Hannigan fumes at misfiring County

By Ewan MacKenna
Kildare County 0 Limerick FC 0

WHO said Limerick would spend the 2004 season on life support? Sure enough, they were second best on Saturday night in Station Road and probably had no right to claim a share of the spoils.

*** DŽjˆ vu*** it would seem. Last season the club that makes Wimbledon look secure, claimed a play-off position against the same impossible odds and the same opposition.

For Kildare this was far from revenge, but whatever admiration you have for the battle-hardened Shannonsiders, worry for the home side should take priority. The fact is the opposition played no pre-season friendly. The bulk of their Saturday night squad only knew teammates by jersey colour having been signed less than a week ago. And the pundits' predictions of Kildare struggling in front of goal seems to have been borne true.

It all left Eric Hannigan fuming.

"I'm not happy with that. We didn't struggle in most areas; we just couldn't score. A game like that, 6-0 wouldn't have flattered us. If we scraped a goal, I'd come in pleased with the three points but very worried by the amount of chances we missed.

"They are a hungry young team and will trouble other sides but we should have broken them down early on and then it's game over. They didn't have a chance in the second half. Not once were we troubled at the back. No disrespect to Leinster Senior League sides but we did things you wouldn't expect from even them.

"We didn't lose but should have won that and we're very disappointed. It's not like we haven't had target practice although it might look that way. If ever there was a night for Barry O'Connor (suspended) that was it. I lost count of the amount of crosses. He could have had the golden boot award."

Robbie Griffin, who played up front with Martin Reilly concurred.

"We had a lot of chances and we have to put them away. Obviously we don't want to be dropping points at home especially early in the season but there's a long way to go and hopefully we can make up for tonight straight away."

County had much the better of a wind assisted opening period although chances were at a premium. They should have found themselves a goal up inside a minute as a Thomas Hughes mistake allowed Ger O'Brien to race clear.

However, the former Athlone Town player, one of seven new signings starting for the Thoroughbreds, was denied by Jimmy Fyffe.

Limerick were living on the edge and 33 minutes in it was again last ditch defending that preserved the deadlock. Robbie Griffin's cross from the right found Alan McNevin but his effort was heroically blocked by Stephen O'Mahony.

Phillip Byrne was sensational on the night but all too often County looked to the centre half in front of goal. His effort from a McNevin corner was blocked down before Shane Harte blazed wide.

Minutes later Harte again tried from distance. This time only a deflection off player-manager Michael Kerley prevented the opener.

On the stroke of half time it was Byrne's turn once more to blunder in front of the sticks. This time a Gareth Cronin free fell to the number five who failed to find the target from little more than inches.

After the restart Reilly twice went close from corners but his best chance came from open play on 66 minutes as O'Brien's cushioned header was driven just wide of the upright from 20 yards. As the game entered the final quarter the Treaty Men grew in confidence but despite the improved performance Danny O'Leary remained untested in the Kildare goal.

Byrne was still at the heart of the County chances. A 77th minute volley from the edge of the box this time found the target, forcing a brilliant save from Fyffe in the process.

The late arrival of James Igwilo, accompanied by the ever-solid Alan Kelly, provided some much need sauce in a bland Kildare attack. The Nigerian unsettled the visitors, as was the sole player willing to run at the opposition, taking on players and more often than not creating space and chances.

The best of those came in the dying moments when sublime skill on the right created room for a cross that looped tantalisingly over the unlucky O'Brien.

It's early days and little judgment can yet be cast in iron. But Kildare's weaknesses up front are obvious and if nothing is done the big three of Bray, Finn Harps and UCD will only get further away. The new season has begun and County have picked up exactly where they left off.

Kildare County: Danny O'Leary, Ryan O'Donnell, Gareth Cronin, Ray Kenny, Phillip Byrne, Alan Byrne, Shane Harte (James Igwilo 75), Alan McNevin (Alan Kelly 75), Ger O'Brien, Martin Reilly, Robbie Griffin.

Limerick FC: Jimmy Fyffe, Stephen O'Mahony, Thomas Hughes, Paul Finucane, Michael Kerley, Michael Aherne, Conor Molan, James Sugrue, David Conway (Eddie Quigley 80), Colin P O'Brien, Alan Barry (Shane O'Donoghue 88).

Referee: Aidan Regan (Cork).