Fern Mc Costigan

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Those Shamrock Rovers Looking Mighty Fine!

Very well indeed, is the word to describe a squad that so far in two matches has managed to score a total of nine goals and keeping a close pursuit of Cork City and Dundalk FC.

Alive and Kicking as that Simple Minds songs states as the way those Dublin Boys from the Shamrock Rovers are playing lately with a certain conviction of excellence.

For the Cumann Peile Ruagairí na Seamróige riding high after an afternoon of a lot of highs and well put on an offensive show at Tallaght in front of their faithful, these club is poised for the league top.

So far seeded in third place just a point behind Cork City placed currently on second and for the league top held currently by Dundalk FC and four points behind, this league top spot can be anyone’s as after the Lilywhites succumb at home over a hardened Bohs.

This time the Candy Stripes from Derry City or the Cumann Peile Chathair Dhoirewere the ones that took the wrath of goals from an offensive Hoops attack that their only mission is to pulverize their opponent’s goals.

A meritorious win and a 4-1 score with scores in the 11^th by Micheal Drennan, Gary McCabe 49^th, Marty Waters 55^th and Brandon Miele on the 65^th were enough to a lone score from the visitors Ryan Curran discounted on the 85^th.

Preventing a clean sheet for the Rovers goalie Craig Hyland that all afternoon didn’t had the worries of an all-around offensive attack from the Candy Stripes who lacked a certain direction that didn’t took advantage after the Rovers had a man sent off in the 80^th minute.

This win is an encore of last week at Tallaght when the Hoops victimize a clueless Sligo Rovers with another massive score of 5-1, something that’s becoming a trend for the Dublin Boys in each match played lately.

Maybe on their next match against their cross town rival’s Bohemian FC they will play a very heated and epic of Derbies like this match were these two Dublin squads always stage in their venues, this time the Rovers will play as a visiting entity at Dalymont Stadium.

Something that for the Shamrock Rovers Boss Pat Fenlon will take as an overall challenge after both sides drew a scoreless match in their first meeting as well try to avenge last campaign defeats from a renewed Gypsies squad.

Still for the Rover Manager closing the first half break of the Airtricity League with a win will be a full shoot in the arm for him and his chaps seeking to bring to the halls of Tallaght some silverware not seen for quite some time.

Especially the always coveted Airtricity League Shield that the Hoops can play the role of spoilers to their Dundalk FC rival’s in denying them their second league shield as well win it in a back to back fashion.

One serious club is what the Shamrock Rovers are in this 2015 campaign that so far are looking like a force not to mess with as well a contender in the works to win it all that comes their way, hail for the Rovers.

Crest Credit and Property of Shamrock Rovers Football Club and Wikipedia 2015

Photos Credit and Property of © Shamrock Rovers 2015

The Bohs Playing like Old Times Spoilers

For the Chaps of the Cumann Peile Bóithéamaigh or better known as Bohemians, this 2015 is looking like another new chapter in their ambition of playing a more serious-minded ball.

This is one way for their current Manager Keith Long to oversee and forget about their woes in their last campaign fiasco, when his Gypsies were biting the dust.

Very well and at times many thought they were fighting for their survival in the Airtricity League ranks by their poor and modest playing, something this squad isn’t known for.

As their recent of achievements was on match played against a hardened and top rated Dundalk FC Lilywhites or Cumann Peile Dhún Dealgan, being the defending champions from last campaign as well holder once again of first place.

Very well coming to Oriel Park and play the Lilywhites as visitors, something that the visiting Bohs weren’t coming for a holiday or play the role of nice squad, not today as this tenacious squad is for real!

That afternoon saw a different initial elven seeing a team effort in the field and with superb performances from Roberto Lopez, Keith Buckley and Dave Mulcahy who contributed to a 2-1 defeat of the locals.

Playing the always odious role of spoilers to squads of the likes of Dundalk, that all of a sudden is compromised in their next matches to play with more pressure if they don’t want to lose their spot at the league top.

With three points in your advantage in the overall table isn’t anything comfortable when you have a squad of the likes of Cork City as one you’re closest and fiercest of followers.

Just ten points behind first place and six behind their cross town rivals the Hoops in the so called European positions, which nothing is assured anymore for anybody in league play.

Competitive indeed, is what we are to be witnessing in this edition of the Airtricity League of Ireland, when local competitions and the championship itself has put several squads on edge to perfect themselves if they are to aspire for something big.

For now Bohemians FC is riding high and not looking behind in their quest to perfect themselves in this edition of the Airtricity League as well try to deliver some needed shields to their nest halls in Dalymont Park at Phibsborough, Dublin.

Renewed and kicking is what many are seeing in this newly squad renewed hopes of getting back those old lost glories as well their spectacular and solidified game, the Bohs are back.

Crest Credit and Property of Bohemian Football Club and Wikipedia 2015

Photos Credit, Courtesy and Property of © Eddie Lennon Sporting Images 2015

Monday, June 8, 2015

Risks Pay-off for Timbers Boss for his Third Win in A Row!

Three wins and counting will be one charming way to describe how this Rose City squad is playing ball lately, thanks in its majority to its Boss accurate moves.

Yes, that man I call the cheesmaster, by the way his awesome moves to his initial eleven, is transforming the way his chaps are playing lately as well delivering it with convincing and meritorious wins.

