Fern Mc Costigan

Saturday, June 25, 2016

The decisive moment for both Ireland squads

This is it, the decisive moment for both of the Emerald Isle squads, in this edition of Euro 2016, that after making all around history as a first time of both squads participating altogether in an international tournament. Both North Ireland and the Republic of Ireland playing in a historic second round at the same time in this edition of Euro 2016.

The time for truth has arrived and reality for both squads, for one being its first time in a Euro event and netting its pass into the round of 16 is something to admire by these group-hardened stance and all around determination. The Norn Iron date with its cousin the Republic of Wales squad will be a one of a kind match between these two squads.

Very well, by seeing these two squads, in their Saturdays date in Parc Des Princes in Paris, considered as a showdown of epic proportions between two first timers and at the end this match has all the essence of defined by PKs. One thing we can brace ourselves will be the duel between these squad’s goalies as the Welsh Dragons count highly on Wayne Hennessey and for the Norn Iron Michael Mc Govern.

This match can be the highlight of this Euro- with both squad’s passion and hunger to win and make all around history by advancing in this tournament. The pressure will be in both men at the helm of these squads and especially in Michael O’ Neill the Green and White Army Boss, who will try his best to have his squad advance into the next rounds.

For the Norn Iron Boss will be pone of his toughest of challenges to try to make the ultimate of miracles as the one his squad recently endured with a little help from his friends the Turks, that netted their pass into the sweet 16. Now the goals of the Green and White Army are to be in the ultimate eight of this tournament, continue with their amazing streak, and continue writing their own history.

A duel of Managers, Chris Coleman from Wales going against Michael O’ Neill from North Ireland will be a grand showdown of strategies and displaying an awesome football.

On the Republic of Ireland date with the hosts of this edition of Euro and seen as a payback match after that handball that eliminated the Green Army a few years ago and left them out of that World Cup. For the Boys in Green Boss Martin O’ Neill grand entry into the round of 16 was a feat like no other and seeing a continuance of his luck along with his Boys.

Still the only problem for the Republic of Ireland will be his foes by playing not only a French initial eleven, but also the whole nation, for their Manager is not a problem as pressure is something this squad has really mastered and surpass since the qualifiers and recently against Italy.

As the Boys in Green play on Sunday, hopefully a win from their cousins up North can be of an inspiration and be something to look for in their difficult but not impossible quest of advancing into the next stages. For the Green Army their match against France another squad considered as another of Europe powerhouses, this game foe do not imply any pressure to the Boys of Erin.

After all the Republic of Ireland already has beaten squads of the likes of Germany and Italy and France can be another one of their feats in the era of Michael O’ Neill.

Is this a decisive moment for both of Erin squads, it is, as both Green Armies will be put in test on Paris and Lyon to show off their mettle and determination that put them in this edition of Euro.

Photos Credit and Property of © Associated Newspapers LTD 2016

Photos Credit and Property of © Republic of Ireland Irish Football Association 2016

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Robbie Brady goal sends the Green Army into the elite 16

Nothing is easy for the Republic of Ireland Boys, since the qualifiers as I have been telling you until now, it do not come easy for Martin O’ Neill and his Green Army. After that horrible loss against the Red Devils of Belgium, this squad needed a miracle and by far their moment came in.

Still the outcome and prospects of netting a victory against a rival of the proportions of Italy, this match did not offered a laid-back afternoon for the Republic of Ireland chaps.

Before this week for the Azzurri Manager Antonio Conte, his outcome of this match was a bleak one and not a positive one after doing an inspection of the pitch at Stade Pierre Mauroy, which did not, impressed the Italian Boss. Very well condemning its poor state that could risk his players with a serious injury.

As they, state the show must go on and for the Italians Boss his compromise of today was to show and play and observe his squad on the eve of his upcoming second round match against former World Champions Spain. Despite they already insured their pass into the next rounds nobody said that this was going to be a walk in the park for the Irish.

Because it was not, in the whole ninety minutes of play when the Irish came knocking in the door of Ireland’s keeper Darren Randolph who really earned his pay with a series of acrobatics and opportune stops. Do not count Salvatore Sirigu out of the picture as he did his share of saves from the menacing Green wave trying to put a ball inside his nets.

A very leveled match as both squads really showed off their might as the World Champions as always showing off their might sand one of a kind technique and defensive football even though Conte sent a formation of 3-5-2.

