It’s officially the first day of the League of Ireland campaign.
Reigning champions Shelbourne host the same team they played in the climactic match of last year’s Premier Division season, Derry City.
Elsewhere, newly promoted Cork City will be hoping for a positive return to life in the top flight against Galway United, as the Leesiders prepare for a reunion with former boss John Caulfield at Turner’s Cross.
And in the third match at Richmond Park, St Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda United hope to build on positive ends to 2024.
Drogheda, of course, won the FAI Cup and their promotion-relegation playoff, while Pat’s went on a terrific run that saw them go close to winning the title despite indifferent form in earlier stages of the season.
We’ll be focusing on Shelbourne primarily while keeping a close eye on the other two fixtures.
We’ll also be providing half-time and full-time updates of all the First Division games.
It’s a sloppy pass from Bone out from the back and Boyd is on hand to produce a brilliant finish from distance with the goalkeeper stranded well off his line.
Boyd scored 10 goals in 27 matches last year and he’s started as he means to go on here.
Moments later, Boyd gets on the end of a long ball, it falls to Caffrey on the edge of the area and his shot finds the corner of the net via a deflection.
14 Feb
8:08PM
Here’s a look at the first two goals…
𝐖𝐄'𝐑𝐄 𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆! ⚽
The first goal of the League of Ireland Premier Division has arrived - and Sean Boyd has scored it!
Having hit the post after 10 seconds with a good chance, Malik Dijksteel has made amends for that earlier miss, giving the Leesiders the lead against Galway.
So full-time, and it’s been a disappointing night for Stephen Kenny’s side, who failed to deliver the kind of performance they reached regularly towards the end of last season.
By contrast, it’s an impressive point for Drogheda, who don’t look like they’ll be easy to beat this year.
You get the feeling neither side will be too disappointed by that outcome.
Cork, at least, have gotten a point on the board on their return to the top flight.
John Caulfield’s side, who earned a better-than-expected fifth-place finish last year, showed resilience to come from behind on two occasions to secure a draw on the road.
14 Feb
9:44PM
Here’s a look at the Borden goal that secured the Tribesmen a point…
Shels’ Evan Caffrey celebrates scoring. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
14 Feb
9:55PM
64 minutes: Coyle sends Odubeko through again.
But again, the former Ireland underage international fires the ball just wide.
14 Feb
9:59PM
There’s been a dramatic finish in the final First Division game tonight.
Having trailed 2-1 to Treaty United late on, two stoppage-time goals from David Bosnjak and Cian Coleman mean Cobh Ramblers have earned a 3-2 away win.
14 Feb
10:02PM
Here’s a look at that penalty awarded shortly before half-time, and the spot kick, converted by Boyd.
𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍! 💪
Sam Todd shoves Sean Boyd just inside the area and the striker squeezes his effort past Brian Maher.
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As it happened: League of Ireland Premier Division opening night
Shelbourne 3-1 Derry City
Cork City 2-2 Galway
St Patrick’s Athletic 0-0 Drogheda
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
It’s officially the first day of the League of Ireland campaign.
Reigning champions Shelbourne host the same team they played in the climactic match of last year’s Premier Division season, Derry City.
Elsewhere, newly promoted Cork City will be hoping for a positive return to life in the top flight against Galway United, as the Leesiders prepare for a reunion with former boss John Caulfield at Turner’s Cross.
And in the third match at Richmond Park, St Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda United hope to build on positive ends to 2024.
Drogheda, of course, won the FAI Cup and their promotion-relegation playoff, while Pat’s went on a terrific run that saw them go close to winning the title despite indifferent form in earlier stages of the season.
We’ll be focusing on Shelbourne primarily while keeping a close eye on the other two fixtures.
We’ll also be providing half-time and full-time updates of all the First Division games.
We’re underway at Tolka…
3 mins: It’s been scrappy and uneventful at Tolka so far.
Interestingly, both sides have started with a 4-4-2 formation — not something you see often these days.
5 mins: Gannon finds Odubeko on the edge of the area.
The new Shels forward’s deflected shot is on target but easily saved by Maher.
9 mins: Shels have controlled the game so far without creating much.
Derry are sitting back and attempting to hit their rivals on the counter.
SHELBOURNE 1-0 DERRY (BOYD 11)
Shels are ahead.
It’s a sloppy pass from Bone out from the back and Boyd is on hand to produce a brilliant finish from distance with the goalkeeper stranded well off his line.
Boyd scored 10 goals in 27 matches last year and he’s started as he means to go on here.
SHELBOURNE 1-1 DERRY (DUFFY 14)
SHELBOURNE 2-1 DERRY CITY (CAFFREY 15)
Wow, an incredible few minutes.
Firstly, Duffy heads home a Thomas cross.
Moments later, Boyd gets on the end of a long ball, it falls to Caffrey on the edge of the area and his shot finds the corner of the net via a deflection.
Here’s a look at the first two goals…
Here’s a look at the goal that got Shels back in front…
26 mins: Odubeko is looking lively.
The former West Ham youngster shows good skill to evade the defender but his subsequent shot from distance is wayward.
It’s still scoreless in tonight’s two other Premier Division matches by the way.
The match at Tolka has calmed down slightly after three goals within the space of four minutes.
32 mins: Derry need two consecutive last-ditch defensive blocks to keep out shots from Gannon and Caffrey.
The Dublin side remain in the ascendancy and it seems unlikely we’ve seen the end of the scoring tonight at Tolka.
CORK CITY 1-0 GALWAY (DIJKSTEEL 34)
A great start to the season for Cork City.
