Successful teams work hard, train well and have a spirit in there camp that is like a close knit community. These are just some of the qualities that Dundalk have and are using them to the fullest to try and build up a head of steam to retain their title. The way they have started off this season has been a real eye opener and manager Stephen Kenny must be delighted. He has obviously worked well with his team during the winter close season and his players have responded extremely well to his instructions and guidance. I often wonder why Stephen failed when he was manager of Scottish side Dunfermline, but that is for another blog. So let me below take you through all the ups and downs in this week’s SSE Airtricity League as things hot up in the race for the Premier and Division One titles.
Going into the eleventh round of games Dundalk sat proudly at the top of the Premier League six points clear of the chasing pack. As we exited the weekend of games the men from Louth still kept that gap between themselves and the chasing pack after a brilliant two nil away win in Longford. According to all reports it was a hard fought out battle and Dundalk had to dig deep to secure the points. Two second half goals from Horgan and Mountney saw them home but great credit has to be given to Longford who made a match of it. The game of the week took place in Cork, where City took on Sligo. The Cork men ran out three two winners in a pulsating game in Turners Cross. Elsewhere around the league there were victories for Bohemians, Galway United and Drogheda. The final game of the round had to be rescheduled for Monday evening after it had been called off on the previous Friday due to a waterlogged pitch, yes you heard me correct, a waterlogged pitch. You just have to love summer football don't you. The other news this week in the league is that Bray Wanderers have appointed Trevor Croly as their new manager. Trevor had a spell as Shamrock Rovers manager and takes over at the seaside club as they still struggle to get any form going. He is a very good coach and only time will tell if he can turn things around. I wish him all the best.
Division One is tipping along quite nicely and Finn Harps remain top after a three two win at home to Waterford United in front of a bumper crowd in Ballybofey. Second place Wexford Youths narrowly defeated Cobh Ramblers, but Stephen Henderson can take a lot of positives out of this defeat as his Cobh side but up a real battle. Elsewhere Athlone and UCD fought out a one all draw. As I told you in my last blog I headed to Tolka Park to see Shelbourne play Cabinteely.Shelbourne manager Kevin Doherty had been under pressure and I was very interested to see how his team would get on.Well to be perfectly honest they played Cabinteely off the park and should have won by a bagful of goals. They came out one nil winners with a goal from right back Adam O Connor,who if he was to be honest he probably would have to admit he miss hit his shot from the edge of the box,but somehow it found it’s way into the net. The hero for Shelbourne on the night was goalkeeper Greg Murray who made a world class save with only three minutes to go, his save bagged the men from Tolka all three points. This could be the turning point of their season and manager Kevin Doherty can sleep a lot better this week.
Other news this week in Division One is that former Carlisle United, Bohemians, Derry, the list is endless, manager Roddy Collins has taken over at Waterford United. Roddy is a real character in the game and I had many a run in with him when I was refereeing in the league. But his passion for the game is top notch and I expect him to get the Blues moving up the table once he gets his teeth into them. Anyway that is all for this week, if you are heading to a game anytime soon, you could do no worse than visiting a SSE Airtricity League ground and just see what is on offer.
See you all next week.
Wednesday 27 May 2015
SSE Airtricity League Round Up #10
Bringing this blog to you each week, has been an absolute pleasure for me. To share with everyone on the Pitch Talk team how the SSE Airtricity League has being going, is like giving a child Christmas day every week. The amount of great games I have seen so far this season has been incredible. Like a little flower the league has been growing along each week and I am sure that when the season is over, the flower will have blossomed into a candidate for the Chelsea flower show. The clubs have gone all out to please the fans and have been helped by coverage from both written media and the lads on TV. The weekend that just finished saw something quite rare in Irish soccer, on the Bank Holiday Monday Setanta Ireland decided to show two games back to back on live TV. The games chosen were Dundalk vs Bray and the big clash of the weekend Bohemians vs Cork. The latter game was the one I attended and when I looked around the press box in Dalymount, it was full of all the top media men in Ireland. This in itself is a huge plus for the league, as the more the product is promoted, the more fans it will attract. So having said all that, let me below lay out all the action that happened in the Premier and First Divisions of the SSE Airtricity last weekend.
