Things you didn't need to know from the opening weekend of the 2024 League of Ireland

There are many articles you may have read over the weekend containing important details on the positive aspects and possible future trends regarding the League of Ireland, pieces which reference increased attendances and tactical breakdowns from esteemed writers. This unequivocally is nothing of the sort- it is merely the observations of a mind which collects trivia nobody needs (or possibly wants) to know.

The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium was a good place to start on Friday night as defender Ronan Boyce netted for The Candystripes to open their account for the season- his last two league goals have happened when referee Damien Mac Graith has been in charge.

Not to be outdone in the goalscoring stakes, Derry City's Pat Hoban knocked in a second for the home side when wearing the number 9 jersey in the only Premier Division game of the weekend where both teams had a starting number 9.

Saturday night’s clash of Longford Town and Finn Harps was the only game, across both divisions where starting number 9s both scored- Chris Lyons’ debut double opened the scoring for Longford Town before Harps’ debutant striker Success Edogun grabbed a goal before the break to give his side a way back into the game.

A further note on Chris Lyons is that his last three competitive league goals have been in games against Finn Harps when Daryl Carolan has been the referee.

Back to numbers, that Brandywell game between Derry City and Drogheda United was also the only top flight game where both starting netminders sported the number 1 jersey and neither keeper was new to the league (all other games had at least one stopper making their PD debut). 

In the First Division, things were completely different as all teams bar Wexford (with Owen Mason wearing 21) had a number 1 in their starting XI and all bar Cork City’s Bradley Wade had played in the league ahead of this weekend. In fact, City were the only team across both divisions to have a league debutant between the posts in both 2023 and 2024 with Tobi Oluwayemi making the side last season.

On the subject of Cork City, their new arrival, Jack Doherty has faced Kerry in both of their season openers (for Cobh Ramblers last season and Cork City on Friday) and he found the net on both occasions.

Others to have found the net on opening night in both 2023 and 2024 include Bray Wanderers’ Ben Feeney who plundered the winner against Treaty United last season and a consolation against UCD on Friday night.

UCD's first goalscorer at the Carlisle Grounds at the weekend, Ciarán Behan, also hit the target in 2023 with his opening day free kick against Dundalk.

For their part, the Lilywhites have now started two campaigns in a row with 1-1 draws. Whereas last season they conceded directly from a UCD free kick, on Friday night Jamie Gullan’s strike was in their favour at Tallaght Stadium's tie against Shamrock Rovers.

Finally, circling back to the Brandywell Stadium and the opening weekend of the Northern Ireland Championship in August 2023. Ex Derry City attacker Mark Mbuli netted on his debut for Institute. Fast forward to the start of the League of Ireland First Division and Mbuli appeared as a substitute to score the winner for Finn Harps against Longford Town last night.

Incidentally, James Clarke and Evan Weir both scored the night before Mbuli’s first league goal for Institute and the pair also found the target on Friday night, 24 hours ahead of the Ballybofey man's goalscoring debut for his hometown side.

And that's a wrap!