SOCCER: AIRTRICITY LEAGUE ROUND-UP
Shaw’s Rovers shocked by Bohs while Byrne signs in at Dundalk
By Daire Walsh
THERE were mixed results for the Airtricity League’s Kildare contingent on the opening night of the Premier Division last Friday evening.
With a number of high-profile transfers during the off-season, anticipation was high ahead of the 2018 campaign.
A few days after winning a domestic double with Cork City, Greg Bolger agreed terms with Shamrock Rovers – and he was subsequently joined at the Tallaght Stadium by former Republic of Ireland international Joey O’Brien.
Defending champions Cork strengthened their hand by bringing the likes of Peter Cherrie, Colm Horgan (brother of Daryl) and Graham Cummins into their ranks, while Dundalk have searched for greater depth in a bid to regain their top-flight crown.
Following much speculation, Kill’s Sam Byrne arrived at Oriel Park on a six-month loan deal from Everton, with a view to a potential permanent transfer in July. Byrne – a brother of Leinster winger Adam – had been training with Stephen Kenny’s squad ahead of their league opener against Bray Wanderers and was included on the bench after receiving clearance to play.
The ex-Manchester United youth star will have to bide his time before properly nailing down a place in the Dundalk starting line-up. The Lilywhites’ mixture of experience and youthful exuberance couldn’t break down a stern Bray defence, though, which prompted Byrne’s 81st-minute introduction in place of the highly-rated Jamie McGrath.
Robbie Benson, Dean Jarvis and Kristian Adorjan all had decent opportunities, but netminder Gary Rogers was pressed into action late on to deny Aaron Greene. With this mind, Dundalk may well be content to come away with a sharing of the spoils in a scoreless affair.
It promises to be another fascinating season for Newbridge Town alumni Gary Shaw, who operated in a lone striker role for Rovers’ big derby encounter with Bohemians at Dalymount Park. Shaw played the full 90 minutes in a game that promised so much for the Hoops, who ultimately ended in a 3-1 defeat to their bitter rivals.
The 25-year-old centre-forward played a significant role in the away side’s only goal of the game, which broke the deadlock at the midway point in the opening half.
Shaw got his head to a diagonal free-kick by Bolger, and this was followed an overhead kick from Graham Burke. His extravagant effort bounced off the woodwork, but Ronan Finn was on hand to fire home the rebound on the half-volley.
Indeed, moving past the hour mark, Stephen Bradley’s outfit remained in the ascendancy. Bohs eventually levelled through Dan Casey, though, and he completed the scoring after Paddy Kavanagh had also found the back of Kevin Horgan’s net.
Meanwhile, Athy’s Rory Feely had greater fortune at the RSC, where Waterford United heralded their return to the Premier Division with a 2-1 victory over Derry City. Feely (who is originally from the Munster city) was selected at right-back for the Blues, who recovered from an early deficit to take all three points courtesy of goals from Gavan Holohan and Dean O’Halloran.