The only place to start with the Premier League round up this week is in Oriel Park the home of the champions and league leaders Dundalk. The team from the north east welcomed crisis club Bray to their home on Bank Holiday Monday, and they absolutely tore them apart. Dundalk played like champions and one by eight goals to one. Yes I am going to print that again, eight goals to one. An amazing result,teams in the SSE Airtricity League to not lose by that scoreline and it has sent shock waves through the league. Dundalk are right in form and are going to be very very very hard to beat and at this stage look good to retain their title, but we have a long way to go and anything is possible. Elsewhere Shamrock Rovers beat Drogheda one nil and have moved into second spot and are six points behind the leaders. Cup holders Saint Patrick’s Athletic won four one away in Galway and they to look like they are gathering momentum in the chase. The other three games in the division were all draws, Derry drew nil all away to Longford,Sligo drew one all at home to Limerick and Bohemians and Cork fought out a one all draw in Dalymount Park. Cork had led the game from the second minute when former Manchester United, Celtic, Leeds United, Sunderland and QPR midfielder Liam Miller got the ball in the centre of the pitch and ran at the Bohemians back four, who made the mistake of showing him to much respect and he slotted a beautiful pass to Mark O Sullivan who hammered home a beauty. Under the leadership of Keith Long, Bohemians have been playing some superb football this season and they kept going and got an equaliser in the eighty second minute through a magnificent goal from Adam Evans. As goals go I would be amazed if this one does not win goal of the season, Evans volleyed home a shot from the edge of the penalty area and ten goalkeepers would not have saved it. I have to admit I was delighted to be in attendance in Dalymount to witness a goal of such beauty.
In Division one Finn Harps are top by three points from Wexford Youths after a one all draw away at Cabinteely. Wexford Youths went on a short journey down the coast to Waterford and came away with all three points after securing a four one victory in the Derby. Elsewhere Cobh beat Athlone one nil and UCD won two nil away at Shelbourne. This league is fast becoming the story of two managers. Stephen Henderson has made an amazing start at Cobh since taking over a couple of weeks back, he has really used his experience to get the team playing as a unit, I actually spoke with Stephen during the week and he told me he really thinks his team has a lot more to offer and with hard work he reckons they can climb the table. Compare that to what is happening at Shelbourne and things could be not more different. At the start of this season Shelbourne appointed Kevin Doherty as manager. This great club needs to be challenging for the title and at the moment they are in a dog fight at the wrong end of the table. They are running on a tight budget and could do with a bit of investment both on and off the field,so Kevin will have to work with what he has got and hopefully he can turn it around. As we head into this weekend’s games I am looking around to see where I will go for my SSE Airtricity League fix of live football this week and I think I will head to Tolka Park to see Shelbourne take on Cabinteely,after all this is where the story could be developing this week. Anyway as I sign off this week I hope if you’re out and about you will enjoy your football as much as I do following the SSE Airtricity League.
Bye for now.
The only place to start with the Premier League round up this week is in Oriel Park the home of the champions and league leaders Dundalk. The team from the north east welcomed crisis club Bray to their home on Bank Holiday Monday, and they absolutely tore them apart. Dundalk played like champions and one by eight goals to one. Yes I am going to print that again, eight goals to one. An amazing result,teams in the SSE Airtricity League to not lose by that scoreline and it has sent shock waves through the league. Dundalk are right in form and are going to be very very very hard to beat and at this stage look good to retain their title, but we have a long way to go and anything is possible. Elsewhere Shamrock Rovers beat Drogheda one nil and have moved into second spot and are six points behind the leaders. Cup holders Saint Patrick’s Athletic won four one away in Galway and they to look like they are gathering momentum in the chase. The other three games in the division were all draws, Derry drew nil all away to Longford,Sligo drew one all at home to Limerick and Bohemians and Cork fought out a one all draw in Dalymount Park. Cork had led the game from the second minute when former Manchester United, Celtic, Leeds United, Sunderland and QPR midfielder Liam Miller got the ball in the centre of the pitch and ran at the Bohemians back four, who made the mistake of showing him to much respect and he slotted a beautiful pass to Mark O Sullivan who hammered home a beauty. Under the leadership of Keith Long, Bohemians have been playing some superb football this season and they kept going and got an equaliser in the eighty second minute through a magnificent goal from Adam Evans. As goals go I would be amazed if this one does not win goal of the season, Evans volleyed home a shot from the edge of the penalty area and ten goalkeepers would not have saved it. I have to admit I was delighted to be in attendance in Dalymount to witness a goal of such beauty.
