First Division Round-up: Series 21
Credit:
Top of the table Shelbourne maintained their good form with a win and a draw chalked up, whereas there were also victories for Sporting Fingal, Waterford United, Monaghan United and Limerick FC.
1st Shelbourne:
Shelbourne had beat Longford 2-0 - both strikes coming from David McAllister - which maintained a two point lead at the top of the table before they played their game in hand last Saturday in Ballybofey.
Considering the dominance enjoyed over Finn Harps only three weeks ago, it is perhaps disappointing that they only managed a 1-1 draw in Donegal; however it puts a three point gap on their closest rivals.
2nd Waterford United:
Graham Cummins’ sixteenth and seventeenth strikes of the season were the difference at Station Road, keeping Waterford just a win behind the league leaders. The injury to squad player David Grincell is difficult to evaluate, with regards Waterford’s season, however having to play Leinster Senior League side Crumlin United twice in the last few days is hardly ideal preparation for Saturday night’s clash with UCD – followed by Sporting Fingal.
3rd UCD:
UCD scored a ninety third minute equaliser in Athlone to steal a point. On paper, not winning will be a disappointment, but these things happen. Shels’ draw in Ballybofey will have pleased the Students however that’s a five point gap to the top, with a pivotal fixture in Waterford on Saturday.
4th Sporting Fingal:
Sporting need to win in Athlone this weekend and Alan Kirby’s brace against Mervue sets them up nicely. Fingal are a substantial six points off Shels’, with a game against Waterford not too far away also.
5th Wexford Youths:
Nine points from the last eight games. The wheels have fallen off the Youths’ push which had offered such promise earlier in the season.
6th Monaghan United:
Karl Bermingham’s goals in Wexford closed the gap up on sixth to just two points. Interestingly, as pointed out by Alan Dooley, each of Bermingham’s seven goals this season have been scored away from home. Perhaps against Finn Harps this weekend he can change that stat.
7th Limerick FC:
Goals either side of the break from first Shane Tracey and then Stephen O’Flynn saw off Finn Harps in Ballybofey, with Limerick getting back to winning ways following a draw and two losses recently.
Home to Longford this weekend.
8th Finn Harps:
The loss at home to Limerick was a huge disappointment for Harps, especially with Shelbourne travelling there next. However a great 1-1 draw against the league leaders preserved their eighth place.
Tough trip to Monaghan on Sunday.
9th Athlone Town:
Very unlucky to concede so late against UCD. Stephen Place looked to have given Athlone a great victory however the two points dropped sees Brendan Place’s side remain ninth.
Sporting up next.
10th Longford Town:
Well beaten by Shels’ at home, Brian McCarthy’s red card merely an added disappointment. Travelling to Limerick this weekend in a far more attainable fixture.
11th Mervue United:
Eight losses in the league in a row, Nine in all competitions.
12th Kildare County:
Kildare conceded to Graham Cummins, as have many sides this year, however the turnaround in Kildare has already happened. Games against Waterford won’t matter, a few points in the next couple of games which include Finn Harps, Athlone and Longford will be a far better gauge on their ability.
Up next, however, is Shelbourne.
1st Shelbourne:
Shelbourne had beat Longford 2-0 - both strikes coming from David McAllister - which maintained a two point lead at the top of the table before they played their game in hand last Saturday in Ballybofey.
Considering the dominance enjoyed over Finn Harps only three weeks ago, it is perhaps disappointing that they only managed a 1-1 draw in Donegal; however it puts a three point gap on their closest rivals.
2nd Waterford United:
Graham Cummins’ sixteenth and seventeenth strikes of the season were the difference at Station Road, keeping Waterford just a win behind the league leaders. The injury to squad player David Grincell is difficult to evaluate, with regards Waterford’s season, however having to play Leinster Senior League side Crumlin United twice in the last few days is hardly ideal preparation for Saturday night’s clash with UCD – followed by Sporting Fingal.
3rd UCD:
UCD scored a ninety third minute equaliser in Athlone to steal a point. On paper, not winning will be a disappointment, but these things happen. Shels’ draw in Ballybofey will have pleased the Students however that’s a five point gap to the top, with a pivotal fixture in Waterford on Saturday.
4th Sporting Fingal:
Sporting need to win in Athlone this weekend and Alan Kirby’s brace against Mervue sets them up nicely. Fingal are a substantial six points off Shels’, with a game against Waterford not too far away also.
5th Wexford Youths:
Nine points from the last eight games. The wheels have fallen off the Youths’ push which had offered such promise earlier in the season.
6th Monaghan United:
Karl Bermingham’s goals in Wexford closed the gap up on sixth to just two points. Interestingly, as pointed out by Alan Dooley, each of Bermingham’s seven goals this season have been scored away from home. Perhaps against Finn Harps this weekend he can change that stat.
7th Limerick FC:
Goals either side of the break from first Shane Tracey and then Stephen O’Flynn saw off Finn Harps in Ballybofey, with Limerick getting back to winning ways following a draw and two losses recently.
Home to Longford this weekend.
8th Finn Harps:
The loss at home to Limerick was a huge disappointment for Harps, especially with Shelbourne travelling there next. However a great 1-1 draw against the league leaders preserved their eighth place.
Tough trip to Monaghan on Sunday.
9th Athlone Town:
Very unlucky to concede so late against UCD. Stephen Place looked to have given Athlone a great victory however the two points dropped sees Brendan Place’s side remain ninth.
Sporting up next.
10th Longford Town:
Well beaten by Shels’ at home, Brian McCarthy’s red card merely an added disappointment. Travelling to Limerick this weekend in a far more attainable fixture.
11th Mervue United:
Eight losses in the league in a row, Nine in all competitions.
12th Kildare County:
Kildare conceded to Graham Cummins, as have many sides this year, however the turnaround in Kildare has already happened. Games against Waterford won’t matter, a few points in the next couple of games which include Finn Harps, Athlone and Longford will be a far better gauge on their ability.
Up next, however, is Shelbourne.
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