Fern Mc Costigan: March 2019

Saturday, March 30, 2019

The Hoops winning ways continue in a recap of the League of Ireland

The Shamrock Rovers are doing well, that have a total of seven points lead over the defending champions Dundalk in spite of their notable win in the League Derby against the Rebel Army.

This contest is becoming one amazing one between the Hoops and Lilywhites elevating the tone in this edition of the league of Ireland entering into April and with the promise of a strong showdown between these two squads.

In addition of seeing how the Pats, Bit O’ Red and Harps are somehow struggling to net wins in this season as well for their men in their helms looking to turn things around after their clubs gave them a vote of confidence.

In the Regional Sports Center at Waterford, the local Blues delivered mayhem over the visiting and troublesome Finn Harps after their promising pass via the playoff eliminating Limerick and arming to the teeth.

These so far have been having some trouble winning and for Alan Reynold and company seeing how Aaron Drinan with a double in the 40’ and 66’ followed by Shane Duggan 74’ and Dean Walsh 90’.

Waterford 4, Finn Harps 0

In Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, the local Candystripes of Declan Devine with their win at home over another dreary Sligo Rovers not being able to level their game and season and within the spots of relegation.

With a couple of scores from David Parkhouse and Ciaron Harkin both in the second half in the 59’ minute and 90’ minute to seal the deal as well deliver an important in as well climb to fourth place.

Derry City 2, Sligo Rovers 0

In Dalymont Stadium, the Dublin Derby between the local Bohemians and the visiting Saint Patrick’s Athletic ended up into a hurtful loss for the visitors seeing their third consecutive loss.

For the Pats manager Liam Buckley looking for clues or answers to end his squad skid as well its scoring drought seeing how the local Gypsies with a lone goal from Keith Buckley 43’ minute.

Bohemians 1, Saint Patrick’s Athletic 0

In the League Derby between the defending champions and archrivals, Dundalk playing at home against the visiting and always-dangerous Cork City looking to earn three valuable points.

Until the man of the hour and match Dundalk’s Michael Duffy in the first half 38’ minute to seal the win and earn three valuable points to be within distance of first place Hoops.

Dundalk 1, Cork City 0

In Tallaght Stadium with a fair attendance, the local Shamrock Rovers is showing off their ambitions and determinations to seal their goal of winning the league of Ireland shield but with the chase from Dundalk keeping close pace.

With a double of Jack Bryrne in the 19’ and 33’ minute and Aaron McEnnef in the 90’ minute to seal the deal, for the Students being a not so easy foe in the end with a lone goal by Yousef Mahdy 37’.

Shamrock Rovers 3, UCD 1

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

The Republic of Ireland looking good with its second win

Republic of Ireland 1, Republic of Georgia 0

Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Hail for Saint Mick McCarthy, as the newly appointed manager for the Republic of Ireland has started his tenure with sheer perfection. With a lone goal scored in the 36’ minute by Conor Hourihane in the end, this score was enough for the Boys of Green to deliver a one of a kind win over their group foes Georgia.

In addition, of seeing the Republic of Ireland starting with the right foot and leading their group of play with six point’s followed closely by Switzerland with four points, this is something not envisioned by manager McCarthy.

However, the trek is long, Group D has a couple of challenges for the Green Army in Switzerland, and Denmark, as you recall the Danes eliminated the Green Army from the last spots for a trip to the past World Cup.

So far, this squad is showing determination and a team unity that shown in the field, with today’s score in there first half with just 36’ minutes in the clock and uplifting the locals to another win in this edition of the qualifiers.

Forget that Gibraltar result that in spite the win against a minnow, a win in the end is a win and that is keeping the Republic of Ireland atop its group, still the highlight of this match was the unity shown by the Republic of Ireland and seeing its defensive game overall improvement.

In spite of the Green Army back-to-back wins, still the goal differential can be in the end a bit lethal and with foes of the likes of Gibraltar and even Georgia; the score should see the best of this group offensive display.

Still the positives outnumbered today in favor for the squad that managed by Mick McCarthy but with a number of positives so far and the hope of its continuance in the course of these qualifiers will be elemental for this group to make a total impact.

For this match manager McCarthy sent his 4-3-3 formation, once again working out for the locals and hence the results with a perfect 2-0 record and commanding the top of their group but there is more challenges to come.

The visitors were not an easy foe as well making some moves that once again saw the skill and all around dedication in the local’s goalkeeper Darren Randolph making top notch saves that in the end made the difference in the game.

Still I must state about Conor Hourihane’s spectacular goal via a free kick after a foul over David McGoldrick foul and the play converted on a 25-yard free kick that sent the whole of Aviva into frenzy as both players deserved the man of the match award.

