Chips on view at the Carlisle but three more takeaways from Friday in the First Division

Cork’s clean sheets

First Division headlines last weekend were dominated by the scoring exploits of Dylan McGlade at the Carlisle Grounds. His hat trick , the highlight of which was a delightful dink over a stranded Stephen McGuinness, was the story of the evening as Pat Devlin’s newly amalgamated outfit crashed to a heavy defeat. However, much and all as Colin Healy will be delighted at the clinical finishing on display, it is at the other end of the pitch where a strong platform is being established.

After being drafted into the Cork City first team at the end of last season, following a period with the Under 19 side, former Cobh Ramblers underage keeper and son of the legendary Phil, David Harrington has yet to concede a goal from open play in five games- beaten only from the spot by Colm Whelan in a 1-0 defeat to UCD. Harrington debuted at the Carlisle Grounds in a 0-0 draw in October 2021 and went on to record further shutouts against both Wexford and Galway United before last Friday’s 6-0 win. Add to the fact that Cian Coleman has been the only constant in the defence across the games and the feat becomes more impressive. This weekend they face one of the promotion favourites Galway United at Turner’s Cross so another clean sheet for the 21 year old would certainly be welcomed against former manager John Caulfield's charges. Four clean sheets in five is impressive but a fifth in sixth would take the biscuit.

Treaty’s flying full backs

Tommy Barrett’s Limerick based outfit took the First Division by surprise last season as the hastily arranged outfit were narrowly knocked out of the FAI Cup after extra time by holders Dundalk and lost the Play Off Semi Final to UCD. Goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan and attacker Sean McSweeney moved to the Premier Division by joining Bohemians and Shelbourne respectively, however the vast majority of the squad remained on Shannonside, allowing former Athlone Town midfielder Barrett to build on the impressive showings of 2021.

Last season, one of the more experienced recruits was ex Galway United defender Marc Ludden and the full back directly contributed to ten goals, netting once against Athlone Town and recording nine assists. This year, Treaty have once more signed a defender familiar with the league and this time it’s right back Charlie Fleming, formerly of Cobh Ramblers, who was heavily involved in goals for Callum McNamara, Enda Curran and Joe Gorman. Friday sees Treaty open their Markets Field account for 2022 against Athlone Town- Marc Ludden was on the scoresheet against them last season, don’t be surprised to see himself or Fleming involved amongst the goals on Friday night.

Phoenix scores but is another striker rising from the ashes of relegation?

While they face Treaty this weekend, last Friday Athlone opened their campaign against demoted Waterford. Much like the aforementioned Treaty, the Blues have managed to keep the majority of last season’s side intact. Two eye catching attacking recruits from last season got themselves back on the scoresheet on the opening night this year with Junior Quitirna netting a brace and Phoenix Patterson finding the net himself.

However, it was another goalscorer who may prove to be key to Waterford achieving promotion. After 81 minutes and 4-1 up, Patterson broke down the Waterford right and his dinked cross was finished to the net by the onrushing Louis Britton who had been on the pitch for less than ten minutes. In the final match of the 20/21 Championship season already promoted Brentford faced Bristol City- Britton netted for the Robins as a replacement, the final goal Brentford conceded in the Championship.

Ahead of the 2022 League of Ireland season, fresh from a loan at Woking FC, he pitched up at Derry City where he played for the Candystripes and scored against Drogheda United. A week later he was in the colours of Waterford and netted against Bohemians, before signing officially on loan at the RSC and finding the net once more- this time against Derry City.  

Having scored regularly for Bristol City Under 23s (16 goals in the 20/21 season and 3 at the start of 21/22), in September Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson spoke about the importance of Britton improving his match fitness and the Robins activated a clause to extend his contract so if the 20 year old can get a run of games together in the First Division and continue to exhibit his goalscoring prowess he could be joining Republic of Ireland international Callum O’Dowda (if he extends his contract) in the Bristol City first team for the 2022/23 season.