Kirby: great expectations will spur on star-studded Fingal outfit
Thursday March 05 2009
IF one was hoping to take a flutter on Sporting Fingal claiming the League of Ireland First Division title this year, you may perhaps find kinder odds on the likelihood of day preceding night.
A mere inevitability, it seems.
It's hardly surprising; their weekly wage bill is widely believed to be higher than the majority of Premier Division clubs, with a host of 'glamour' signings, including Eamon Zayed, Gary O'Neill and Alan Kirby, opting for the drop in division to join the full-time outfit.
That particular outsiders' view is something that one of their many high-profile recruits, former St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Kirby, is all too aware.
And while he senses the LOI world is awaiting a spectacular fall from grace at the club founded just two years ago, it's a pressure he and his team-mates thrive on.
"It sits very well, to be honest," he said of the expectations being heaped on his new team.
"We know we are (favourites) and all eyes are on us; while all budgets are being cut ours has been enhanced and there's going to be plenty to write about.
"We're setting ourselves up, I suppose, for a fall, if you know what I mean, with regards to the squad and money and all that sort of thing. But we're there to do as best we can and we will do that."
SNATCHED
Of course, Dermot Keely's Shelbourne have demons to exorcise this season, having seen promotion snatched away in a 93rd-minute instant on the final day of the 2008 campaign.
The recruitment of last year's First Division Player of the Year David Cassidy from the ranks of the promotion-winning side that night, Dundalk, and the return of Richie Baker will do nothing to dissuade common belief that they are favourites to challenge Fingal.
But in Stephen Henderson, Waterford United have snapped up one of the league's top young managers and a man who has proven already with Cobh Ramblers that he can produce the goods with lesser supplies than his rivals, proving as much with some shrewd pre-season signings.
The recent departure of Limerick's manager, Mike Kerley, means the momentum they built throughout the second half of last season may lose pace but they can still be counted as dark horses, while Mick Wallace has added experience to his ever-improving Wexford Youths side.
Finn Harps' huge drop in resources and UCD's loss of their greatest asset, Pete Mahon, may result in a difficult year back in the First Division but there is no doubt that there is one team every opposition will be hoping to knock off their proverbial perch this season. In a sporting manner, of course.
- Neil Ahern
