First Division Round-Up: Series 8
Credit:
Eight games in and the top five look set to remain, having each posted victories over the weekend.
1st UCD:
Back to winning ways for UCD, however it was a very hard fought victory against Mervue United on Friday. John Reilly’s injury time winner came after Nicky Curran’s dismissal gave the visitors a numerical advantage for just three minutes. The win was imperative to their season, because just behind them, Waterford United and Sporting Fingal are beginning to hit form. A win against Longford should cement their position at the top next Friday.
2nd Sporting Fingal:
Another win for Liam Buckley’s men sees them keep up the pressure on the Students. Ross Gaynor, Robert Bayly and Eamon Zayed each netted in Flancare Park. Robert Bayly’s dismissal and the concession of their first league goal in six games will be disappointments for the Dubliners, but it’s points that matter. Home to Limerick on Friday, another win should follow.
3rd Waterford United:
Having both Willie John Kiely and Graham Cummins in his side, Stephen Henderson probably knows that it’s not a lack of goals that will cost his side promotion. Both men scored again on Friday as Waterford made it five wins in a row. A very impressive April for the team, with Cummins alone chipping in with a massive seven strikes, has seen them position themselves well for the season.
4th Shelbourne:
Shelbourne needed this win. Having lost two on the spin, Athlone simply had to be dispatched of. Anto Flood and Derek Doyle got the goals however further ill-discipline for the Reds saw David Crawley dismissed. Suspensions are all too regular, a trend which must be arrested. Away to Finn Harps on Friday is not an easy tie; however Waterford and UCD have each won there already.
5th Wexford Youths:
Gavin Doyle’s brace against Finn Harps put Wexford up to fifth in the table, and Conor Sinnott’s missed penalty could have made it even more comfortable of a victory. Last week we mentioned that it was the Youths who looked best equipped to chase the top four, this week it is no different. With away games against Kildare and Monaghan up next, expect the gap to fourth to grow no further.
6th Limerick FC:
Limerick were beaten by a better side on Friday, however that is not to say they were brushed aside. Despite Waterford winning 2-0, Limerick played very positive football and, but for a contentious penalty call, may well have pushed Waterford closer in the closing stages. Nevertheless the winning run is finished and with a tough trip to Morton on the way, it seems unlikely that Pat Scully’s men will add further points to their league tally so far.
7th Athlone Town:
Athlone put in a good performance during their 2-0 loss to Shels on Friday, however ultimately they failed to score despite 25 minutes with a numerical advantage. The good news is they host Monaghan next week, a fixture which should see Brendan Place’s men get back to winning ways.
8th Mervue United:
Mervue were only moments away from a wonderful draw in Galway against league leaders UCD on Friday. David O’Brien had gifted the visitors a lead before Nicky Curran levelled the scores before the break. Unfortunately for Curran, he was then to become the villain of the piece with an 88th minute dismissal, and UCD went on to steal it at the death. A tough game in Waterford awaits.
9th Finn Harps:
Just not good enough. Wexford Youths were favourites going into this tie, and duly took all three points, Conor Gethins nabbing a very late consolation goal for the Donegal men. Struggling to get results, yet not getting totally bowled over, it’s proving a very frustrating season for Harps. A victory at home to Shelbourne is not beyond the realms of possibility, and it is very much needed.
10th Monaghan United:
We wondered who would come out on top in the bottom of the table clash, turns out that it was Monaghan, emphatically. A massive, morale boosting victory - through goals from Sean Brennan, Paul Whelan (2), Barry Clancy and Darragh Hanaphy – has seen United rise above Longford to third bottom. Away at Athlone this Saturday will be a very tough game, but another win may seem them rise up another place.
11th Longford Town:
Liam Lynch grabbed a consolation for Longford against Sporting on Saturday and with trips to Dublin to face UCD and Shelbourne in the next two fixtures, this run of games may not be too great to watch if you’re a fan. They don’t play Kildare till June.
12th Kildare County:
Kildare County - just an incredibly difficult situation to be in. With their manager leaving his post over the weekend, Kildare are looking at one of the worst seasons in the history of League of Ireland football. Ill equipped for the division.