Is a way to say that Caleb Ball is alive and kicking, with a lot of competitiveness infused in his chaps- that so far are playing wonders in the field as well creating a strong brethren amongst them in what many will say, this squad for real!

Losses hurt and many gave this squad as a sure candidate to be destined in their conference cellar, unfortunately for many, these Boys in Green aren’t done yet and now all of a sudden playing as an overall contender.

Proving everyone wrong in league circles, after all those three wonderful wins and maybe with the level of play and fury shown by the Timber players, we may see an awakening of a dormant giant in Rose City!

Tell that to a hungry Jack Jewsbury who netted the game winner as well the dynamic Andean duo of Maxi Urruti and Gaston Fernandez who with their soccer know-how netted the game winners in Colorado and DC United.

Wonders indeed, is what these two Argentine prodigies are doing in the field for the Timbers being the pillars for their latest wins and although they didn’t performed their usual magic, still their persistence really paid off at the end.

Once again those moves from the Cheesmaster himself paid off with back to back goals in the end when Jorge Villafaña kick went directly to Adi’s head and with just a push to net the first score in the 86’ and turning Providence Park into a mad house.

And at the 89’ minute a wonderful play by Timbers Diego Chara passing to Alvas Powell who this one never ceased in his quest to breach the opposing goal all evening long, his pass came as a heavenly opportunity in the feet of a well situated Adi who pushed the ball to the net for the final score.

This Win gives an infusion of optimism and a sure push to the Timbers squad, that in the beginning of the summer months and at the end of the campaign this club is one serious menace to mess with as well making a strong case in closing a successful campaign.

After a few weeks ago many saw this club battling the horrific demons of the cellar all of a sudden is within distance and a striking four points within its Cascadia rival’s the Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Seeing ahead and a continuance in this squad winning streak, the Portland Boys will stage a favorable comeback to the league top as well a three way race in Cascadia not only for their internal cup competition but for the league top.

One of those showdown’s will be witnessed on the 28^th of June, when the Seattle Sounders come to Portland and stage another one of their epic showdowns’ in the always fought off and spectacular battles of the Cascadia Derby.

The Western Division for sure will be one competed Conference with these Pacific Northwest clubs playing the way they are- as well what will the league postseason will bring us if this has a continuation by all three and especially Portland.

Mighty PTFC!

Crest Credit and Property of Portland Timbers Football Club and Wikipedia 2015

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Those Awesome Moves Fruitful in Another Timbers Win

With a couple of back to back wins, the Portland Timbers finally are looking a bit recovered and possibly on the verge of an all-around and serious revival in the remainder of this campaign.

As for their Manager Caleb Porter, finally finding the perfect formula and with his moves of a consummated Cheesmaster, that so far have paid off in his initial eleven last two matches.

Its seen clearly that his risks have paid off for the Timbers Boss and his Boys, which so far are placed among the top six in its division and in the so called postseason positions for now.

After all their odd results are now becoming a part of the past and considered as a wake-up call, that has seen in their last two matches a certain reaction from some of its players, mainly its nonstarters.

That after getting the call to be in the starting lineup, they haven’t let their Manager down and hence the latest results showing off this squads determination to climb to higher positions in the Western Division.

This squad is determined to leave that in the past and now focus in the upcoming matches as summer is around the corner and were the Rose City boys can play much better and much ambitious football.

No need to have their top guns in the lineup, as in today’s starting initial eleven played in Colorado, two of its top play-makers in Diego Valeri and Super Captain Will Johnson, being absent due to rest and recovery from their injuries, they weren’t needed at all!

Once again the return of mountain men Nat Borchers in the backfield, completing the super foursome in the Timbers backfield that so far have done wonders and been formidable in preventing a much worse situation for the PTFC.

Alongside a perfectly planned 4-2-3-1 with George Fochive getting the call and playing with Jack Jewsbury as the defensive midfielders and on the three frontal orchestrators were Darlington Nagbe, Gaston Fernandez and Dairon Aspirilla.

Playing a lone attacker once again as well getting the starting nod was Maxi Urruti, who has really played wonders in the Timbers front as well during all evening long, creating a lot of spaces and dangerous plays to the posts defended by Clint Irwin.

A very positive in today’s match was seen with the new Andean duo of Maxi Urruti and Gaston Fernandez one two punch that again in this away match, they became the much needed finish and defiance and discomfort needed to the opposing teams goalposts and its backfield.

As in the home match at Providence Park when Fernandez passed to Urruti were to became the winner against DC United and today’s match with an opposite side of the play, when Urruti passed to Fernandez and this time scoring the opening goal in the 38’.

That at the end proved the be the opportune and valuable play of the match after the locals tied the score with minutes of play left and the rest is well known when Captain Timber Jack Jewsbury showed in an opportune time to net the game winner!

A solid Jack of spades was the way that goal decided this match and gave the Portland squad their first back to back wins since this campaign start, now the question arises they continue their mastery and streak on their next match at home and against a hardened New England Revolution.

Maybe with the Chessmaster Caleb Porter making his moves, he and his boys can make some progress in the Western Conference top- which his squad is within four points and eight of the top of the Supporters Shield.

Mighty PTFC!

Crest Credit and Property of Portland Timbers Football Club and Wikipedia 2015