Fern Mc Costigan: January 2017

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

2017 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland- Is this the year for Cork City?

So patiently, this club front office has been arduously at work to retain the majority of its players as well adding new ones to give this club a shape of a total winner again and maybe this time they can score the big one.

Very well, to front in what seems to be another contested edition of the Airtricity League of Ireland, with an all-around success.

As that Kenny Loggings song, “This is it”, that is the main idea behind this project, to focus not only to make an impact in league play but on international competition in the always-celebrated Europa Champions League.

So close last year, as the Rebel Army came so near into advancing to the last stages of the Europa League but fell short of the coveted knockout stages and play with the best of the old continent.

This time is the merry, after the club top already been arduously at work in getting new faces at Turners Cross Stadium and assuring some of their old guard to stay put and make another stellar run towards the league top.

That maybe is one of the utmost of goals for City Boss John Cauldfield, looking forward to add that elusive and coveted league shield always denied to his bunch by a resilient Dundalk FC squad, now in this edition looking for its fourth consecutive shield.

So far, the Leesiders are looking forward to be a one of a kind contender once again, as in the last edition of the FIA League of Ireland Cup after these stopping the Lilywhites momentum and take this important trophy from their archrivals grasps.

That tells you a lot of the potential the Rebel Army has in its eleven that can deliver many trophies and glories to its fans base back at Turners Cross, especially this campaign as the many see the top being in exposed to a full fight.

With Connor Ellis, Stephen Dooley, Kevin Connor and striker Sean Mc Guire, the Leesiders are looking good and with the return of once prominent academy hopeful John Kavanagh back from a near career ending injury, this time he’s up and ready.

So far, the majority of many veterans returning is a good omen for a magnificent campaign, still these are aware of the upcoming competition with the arrival of new faces in Ryan Delaney, Jimmy Keohane and Achille Campion.

Still for a club that last campaign won a double in the Presidents and FAI Cups, marked a near perfect campaign, still with one major obstacle in their way, at the end these can prevail and maybe this can be their year with a treble of a campaign.

To answer the above mentioned question, this 2017 can be the year the Rebel Army will indeed make a breakthrough in the league top.

Hail Cumann Peile Chathair Chorcaí!

Crest Credit and Property of Cork City Football Club 2017

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Major League Soccer 2017 Campaign- Can Orlando finally make it into the postseason this 2017?

For Jason Kreis taking over expansion side Orlando SC, it was an all-around challenge and setting up many goals with his Purple Lions in this upcoming campaign, especially taking them to the promised land of the postseason.

After its first two campaigns the SC has not been able to make the league playoffs in comparison to the NYCFC who came at the same time and now is looking like a total contender.

Still that does not keep the likes of the Orlando Boss Kreis uneasy but determined and with a fighting stance to make this campaign with his Lions a prolific and successful one, as this is the year of the unveiling of their new stadium.

As the majestic Orlando City Stadium that will house both of Orlando’s squads the SC and the Pride, will seat 25,500 in comparison to their temporary Camping World Stadium that despite being an expansion team.

The overall attendance for the Orlando squad competed with the likes of the back-to-back winners the Seattle Sounders and these coming a strong second behind the Emerald City squad, averaging over 32,800 per match.

New home and new attitude is what the Purple Lions are aiming for one of a kind campaign and looking forward not only to be in the contested postseason but to reach its finals as a couple of its stars in Kaka and Clyde Larin are looking forward.

So far, for Manager Kreis making some moves to put the pieces in the puzzle together, the arrivals of experienced Will Johnson a sort of reunion from their RSL days and Birmingham’s Jonathan Spector to reinforce the defense and midfield.

Putting experience and newcomers together in the initial eleven will be a vital piece for the Lions Boss to endure in what seems a totally and much disputed campaign and he and his bunch make front to the competition in league play.

Also the announcements of Brazilian defender Victor Giro, Donny Toia from the Montréal Impact and Pierre Silva getting the nod in the big team, manager Kreis is one big believer in team he manages of its academy, and this is one diamond in the rough.

One thing the Florida squad is looking forward to reinforce its midfield and especially its defense with Toia, Spector and Giro, the Lions backfield is looking immaculate and will be one of its most reinforced and renovated areas.

That does not mean everything is up and ready as these new players will need to adapt to Kreis game plan and develop it to its fullest, but this is to happen we may see a very tough competitor in the SC and being among the top six in the East.

With intricate detail in every position, the City manager by so far his right moves and the people making it into his eleven to make it into a one strong and resilient one.

This upcoming 2017 campaign, the sky will be the aim for the Orlando City squad looking forward to an amazing campaign and be a fierce and tough competitor to beat in both Western and Eastern Conferences.

