KCFC
23/08/2002, 9:37 AM
WITH all the excitement surrounding Kildare County’s appearance in the First Division Cup Final, it is easy to forget that the ‘bread and butter’ of the Thoroughbred’s season will begin at Station Road this Saturday night.
County’s first game in the First Division proper is against Limerick, and despite club officials dampening down any talk of promotion this season, County must believe they have at least an outside chance of getting into the promotion play-off’s.
Their form so far this season points to County having a chance of making it into the top four at the end of the season. With the top team in the Division gaining automatic promotion, second, third and fourth placed teams will meet each other in a play-off to see who will get the final promotional slot.
However, the league campaign could hardly start with a more competitive game then against a Limerick side growing in confidence.
These teams already met at Station Road in the first tie of the First Division Cup, and although County came out two to the good with goals from Gorman and Zellor, Limerick were unlucky not to get something from the game.
Since the early promise shown by Limerick in that game, they have gone from strength to strength with a string of four victories in the First Division Cup which meant that they only just missed out on the cup final spot which was won by County.
Limerick’s current consistent good form -despite the set-back of a FAI cup exit against Waterford on penalties- contrasts with the up and down nature of last season.
Last season was very much a mixed bag for the men from Limerick. The team, managed by Noel O’Connor since July 2001, faded badly after some early season promise. Indeed Limerick ended up with the wooden spoon finished the season at the foot of the First Division.
With a shocking 17 defeats and only eight wins to show for their season it was a difficult time for Limerick fans. However this is only part of the story because last year Limerick lifted the League Cup after defeating Derry City in the two-legged final.
Limerick gave gone unbeaten in open play since their opening night reverse to Kildare at Station Road, their only subsequent defeat coming after an FAI Cup penalty shoot-out against Waterford.
Thus everything is set up for a very competitive and close fought battle between two teams going into the season with a fair gust of good form behind them. Expect Limerick to be little tighter in the defence then in the teams first clash at the beginning of the season.
With County with one eye on the upcoming Cup final against Finn Harps, Limerick may sneak away from fortress Station Road with a share of the points.
Venue and Time: Station Road, Newbridge, 24 Aug Saturday 6pm.
Teams’ Form: County WDLWW Limerick WDLWW
Previous Encounters: Kildare County 2 (Gorman, Zellor) Limerick 0 Station Rd 6.7.02
League Position: County (-) Limerick (-)
Leader Verdict: Score Draw
By DAVID LYNCH
County’s first game in the First Division proper is against Limerick, and despite club officials dampening down any talk of promotion this season, County must believe they have at least an outside chance of getting into the promotion play-off’s.
Their form so far this season points to County having a chance of making it into the top four at the end of the season. With the top team in the Division gaining automatic promotion, second, third and fourth placed teams will meet each other in a play-off to see who will get the final promotional slot.
However, the league campaign could hardly start with a more competitive game then against a Limerick side growing in confidence.
These teams already met at Station Road in the first tie of the First Division Cup, and although County came out two to the good with goals from Gorman and Zellor, Limerick were unlucky not to get something from the game.
Since the early promise shown by Limerick in that game, they have gone from strength to strength with a string of four victories in the First Division Cup which meant that they only just missed out on the cup final spot which was won by County.
Limerick’s current consistent good form -despite the set-back of a FAI cup exit against Waterford on penalties- contrasts with the up and down nature of last season.
Last season was very much a mixed bag for the men from Limerick. The team, managed by Noel O’Connor since July 2001, faded badly after some early season promise. Indeed Limerick ended up with the wooden spoon finished the season at the foot of the First Division.
With a shocking 17 defeats and only eight wins to show for their season it was a difficult time for Limerick fans. However this is only part of the story because last year Limerick lifted the League Cup after defeating Derry City in the two-legged final.
Limerick gave gone unbeaten in open play since their opening night reverse to Kildare at Station Road, their only subsequent defeat coming after an FAI Cup penalty shoot-out against Waterford.
Thus everything is set up for a very competitive and close fought battle between two teams going into the season with a fair gust of good form behind them. Expect Limerick to be little tighter in the defence then in the teams first clash at the beginning of the season.
With County with one eye on the upcoming Cup final against Finn Harps, Limerick may sneak away from fortress Station Road with a share of the points.
Venue and Time: Station Road, Newbridge, 24 Aug Saturday 6pm.
Teams’ Form: County WDLWW Limerick WDLWW
Previous Encounters: Kildare County 2 (Gorman, Zellor) Limerick 0 Station Rd 6.7.02
League Position: County (-) Limerick (-)
Leader Verdict: Score Draw
By DAVID LYNCH