In Division one Finn Harps are top by three points from Wexford Youths after a one all draw away at Cabinteely. Wexford Youths went on a short journey down the coast to Waterford and came away with all three points after securing a four one victory in the Derby. Elsewhere Cobh beat Athlone one nil and UCD won two nil away at Shelbourne. This league is fast becoming the story of two managers. Stephen Henderson has made an amazing start at Cobh since taking over a couple of weeks back, he has really used his experience to get the team playing as a unit, I actually spoke with Stephen during the week and he told me he really thinks his team has a lot more to offer and with hard work he reckons they can climb the table. Compare that to what is happening at Shelbourne and things could be not more different. At the start of this season Shelbourne appointed Kevin Doherty as manager. This great club needs to be challenging for the title and at the moment they are in a dog fight at the wrong end of the table. They are running on a tight budget and could do with a bit of investment both on and off the field,so Kevin will have to work with what he has got and hopefully he can turn it around. As we head into this weekend’s games I am looking around to see where I will go for my SSE Airtricity League fix of live football this week and I think I will head to Tolka Park to see Shelbourne take on Cabinteely,after all this is where the story could be developing this week. Anyway as I sign off this week I hope if you’re out and about you will enjoy your football as much as I do following the SSE Airtricity League.
Bye for now.
Monday 4 May 2015
Airtricity League Round Up Week #9
Well they say that time flies when you are enjoying yourself. I can not believe that we are all ready nine games in to this seasons SSE Airtricity League. I know I keep harping on about how good the first couple of games have been,but trust me the start of the season has been superb.The weekend just past which saw everyone complete nine games, was explosive. It lit the fuse for what now will be a battle royal, till the end of the season between the top clubs. As we went into the weekend the focus of attention was on two games, one in Cork and one in Derry. So let me below tell you about everything that went on and how the games unfolded.
There is only one place to start this week and it is in Cork where the home side took on leaders Dundalk. Nearly 7000 fans turned out to see the top of the table clash. Giving that the match was live on TV in Ireland,that was a magnificent turn out by the fans. It also gave everyone a chance to see if Cork could really step up to the mark and put a real challenge together to take Dundalk's title. I for one was convinced a home win would be the outcome of the game and boy o boy did I, like many others get it so wrong. Cork took the lead after thirty two minutes with a goal from Dennehy, to the delight of the home crowd. The goal seemed to spark Dundalk into life and with strikes on forty five and forty seven minutes they stunned the home crowd. That man Richie Towell was the hero with both goals.It was what Dundalk deserved and they headed back home with all three points, and in turn put five points between themselves and Cork. The other result of note was in Derry, where Bohemians took all three points in a pulsating game. Marc Griffin who once played for Derry got the winner with twelve minutes to go. Lowry had given Derry the lead and when Bohemians equalised through Kealen Dillon their was always going to be one winner. The Premier league also had wins for Longford who put three past Drogheda in the latter's own back garden and Saint Patrick's Athletic who triumphed over Sligo. Galway United were the highest scorers of the weekend with a five nil win away in the seaside town of Bray. The only draw of the weekend was a one all draw between Limerick and Dundalk. So nine games in and Dundalk are opening a gap and the other teams really need to get there game together and try and reel them in.
In Division One,Finn Harps sit proudly at the top of the table after beating Shelbourne one nil. Wexford Youths absolutely walloped Cabinteely seven nil and Athlone made hard work of a one nil win at home to Waterford.UCD were held to a one all draw by the resurgent Cobh, who have really turned it around since new manager Stephen Henderson took over.After this round of results I feel the pressure is on manager Kevin Doherty at Shelbourne to really turn things around.He is a young manager making his way in the game and I for one hope he can succeed.I will be heading to see Shelbourne play UCD this Friday night and I am really looking forward to a good game. I will fill you in on what happens when I report back to the boys at Pitch Talk, until next I really hope you enjoy your football.
