Weekend Preview: 15 September 2018

Seaford's Steve Kane in action against Tolka Rovers in December 2017

The Major team begin their campaign in the Noel Ryan Cup with a tough away trip to face Tolka Rovers (Saturday, Noel Cooke Park, 1.00pm k/o).

Rovers have made a perfect start in LSL Major 1A following their promotion last season, with four wins from four so far in the higher division. Seaford, for their part, have also made a strong start to the campaign, with three wins from four, most recently at home against Dunboyne a week ago. Although Rovers enjoyed the better season overall, there was nothing to separate the teams in their two meetings in 2017/18, with both matches finishing 1-1,  and both frustrating from a Seaford perspective. In their early-season clash at Rockfield Park, the home side missed two penalties to win the match, while a tight match on the northside in December also ended in stalemate, with Seaford missing a glorious last-minute chance to win it.

Seaford's Premier team is still looking to get off the mark for the season after suffering defeats in their opening two matches, as they take on Lorcan Celtic (Saturday, Rockfield Park, 12.00pm k/o). After whole-sale changes to the side over the summer, they were desperately unlucky not to take anything from their opening day derby against Blackrock College, before a heavily depleted squad succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at Tymon Bawn. 

Last season's matches against Lorcan offer some grounds for optimism. Although they conceded a last-minute equaliser having been reduced to ten men in the away tie, Seaford produced a commanding performance to rout their opposition 3-0 in the corresponding fixture in May. 

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