Kildare County 1 St.Pat's 0

[Estar]

Nice win from a thunderous strike from Kildare lad Andy Dowling. Wearing the number 71 shirt for some strange reason.
Kildare looked strong all over the pitch. Kildare ruled midfield for long periods where St.Pats midfielder Davey Byrne and Cris Kerin played second fiddle. MOTH was either Ryan O'Donnell or Philip Byrne both only 19 years of age were excellent.
Pat's did not play a full team, but County upped their performance from the Bohs match. County need to up it another level for the Derry City match. Things are coming along quite nicely.


Kildare
Danny O'Leary, Ryan O'Donnell, Philip Byrne, Ray Kenny, Shane Harte, Shay Zeller, Robbie Griffen, Alan Byrne, Martin Reilly, Sean Murray, Keith O'Brein. Subs used Graham Doyle, Alan Kelly, Barry O'Connor, Ger O'Brein, James Igwilo, Andy Dowling.


St.Pat's
Brendan Clarke; James McCruggan, Barry Prenderville, Clive Delaney, Stephen Quigley; Robbie Smith, Davy Byrne, Chris Kerin, Ian Maher (Shepard h/t); Gary McPhee, Aidan O'Keffee

[tammy]

Happy Days, I was really impressed with our performance lastnite,and young Ryan O Donnell would definitely get my vote as MOTM.He was outstanding,great to have a ball playin g defender again,we havent seen one since the great Alan Keely!!

The whole number thing with the jersey's was slightly embarressing, but things are coming along nicely and im looking towards the new season with optimism now!:D :D

[wws]

didnt see the game lads, but congrats on the win
one note of caution : from the team sheet (and excluding long term injury ridden and transfer listed Davey Byrne) Pats appear to have only used 3 first team squad members from last season?

best not to read too much into that result

are starting 11 for the first game will have a very different look to it

[Dodge]

Yeah Kildare looked good and deserved the win. As wws said it was our u21s with a few trialists but you still played well.

man that was some cold night...

[pineapple stu]

Any reason Clive Delaney was playing in an essentially reserve team for Pat's? Is he down the pecking order now?

[Dodge]

Looking like it. 1st team played v Sligo on Friday and he only played 2nd half. Team v Leicester played all 3 centre halves. Think Collins is trying to accomodate Maguire, Foley and Delaney with only Foley guarenteed a place

[tammy]

Fair play to any Pats lads down at the game lastnite,it was a chilly one to say the least. Not raeding much into it at all really,it was just good to see County dominate a team for a change.Even though it was on a 2nd string side,we havent dominated any team since the Keely days....with the exception of our FAI Cup game with Pats last year,my God we were robbed that night!!! Collins was behind me on the terraces...my God he is a loud f**ker, he should take a leaf out of Hannigans book...the chap hasnt said two words since he arrived last season!

County til I die though..WE ARE GOIN UP AS CHAMPIONS (optimism!!)

[Estar]

Friendlies count for nothing when compared to real thing the league. I only care about the 3 points on opening day. But it's nice to get a win over the League Cup champs even if the likes
of the Birdman and Fahey were not playing.

Nice to see the Pat's supporters turn out.

The crowed was smaller than the Bohs match I'd say because of the freezing cold, match on TV and alot of people turned up to see Glen Crowe and play Bingo.

I wore shorts and a t-shirt to Station road last season v Kilkenny City, roll on summer soccer. Ther isn't a better place to work on your tan.:D

[A face]

Dowling secures win for County

Kildare County 1-0 St Patrick’s Athletic
Kildare County over came the challenge of Premier Division outfit St Patrick’s Athletic at Station Road last night thanks to a Andrew Dowling strike midway through the second half.

The Thoroughbreds included a number of new signings and trialists in their side, while St Pat’s did likewise, although the standard of football produced by both sides was impressive.


Read more at www.eleven-a-side.com (http://www.eleven-a-side.com/first/story.asp?newsid=10067)