Don't look back in anger - First Division in review

Driving rain now, cutting wind next, and this is summer football. Hundreds of spectators, not thousands, if you’re doing well. The loudest of them will soothe you like a father in one breath using your first name and gathering the venom to pierce you by surname in the next. Fourteen Ultras and a drum. Perfect pitch. On it, locals, hopefuls and seniors, at various stages of a career. Team management fastidious, earnest, driven.

There is no essential difference between the Premier Division and the First. The balance between capital and country could be greater, but what are you going to do? From the Boardroom to the Manager, all the way to the ball boys and girls, the hopes and dreams are the same. But on a Friday or Saturday night in April, in a Field of Dreams in one of Ireland’s proudest towns, you can almost hear the teeth grinding. Could this be our year?

As I’ve said in a previous item, the point was to get to all the grounds in the league, but it was never going to happen. Successful campaigns here and in Europe by the bigger teams took our attention away. It was enjoyable trying though. We’ll make up for that next season, but we did get to most.

In Pre-Season, Cork City flirted with a new, soon-to-be 12,000 seater ground at Musgrave Park, occasionally home to Munster Rugby and Dolphin RFC. The idea of a new ground holding more than those of the league’s finest showed promise. However that’s some way away and two performances against the Rovers of Sligo and Shamrock said differently as their ‘keeper had to pick five out of the net collectively while only two Cork player could run towards the corner-flag in jubilation over the two games.

Our first stop of the season proper was the opening Gran Classico at Flancare Park, and the expectation level was high. Keith Gillespie’s arrival was heralded with vigour, so his introduction early in the second half that night was greeted warmly. In the end, some nice touches and the confidence it brought to the early-season Longford saw them take the points off a game Athlone side.

That humid April night Mike Kerley of Athlone laid out the job ahead of him with such a young roster, and against all the odds he has brought them a confidence to play arguably above themselves. They took a lot of hard lessons along the way, and still placed mid-table. If he can build on the good work, who knows what 2012 will bring?

Waterford United called to Shamrock Rovers in late February and produced a strong team showing, giving a stern test to the Tallaghtmen and hope for long-suffering Blues fans. The return of Kenny Browne to bolster a defence marshalled by Kevin Murray suggested the RSC might return to take its rightful place in the Premier, but the outturn tells a different story. Stephen Henderson made way for Paul O’Brien who is finding a major challenge in settling his side. Too much was given away cheaply this season, but points taken off Shelbourne in an impressive late-season surge may have been the key to the winning of the league for their Munster rivals. The Blues remain an enigma, and we’ll watch their progress next season with interest.

Shels showed Premier Division class regularly throughout, brushing their rivals aside early to go ten points clear. Tolka proved a League Cup nightmare for European hopefuls Bohemian FC, where they were outclassed 4-2 by a Shels side displaying both grace and guile.

You can’t liken their subsequent drop of their leading margin to an implosion, but such a capitulation from the Richmond Road outfit is hard to explain given their resourcefulness and the nous of Alan Matthews. I suppose it’s a measure of their collective quality that they did finish a close second, and reached the Cup Final – who would bet against them in Lansdowne Road?

Cork City, like Derry, in footballing terms should not have been in the First Division. But they had to

get back on an even keel, and it’s a credit to the Foras people that they have revived their fortunes so quickly. The Rebel Army have much to be excited about for next season, especially if they can retain the services of Graham Cummins, leading goals corer over the last couple of campaigns. They have been solid throughout, Cummins himself fittingly winning the league with the last kick of the last game Saturday last. Danny Murphy gave them defensive stability this year - similar acquisitions in some other positions and they could be the real deal.

The Monaghan story is of epic proportions. Roddy Collins has continued their rise, running with baton passed on by Mick Cooke and leading to another playoff. This time there can be no excuses, no falling walls. The weight of expectation is on them. Sava in goal gives them confidence, and equally the firepower afforded by the Brennan brothers and Fabio should give them the edge – they are the team that’s winning; Galway are not. Their president (and ours) look forward to an eagerly awaited showdown.

Pat Scully’s frustration was palpable on a cold August night, as Limerick stuttered against lowly but willing Salthill Devon on the carpet that is the Jackman Park surface. That was a low point in a season of some highs, but consistency has eluded them. The expectation for next season will be immense - the Behan/Gamble gamble will come into sharper focus as Lims look to their spiritual home, The Markets Field. The spirit is huge in this sporting city, yet nothing less than Premier League football will be acceptable.

The Healy/Hutton show at Ballybofey will settle their squad after a difficult season, and their fans can expect a brighter 2012 by all appearances. It’s time for Harps to stop looking enviously at their northwest neighbours. We hear of financial difficulties. But who hasn’t suffered from this long running illness that inflicts League of Ireland football?

At the opposite end of the country (but not the league) Mick Wallace’s sterling efforts on behalf of Wexford Youths, providing fabulous off-the-field facilities, have not resulted in huge success on it. Safe to say it was their most difficult year to date, and they’re now facing into their most challenging time as a club. The resilience of their founder will be sorely tested – for everybody’s sake let’s hope they can pull through.

Despite the loss of their talisman Rory Gaffney to Limerick, Mervue consolidated and had many eye-catching performances. Fair to say they were Galway’s best this year, and will be hoping to improve their position. Neighbours and friends Salthill are unenviable in seeking re-election. Galway is the place to look for intrigue in the short term.

The close season has a habit of throwing the odd curve-ball or two. The First Division may have its detractors, but it’s never dull. And we all know Irish football is an animal to be fed regularly or it might turn nasty. Its outposts are keeping the dream alive. Let’s tell people and get some more turnstile activity going. As the man says, Just Follow The Floodlights.