Flood Warnings

Picture this: It's May 8, Shels’ have just beaten Dundalk at Oriel Park to go clear at the top of the table. Anthony ‘Bisto’ Flood has just knocked in his eleventh and twelfth league goal of the season in just ten games. Brian Kerr (in employment at the time), Paul Doolin and John McDonnell have all caught the bug and travelled to Tolka Park to cast their eyes over the striker.

Now, eight games later, only one more goal has been added to his now challenged (Robbie Doyle just down the road…) tally of thirteen league goals.

What has happened?

Throughout May nothing was said. Shels’ were still winning, goals were coming from elsewhere in the team, and everything was rosy. But now that penniless Waterford have decided to perform and have closed right up on the top two, with Sporting Fingal not far back, questions are surely being asked.

Shels’ only reason for sitting aloft at the top of the table is Dundalk’s decision to match the reds for underachievement of late. But results are poor, and goals are gone.

At twenty three, Flood is carrying the expectation of promoting the North Dublin club to the Premier Division, on perhaps inexperienced shoulders. Dermot Keely’s men have talent and passion, however none can match the qualities Flood enjoys. If Keely can’t work out a way to change this disappointing spell, this Friday against a Limerick side whom he scored three against two months ago perhaps, Shels’ may well be staring at a third season below the top flight…