First Division Round-up: Series 10
Credit:
No changes in position this week as UCD and Waterford United were the only sides to post victories. Sporting Fingal, Wexford Youths and Shelbourne all drew.
1st UCD:
Ronan Finn scored the goal which gave UCD a deserved victory over Brendan Place’s Athlone Town. Ciaran Kilduff had a penalty saved late on but no bother, three points won, giving the Students nine wins from their opening ten games. The gap over third and fourth has lengthened just in time for second place Waterford to come visit the Belfield Bowl next Friday - should be good.
2nd Waterford United:
Seven wins in a row now for Stephen Henderson’s side thanks to strikes from Kevin Waters and Kenny Browne. The par score against Kildare is usually at least three goals, however, Waterford still boast the joint best goal difference of +16: Very tough game against UCD next week.
3rd Sporting Fingal:
Our very own Grace Uhr described Sporting’s performance as ‘dominant’ against Mervue on Friday, however, with only a narrow lead a late equaliser was always a danger. Robert Bayly’s strike came as a result of the high tempo pressure that Liam Buckley’s side have been capable of producing in spells throughout their games this season, but the late Kevin Barrett leveller has resulted in a six point gap to the top. A victory against Athlone on Friday will see Fingal close up on at least one of the front two.
4th Shelbourne:
With twenty minutes remaining, Shels were in deep trouble against second-bottom Longford Town. However, a Paddy Madden brace salvaged a point for Dermot Keely’s men. The result is poor, however, like Sporting, the chance to immediately close the gap at the top this weekend is apparent. On Saturday Shelbourne travel to Station Road where two issues should be addressed: Firstly, three points must be won; Secondly, goals really should be scored. In nine games this season, only eleven goals have been scored by the promotion candidates. Expect a response from Shels.
5th Wexford Youths:
What a chance squandered for Mick Wallace’s team to close in on fourth place Shels - but Monaghan have turned things around of late. Perhaps a disappointment, but what is important is that they bounce back with a victory at home to Mervue this weekend. Should be quite a tough game as Mervue have proved quite capable this year, but if the Youths have any aspirations for promotion, they have to start beating these sides.
6th Limerick FC:
John Tierney’s early strike was never capitalised on by Limerick, who saw a David McDaid equaliser before the break ultimately cost them two points. Travelling to a no doubt confidence-boosted Longford on Friday, Pat Scully’s side really should look for the win. The three point gap to Wexford might be tough to maintain for the season, but it’s worth a go.
7th Athlone Town:
Athlone’s season won’t be dictated by results against UCD, they will be dictated by results against teams away from the promotion race. Unfortunately for Brendan Place, Morton Stadium does not play host to one of those teams, and it is the next port of call for Athlone. However, Fingal are stuttering of late, so an away result is not entirely out of the question.
8th Mervue United:
Great result for Mervue against Sporting at Terryland Park over the weekend. On the night of draws, it was Mervue who snatched the latest, thanks to Kevin Barrett’s 88th minute strike. Largely out-played, Mervue managed to snatch an unlikely result which will put them in a great mood ahead of their trip to Wexford this weekend. Should be a close game, very tough to call.
9th Monaghan United:
Seven points from the last available nine, however last weekends draw looked the most unlikely before kick-off. It is still tough to establish just how good, or bad, Monaghan are, following a late resurgence following their previously dire form. Travelling north to Ballybofey on Friday, we at extratime.ie simply have no clue who will win.
10th Finn Harps:
Good draw at Limerick, having gone behind quite early on. Still a very poor season for last year's Premier Division side. With Paul Hegarty stepping down as manager today due to personal reasons, it will be interesting to see if the players can up their game under interim boss, James Gallagher. Monaghan this week, who knows.
11th Longford Town:
Seven losses in a row, we assumed, was rubbish preparation for Longford’s trip to Tolka. However two goals, from Jason McCartney and Derek Glynn, looked to have given them a highly unlikely victory. Nevertheless a draw is a fine result for Longford. Home to Limerick this weekend, could get something from this.
