
6th Limerick FC:
Limerick recovered from last week’s poor draw against Monaghan to record their first victory under new manager Pat Scully. Wexford had been the form team going into this game however goals from Colin Scanlon and Paul Walshe saw Limerick leapfrog the Youths to sixth place in the league. With Kildare visiting this weekend, Scully’s men should make it two in a row.
7th Mervue United:
A second victory in three games for Mervue was no less than they deserved at Station Road on Friday. Damian O’Rourke scored twice before the break and David O’Dowd added a third for a comfortable win for the visitors, repeating their 3-0 success of last season’s relegation/promotion play-off. Both wins have been away from Galway this season and this week’s home game against Longford affords them a great opportunity to sort out their form.
8th Wexford Youths:
Two wins on the trot going into this round, Mick Wallace’s men would have felt confident of victory; however Limerick stole the show and the points. It is important for his young side to get back to winning ways as soon as possible, however, a trip to UCD is hardly an easy place to start.
9th Finn Harps:
Finn Harps’ best chance of success this season is in winning their home games, however again they lost there, this time to Waterford. Travelling to Athlone this weekend, it looks likely they’ll lose again.
10th Longford Town:
It’s been a tough start to the season for Longford yet it looked like they had a decent chance of beating Athlone last weekend. However losing the midlands derby has underlined the gap between Longford and many teams above them.
11th Monaghan United:
Last round’s scoreless draw in Limerick looked like something to build on for Monaghan, but Sporting Fingal are hardly the side they would have chosen to get the win they hoped to push on to. Comprehensively beaten by a far superior side, again, it will be a tough year for Mons.
12th Kildare County:
Home to Mervue posed the greatest opportunity of the season for Kildare to get things going. A three nil loss produces only disappointment. Still bottom.
About Gordon Hunt
Gordon Hunt is one of extratime's Dublin based reporters. Having worked with the site since it's inception, Gordon's name is carved into the foundations of extratime's tower block. View Full Profile