The Italians strategies and formation could not stop a full spirited and hungry Republic of Ireland dynamic Football the utmost of glories.

In the case of Irelands Boss O’ Neill with his 4-4-2 formation and seeing all afternoon long how his Boys came near the posts of Sirigu, it came the moment when the Boys in Green started the pressure in the last minutes of the game.

It all started when the Boys in Green started with a run from their backfield from midfielder Aidan Mc Geady coming into the center and passing to Wes Hoolahan who served a long pass to whom it became the hero of the game in Robbie Brady.

By beating the Italian keeper by just pushing the ball in the 84^th minute, the whole of Lille went into a state of madness from the followers of the Green Army that possibly of their high decibels of noise they could been heard all the way to Dublin.

One moment the followers of the Green Army were waiting for was the final whistle from the official in turn and when it happened, the whole bench of the Republic of Ireland bench went ballistic in complete happiness after doing the unthinkable of qualifying.

Since taking over the reins of the Republic of Ireland, Manager Martin O’ Neill and his assistant Roy Keane have suffered with their Boys in Green in making things happen as nothing has been handed to them in a platter.

At the end we can considered this year a one of that in the Emerald Isle will be remembered for a long time after both of its squads have made a historical and amazing of feats by both advancing into the second rounds of Euro as a first.

As the Norn Iron advance with a little help from its friends, the Green Army did it with all around style and determination by its initial eleven. The Republic of Ireland, once again put on another test of its strength and wills with no other than its hosts France.

After beating Germany in the qualifiers and Italy today to seal their pass, the Republic of Ireland can play anyone and become the surprise of this Euro.

For now, the Boys from both Erin’s are in the Elite 16 and looking to write history for both of their federations, still give credit to Manager Martin O’ Neill for the all-around accomplishment.

Photos Credit and Property of © Associated Newspapers LTD 2016

Photos Credit and Property of © Republic of Ireland Irish Football Association 2016

With a little help from its friends, North Ireland advances

The Norn Iron did it to the next stages or the knockout rounds, although their last match in their group stage was a loss earlier against the German National squad. Suddenly the news and result that the Turkish National squad performed over the Czechs, became a shower of good news for the North Ireland squad.

By netting, their pass into the next stage of this competition, thanks to a little help from their Turkish friends, that is the way the Norn Iron sealed their fate.

As Group C was to wrap up its activity, the Germans delivered with a win but not as they wanted it, although they dominated the whole course of this match. Still one thing their strikers did found out the reality of their foes was no to mess with their keeper.

With a brilliant afternoon were Michael Mc Govern the North Ireland keeper, outperformed and stop cold in its tracks all the pushes from the Germans all afternoon long, he became the hero of the match and the outstanding player, despite the goal by Mario Gomez.

The Norn Iron really played an excellent match and showing their improvement since the arrival at its helm by Michael O ‘Neill, who really has injected a lot of optimism in his Green and White Army and displayed a more mature approach in this match.

Very well, a more respectable performance in every minute played despite the lone goal scored by Germany in the 30^th minute; still the Ulstermen did the feat and performed a wonderful game of football to the joy of the gathered in Parc Des Princes.

Even though the final score showed off a loss and a sheer disappointment by the North Ireland folks in attendance, still their sorrow became ecstasy, as their hoes never dwindle as they awaited the result from Parc Ol back in Lyon.

Still if this squad and its backfield who performed wonders all match long I do tip my hat as well for the man of the match in keeper Mc Govern who performed wonders in stooping the attacks of Ozil, Gotze, Muller and company.

As the Welsh followers sang we are not going home the Irish did the same after they euphorically celebrated raucously throughout the streets of Paris their ultimate of feats performed by their beloved Norn Iron.

Despite Germany winning Group C and followed by Poland in second and the Boys of North Ireland in third and await their outcome and rivals to be named as rumors of possibly aligning them with either the hosts France or Wales.

In Derry City, Belfast, Lisburn, Ballymena, Newtownabbey, Bangor and the rest of Norlin Airlann the celebration and jubilation of their Green and White Army achievements- loudly are to be heard in every corner of this nation.

At the end, this squad is poised and ready for anyone that comes their way and very well try their best to make it into the next round of eight and so on, the goal for now for the Norn Iron is that they need to stay put and continue until the end.

