By unprecedented popular demand TFK finally gets its own League of Ireland thread. Post away.
fair play padjoâŚfor all the bad mouthing certain members do here about the gaa and it being backwards etc it takes a gaa man to get the league of ireland fans house in order on hereâŚ
Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Bohemians
Friday, 26 September 2008 22:06
Bohemiansâ relentless march towards the eircom Premier Division title continued with a hard-fought win over arch rivals Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park.
Rovers played most of the game with ten men after Darragh Maguire was dismissed for a professional foul in the 17th minute.
But a Tadhg Purcell header gave the Hoops the lead just three minutes after the sending-off.
Bohs didnât panic, however, and a fine finish by Gary Deegan had them level before half-time and substitute Mindougas Kalonas fired home the winner 15 minutes from time.
As the teams came out onto the pitch the Bohemians fans behind in the Ballybough End of the ground unfurled a banner that read â33 points behindâŚstick to the day jobâ.
But the Bohs fans were almost silenced five minutes in when an excellent ball from Pat Flynn and a clever run from Sean OâConnor sprung the Gypsiesâ offside trap.
OâConnor squared the ball to the onrushing Joseph Ndo but his shot was close enough to Brian Murphy in the Bohs goal for the 'keeper to get his hands to it and beat it away.
There may have been 33 points between them in the table, but Rovers settled the better and had the better of the opening ten minutes, despite playing Tadhg Purcell as a lone striker with Joseph Ndo playing just in front of the makeshift central midfield pairing of Danny OâConnor and Pat Flynn.
The complexion of the game changed when Rovers had Maguire sent off. Glen Crowe flicked on with his head and Maguire got caught the wrong side of Neale Fenn and although there was contact between the two the Bohemians strikerâs tumble looked exaggerated.
There was no doubt in referee Alan Kellyâs mind, though, and the Cork official reached straight for his red card to send the defender for an early shower.
If Rovers were rocked by the dismissal they didnât show it and they were soon one up. Sean OâConnor and Ndo worked a short corner for the former to cross and Purcell met the ball with an excellent downward header that gave Murphy no chance.
The hosts still had to reorganise their reduced numbers and manager Pat Scully did so by bringing former Bohs man Stephen Rice on for Eoin Doyle. Flynn reverted to centre-back, Rice went into the centre of midfield, with Ndo moving to the right flank and Rice taking up a more natural role on the left wing.
Rovers continued to work hard and Bohs were struggling to make their numerical advantage count. The Hoops had another half chance in the 36th minute when Danny OâConnorâs ambitious volley from outside the area flew wide.
Though they barely deserved it, Bohemians drew level in first-half stoppage time. It was a brilliant goal that started with captain Owen Heary finding Crowe in space. The Gypsiesâ frontman then found the run of Deegan with a gorgeous reverse pass and the former Longford Town man finished with aplomb from the edge of the area, albeit with the aid of the upright.
Buoyed by the equaliser and no doubt stung by some harsh words from manager Pat Fenlon during the interval, Bohs started the second period in a far more positive manner and made it difficult for Rovers to even get out of their own half.
They were nearly rewarded five minutes after the restart when Rovers 'keeper Robert Duggan flapped at a Killian Brennan free-kick but there was no Bohs player on hand to take advantage.
Crowe had a decent opportunity in the 56th minute but he failed to keep his volley down after a neat one-two with strike partner Neale Fenn. Heary then tested Duggan with a shot that might have caught the Rovers stopper unsighted but he reacted well to get a strong hand to it.
Crowe then fluffed a glorious chance to give the visitors the lead in the 66th minute. OâBrien played a ball back to Duggan who slipped as he controlled with his chest but somehow Crowe slid his effort wide of the gaping goal from just yards to the left of it.
It was unsurprising at this point that the game assumed the mode of a dominant Bohs side trying to break down a stubborn and tiring Rovers outfit.
Bohs needed some inspiration and decided Lithuanian international Mindougas Kalonas was the man to provide it and sent him on to replace Anto Murphy with 12 minutes remaining. No sooner was the 24-year-old on the pitch and he had put his side in front.
