Re-start Club Preview: Cabinteely

Club: Cabinteely.

Manager: Pat Devlin.

Highest league goalscorer: Shane Barnes (3).

Current position: 1^st.

How we thought they would do for the 2020 season

At the start of the season, the Extratime.com team predicted a seventh placed league finish for Cabinteely.

However, our writers noted that Cabo were well prepared for another year of surprises – and they should not be written off again, just as they were in 2019.

How they did in the opening part of the season

The 2020 season began in magical circumstances for Cabo – as they saw off local rivals Bray Wanderers by four goals to two in the latest instalment of the East Coast Derby.

A brace from Keith Dalton set the hosts on their way – as both Kieran Marty Waters and Vilius Labutis also netted.

However, in the second half, Bray scored two consolation goals through new recruits Gary Shaw and Jack Watson as Cabo ran out winners in the club’s fifth ever meeting on a competitive basis.

Next up Cabo saw off Athlone Town at Lissywoolen by three goals to one, with Shane Barnes scoring twice against Adrian Carberry’s side.

And Cabo then made it three from three with a home win over Shamrock Rovers II – thanks to a late, late Barnes winner.

Barnes poked home at the death as the Green and White’s were forced to play the final half-hour with ten-men following Daniel Blackbyrne’s dismissal.

Moment of the season so far

Despite putting four past Bray on the opening night of the season, in terms of a moment, Shane Barnes’ last minute winner over Shamrock Rovers II is the one major moment that sticks out thus far.

Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters picked up on a Kian Clarke mistake in the Hoops gaol, before crossing into Barnes who made no mistake from inside the six-yard box.

The result saw Cabo go top of the First Division table after three games, although they have in fact played a game more than Longford who occupy 3^rd position.

The result was arguably harsh on Rovers’ second string who were more than a match for Cabo – but it is unlikely that Cabinteely will care too much seeing it was them who earned all three points.

Stand out player so far this season

Prior to the start of the 2020 First Division season, there was a fear around Stradbrook that they would struggle for goals following the departure of Rob Manley during the off-season.

However, forward Shane Barnes has stepped up to the plate to make his mark at the Stradbrook Road venue – scoring three goals in as many games.

The IT Carlow student has scored against both Athlone Town and Shamrock Rovers II already and will most certainly be hoping to continue his earlier season form in the months ahead.

Transfers in/out prior to the restart

In: N/A.

Out: N/A.  

What they need to do in the restart

After three wins from three, Pat Devlin’s Cabinteely look set for another promotion chase for the second year on the spin.

And while they have lost much of their earlier-season momentum, the Green and White’s will be aware that they have the quality to once again compete at the top-end of the First Division table.

The task appears simple for Cabo ahead of the league’s restart next week – keep doing what they were prior to the break in action.

Easier said than done it is, but Devlin’s young guns will not be short of confidence to scale the heights that they know that they are capable of reaching once more.

Where we see them finishing

Top four.

Who will they face in the FAI Cup?

Received a bye into second round.

First post-lockdown league fixture

Galway United (Away).