League of Ireland kicks off again

NEW CLU Paul Doyle


John Corless

THE SSE Airtricity League kicked off on Friday night with champions Shamrock Rovers beating newly-promoted UCD by three goals to nil.
Claremorris man Harvey O’Brien was forced to cheer on his UCD colleagues from the stands due to injury.
“I tore an ankle ligament a month ago,” Harvey told The Mayo News. “It happened handy enough in a pre-season match against Shels. I was playing well and I had scored in that match as well. I hope to be back in two weeks.”
Harvey said while the defeat was disappointing there were positives to take away from it.
“We created two clear chances early on, and while Rovers had most of the possession we showed in passages that we are well fit to compete at that level.
“The goals we conceded came from errors on our part and this is something we can work on. We created good chances against them in Tallaght – and not that many teams do that.”
Harvey said the occasion — against the champions in Tallaght, in front of a huge crowd — was electric.
“It was mixed emotions for me, sitting in the stand with my team-mates playing. I wanted to be out there with them, but it’s still great to be part of it.”
Harvey said that the Premier Division preparation is a lot different from last season when they were in the First Division.
“The training is a lot more hectic than it was last season. We don’t have any days off; there’s a session every day and double sessions some days. We do a lot of gym work too.
“We’re very busy, especially with the college work, but I’d rather be busy and playing in the Premier than having more time to myself and playing in the First Division. It’s a worthwhile sacrifice. It’s more intense and there’s a lot more focus.”
Elsewhere, in the Premier Division, Westport’s Paul Doyle made his competitive debut for Dundalk as a holding midfielder in their 2-2 draw at home to Derry.
Paul had previously played in the Premier Division with Sligo Rovers and UCD.
“It’s nice to get out and get going,” Paul told The Mayo News. “I’m delighted to be with Dundalk. It’s just a bigger club than UCD. There’s more hands on deck, coaching and backroom wise. If you need to do more work or specialised work, there’s more people available to help you and advise you.”
The Dundalk squad has changed dramatically since last season, with manager Stephen O’Donnell putting out eight new players for Friday’s fixture.  
One of them is Lewis Macari, on loan from Stoke City – the grandson of Lou Macari – the former Manchester United player.
Paul thinks Dundalk will be near the top of the table at the end of the season.
“Shamrock Rovers are obviously the favourites. Ourselves, Derry, Sligo, Pats and Bohs will be very close to each other, so it will be very tight. It’s great to be part of it.”
Sligo’s game with Bohemians was postponed, as was the clash of Finn Harps and Drogheda.
In the First Division, Kiltimagh native, Michéal Schlingermann and his Athlone colleagues, were on the wrong end of a 5-2 scoreline at home to Waterford.
Cork City thumped Bray 6-0 and Treaty United were 5-1 winners in Wexford. Galway weren’t out. The division has nine teams and the Tribesmen were the ones off this week.