Photos Credit and Property of © Telegraph Media Groupand Getty Images 2016 .

Photos Credit and Property of © Associated Newspapers LTD 2016

Photos Credit and Property of © RTÉ 2016-RTÉ Commercial Enterprises

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

A heated competition evolving amongst the Portland Timbers players

After seeing a rough campaign start for the Mighty PTFC, being victims of many setbacks among one of them multiple key players in the injured reserve, it has not been an easy campaign for Caleb Porter. As he has been in the task of juggling and making all sorts of improvisations in his patch up lineup, to try in finding the appropriate initial eleven to deliver the winning formula.

So far, the man at the helm in Rose City has been quite successful after some shaky performances, still this group is known to be an all-around fighter, thanks in its majority to the quality of its players.

After a good while, the Timbers squad was one affected by seeing several of its key players in the DL list, among them Liam Ridgewell, Dairon Aspirilla, Alvas Powell, Darren Mattocks, Chris Klute who has not shown its game and Adam Kwarsey sidelined with a dislocated finger. Giving ways to several players to gets in the initial lineup and try their best to impress and contribute to the squad the best they can.

As the Timbers Boss Caleb Porter sorting all types of challenges and right men to fit into his lineup and develop his one of a kind game. Lately the way the PTFC is in a winning streak and playing like an all-around contender- alongside of a four game positive without knowing the meaning of defeat.

Still the Timbers have seen a series of good results lately as well some players that after seeing some of their injured teammates, their opportunity has come in a positive way as well seeing how their performances have been key in several matches. The question that arises from this is the result of its starters return and if they will be in the lineup as if nothing ever happened.

Those questions will be made to Manager Porter, after all some of these players are netting results as in the Open Cup match and other matches, were his backup players, by far have given him the results he desired. Very well, each one of them deserves to put in display their abilities and given the chance to prove themselves over the starters, that is fair!

In the case of Keeper Jake Gleeson after getting the nod in that match when Kwarsey was injured, he really has stepped up and done an extraordinary job defending the posts of the Timbers and being the culprit of the team two clean sheets so far. As the return of Kwarsey what will be Caleb Porter decision of immediate putting Kwarsey in the lineup and if he does not perform as expected, will Gleeson continue in the starting role.

In the backfield, despite of Alvas Powell retuning from the DL, what criterion will Porter use, when Peay is playing an exceptional football and Okugo doing the same with these two doing a one two in the right side of the backfield, now we may have a certain competition among several starters. In the case of Powell, Borchers very well a contest between defenders Taylor and Valentin- this latter one an undisputable starter in the place where Villafaña used to play and by doing his best to emulate his dynamic game and passing.

The idea is to continue to observe the development of Peay who is the future of this squad in the backfield and other young players to get the nod from T2. Putting in a certain competition the likes of even Ridgewell, Borchers, Klute, Peay, Okugo, Taylor and Valentin for the starting role in future matches as the league progresses.

Going to winger, with Darren Mattocks, Lucas Melano, Dairon Aspirilla and Jack Barmby these latter one displaying more confidence and technique, suddenly opens up the prospects of him getting the nod instead of Melano. As the Argentinian considered as an undisputable starter he has to prove his value as well his mettle coming from a league known to export the best players to the world.

Something that both Aspirilla and Melano need more consistency and the way Aspirilla played in the Open Cup in a very inspired mood alongside Barmby- we may have a one two combination there. Something that Lucas Melano seeing the competition he may step up his game and at the end this contest will be beneficial of the defending champions at the end.

A combination between Mc Inerney and Adi will be another way to solve the problem for the Timbers drought at times to penetrate the opposition team goal posts, still both of these strikers have responded in the clutch.

At the end for Manager Caleb Porter, goals will be a bit tough for him to start selecting from his starting core of players to the ones that substituted those during their times in the sidelines.

By seeing a total competition in the reminder of this campaign amongst all the Timbers players looking to net permanently a starting role in the squad initial eleven as the league competition resumes and very well will be a total highlight for the followers of this squad.

This can be a dispute between youth and experience in the end.

Let us get ready to see a display of great football from the mighty PTFC in the upcoming matches in league, and Cup play, alongside the new faces that will net a permanent spot in this squad-starting lineup.

Photos Credit, Courtesy and Property of Portland Timbers FC 2016