1st UCD:
Back to winning ways for UCD, however it was a very hard fought victory against Mervue United on Friday. John Reilly’s injury time winner came after Nicky Curran’s dismissal gave the visitors a numerical advantage for just three minutes. The win was imperative to their season, because just behind them, Waterford United and Sporting Fingal are beginning to hit form. A win against Longford should cement their position at the top next Friday.
2nd Sporting Fingal:
Another win for Liam Buckley’s men sees them keep up the pressure on the Students. Ross Gaynor, Robert Bayly and Eamon Zayed each netted in Flancare Park. Robert Bayly’s dismissal and the concession of their first league goal in six games will be disappointments for the Dubliners, but it’s points that matter. Home to Limerick on Friday, another win should follow.
3rd Waterford United:
Having both Willie John Kiely and Graham Cummins in his side, Stephen Henderson probably knows that it’s not a lack of goals that will cost his side promotion. Both men scored again on Friday as Waterford made it five wins in a row. A very impressive April for the team, with Cummins alone chipping in with a massive seven strikes, has seen them position themselves well for the season.
4th Shelbourne:
Shelbourne needed this win. Having lost two on the spin, Athlone simply had to be dispatched of. Anto Flood and Derek Doyle got the goals however further ill-discipline for the Reds saw David Crawley dismissed. Suspensions are all too regular, a trend which must be arrested. Away to Finn Harps on Friday is not an easy tie; however Waterford and UCD have each won there already.
5th Wexford Youths:
Gavin Doyle’s brace against Finn Harps put Wexford up to fifth in the table, and Conor Sinnott’s missed penalty could have made it even more comfortable of a victory. Last week we mentioned that it was the Youths who looked best equipped to chase the top four, this week it is no different. With away games against Kildare and Monaghan up next, expect the gap to fourth to grow no further.
6th Limerick FC:
Limerick were beaten by a better side on Friday, however that is not to say they were brushed aside. Despite Waterford winning 2-0, Limerick played very positive football and, but for a contentious penalty call, may well have pushed Waterford closer in the closing stages. Nevertheless the winning run is finished and with a tough trip to Morton on the way, it seems unlikely that Pat Scully’s men will add further points to their league tally so far.
7th Athlone Town:
Athlone put in a good performance during their 2-0 loss to Shels on Friday, however ultimately they failed to score despite 25 minutes with a numerical advantage. The good news is they host Monaghan next week, a fixture which should see Brendan Place’s men get back to winning ways.
8th Mervue United:
Mervue were only moments away from a wonderful draw in Galway against league leaders UCD on Friday. David O’Brien had gifted the visitors a lead before Nicky Curran levelled the scores before the break. Unfortunately for Curran, he was then to become the villain of the piece with an 88th minute dismissal, and UCD went on to steal it at the death. A tough game in Waterford awaits.
9th Finn Harps:
Just not good enough. Wexford Youths were favourites going into this tie, and duly took all three points, Conor Gethins nabbing a very late consolation goal for the Donegal men. Struggling to get results, yet not getting totally bowled over, it’s proving a very frustrating season for Harps. A victory at home to Shelbourne is not beyond the realms of possibility, and it is very much needed.
10th Monaghan United:
We wondered who would come out on top in the bottom of the table clash, turns out that it was Monaghan, emphatically. A massive, morale boosting victory - through goals from Sean Brennan, Paul Whelan (2), Barry Clancy and Darragh Hanaphy – has seen United rise above Longford to third bottom. Away at Athlone this Saturday will be a very tough game, but another win may seem them rise up another place.
11th Longford Town:
Liam Lynch grabbed a consolation for Longford against Sporting on Saturday and with trips to Dublin to face UCD and Shelbourne in the next two fixtures, this run of games may not be too great to watch if you’re a fan. They don’t play Kildare till June.
12th Kildare County:
Kildare County - just an incredibly difficult situation to be in. With their manager leaving his post over the weekend, Kildare are looking at one of the worst seasons in the history of League of Ireland football. Ill equipped for the division.
About Gordon Hunt
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