Rebels looking sharp in front of goal
CORK CITY SCORED 21 fewer goals than Dundalk last season, with Karl Sheppard getting 13 in the league, Mark O’Sullivan 10 and Billy Dennehy chipping in with nine.
Dennehy is now departed while neither Sheppard nor O’Sullivan got on the scoresheet on Monday night.
However, Steven Beattie helped himself to a hat-trick while Danny Morrissey – hoping to have injury problems behind him – scored a brace and Seán Maguire got his third in three league games.
It all added up to the biggest league win of John Caulfield’s time in charge and the variety of scoring options is sure to please him.
- Denis Hurley
Dundalk have quality in numbers
Much has been spoken and written about the loss of Richie Towell to Stephen Kenny’s side for the 2016 campaign, but having made three changes against Finn Harps on Friday night it was the strength in depth available to the champions that pointed to why they are clear favourites to win a third straight league title in October.
Captain Stephen O’Donnell and defensive lynchpin Brian Gartland were joined on the bench by new signing Robbie Benson, midfielder John Mountney and striker David McMillan – who plundered 13 goals in all competitions last season.
Highly-rated youth internationals such as George Poynton can’t even get a look in on the bench if Kenny has a full squad at his disposal. Towell may have departed but all the signs are that Dundalk’s collective strength can plug the gap and maybe even more.
On Monday, Wexford Youths hopes of a first point this season were dashed by the champions in three second-half minutes. After finding a leveller through Stephen Last, Youths needed to keep it tight and hold out for their point.
But when Dane Massey progressed down the left, he found the unmarked substitute Ciaran Kilduff to head the winner. A harsh but valuable lesson for last year’s First Division winners.
- Barry Landy & Brendan White
Hoops quick out of the blocks
With three wins from three, Shamrock Rovers have already shown they’re willing to grind it out having already come away from the Showgrounds with the points before beating Wexford Youths.
It wasn’t pretty in Ballybofey against a game Finn Harps side but Pat Fenlon’s have made a fine start.
Following a yellow card and two indiscretions, Simon Madden was fortunate to stay on the field but Harps manager Ollie Horgan didn’t make an issue of it and the penalty – expertly converted by Gary McCabe – wasn’t a talking point following Richard Brush’s foul on Danny North. Rovers can mix it if needs be, something that stood to them against Harps.
On the evidence of Monday night, Finn Park will be an awkward proposition for a lot of visiting teams in this campaign but Harps will need to create more from an offensive perspective to add to their undoubted workrate.
- Alan Foley
Bit O’Red showing poor discipline
Sligo have now picked up more red cards than goals or points this season thanks to red cards to Kieran Sadlier and Craig Roddan on the opening day, with Philip Roberts adding that list when he was sent off on the 90th minute.
Discipline has been a big issue for the Bit O’Red, and while they will be quick to point the finger at referee, manager Dave Robertson will have to take a look at matters before it gets worse.
They have accumulated a significant number of yellow cards too, which will all evenually build up and lead to suspensions later in the season if they’re not careful.
- Jessica Farry
Signing of Byrne could prove to be a shrewd piece of business by Bohs
Kurtis Byrne impressed on his home debut and scored the winner with an early contender for goal of the season on Friday night.
The 25 year-olds wonder strike was worthy of deciding any game and the former Dundalk man looks likely to be a key player for the ever improving Gypsies.
Another new signing at Dalymount Park is Mark Quigley who arrived from Derry City.
He and Byrne linked up cleverly for the winner on Friday night and if the pair can combine regularly this term, Bohs could find themselves pushing for a European spot after last season’s fifth place finish.
- Sean O’Neill
Brandwell pitch and anti-social fans a problem
After the furore surrounding the state of the Finn Park pitch in Ballybofey the previous week, Derry City could so easily have ended up with egg on their face in their opening home game of the season.
Match officials were threatening to postpone the game after discovering shards of glass on the Brandywell pitch prior to kick-off.
However, thanks to the work of the Derry City stewards and ground staff, the glass was cleared and the match was allowed to kick-off at the scheduled time. But given Derry’s criticism of Finn Harps’ ground, it could have been an very embarrassing situation for the Candy Stripes.
Off the pitch, there were more unfortunate incidents involving fans as travelling Cork ans were reportedly attacked with sticks, bottles and stones outside the ground after the whistle.
Cork have condemned the behaviour and, after what was witnessed at the Showgrounds on the opening night, the league and the authorities need to stamp this element out of Irish football.
- Simon Collins & Ben Blake
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