He collected the ball on the right side of the box, cut inside Corie Treacy and sent a low shot past Duggan to the delight of the Bohs fans behind the goal.
Rovers were then forced to chase an equaliser and Bohs left-back Mark Rossiter showed bravery to throw himself in the way of an Ndo piledriver with ten minutes remaining.
But that was the home sideâs only real chance as Bohs comfortably held on to stretch their lead at the top of the table to a surely unassailable 19 points.
Shamrock Rovers: Duggan; OâBrien, Madden, Maguire, Treacy (Martin, 82 mins); S OâConnor, D OâConnor, Ndo, Flynn, Doyle (Rice, 21); Purcell (Amond, 63).
Bohemians: B Murphy; O Heary, Burns, McGuinness, Rossiter; A Murphy (Kalonas, 78 mins), OâDonnell (Cronin, 82), Deegan (T Heary, 90), Brennan; Crowe, Fenn.
Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork).
Best of luck to Mick and the boys tonight, come on Wexford!
Wexford Youths mark their coming of age in eircom League Cup final against Derry City
Date: Saturday, 27 September 2008
Section: eircom League Cup
The FAI eircom League of Ireland Cup final tonight marks a very special day in the on-going development of the game in this country.
The achievement of Mick Wallace and his band of enthusiastic volunteers in Wexford in developing a local team to League of Ireland standard and providing facilities of the quality that can stage the final of a national competition must be viewed as exceptional.
The football family in general in Ireland have many reasons to applaud Wallace and his team, especially at this time when so much emphasis is placed upon the problems that inevitably adhere to professional competitive sport.
Their evolution in Wexford is truly a good news story, full of the drive and enthusiasm that makes sport so important in our everyday lives and redolent of a sporting spirit that has nothing to do with any reward but the most precious of all personal satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
Wexford Youths will approach tonights final with ambition rampant and we wish them well. Their task is a huge one for in Derry City they will be competing against the competition specialists and a team that is thoroughly prepared and experienced at this level.
Derry must be viewed as favourites to win the FAI eircom League of Ireland Cup for a spectacular third consecutive season and that is quite remarkable in itself. It is all the more so because they have, just like Wexford Youths, advanced this far by playing skilful, constructive and attractive football in the proper manner.
The contrast between the two finalists is truly remarkable Derry City with their rich history of participation and achievement in professional football and Wexford Youths in the process of establishing the club at the top level and writing the first, glorious chapters of their history.
Both clubs have reason then to enjoy this occasion as never before and we look forward to a contest, set against such a unique background, providing the enthusiastic fans of both clubs with an occasion to remember and a final full of all that is good in sporting endeavour.
The team news is that Wexford will be without the injured Paul Murphy, who tore his cruciate ligament at training. He will be out for up to eight months.
Conor Wallace will also be an absentee as he has not recovered in time for the final after picking up an injury against Athlone Town a few weeks ago.
Derry have doubts about the fitness of Peter Hutton and Ciarn Martyn but after their resounding win over St. Patricks Athletic in the Setanta Sports Cup in mid-week, they will be strong and confident.
Wexfords personable manager, Mick Wallace, was refreshingly out-spoken when he commented on Derry City this week and said: I was hugely impressed with Derry when they played St. Pats in mid-week - they look as good as any side in the country.
"As a unit they are extremely good and their mental approach combined with their physical condition and technique means they are a top side and will be very difficult to beat.
"We couldnât be playing a tougher side in the final as they donât seem to have any vulnerabilities and itâs asking a lot of my lads to beat them.
Winning, of course, is the ultimate ambition of both Wexford and Derry but the reality is that one or either will be disappointed in this respect.
Again manager Wallace struck the appropriate note and captured the essence of this unique final when he added: âItâs a great occasion however, with a real buzz around the county and we are privileged to be in a final. I just hope we donât let the occasion get to us and give a good account of ourselves.â
Fixture:
FAI eircom League of Ireland Cup final
Saturday, 27/09/08: Wexford Youths v Derry City, Ferrrycarrig Park
(Setanta Sports TV 7.30 pm)
Anyone watchin the St. Pats v Hertha Berlin game on Rte? Pats playing very well, but still 0-0 (2-0 down from the first leg).