There is only one place to start this week and it is in Cork where the home side took on leaders Dundalk. Nearly 7000 fans turned out to see the top of the table clash. Giving that the match was live on TV in Ireland,that was a magnificent turn out by the fans. It also gave everyone a chance to see if Cork could really step up to the mark and put a real challenge together to take Dundalk's title. I for one was convinced a home win would be the outcome of the game and boy o boy did I, like many others get it so wrong. Cork took the lead after thirty two minutes with a goal from Dennehy, to the delight of the home crowd. The goal seemed to spark Dundalk into life and with strikes on forty five and forty seven minutes they stunned the home crowd. That man Richie Towell was the hero with both goals.It was what Dundalk deserved and they headed back home with all three points, and in turn put five points between themselves and Cork. The other result of note was in Derry, where Bohemians took all three points in a pulsating game. Marc Griffin who once played for Derry got the winner with twelve minutes to go. Lowry had given Derry the lead and when Bohemians equalised through Kealen Dillon their was always going to be one winner. The Premier league also had wins for Longford who put three past Drogheda in the latter's own back garden and Saint Patrick's Athletic who triumphed over Sligo. Galway United were the highest scorers of the weekend with a five nil win away in the seaside town of Bray. The only draw of the weekend was a one all draw between Limerick and Dundalk. So nine games in and Dundalk are opening a gap and the other teams really need to get there game together and try and reel them in.
In Division One,Finn Harps sit proudly at the top of the table after beating Shelbourne one nil. Wexford Youths absolutely walloped Cabinteely seven nil and Athlone made hard work of a one nil win at home to Waterford.UCD were held to a one all draw by the resurgent Cobh, who have really turned it around since new manager Stephen Henderson took over.After this round of results I feel the pressure is on manager Kevin Doherty at Shelbourne to really turn things around.He is a young manager making his way in the game and I for one hope he can succeed.I will be heading to see Shelbourne play UCD this Friday night and I am really looking forward to a good game. I will fill you in on what happens when I report back to the boys at Pitch Talk, until next I really hope you enjoy your football.
Airtricity League Round Up Week #8
We are eight games into the season and what has been on show has been fantastic. Fans are seeing a really high standard of football this season and even the critics of the league are giving out positive comments. The games are coming thick and fast and the SSE Airtricity League should be proud of what it has produced over the first eight games. I can see an incredible improvement in the skill level this season, and in the two divisions, it will be nip and tuck as to who wins the silverware. Two items that could change for me so as to make it the best start ever, would be for a bit more live coverage on our TV stations and also a few more fans getting up off their backsides on a Friday night and getting out to a live game. Let me below fill you in on all the details of the round of eight matches and bring you right up to date on everything that is SSE Airtricity League.
After round eight of games, Dundalk sit top of the league after another win, this time over Galway United by three goals to nil. Richie Towell scored a thirteen minute hat trick, to the absolute delight of his manager Stephen Kenny. I have been amazed with the defence the champions have put up at the start of this season to try and make it two titles in two seasons. Everyone should also note that Dundalk are unbeaten so far this term and can only get better as the season goes on. Cork City sit only two points behind the leaders and they had a very impressive two nil win over Longford Town in Cork. Goals from Colin Healy and Garry Buckley saw off Longford, who put up a park the bus type plan for the game. Cork's home games are going to be so important if they are to put in a challenge this season. One thing that the Cork fans are noted for is the support of their club, and the atmosphere in the ground when Cork play at home, is incredible. Elsewhere in the league Shamrock Rovers went to a resurgent Bray and won three nil. In fairness it was a really hard earned three points and manager Pat Fenlon was delighted. Rovers will not be far away when it comes to the final shake up and things are starting to happen under the management of Fenlon. So that is your top three in the Premier League and they are only separated by four points,from third to first. In other games Derry won two nil away at Limerick, which sees Limerick rooted to the bottom of the league. Title favourites before a ball was kicked this season were Sligo and their problems continue as they were held nil all at home to Bohemians. In the one remaining game, we saw a superb two all draw between Saint Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United.
