2010 in Review: First Division
Credit:
Derry City
Pre-season favourites Derry City lost just four games as they claimed the Airtricity First Division title and promotion to the Premier Division at the first time of asking. It was a strange season for Derry, who at one stage looked to run away with the title, but were pegged back by the chasing Monaghan United and Waterford United. Mark Farren grabbed 18 league goals along the way to the title.
Waterford United
Waterford United had to battle hard in their final two games of the season to hold onto a play-off spot, and finished three points behind Derry City with 20 wins from their 33 games. A last gasp winner against Athlone and an away win in Tolka Park gave Waterford Utd second place. Willie John Kiely matched Farren’s 18 league goals as Stephen Henderson’s side again missed out on promotion after play-off defeat.
Monaghan United
Monaghan United grabbed third place in the First Division table by a single point to Shelbourne. 14 Philly Hughes goals along the way saw Monaghan defeat Waterford United in the First Division play-off by three goals to one in the RSC after finishing four behind in third place. They went on to lose on penalties to Bray Wanderers after a scoreless play-off final.
Shelbourne
Shelbourne missed out on the play-offs by just one point behind Monaghan United. Alan Mathews did remarkably well to just miss out considering what had gone before. Shels went into the final game of the season against Waterford Utd needing a victory but unfortunately lost 2-0. Next season should see a better challenge from the Drumcondra side.
Limerick
Limerick ultimately failed to live up to expectations and fell short of a play-off spot by five points. Their inability to beat any of their main contenders was ultimately their downfall. 13 points more and two places higher than the 2009 season give little consolation but 2011 should see Pat Scully’s side a more potent threat.
Cork City
Cork City’s first season back in the First Division saw them finish in 6th place and ten points outside of the play-off places. All in all a pretty good season but a lot of inconsistency and an over-dependency on the league’s player of the year Graham Cummins let the Leesiders down. Tommy Dunne remaining on for next season should add consistency to the side and help build for promotion however, with several good additions made already.
Wexford Youths
A largely disappointing season saw the Youths finish in 7th place, ten points behind sixth place Cork City, and a massive 27 points behind top of the table Derry City. With Jimmy Keohane (Bristol City), Conor Sinnott (St. Pats) and captain David Breen (Athlone) all departing at various times over the season, the Youths failed to replace their experienced losses. Gary Sheahan’s return to Limerick will make next season more difficult.
Finn Harps
A young Harps squad collected just ten wins from 33 attempts. They did however beat Monaghan United while holding Derry City, Limerick and Waterford United to credible draws. Seventh place and almost 30 points off the top of the table probably says it all about their season. Kevin McHugh’s 12 goals meant it was a successful season for the 30-year-old striker.
Longford Town
Ninth place for Longford Town saw them manage nine wins from 33 games, with just three league wins away from Flancare Park. A frustrating season on the field for Tony Cousins’ side saw 52 goals conceded in a season that simply failed to ignite.
Athlone Town
Brendan Place has already departed after a poor season from Athlone Town with 33 points from a possible 99 telling its own story for the season. A side badly needing to be reshaped can thrive in the superb Lissywoollen facilities. They were however involved in two of the most extraordinary games of the season when throwing away a four-goal lead against Monaghan to draw 4-4 before losing 6-3 to Shelbourne the following week despite being level at 2-2 with 15 minutes to go.
Mervue United Mervue United won the battle with Galway neighbours Salthill Devon to avoid bottom spot in the First Division table by just four points. 50 points separated them from Derry City but results against Limerick and Monaghan showed the progress being made at the club. On the downside, 4-0, 6-0 and 5-1 score lines need to be avoided if they are to progress next season. A draw away to Sporting Fingal in the FAI Cup was no doubt a highlight of the season.
Salthill Devon Salthill Devon’s first season in the League of Ireland saw them collect just 15 points from the 99 on offer and finish bottom of the table, however a relegation play-off win over Cobh Ramblers has preserved their 2011 league place. Their first season proved a difficult one with five goals (Shelbourne and Limerick), six goals (Monaghan), seven goals (Derry) and eight goals (Waterford) being conceded in single matches by the Galway side. Next season’s target will no doubt be building on a first season in League of Ireland football with progression up the league table.
