| McNamara brace gives Rovers full points in opening match |
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| Saturday, 19 March 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the first competitive outing for Sean Connor's new side, and although at times there was evidence of a team still getting comfortable in its new skin, there was plenty on display to provide optimism for the coming season. The back five were solid with new signing Burns commanding in the air and O'Hara showing a steady set of hands between the sticks. In the middle of the park, O'Grady played a holding role, distributing at ease and strong in the tackle, whilst Kudozovic threatened down the middle, and the two wide men working hard in both directions. Up front Alvarez and Flannery worked hard to create chances with the Sligo-man in particular proving to be a handful. Prior to the kick-off, there was a meticulously observed minutes silence for Mark Brindley and all those who passed away in the close season. Unfortunately, for the home side, it was only another minute after kick-off before Rovers found themselves behind. Running back to defend a ball into the box, Philip Gallagher pushed Owen O'Meara in the back, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Up stepped Andy Cousins who made no mistake in scoring the first goal of this season's Eircom League First Division. This goal was a bolt out of the blue and left the Showgrounds silent and the Bit O'Red stunned. Luckily for Rovers, Kildare failed to take advantage of their opponents jitters and gradually the nerves were overcome as the Bit O'Red got to grips with the game in midfield. Once they did this, Kildare really didn't have a look in for the rest of the half and the breakthrough finally came on twenty seven minutes when the tireless Jason McCartney, sent a free kick in from the right. McNamara rose highest and sent a glancing header past Byrne to send a sigh of relief and joy around the ground. McNamara doesn't do things by half and having recently promised to lead by example, he did just that six minutes later when he took advantage of indecision in the Kildare backline following an O'Grady corner and toe-poked the ball in to the roof of the net for the lead. The second half was a tight and nervous affair with Kildare going down the wings, circumnavigating the Rovers midfield in an effort to break them down. However, although Kinsella caused problems on both wings, the final ball in to the box was usually dealt with by O'Hara and the back four. With the experienced Martin Reilly coming on with twenty minutes to go, The Thoroughbreds looked more dangerous and they almost sneaked an equaliser at the death when a Reilly free came off the upright into the path of McNevin who hit the other post on the rebound before Rovers cleared their lines. Rovers bounced right back though and in injury time were unlucky not to extend their lead when Alvarez was put through by Flynn. the Bolivian had time to pick his spot and shoot to near post, but Byrne was equal to it, getting down well to parry out for a corner. One game, three points, great crowd, and good display. We couldn't have asked for a better start. Next up is an away game in Dublin on Thursday night against Dublin City.
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