Pats had a few chances. Fahey was unlucky with his attempt. Pats needed to be 1.0 up at this stage to have a chance.
They shouldâve got a penalty which would have helped their cause a lot. Theyâre playing better but canât see them winning by two. Could see them winning this leg alright.
Great shot by Fahy, hit the post.
edit, another great chance, Guy one on one with keeper but great save
Forgot this was kicking off so early. Watching now but could have been tuned in earlier.
Pats hit the post again!
Cobh off the bottom with Rovers win
Cobh Ramblers 1-0 Shamrock Rovers : Cobh Ramblers moved off the bottom off the eircom Premier Division table after last nightâs win over Shamrock Rovers at St Colmanâs Park.
It was Cobhâs second victory of the season over Pat Scullyâs side, and theyâre now just four points adrift of safety.
The best opportunity of a quiet first-half fell to Stephen Hendersonâs men in the 18th minute, but Kenny Colemanâs close range effort was pushed away to safety by Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Robert Duggan.
The second-half was a lively affair with the home side dominating the early exchanges. However, Rovers came closest to making the breakthrough in 65th minute. Pat Flynn cut in from the right, but his effort from just inside the box was saved by James McCarthy.
The decisive goal eventually arrived in the 79th minute, and it came courtesy of some excellent work by substitute Daryl Kavanagh. He weaved his way into the box before being pulled down by goalkeeper Robert Duggan, earning his side a crucial late penalty for the second home game in succession. Ross Gaynor made no mistake from the subsequent spot-kick to score his fourth goal of the season.
Simon Madden came agonisingly close to putting Rovers back on level terms two minutes later but his shot came back off the crossbar and Cobh hung on for the win.
COBH RAMBLERS : McCarthy; Coleman, Guthrie, Murray, Meade; Carey, OâBrien (Kavanagh, 66), OâHalloran, Mulconry (J Kearney, 39); OâNeill, Gaynor (Cummins, 84).
SHAMROCK ROVERS : Duggan; Madden, OâBrien, Price, Tracey (Leech, 85); Martin (Amond, 56), D OâConnor, Flynn, Doyle (Stapleton, 76); Purcell S OâConnor.
Referee : R Winter (Dublin)
Padjo, your signature isnât really true. The IRFU recognises the border. Hence the lack of a national anthem - in their view there is more than one nation playing.
giuseppe - why did bohs chairman resign?
Iâm not very well up on it. Not a hardcore fan but from what I can gather thereâs a lot of disquiet on the ground about the way the clubâs being run. An EGM was called recently and I reckon he could be getting out to avoid all the hassle thatâs coming up.
Cuffe to step down as Bohemiansâ president
By Neil Ahern
Friday October 03 2008
Bohemians have been rocked by the decision of Gerry Cuffe to step down from the position of club president at the end of the season â just as they are poised to win the Eircom Premier League for the first time in five years.
The Irish Independent has seen a copy of a letter Cuffe sent to all members on Wednesday, saying âthe past three to four months have been the most fractious, divisive and unenjoyable period of my 19 years on the board.â
He is unhappy that negative publicity has surrounded the club despite success on the pitch after dissident members announced their intention to organise an Emergency General Meeting following the boardâs decision to delay such an assembly until the end of the season.
âI am disappointed that a group of members have pushed ahead and organised this EGM for October 16, a mere five weeks earlier than the board had committed to schedule same,â Cuffeâs letter says.
âAt a time when we should be perceived as a strong, united club, we are being played out in the media as a club in crisis.â
The club faces a crucial court case this Monday over a plot of land at the Phibsborough stadium. The verdict could make or break their financial situation as the fate of the proposed sale of the ground hinges on the outcome.
- Neil Ahern
Just heard about this on the radio this morning.
Wexford v Limerick in farcical postponement
Monday, 6 October 2008
The match between Wexford Youths and Limerick 37 has been called off after a disagreement over the pre-game warm up for the away side.
Limerick 37 said that they were told by Wexford that a pre-match warm-up was not possible on the main playing surface.
An alternative area to warm-up was suggested, but this was deemed unsafe by Limerick and in the end they refused to carry out the fixture.
