FAI National League round-up: Former Paraguay international watches on as CK United defeat Newbridge Town

Newbridge Town players before the FAI National League Group 3 match between CK United and Newbridge Town at SETU Sports Complex in Carlow. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

The FAI's National League got underway over the weekend, and it has already produced a number of entertaining storylines.

The first match of this new initiative saw Kildare's Newbridge Town take on CK United of Carlow/Kilkenny at the SETU Carlow complex on Saturday afternoon.

And it was CK United who secured the first three points of the competition’s history as they claimed a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Callum Warfield and Ethan Boyle.

Warfield, who is a former St Patrick's Athletic centre-forward, scored the league's first-ever goal and he did it in style as he blasted an unstoppable effort into the top corner after just ten minutes.

United continued to dominate and they deservedly doubled their lead after 20 minutes when right-back Ethan Boyle finished superbly.

Newbridge Town, to their credit, refused to give up and they halved the deficit at the beginning of the second half thanks to Eric Munongo, but they just couldn't find an equaliser as CK United hung onto the victory.

Newbridge, interestingly enough, named former Paraguay international Milton Rodrigo Benitez Liero on their bench for the defeat.

The 40-year-old midfielder played professionally in a number of countries across South America throughout his career, including spells in Paraguay, Brazil, Peru and Chile.

The playmaker earned one senior international cap for Paraguay, which came back in 2011 in a friendly against Argentina and although he didn’t emerge for the bench for Newbridge at the weekend, his influence could be decisive as the season continues.

Elsewhere Galway’s Salthill Devon made a magnificent start to their campaign as they defeated Donegal’s Letterkenny Rovers 4-1.

Letterkenny stunned their opponents as Adam McCaffrey gave them the lead with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box.

But Salthill Devon, who are managed by former Republic of Ireland international Greg Cunnigham, battled back and they levelled the scores with a Timmy Molloy penalty before Connolly, McDonnell and substitute Joshua Keane Quinlivan secured the triumph.

Meanwhile Mayo are celebrating another historic win as Ben Edeh’s goal was enough to see them overcome St Francis, who finished the game with 10-men as Zach Donoghue was shown two yellow cards.

Finally, Galway’s Mervue United were held to a 1-1 draw by Donegal’s Cockhill United while their fellow county men Bonagee United also played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Dublin’s Home Farm DCU.

Results

Mayo FC 1-0 St Francis

CK United 2-1 Newbridge Town FC

Mervue United 1-1 Cockhill United

Bonagee United 2-2 Home Farm

DCU Salthill Devon 4-1 Letterkenny Rovers.