Opening night wins for Cork City and UCD on their return to the First Division, Athlone Town meanwhile topped the standings this evening followed by Treaty United as both also made winning starts.
Athlone Town 3-0 Wexford FC, Athlone Town Stadium
Athlone made a winning start to their 2024 First Division campaign, doing all their business in the opening half to get past Wexford.
With almost quarter of an hour gone Athlone found the breakthrough as Noah Van Geenen headed to the back of the Wexford net. Athlone tails were up and soon after their lead was doubled, Jamal Ibrahim pouncing on a rebounded free kick to convert from close range.
Minutes from the interval, the Midlanders made it 3-0, Armando Oakley striking to the net off another rebound set up the move. Wexford battled on in the second period but did little to test Enda Minogue.
Bray Wanderers 1-2 UCD AFC, Carlisle Grounds
Ten man UCD made a winning start to their return to the First Division, enduring a nervy final few minutes to hold out for the three points.
Bray started strong but failed to convert their chances, with 22 minutes elapsed UCD struck first blood with a sublime ball over the top allowed Ciaran Behan to give chase and he fired low to the net. Darren Graven twice almost equalised for Bray, his first shot going wide, the second ruled out for offside.
With 35 minutes elapsed Alex Dunne was sent off for a straight red card, Bray were unable to capitalise on this and five minutes later following a short corner by UCD Harvey O’Brien made it 2-0.
Bray pressed and pressed in the second half, UCD defended admirably with 10 men and kept on the front foot, the pressure told with 86 minutes elapsed as BenFenney headed in from close range after Cole Omorehiomwan headed back across goal after a ball was crossed into the area. UCD held their shape until the final whistle and William O’Connor began his tenure on the winning front.
Cork City 2-0 Kerry FC, Turners Cross
Jack Doherty scored twice as Cork City began life back in the First Division with a 2-0 home victory as they opened a new chapter in the Kerry Cork rivalry.
Doherty on his debut after his move from Cobh Ramblers picked up his brace in the first half hour of the tie to make the lead a comfortable one for the hosts, as Kerry really struggled to create much by way of goal scoring opportunities in the opening half.
The Kingdom struggled with the end product throughout, Cork City were comfortable in playing with the lead throughout the second half.
Treaty United 3-1 Cobh Ramblers, Markets Field
Thomas Considine struck twice in the second half as Treaty United made a winning start to the 2024 First Division campaign.
Plenty of action from end to end in the opening half, crossing the midway point Treaty did take the lead, Robbie Lynch with a bullet of a long throw headed into the Cobh net by Brendan Frahil. Treaty came close to doubling their lead but the score remained 1-0 at the break.
With just seven minutes elapsed in the second half Cobh would equalise, Corey Chambers had little to do in that opening day, little he could do however to keep out an effort from Matthew McKevitt who equalised on the 52nd minute mark.
Considine had looked lively all evening in the Markets Field, he would find the target shy of the hour mark, taking the ball from the right channel, cutting inside and curling his left footed strike into the far corner, as Treaty pulled themselves back into the lead.
Cobh pressed but six minutes from time the result was wrapped up, Enda Curran has missed a header from close range prior, he would turn provider however playing in Considine from a counter attack and he showed no mistake to beat Darragh Burke for the second occasion.
Longford Town v Finn Harps, Saturday February 17th, Bishopsgate, 7:35pm
Saturday evening will see Longford Town and Finn Harps face off, two teams who have failed to rejoin the top flight having been relegated in recent seasons.
The Midlanders dropped down for the 2022 season and while they finished in the promotion places it was not to be, last year they only managed to finish eight as Stephen Henderson will seek improvement in his second year in charge. With Cristian Magerusan having departed the club, they have had to look for new attacking options Dean George, Chris Lyons and the returning Karl Chambers will boost their chances at finding the net.
Having taken over towards the latter stages of last season, Darren Murphy will look to lead Finn Harps towards promotion this year, the Donegal club falling to second bottom in their first season back in the First Division since 2018. Ryan Flood was a key man last year for Harps and did opt to stay on this season, new faces Success Edogun, Chris Lotef, Conor Tourish, Mark Mbuli and David Cawley will want to impress.
Diarmuid Kearney
Diarmuid Kearney is a freelance Sports Journalist based in Co Kerry. He has more than 5 years experience covering domestic and international soccer for different media organisations, while also working for local and national print and digital organisations covering GAA.