We are now three months into the 2009/10 season and so far all three senior teams are holding their own whilst our U15 DDSL schoolboys have also had a good solid start to the new campaign. Our 1st team now competing in Intermediate 1A having been promoted have had a solid if un-spectacular start to the season with a record of played six, won two and lost one, leaving them lying 4th in the league a couple of points off the pace at this early stage.

As well as the league games, John Youngʼs side have also played three cup games, two in the George Moore cup, winning both away from home to leave a quarter final berth to look forward to and also one round in the Umbro-sponsored Intermediate cup beating CIE Ranch 4-2 at home to advance to the 2nd round for the 1st time in three attempts.

Old foes UCD awaited on November 1st, early days in all competitions and as usual promotion was the main goal. The 2nd team playing in Major 1C Sat after missing out narrowly last season on promotion have got off to a great start, currently topping the table ahead of Dublin University. After almost five very successful years as 2nd team manager Anthony Owens has stepped down with Derek Bowden and Tony Roe taking charge.

The duo bring a wealth of experience to the role but will still be hard pressed to match the record of two league titles and a Joe Tynan cup that the previous manager had achieved, whilst also adding the local Ringsend cup to that list during the summer. We wish Derek & Tony all the best.

Also with new management, the 3rd team has started very brightly in Division 2. Currently in 4th position, they will top the table if they can win their games in hand. Former 2nd team manager Ray Doyle has once again taking the reins, having also managed the 3rd team initially in its first season. He will be assisted by Ray Williams, who has decided to dedicate his time to coaching, having finally conceded defeat to age and a bad ankle break in a pre-season friendly. The 3rds will hope they can challenge for promotion whilst trying to defend the Cullen cup. In other local amateur soccer news, Liffey Pearse have got off to a steady enough start to their 1st season in the top flight of Intermediate football, with a stunning opening day victory over one of the league favourites, Tolka Rovers and a credible 3-3 draw also at home against

Wayside Celtic.
Things went a little pear-shapedbriefly with successive defeats to Crumlin United away and surprisingly fellow new comers Firhouse Clover at home before steadying the ship with draws against Pheonix FC and last seasonʼs champions Bangor Celtic. More recently they had a fantastic win over Mount Merrion FC by six goals to zip! Lately, cup football has taken over and they face former winners Wayside Celtic in the FAI Intermediate cup on November 1st in Stepaside in what will be a tough but exciting encounter.

In Sat Major1 Liffeyʼs 2nd string have also had a solid start, currently in sixth position in the table. A league below in Sat major 1A Ringsend Rovers lead the way seven games in and remain undefeated with fifteen points already in the bag, Markievicz Celtic lie 6th in Sat Premier and their 1st team are 3rd in Major1 Sunday and finally on the LSL front, newcomers to the league Vintage Docklands lie 4th in Premier1 Saturday with a number of games in hand over their league rivals. I will have a full update on all local schoolboy soccer in the next edition along with the usual seniors updates.

Above: Facing the ball…