Very well, for the Orlando City Boss Jason Kreis this can be a return to its old winning habits with his Purple Lions.

Crest Credit and Property of Orlando City Soccer Club 2017

2017 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland- Welcome back to Premiership Drogheda United

They are back the Boys of Drogheda United in Ireland’s top tier, after a one-year exile in the first division and now thanks to a aggressive and ambitious playing, that became the ideal format for their triumphant return.

This time for Manager Peter Mahon going into his third year and looking a bit ambitious of making a decent run in this campaign.

As well, maintain their permanency in the big circuit for some time.

So far, the squad top brass has been arduous at work and making all sorts of deals to bring the ideal players to United Park and make of this squad a contender as well.

With the signing of former Ireland International Stephen Elliot, the Drogs have taken a big step in reinforcing their line of attack as well looking forward to have a leader in the field that can lead this squad into all around success.

Still the buck does not stop here with the arrival of new faces in Louth County, the arrival of All American Ryan Marsch, Ciaan Mc Guigan, Jamie Hollywood, Thomas Byrne, Conor Kane, brothers Killian and Gavin Brennan.

The aims of this club Boss is to make a top run to the league elite spots as well looking forward to finish in the top three spots and assure a European slot in the end, ambitious plans for a newly promoted club.

Very well looking forward to make front to their cross county foes the Dundalk FC squad considered as unbeatable and the Boynesiders will like to make their statement as the other squad that can play a top notch football.

Challenging indeed, will be the campaign for the Super Drogs, as these are looking forward to make an all-around influence in their return to the maximum circuit and start netting some shields as the FAI, Presidents and EA Sports.

Still the prospects of staying put in Irelands Premiership will be a difficult endeavor for the Drogs, as the levels of competition has grown enormously and the majority of its squads are playing like there’s no tomorrow.

One thing for sure this club played with courage and plenty of heart when it was the ideal time to step up and played a marvelous game, ask that to a Wexford Youths that fell prey to the Super Drogs ambitious display, which netted them the promotion.

At the end for the Droggies Manager new players this club incorporated in the preseason, the excitement cannot be contain of what he’s assuring of putting a wondrous and spectacular campaign in the League of Ireland.

For Drogheda United is back to business and looking forward to make a one of a kind campaign and maybe deliver some shields to the halls of United Park.

Hail Cumann Peile Dhroichead Átha Aontaithe!

Crest Credit and Property of Drogheda United Football Club 2017

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

2017 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland- Can Derry City make it to the league top?

That is one of Kenny Shiels ultimate of challenges and desires to finish with his Candystripes atop the league overall table as well net all the silverware possible at the halls in Brandywell.

So far, the Derry City squad preparing for another contested campaign in the SSE Airtrcity League of Ireland as well in the always disputed and tough elimination rounds of the UEFA Europa League.

After holding their ground in the 2016 campaign over the Shamrock Rovers, the Candystripes earned another trip to this competition and for sure after the miracle of Dundalk, these will be an inspiration for the Derry Boys.

This time their aims is to reach the knockout stages of this competition and try to make history as another squad of the League of Ireland to make a strong showoff.

This time for Manager Sheils to overcome their third place finish, will be one major step for him and his bunch looking forward to much spectacular finish as well looking forward to win the always coveted League shield.

In preseason play the Candystripes are showing their new arsenal and winning ambition with a resounding 5-1 victory over Ardmore, 2-1 over Dutch side RKSV Leonidas and 3-0 over Letterkenny Rovers.

This wins gives the squad a lot of confidence ahead the upcoming campaign and for its Boss he is observing the ideal eleven he will use for the whole campaign.

The outlook of the Candystripes looks good and promising alongside the arrival of new faces and some players staying put at Brandywell to try to make a one of a kind run, so far the return of players of the likes of Lukas Shubert.

With the arrivals of Harry Monagahn, Mike Timlin, Aaron Barry and Scott Whiteside, Eric Grimmes for Derry City Boss, his outlook is very positive after seeing his side shaping up and looking forward to an eventual campaign.

However this campaign for the Derry City bunch not playing in Brandywell Park due to renovations and with the majority of their matches to play in Donnegals Maginn Park in Buncrana.

At the end, Derry City has all the elements of mounting a dream of a campaign and putting a lot of pressure to the likes of Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers and Cork City and looking forward to an amazing campaign.

As another of their goals for Derry City Manager Kenny Shiels is to win it all and make it a perfect campaign that not only the league shield but the Presidents, FAI and EA Sports Cups to be included among their achievements in this upcoming league of Ireland.

The Red and White Army are ready for league primetime and much more.

Hail Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoire!

Crest Credit and Property of Derry City Football Club 2017