Fern Mc Costigan

Monday, November 5, 2018

Welcome back to Premiership Finn Harps

What a way to make a statement for these hardened and determined Finn Harps, as manager Ollie Brown put on his best strategies to work and hence the amazing results that erased the locals from the field.

By putting in evidence how hard work and resolve were the factors that delivered for these Harps their return and pass to the Republic of Ireland top flight and this time they are looking forward to many years.

As these group of individuals not only at home made a statement but on the road as well, by the way these had a grand series against foes of the likes of Drogheda United and later versus Limerick.

Ever since the first match t home that many saw how the Harps got a minimum lead at home of just a lone goal, many thought that the Super Blues were going to had their troubles at Markets Field, these prove wrong many of their detractors.

On their second leg match, the Blue and White Army did deliver and played like a Premier squad to make their return to the big circuit after a year absence and now looking forward to many prolific years in the SSE League of Ireland.

After last year sorry state these Harps performances in the SSE, I do see how this squad top brass went hard at work to facilitate manager Ollie Horgan with an all-around contender and look how these delivered.

Very well seeing how this squad is not only conforming a competitor in its top squad but also on their academies recently achieving a national title on their U17 that defeated on the final a hardened Shamrock Rovers side.

So far, on their academies the Harps have been on the dot and with a couple of call-ups by the Republic of Ireland National team on U15 with young Luke Glynn and Conor Campbell’s this squad future will rely on its youth.

Still the road to the Promised Land had its bumps and obstacles but in spite of the challenges these squad did perform, after all on the First Division playoffs these sent home the likes of Drogheda United by a global score of 3-1.

In the end my congratulations to these courageous and determined group of individuals that fought its way and now looking forward to many memorable afternoons in Ballybofey, bright and promising is the future for this squad.

Fáilte go dtí an ciorcad mór agus mo chomhghairdeas le haghaidh feachtais den sórt sin iontach, Cumann Peile Chláirsigh na Finne!

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Give round one to these battling and defiant Portland Timbers

Portland Timbers 2, Seattle Sounders 1

Providence Park, Portland, Oregon

There is no stopping these Rose City Boys. After being down in the canvas and tailing by one goal early in the match. Suddenly these turned the tables around their archrivals staging dominance in the initial minutes. Whenever the Timbers and Sounders play one another, we know the intensity these matches unleash.

As these rivalry in all of Major League Soccer is seen a one unique for its high levels of contest. after all the Seattle Sounders this time they came all rested and ready to repeat their August showdown result. Since the start of this match for manager, Brian Schmetzer and his Sounders started putting a lot of pressure on the Timbers backfield.

As all of a sudden, the strategy worked wonders for the Rave Greens Boss. Not before on a play when Jeff Attinella tackled Cristian Roldan inside the area. This play put under VAR review as the Sounders claimed for a penalty and in the end. The result was a corner kick to Schmetzer dismay.

However, the pressure really caught the Timbers defense off guard. As Victor Rodriguez managed to get a pass towards Cristian Roldan on the right side to beat the mark of Bill Tuiloma and Liam Ridgewell being, shake off by Raul Ruidiaz 10’ minute to score the game first goal.

As the Rave Greens, early goal left shortly the whole of Providence Park in silence but not for long. As the Timbers started making their way pass the midfield so did the Sounder’s roughing several of the local’s players. As the visitors seeing the impossibility and momentum the locals possess.

Still the rough game and the tantrum generated by Seattle Nico Lodeiro towards some of the Timbers players were enough to contain the Rose City drive. Do not call these Timbers quitters, as these know how to wrap things up and with style.

For many of us are aware of seeing one of the most celebrated of rivalries in all Major League Soccer.

With El Maestro Diego Valeri hard at work and aware of being carefully, watch by the Sounders defense. He put his skills hard at work with a nice filtered pass to a wide-open Jeremy Ebobisse. After Diego Chara intercepts a ball in the middle of the field and passes it to Diego Valeri, he filters a pass from out of reach of Sounders defender Kim Hee-hee for Jebo score in the 17’.

This goal came seven minutes later and the score tied at one goal apiece. This contest was far from over but starting to get better and amazingly exciting as every minute pass. Still for the Portland, side ability to counter and even the score.

Moreover, there still more from these Portland Timbers. Starting with El Maestro, play to goal and interrupted, in the rebound, and despite one of the Sounders defenders tries to stop Sebastian Blanco. The Andean with his classic finish, class and style puts the go ahead and winning goal in the nets in the 29’ minute.

In spite of seeing a Sounder’s revival in the second half, once again the Portland defense stood its ground for the win. With the second leg to be, play in Century Link Stadium in Seattle and a lead of a single goal. Many ask themselves if history will repeat again with another sweep of the Portland Timbers in the Postseason over the Seattle Sounders.

