Division One Week 1

1. Waterford United The promotion favourites enjoyed a 3-0 home win over local rivals Wexford Youths at the RSC. Vinny Sullivan gave Waterford the lead after just 7 minutes and Youths had Warren Broaders sent off thirteen minutes later. The home side doubled their lead in the 55th minute through Willie John Kiely. Paul McCarthy passed down wing to Kiely, who put the ball over Holden to make it 2-0. United then finished Wexford off when Alan Carey converted a penalty in the 71st minute after David Grincell was hauled down in the box by Aidan McCann.

2.Athlone Town Playing against newly promoted Salthill Devon, Athlone Town got a 1-0 win away in Drom. Manager Brendan Place had no less than fifteen new players in his squad. A nervous Salthill defence allowed Austin Skelly to score the game’s only goal for Athlone Town after just ten minutes. Athlone went close again early in the second half, but it finished 1-0 as they managed to hold out against Salthill pressure.

3. Longford Town Longford Town kicked their 2010 Airtricity First Divsion campaign off with a win in an entertaining match against Finn Harps at Flancare Park. JP McDonagh was the hero with a secnd-half brace in what was the final match of the weekend. New signing Peter Hynes added a third for the Town to cancel out the goals from Johnny Lafferty and Davitt Walsh for Finn Harps. Scorer Davitt Walsh hit the post for Finn Harps with minutes remaining, but Longford Town held out for a win in their first fixture.

4. Shelbourne Last season’s defeated playoff semi-finalists began their season with a 1-1 home draw against a hotly-tipped Monaghan United. Shels had a nervy start, with Monaghan grabbing the lead through Karl Bermingham after just seventeen minutes largely thanks to a lapse in concentration in the defence. Eventually, in the 79th minute, the Reds equalised. Eric Foley smashed home a free-kick on the edge of the Waterford penalty area after Mons ‘keeper Darren Kelly claimed the ball outside the box. Shelbourne now look forward to an away tie against Wexford Youths.

5. Cork City FORAS Co-op The first season under the club’s new name and regime began with a draw away against Derry City. A hastily put-together squad performed relatively well against a more settled Derry side. The Rebels were forced into playing cautiously as only two substitutes were named. Davin O’Neill gave City the lead early in the second half, with a sublime lob over the head of Derry City goalkeeper Gerard Doherty. Emmrt Friars equalised for Derry in the 63rd minute, but an efficient defensive performance ensured Cork went home with a point.

6. Monaghan United A team many regard as dark horses for promotion shocked Shelbourne to take a point from Tolka Park on Friday night. The Mons started with a bang as Karl Bermingham grabbed the lead in the 17th minute. Bermingham slid the ball past Dean Delany after a defensive slip-up allowed the former Waterford United striker a chance on goal. Shels did equalise, but a highly creditable defensive display (particularly from Aidan Lynch) saw Monaghan emerge with a deserved share of the spoils.

7. Mervue United A controversial equaliser from Kevin Barrett got Mervue a draw with Limerick in this season opener at Terryland Park. After 57 minutes, the assistant referee judged Barrett’s effort to have crossed the goal-line before it was cleared away. Limerick had taken the lead after 28 minutes through John Tierney. Mervue had their chances to win the match, but it remained a draw at the final whistle.

8. Derry City Demoted Derry City kicked off their First Divsion campaign in the Brandywell with a draw against another demoted club, Cork City FORAS Co-op. The Rebels took the lead in the 49rd minute through Davin O’Neill, as the former Cobh midfielder scored with a stunning drive. Cork couldn’t hold out, however, as Derry did eventually equalise through Emmet Friars in the 63rd minute The Candystripes couldn’t get a winner before full time with the Leesiders' defence holding fast against sustained pressure.

9. Limerick FC Limerick took the lead against Mervue United after 28 minutes through John Tierney. Shane Clarke played the ball over two Mervue defenders for John Tierney to tuck the ball under the advancing Ger Hanley. Mervue pegged the Lims back on 57 minutes with a contoversial equaliser; Kevin Barrett’s shot was judged to have crossed the line despite protests from the Limerick players. Limerick, like Mervue, had chances to take the lead before the final whistle, but a draw always looked on the cards.

10. Finn Harps A thrilling match at Flancare Park saw Finn Harps being just edged out by Longford Town. Harps won twice last year at Longford, and took the lead again this year through Johnny Lafferty after seven minutes. Davitt Walsh added a second goal for Harps after finishing past Longford ‘keeper Stephen Conlon from close range. Despite scoring twice, it wasn’t Finn Harps’ day. Longford managed to score three times; twice through JP McDonagh and once through Peter Hynes.

11. Wexford Youths The Warriors started their first season without Mick Wallace at the helm with a 3-0 defeat to rivals Waterford United. Youths were dogged by poor discipline as Warren Broaders was sent off after 20 minutes and Aidan McCann gave away a penalty in the 71st minute. Three Waterford United goals from Vinny Sullivan, Willie John Kiely and Alan Carey consigned Wexford to defeat.

12. Salthill Devon In their inaugural season in the First Division, Salthill Devon ran Athlone Town close at Drom. Salthill could have easily gotten a point from the game, if it wasn’t for their first-half display. A nervy defensive first half allowed Athlone to take the lead, although Salthill were probably the better side for the second forty five. Devon hit the crossbar in the dying moments when substitute Browne smacked a volley from 30yards. After 90 minutes, Devon were unlucky not to come out with a point.