SSE Airtricity League First Division
Finn Harps 1-1 Shelbourne
MICHAEL O’CONNOR’S first goal for Finn Harps was cancelled out by an equaliser from David O’Sullivan in Ballybofey on Friday night, as Shelbourne departed Donegal with their first point of the season.
Owen Heary’s side suffered an opening night defeat away to UCD at Belfield two weeks ago, but came away from Finn Park with their 2018 campaign up and running.
His side went behind after 16 minutes when on-loan Shamrock Rovers striker O’Connor pounced from close range after goalkeeper Dean Delany had produced a save from Mark Timlin.
O’Sullivan levelled proceedings before the half was out when the forward capitalised on a slip from Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher to slot into an empty net and deny the hosts a first win of the campaign.
UCD 1-1 Galway United
Danny Furlong scored his fourth goal in two games following his return to the League of Ireland from New Zealand on Friday night, but his opener was cancelled out by a Josh Collins strike just nine minutes later for UCD.
Furlong’s opener stung Collie O’Neill’s side early in the game, however Collins drew the sides level with a pinpoint header following a dangerous delivery into the box from Students’ captain Gary O’Neill.
The hosts now sit level on four points and also on goal difference with fellow promotion hopefuls Cobh Ramblers in third spot.
Cabinteely 0-1 Cobh Ramblers
Following a dramatic comeback which earned a 2-2 draw against Longford Town on the opening night of the season, Cobh Ramblers went one better on Friday to deliver their first win of the campaign and move into joint-second.
Stephen Henderson’s side left Stradbrook with all three points as Adam O’Sullivan’s goal after half an hour proved the difference against Pat Devlin’s young Cabinteely side.
Cabo suffered an opening night defeat at home to Damien Locke’s Wexford FC two weeks ago and have now racked up two home losses in succession, leaving them second from bottom in the First Division.
Great piece Niall, but there are a couple of other points here.
If, for example, Kenny Egan was to travel to Baku, he could qualify for the Olympics, and would do so in the same weight division as Joe Ward. As a country can only enter one fighter in any weight class, as far as I’m aware, Ward could then not even compete in Istanbul and his Olympic dreams would be dashed, even though he is European Champion. This is the same for any of our ‘stars’ who miss out.
Also, if IABA were to send Ward and Moylette, the European champions would be seeded and thus get an easier draw. If they send other boxers in the same weight classes, that seeding is lost.
Thanks for the comments Gavin.
I see Kenny has declared that he’s stepping up to Heavyweight for this week’s competition, which was presumably decided in order to avoid the clash with Ward that you mentioned. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out over the next week.