If you recall back in 2013 the Portland Boys upset the Emerald City side as well having a 3-0 record in the postseason over their archrivals. Can Portland seal the deal up north come this Thursday, November 8?

Photos Credit and Property of Diego Diaz Photography 2018

Saturday, November 3, 2018

These Toffees are for real and looking to new horizons

Everton 3, Brighton, Hove and Albion 1

Goodison Park, Liverpool

With back-to-back campaigns staging a spending, frenzy the directives at Goodison Park are looking forward to many memorable afternoons by its fighting Toffees. After the arrival of their dream man in the helm, for manager Marco Silva his mission in these parts of Merseyside will not be a walk in the park.

Three wins in a consecutive fashion in four matches, gets the need to aspire to higher positions in the overall table is imperative for the club that finally has decided to open its wallet and start forming an all-around contender.

Still with the Boys from Brighton Hove and Albion in town and these playing a one of a kind game of football, the odds of seeing a contest in Goodison Park was within many in today’s totally sold out attendance.

In the eyes and mind of Everton manager, this squad is doing well and netting an important result at home for sure uplifts the spirits in all of the School of Science making a dash towards the top.

As the opportunities started to come for the Dogs of War as these started looking toward in opening the score as well beating the likes of the Gulls goalkeeper Mat Ryan as well the defensive scheme in a 4-1-4-1.

Contrary to Marco putting in the field a more offensive prone 4-2-3-1 looking forward to stage a goal fest that in spite of many near misses in the end the final score speaks aloud of how the Peoples Club put on grand match.

After several tries, the Toffees trough their man Gylfy Sigurdsson finally displaying the game he is comfortable with and showing off his skills that brought him to Everton, his opportune pass to a well-placed Richarlison opened up the ball.

So far, the Brazilian coming from Waterford per manager Silva request has been on a scoring frenzy and today with his double, the man showed up his mettle in the 26’ minute to put the locals ahead and on route to another notable win.

For the second goal of the afternoon, the responsibility fell on Captain Fury Seamus Coleman, putting on a grand performance in the course of this match and showing his leadership with a beauty of a goal in the 50’ minute to put the score at 2-1.

However before the half ended the score being tied at one goal apiece after the Albion side put the scores even when a combination of Solly March passing to Lewis Dunk in the 33’ minute to go into intermission tied at one goal per side.

As the game went on and with the locals putting on a total dominance over the visiting Gulls, once again we were going to see the likes of Richarlison that in an individual play after intercepting the ball from Brighton defenders to score the go ahead goal in the 77’ minute.

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Premier League. com 2018

Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders tale of the tape

Western Conference Semifinals- 1^st leg

A long awaited matchup in this postseason and edition of Major League Soccer. With one of the most contested of rivalries to stage its first leg semifinals. I will compare each side and the advantages these will pose in two game series. The team with the best strategy and heart put in the field, for sure will become victorious in the end.

However, with both managers sporting similar formations, we have a contest. As they state in boxing terms pound per pound these two initial elevens are pretty even. Come Sunday and in midweek the best squad with heart, determination and ambition in the field will prevail.

For the Portland Timbers this time they have 180 minutes for the feat. In spite of the Seattle Sounders monstrous, close of campaign, with a five game winning streak. In the end, the team with the best strategy will come victorious.

With two managers, experience in the postseason one in Major League Soccer with two back to back appearances in the Sounders Brian Schmetzer with a league title and second place. The aims and goals of the Rave Greens Boss is to net a consecutive third final appearance.

For Gio Savarese before his arrival in the Portland helm. His record under the New York Cosmos was somehow to admire for his amount of trophies and league titles won. Still tis was a minor association but overall the man now how to handle pressure too.

As the Seattle Sounders, these come with conviction to win and these showed it in the end. In the case of Portland with their first year manager and suddenly this squad is showing a more mature football. No favorites here but in the end soccer aficionados we may have sparks fly and be in this series on the edge of our seat.

That in the end will be a fact, and below is the comparison in every position.

Goalies

Jeff Attinella- Portland Timbers vs Stefan Frei

Even

Defense

Zarek Valentin, Julio Cascante, Liam Ridgewell, Jorge Villafaña vs Kevin Leerdam, Kim Kee-hee, Chad Marshall, Nohou Tolo

Slight advantage Seattle

Defensive Midfielders

Diego Chara, David Guzman vs Ovaldo Alonso, Gustav Svensson

Portland Timbers advantage

Offenive Midfielders

Andy Polo, Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco vs Cristian Roldan, Nicolas Lodeiro, Victor Rodriguez

Even

Forwards

Jeremy Ebobisse vs Raul Ruidiaz

Advantage Seattle

Photos Credit and Property of Craig Mitchelldyer Photography 2018