In the end for the Republic of Ireland next matches one away and the next at home, as the qualifiers scheduled back in June 7 visiting Denmark and coming home to host Gibraltar on June 10 at Aviva.

Photos Credit and Property of © Irish Football Association 2019

Recap of NIFL in its final weeks with Linfield Blues nearing another Gibson Cup

The Linfield Blues are nearing another Gibson Cup in its halls in Windsor Park. So far the soon to be champions crown an amazing night with an inspired Andrew Waterworth foursome to deliver a goal rout over the Swifts.

For the Sky Blues getting upset at home against the Point, as well Stute netting another win, alongside a comeback from the Crues and deny the Ards a win as well Glenavon sentencing City to the abyss.

In Stangmore Park, the local Swifts suffered in what seemed a repass and a goal rout from the visiting Blues and soon to crowned champions with a win, the Belfast side is nearing another Gibson Cup.

With Andrew Waterworth scoring a foursome in the 7’, 11’, 56’ and 72’ along with a lone goal by his teammate Jimmy Callacher 25’, it was enough for the win and keep nine points clear in the table.

Dungannon 0, Linfield 5

The Local Institute won their match as well assuring another season in the top flight of Premiership; with the minimum difference, the Stute side delivered a notable win and netting 38 points.

The goal came in the end by Aron Jarvis in the minute 90’ leaving the Bannsiders little chance of regrouping or staging a late comeback in the end, in the end Institute saw its efforts crowned.

Institute 1, Coleraine 0

In the Showgrounds, the local Ballymena United squad was looking to keep close pace at the top leaders Linfield but in the end saw a determined and resolute Point taking the credit and the upset.

As everything supposedly was going according to the Sky Blues way with an early lead via a penal by Adam Lecky in the 16’ minute, the Point reacted via Phillip Donelly 38 and Hernany Macedo 81’.

Ballymena United 1, Warrenpoint Town 2

In Bangors Fuel Arena, the local Ards were looking forward three points that could save them from descent but in the end, these could not wrap this one up after a comeback rally by the visiting Crues.

With early goals from Mark Kelly 25’ and Craig McClean 54’ for the Ards, the Crues response came via Declan Hadell 69’ and Ronan Hale 83’ to share the spoils and a lone point for each other.

Ards 2, Crusaders 2

In the Showgrounds of Newry City, the local City crew got a dose of what is to be their descent with another loss this time against visiting Glenavon with a lone goal via Andrew Mitchell in the 78’ minute.

Newry City 0, Glenavon 1

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Josh Magennis on target to make it two in a row for North Ireland

North Ireland 2, Belarus 1

Windsor Park, Belfast

For the Norn Iron its business as usual in this edition of the EURO 2020 qualifiers. With all the right moves for Michael O’ Neill’s side, these deliver a wondrous win over visiting Belarus to make it two in a row.

When manager O’ Neil doing his usual moves in his lineup this time, he hit on target when he decided to substitute Niall McGinn in the 68’ minute for Josh Magennis for his first move of three for the Norn Iron Boss.

Still the visiting Belarus National Team prove to be a worthy and tough opponent in the course of the whole match, but in the end the perseverance of the local Green and White Army its moves became fruitful.

In spite of the locals playing at home in the colossus of Belfast Windsor Park, the North Ireland group did not have a field day and seeing a battling Belarus squad putting on a fight in every minute the home side took the initiative.

After the White wings coming from a defeat against Group favorites the Netherlands’, these came prepared to play the role of spoiler and going for the kill and three points to keep on the hunt in Group C.

This win did not came easy but in the end proved the readiness and seriousness of this Norn Iron looking forward to surprise everyone in a Group that has the favorites in the Netherlands and Germany but nothing is written.

So far, this win delivers a satisfaction until the decisive moment comes against the top squads in Group C and with a couple of wins regardless of the foes these came ahead, what counts is the win and the six points that can make the difference.

Once again, the Green and White Army playing with unity, in the end paid off in spite of the Belarusians even the score after the whole of Windsor going into frenzy after Jonny Evans first goal.

As game one notable Stephen Davis, once again became the man of the hour with an opportune assist to Jonny Evans that gave the locals the lead but unfortunately shortly as two minutes later the visitors even it up.

As in the minute 33’, the Belarusians tied this one up with a score from Ihar Stasevich via an assist from A. Hleb to put the game even for 55 minutes until the game winning play that uplifted the North Ireland Team.

Setting the stage for the unthinkable from what became one of Manager O’ Neill accurate of moves when his super sub Josh Magennis getting the assist from Paddy McNair in the 87 minute to seal the deal and send the whole of Windsor in emotion.