A club statement read: âThe team were informed that they would be unable to carry out their pre match warm up on the main playing surface.â
'As the alternative warm-up area suggested was deemed unsafe for health and safety reasons due to poor lighting, Limerick 37 made a request to warm up on the main playing surface to the match referee.
The statement continued: âThe match referee confirmed he had absolutely no issue with the team warming up on the main playing surface. Despite this assurance from the referee the Wexford Youths stewards refused access to the pitch to the Limerick FC players and management.â
Limerick confirmed that they could not go through with the fixture without a proper warm-up and the match was called off.
Wexford manager Mick Wallace was furious after the postponement:
'Limerick refused to warm up on our second pitch and asked to train on the match pitch. In our 18 month history in the First Division, no team in the league has warmed up on the match pitch before the game.
'Limerick have been here five times and warmed up on the second pitch on each occasion. Our match pitch is the best pitch in the league and our second pitch is the second best pitch in the league.
'Limerick refused to warm up on the second pitch and threatened to leave, so at 7.20, I informed them that they could in fact warm-up on the main pitch.
'This is against our policy but I did not want to cause trouble and there was about 500 supporters here who I wanted to be able to watch a game of football but at that stage they decided there was not enough time left to warm up.
He added: 'This seemed a crazy scenario seeing as Wexford Youths had not started to warm up. Teams generally take 20 to 25 minutes for a warm up and that would still have allowed Limerick back in the dressing room at 7.45.
âIt does appear that Limerick did not want to play the game. We had noted that it was strange that two of their better players, Gary Sheehan and John Tierney were not in the starting 11 for some reason. Maybe there were problems that we didnât know about.â
Some prize quotes from Wallace there
âIn our 18 month history in the First Division,â
âOur match pitch is the best pitch in the league and our second pitch is the second best pitch in the league.â
âIt does appear that Limerick did not want to play the game.â
Itâs about time the Youths built up a rivalry with some team.
Limerickâll do.
Wallace called Limericks pitch a health and safety issue, that you canât pass on it. Good man Mick, stick it to em
Limerick arenât too happy obviously
07/10/2008 - 10:37:13
The row over last nightâs postponed Wexford Youths v Limerick 37 eircom League of Ireland First Division clash escalated today following a statement released by Limerick.
The game was postponed due to a row regarding which pitch Limerick would warm up on beforehand, with Wexford manager Mick Wallace saying that Limerick had no intention of fulfilling the fixture.
However, in a statement, Limerick have denied that allegation.
"Limerick 37 would like to make this additional statement regarding the events that took place at Ferrycarrig Park on yesterday evening, Monday, October 6.
"Limerick 37 would like to completely refute the unfounded allegations made by Wexford manager Mick Wallace on Newstalk yesterday evening and repeated on RTE Radio today, when he implied that the club had no intention of fulfilling the fixture upon arrival.
"To suggest that the club would travel the entire way to Wexford with the express desire to not carry out the fixture is completely untrue.
"Such an allegation by a manager of a fellow member of the league is verging on bringing the game into disrepute and the club expect a full retraction at the earliest possible occasion.
"In addition, Limerick 37 would like to confirm that the team arrived in the ground at 6pm, above the requisite 90 minutes before kick-off, and were forced to sit in the changing rooms for over an hour waiting for access to warm up.
"In addition, the referee, Rob Rodgers, confirmed to Limerick 37 that he would not be warming up on the back pitch in question as he deemed the lighting unsafe.
"Limerick 37 changed back in to their team suits at 7.20pm and had boarded the team bus when they were finally given a grudging and unofficial permission by Mick Wallace to go on to the main pitch at 7.25pm.
"At this stage, the team manager had already instructed his players that they were not in a position to fulfil the fixture as they were not in a position to complete their 60-minute warm-up routine that they carry out for each and every game.
âAt no stage was any member of Limerick 37 informed officially by the referees or match officials that they were allowed access to the main pitch or that kick-off time could be put be put back to accommodate a full warm-up.â
They warm up for 60 minutes yet are only 5th in Division 1 - that doesnt sound right does it?