12th Kildare County:
Another loss, this time to Waterford United. Hosting Shels’ on Saturday...
1st UCD:
Ronan Finn scored the goal which gave UCD a deserved victory over Brendan Place’s Athlone Town. Ciaran Kilduff had a penalty saved late on but no bother, three points won, giving the Students nine wins from their opening ten games. The gap over third and fourth has lengthened just in time for second place Waterford to come visit the Belfield Bowl next Friday - should be good.
2nd Waterford United:
Seven wins in a row now for Stephen Henderson’s side thanks to strikes from Kevin Waters and Kenny Browne. The par score against Kildare is usually at least three goals, however, Waterford still boast the joint best goal difference of +16: Very tough game against UCD next week.
3rd Sporting Fingal:
Our very own Grace Uhr described Sporting’s performance as ‘dominant’ against Mervue on Friday, however, with only a narrow lead a late equaliser was always a danger. Robert Bayly’s strike came as a result of the high tempo pressure that Liam Buckley’s side have been capable of producing in spells throughout their games this season, but the late Kevin Barrett leveller has resulted in a six point gap to the top. A victory against Athlone on Friday will see Fingal close up on at least one of the front two.
4th Shelbourne:
With twenty minutes remaining, Shels were in deep trouble against second-bottom Longford Town. However, a Paddy Madden brace salvaged a point for Dermot Keely’s men. The result is poor, however, like Sporting, the chance to immediately close the gap at the top this weekend is apparent. On Saturday Shelbourne travel to Station Road where two issues should be addressed: Firstly, three points must be won; Secondly, goals really should be scored. In nine games this season, only eleven goals have been scored by the promotion candidates. Expect a response from Shels.
5th Wexford Youths:
What a chance squandered for Mick Wallace’s team to close in on fourth place Shels - but Monaghan have turned things around of late. Perhaps a disappointment, but what is important is that they bounce back with a victory at home to Mervue this weekend. Should be quite a tough game as Mervue have proved quite capable this year, but if the Youths have any aspirations for promotion, they have to start beating these sides.
6th Limerick FC:
John Tierney’s early strike was never capitalised on by Limerick, who saw a David McDaid equaliser before the break ultimately cost them two points. Travelling to a no doubt confidence-boosted Longford on Friday, Pat Scully’s side really should look for the win. The three point gap to Wexford might be tough to maintain for the season, but it’s worth a go.
7th Athlone Town:
Athlone’s season won’t be dictated by results against UCD, they will be dictated by results against teams away from the promotion race. Unfortunately for Brendan Place, Morton Stadium does not play host to one of those teams, and it is the next port of call for Athlone. However, Fingal are stuttering of late, so an away result is not entirely out of the question.
8th Mervue United:
Great result for Mervue against Sporting at Terryland Park over the weekend. On the night of draws, it was Mervue who snatched the latest, thanks to Kevin Barrett’s 88th minute strike. Largely out-played, Mervue managed to snatch an unlikely result which will put them in a great mood ahead of their trip to Wexford this weekend. Should be a close game, very tough to call.
9th Monaghan United:
Seven points from the last available nine, however last weekends draw looked the most unlikely before kick-off. It is still tough to establish just how good, or bad, Monaghan are, following a late resurgence following their previously dire form. Travelling north to Ballybofey on Friday, we at extratime.ie simply have no clue who will win.
10th Finn Harps:
Good draw at Limerick, having gone behind quite early on. Still a very poor season for last year's Premier Division side. With Paul Hegarty stepping down as manager today due to personal reasons, it will be interesting to see if the players can up their game under interim boss, James Gallagher. Monaghan this week, who knows.
11th Longford Town:
Seven losses in a row, we assumed, was rubbish preparation for Longford’s trip to Tolka. However two goals, from Jason McCartney and Derek Glynn, looked to have given them a highly unlikely victory. Nevertheless a draw is a fine result for Longford. Home to Limerick this weekend, could get something from this.
12th Kildare County:
Another loss, this time to Waterford United. Hosting Shels’ on Saturday...
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