Division 2 Week(end)’s Winners and Losers

Winners

Crusaders (2.2)

With no one having a 100% record after three games (technically no one had one after two games), there are four teams on seven points in 2.2, and Crusaders are top mainly due to their 5-1 drubbing of cineplex utd. Add to that an opening day 0-0 against derry fc and a 2-1 win over Tallafornia Tokage FC and they have a decent start. They have a potential player of the season in Korean Kim C, who missed a position on last season’s Team of the Season due to the lack of games played.

Carlow Cows (2.2)

After a 4-2 win over Shamrock Clovers FC, which saw them take the lead twice and be pegged back twice before scoring their third and fourth they drew 1-1 with AC Pool , before the weekend’s 3-1 beating of Kilkenny City FC. Player to watch so far – Dries Matthijssen who has scored in each of their three games so far.

Erin County (2.2)

Erin started the weakest of the seven pointers, opening with a 0-0 with Dynamo Dundrum, thanks to a MoM performance from Dundrum ‘keeper Ian McDonnell.  They began winning in their next game – a 2-0 victory over cineplex utd. It was the injury to Cineplex ‘keeper Denis Heaslip that was the turning point in this game, and possibly the reason of the 5-1 Crusaders game, as he was replaced by 16 year old Lee Doherty. Their third game was an away win against galwayrules – 3-1.  

Team Zissou (2.2)

Team Zissou began the campaign with a 4-3 against Steau 1 – a good come back after going 2-1 down and a scoreless first half. They then had a 1-1 draw against derry fc – the second team to drop points to them in this quartet. Their final game was a very close 1-0 win over Tipperary Scum, a tight game where neither keeper had much to do.

The B Sharps (2.1)

Three games and three wins – they’re the only side to manage that. David O’Callaghan began their season for them, scoring the only goal of their 1-0 victory over Lahinchians. He also provided assists for two of their six in the 6-2 win against Tober Na Clug Titans. In the third game he provided the cross for the second goal. 2-0 against FC Cork.

Twente (2.1)

The only team in 2.1 yet to concede.  In a very even opening game they somehow managed to win 2-0 against Northern Celtic. Athletic Llewwllyn must have thought they’d need a sniper to get past Frank Leggett – it ended 0-0 despite all their pressure. And their 2-0 victory over Tober Na Clug Titans was very much against the run of play – The Titans had more, and some would say better, chances. It was an interesting game with two Twente players injured and a Titan playe sent off within the first ten minutes. They were second best in all three games so the question is whether they’ll start giving the performances their results demand, or the results their performances merit...

Moloneys Cojones (2.1)

So Ten Myopic Drunks and a Blind GK had their first games in the second division and have yet to be beaten. They scored with their first shot of the league against Galaticos07 – Ethan Hally scoring their first goal in the almost-top-flight. They then managed a 0-0 draw with FC Cork – an even game doinated by the two ‘keepers. They then beat Cavan Celtic 3-2 in an open and entertaining game.

Athlone Town (2.3)

One of two teams in 2.3 with a 100% record after three games., Athlone stand top on goals scored.

Peter McGovern may have failed to score in the opening day 2-0 victory against Donomore Athletic, but he made up for it with a brace against Real Sociedad (final score 3-1) and another in the 2-1 win on Sunday against FC Brylle.

Sweet Feet FC (2.3)

Sweet feet are the other team on nine points. They too had a win over Real Sociedad, this time on the opening day (2-1 the final score), and also Donomore Athletic on Sunday (3-0). In between they faced Romero FC, beating them 1-0 in a tight, close match.

Losers

cineplex fc (2.2)

Some teams may be occasionally poked fun at for having too many ‘keepers, cineplex’s current position shows what can happen if you don’t have a decent back-up one. After a decent 1-1 opening day draw against last year’s runner’s up Kilkenny City FC, it went all wrong for Cineplex in their next game when first choice ‘keeper Denis Heaslip was injured during the 2-0 defeat to Erin County. The lack of a decent sub possibly lost them the game, and was a major factor in the 5-1 defeat to Crusaders. Not the best of starts for the new team.

Shamrock Clovers FC (2.2)

It’s been a poor start for SCFC – they lost their opening game 4-2 against Carlow Cows, despite equalising twice. They then came from behind to draw 1-1 with galwayrules before Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Balloon FC – a loss partially to blame on their poor strike rate. Of nine shots they only troubled the goalie once – and that resulted in their goal. If they’d bothered to test the ‘keeper a bit more they may have managed a draw.

AC Pool, Pats Reds, derry fc and Dynamo Dundrum (2.2)

Three games in and none of these four have managed a win. Derry may feel aggrieved that it took two late goals from Zissou to beat them, or that 240m man Jamie O’Leary was injured on his debut while pats Reds may point out that they have just conceded the one goal so far, but have not yet managed to score.

 Tober Na Clug Titans, Tofster FC, Athletic Llewellyn and FC Cork (2.1)

All four without wins – but at least all four have managed to score. Early days so they’ll be hoping for a quick turn around.

Real Sociedad and Cow Tipping Dwarfs. (2.3)

At the other end there are two teams with a 0% record. It’s not too surprising that Real Sociedad is one after facing the top two in their opening three games - they also lost to Virginia Celtic (2-1). Donomore Athletic, on the other hand, managed a 1-1 draw against FC Brylle in between meeting the top two.

The newly promoted Dwarfs have had a turbulent introduction to the second division – three games and three loses. An opening day 4-0 loss to FC Brylle was followed by a 3-0 drubbing by AC Dublin City and a 3-2 fight against royal meath – a game where they took the lead, were pegged back then went behind only to draw level and then be scuppered by a late meath goal.