In Division one the team who are now racing ahead at the top of the league are Finn Harps. The men from the north west, traveled to second place Wexford Youths and came away with all three points after winning one nil. That now puts a whopping five points between the two. Third place Athlone could only manage to draw, two all at home to Cabinteely, who in fairness must have been delighted with their point.The other two games in the league saw UCD win at home, three nil against Waterford. Cobh Ramblers beat Shelbourne one nil and poured more stress on new Shelbourne manager Kevin Doherty.Big things were expected from Shelbourne this season and so far they have been a big let down. I wonder if the new manager will survive for much longer,if the results do not improve. A lot of eyebrows were raised when Kevin was given the job and I know he is on a tight budget at the club. I for one would love to see him succeed as he is one of the nice guys of Irish football.
So as we go into this weekend,s games all eyes will turn to Turners Cross where Cork will take on leaders Dundalk. This will give everyone a better idea of how far Cork have to go if they want to win this years title. This game is been shown live on national television in Ireland and it will give the armchair fan an idea of what they are missing. I myself have a choice of two games to go to and I am so looking forward to the next couple of days. I will be reporting everything back to all you guys on next Monday's Pitch Talk, so tune in and catch up on everything that is SSE Airtricity League. Until next week enjoy your football and I hope your team gets you the result you want.
After round eight of games, Dundalk sit top of the league after another win, this time over Galway United by three goals to nil. Richie Towell scored a thirteen minute hat trick, to the absolute delight of his manager Stephen Kenny. I have been amazed with the defence the champions have put up at the start of this season to try and make it two titles in two seasons. Everyone should also note that Dundalk are unbeaten so far this term and can only get better as the season goes on. Cork City sit only two points behind the leaders and they had a very impressive two nil win over Longford Town in Cork. Goals from Colin Healy and Garry Buckley saw off Longford, who put up a park the bus type plan for the game. Cork's home games are going to be so important if they are to put in a challenge this season. One thing that the Cork fans are noted for is the support of their club, and the atmosphere in the ground when Cork play at home, is incredible. Elsewhere in the league Shamrock Rovers went to a resurgent Bray and won three nil. In fairness it was a really hard earned three points and manager Pat Fenlon was delighted. Rovers will not be far away when it comes to the final shake up and things are starting to happen under the management of Fenlon. So that is your top three in the Premier League and they are only separated by four points,from third to first. In other games Derry won two nil away at Limerick, which sees Limerick rooted to the bottom of the league. Title favourites before a ball was kicked this season were Sligo and their problems continue as they were held nil all at home to Bohemians. In the one remaining game, we saw a superb two all draw between Saint Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United.
In Division one the team who are now racing ahead at the top of the league are Finn Harps. The men from the north west, traveled to second place Wexford Youths and came away with all three points after winning one nil. That now puts a whopping five points between the two. Third place Athlone could only manage to draw, two all at home to Cabinteely, who in fairness must have been delighted with their point.The other two games in the league saw UCD win at home, three nil against Waterford. Cobh Ramblers beat Shelbourne one nil and poured more stress on new Shelbourne manager Kevin Doherty.Big things were expected from Shelbourne this season and so far they have been a big let down. I wonder if the new manager will survive for much longer,if the results do not improve. A lot of eyebrows were raised when Kevin was given the job and I know he is on a tight budget at the club. I for one would love to see him succeed as he is one of the nice guys of Irish football.
So as we go into this weekend,s games all eyes will turn to Turners Cross where Cork will take on leaders Dundalk. This will give everyone a better idea of how far Cork have to go if they want to win this years title. This game is been shown live on national television in Ireland and it will give the armchair fan an idea of what they are missing. I myself have a choice of two games to go to and I am so looking forward to the next couple of days. I will be reporting everything back to all you guys on next Monday's Pitch Talk, so tune in and catch up on everything that is SSE Airtricity League. Until next week enjoy your football and I hope your team gets you the result you want.
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