Having hit the post after 10 seconds with a good chance, Malik Dijksteel has made amends for that earlier miss, giving the Leesiders the lead against Galway.
PENALTY TO SHELBOURNE!
SHELBOURNE 3-1 DERRY (BOYD 44)
Boyd slots home a penalty to get his second and Shels’ third of the night.
It arose after the striker went down following a needless challenge by Todd.
Whether the contact was inside or outside the area looked borderline, but the official pointed to the spot.
HALF-TIME: SHELBOURNE 3-1 DERRY CITY
CORK CITY 1-1 GALWAY (HICKEY 45)
Hickey has levelled for Galway in Cork.
The American midfielder impressed last season with four goals in 32 appearances and has continued where he left off.
HALF-TIME: CORK CITY 1-1 GALWAY
HALF-TIME: ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 0-0 DROGHEDA
Remarkable scenes!
The power has gone at Tolka Park.
The fans are chanting “we’ll play in the dark”.
I suppose at least it happened at half-time rather than during the game.
Here’s a look at the First Division scores as things stand…
Treaty United 1-0 Cobh Ramblers
Dundalk 1-0 Athlone Town
Kerry 1-0 Finn Harps
UCD 0-1 Wexford
Here’s the goal by Malik Djiksteel that gave Cork the lead against Galway…
The lights are still out in Tolka.
According to Virgin Media, an ESB fuse is out in the stadium.
The two other games are back underway.
We’re still obviously waiting for the match at Tolka to restart.
CORK CITY 2-1 GALWAY (BOLGER 51)
Cork City have re-taken the lead against Galway.
Greg Bolger, who failed to score in his 31 First Division appearances last year, has put the hosts ahead.
Shelbourne have issued an update on the situation…
Another update from Shelbourne…
73 mins: Virgin Media have started showing the Pat’s-Drogheda game.
As I type, Kavanagh goes down inside the area but the ref waves play on.
Mason Melia is coming on for the hosts, replacing Elbouzedi, as the hosts search for a winner.
81 minutes: Kavanagh plays a lovely through ball for Mulraney.
However, the winger badly overhits the cross to continue a frustrating night for Pat’s.
Power has been restored at Tolka Park.
The game is due to re-start at 9.35pm.
85 mins: Pat’s are camped in Drogheda’s half at the moment.
Can they find a winner?
CORK CITY 2-2 GALWAY (BORDEN 81)
Galway have equalised again at Turner’s Cross.
And it’s another American goalscorer — Vincent Borden may have earned the visitors a point against Cork.
We’re into stoppage time at Richmond Park.
Looks like Drogheda are going to hold on for a hard-fought point.
It’s into stoppage time at Turner’s Cross now too.
Can Galway or Cork find a winner?
The game is finally back underway at Tolka…
FULL-TIME: ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 0-0 DROGHEDA
So full-time, and it’s been a disappointing night for Stephen Kenny’s side, who failed to deliver the kind of performance they reached regularly towards the end of last season.
By contrast, it’s an impressive point for Drogheda, who don’t look like they’ll be easy to beat this year.
FULL-TIME: CORK CITY 2-2 GALWAY
It has finished all square at Turner’s Cross.
You get the feeling neither side will be too disappointed by that outcome.
Cork, at least, have gotten a point on the board on their return to the top flight.
John Caulfield’s side, who earned a better-than-expected fifth-place finish last year, showed resilience to come from behind on two occasions to secure a draw on the road.
Here’s a look at the Borden goal that secured the Tribesmen a point…
It’s full-time now in three of the four First Division games. The results can be seen below.
58 minutes: Odubeko latches on to a lofted through pass.
He finishes with the outside of his foot but his effort unfortunately comes back off the post.
60 mins: Another chance for Odubeko.
He finds himself in a promising position inside the area but sidefoots his effort narrowly wide.
64 minutes: Coyle sends Odubeko through again.
But again, the former Ireland underage international fires the ball just wide.
There’s been a dramatic finish in the final First Division game tonight.
Having trailed 2-1 to Treaty United late on, two stoppage-time goals from David Bosnjak and Cian Coleman mean Cobh Ramblers have earned a 3-2 away win.
Here’s a look at that penalty awarded shortly before half-time, and the spot kick, converted by Boyd.
75 mins: Shels counter. Odubeko squares it to Boyd, but a deflection takes the sting out of the striker’s finish.
There has been a noticeable drop in intensity in this second half. That extended break has been a factor, with plenty of tired legs out there.
79 mins: Odubeko shows good pace to burst clear, but the defender recovers to make a good block.
On another night, the Shels star could have had a second-half hat-trick.
81 mins: Boyd is replaced, and former Sligo Rovers player Ellis Chapman is on for his debut.
The departing striker can be happy with his night’s work, scoring twice as he looks to have inspired his side to three points.
Here’s a look at one of the multiple occasions where Odubeko went close to scoring his first Premier Division goal.
No prizes for guessing the official man of the match.
Virgin Media’s Eoin Doyle has given it to two-goal hero Sean Boyd.
88 mins: Odubeko won’t get his goal tonight.
He’s just been replaced by John Martin.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time…
FULL-TIME: SHELBOURNE 3-1 DERRY CITY
So that’s that.
A deserved win for Shelbourne.
They were the dominant team throughout and took their goals well.
Derry rarely looked like mounting a comeback after going 3-1 behind.
The power outage appeared to impact both teams amid a low-key second half that lacked the intensity of the first period.
Right, that’s all from me.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have more reaction to come including reports on all tonight’s Premier Division games.
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