24-Sep-2008

Crucial Double Header For County

The Thoroughbreds face into a very important weekend as they play twice in the space three days needing to take as many points as possible in their quest to move out of the basement of the First Division.

 

First up is Dermot Keely’s high-flying Shelbourne at Tolka Park tomorrow night. Shels will be hurting following the loss of five points to the other key contenders in the division in the space of Seven days. They dropped three to leaders Dundalk and then registered a draw against Waterford. There is no doubt that the Maestro will have his troops, among which there are a number of former Kildare recruits, well fired up for this one.

 

One former County player that he will have to do without however is centre half Alan Keely, who is serving a one match suspension. Apart from that the manager reports a clean bill of health among his squad.

 

John Ryan will welcome back midfield general Colin Fortune and striker Ciaran Kilduff, both of whom missed the home win over Athlone Town last week through suspension and he informs kildarecountyfc.com that for the first time this season he has a full injury-free squad to choose from.

 

Sunday’s opposition Limerick 37 can expect a much sterner test than they got from the Thoroughbreds in their last meeting back in July at Jackman Park. In what must rank as one of County’s darkest days the side succumbed to Mike Kerley’s young guns on a 4-0 scoreline. The road home was long and the conversation to say the least was gloomy.

 

Limerick had a very important 2-1 home win over Monaghan United in their mid-table clash last time out. The Lims took all three points with a last minute penalty from Pat Purcell. John Ryans men however will be well aware that the Shannon-siders are going for a hat-trick of wins over them this season and they will be anxious to turn the tables and put back to back wins together at Station Road.

 

With points badly needed I am sure that John Ryan will be going for two wins, however four points would be a very respectable return.

Sandwiched between those two games County’s under 20’s will entertain Athlone Town at Doctor’s Road Clane in their third game of the season on Saturday. Having gone down 4-0 to a very strong St Patrick’s Athletic on opening day they almost took a point, which they would have deserved, away to Shamrock Rovers last week. The Hoops came out 2-1 winners.

 

Manager Thomas Donnelly and the lads will be anxious to get some points on the board so if you would like to see the cream of Kildare’s young talent in action, your support would be greatly appreciated. The game kicks off at 2.30 and there is no admission charge.

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