Pre-season favourites Derry City lost just four games as they claimed the Airtricity First Division title and promotion to the Premier Division at the first time of asking. It was a strange season for Derry, who at one stage looked to run away with the title, but were pegged back by the chasing Monaghan United and Waterford United. Mark Farren grabbed 18 league goals along the way to the title.
Waterford United
Waterford United had to battle hard in their final two games of the season to hold onto a play-off spot, and finished three points behind Derry City with 20 wins from their 33 games. A last gasp winner against Athlone and an away win in Tolka Park gave Waterford Utd second place. Willie John Kiely matched Farren’s 18 league goals as Stephen Henderson’s side again missed out on promotion after play-off defeat.
Monaghan United
Monaghan United grabbed third place in the First Division table by a single point to Shelbourne. 14 Philly Hughes goals along the way saw Monaghan defeat Waterford United in the First Division play-off by three goals to one in the RSC after finishing four behind in third place. They went on to lose on penalties to Bray Wanderers after a scoreless play-off final.
Shelbourne
Shelbourne missed out on the play-offs by just one point behind Monaghan United. Alan Mathews did remarkably well to just miss out considering what had gone before. Shels went into the final game of the season against Waterford Utd needing a victory but unfortunately lost 2-0. Next season should see a better challenge from the Drumcondra side.
Limerick
Limerick ultimately failed to live up to expectations and fell short of a play-off spot by five points. Their inability to beat any of their main contenders was ultimately their downfall. 13 points more and two places higher than the 2009 season give little consolation but 2011 should see Pat Scully’s side a more potent threat.
Cork City
Cork City’s first season back in the First Division saw them finish in 6th place and ten points outside of the play-off places. All in all a pretty good season but a lot of inconsistency and an over-dependency on the league’s player of the year Graham Cummins let the Leesiders down. Tommy Dunne remaining on for next season should add consistency to the side and help build for promotion however, with several good additions made already.
Wexford Youths
A largely disappointing season saw the Youths finish in 7th place, ten points behind sixth place Cork City, and a massive 27 points behind top of the table Derry City. With Jimmy Keohane (Bristol City), Conor Sinnott (St. Pats) and captain David Breen (Athlone) all departing at various times over the season, the Youths failed to replace their experienced losses. Gary Sheahan’s return to Limerick will make next season more difficult.
Finn Harps
A young Harps squad collected just ten wins from 33 attempts. They did however beat Monaghan United while holding Derry City, Limerick and Waterford United to credible draws. Seventh place and almost 30 points off the top of the table probably says it all about their season. Kevin McHugh’s 12 goals meant it was a successful season for the 30-year-old striker.
Longford Town
Ninth place for Longford Town saw them manage nine wins from 33 games, with just three league wins away from Flancare Park. A frustrating season on the field for Tony Cousins’ side saw 52 goals conceded in a season that simply failed to ignite.
Athlone Town
Brendan Place has already departed after a poor season from Athlone Town with 33 points from a possible 99 telling its own story for the season. A side badly needing to be reshaped can thrive in the superb Lissywoollen facilities. They were however involved in two of the most extraordinary games of the season when throwing away a four-goal lead against Monaghan to draw 4-4 before losing 6-3 to Shelbourne the following week despite being level at 2-2 with 15 minutes to go.
Mervue United Mervue United won the battle with Galway neighbours Salthill Devon to avoid bottom spot in the First Division table by just four points. 50 points separated them from Derry City but results against Limerick and Monaghan showed the progress being made at the club. On the downside, 4-0, 6-0 and 5-1 score lines need to be avoided if they are to progress next season. A draw away to Sporting Fingal in the FAI Cup was no doubt a highlight of the season.
Salthill Devon Salthill Devon’s first season in the League of Ireland saw them collect just 15 points from the 99 on offer and finish bottom of the table, however a relegation play-off win over Cobh Ramblers has preserved their 2011 league place. Their first season proved a difficult one with five goals (Shelbourne and Limerick), six goals (Monaghan), seven goals (Derry) and eight goals (Waterford) being conceded in single matches by the Galway side. Next season’s target will no doubt be building on a first season in League of Ireland football with progression up the league table.
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan. View Full Profile