Fern Mc Costigan

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

A Recap of a Derby filled weekend in the League of Ireland

A return to action in all fronts of the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland became a sort of rivalry weekend with several Derbies staged and with one that delivered an all-around upset.

By putting the Rebel Army celebration on hold for now as the league champions, and a match pending on Monday between them and the Lilywhites seeing if these latter ones can deliver a miracle.

I mean all sorts of Derbies like the Munster, Connacht, Louth and the Dublin.

Anyway let’s start with the match between Derry City playing host to Bray Wanderers in Maginn Park were the visiting Gulls had a field day against the Candystripes posts and defense that at the end these deliver a 5-0 win.

With an inspired Aaron Greene with a double score in the 20 and 80, followed by Darragh Noone 35, Ryan Brennan 37 and Gary McCabe 57, these goals became pure poison for the locals seeing their aspirations towards third spot becoming porous.

As the contest of who will assure that last spot for Europa League is on a close race between the Shamrock Rovers 47, Derry City 43, Bray Wanderers 42 and Bohemians 40 points.

In the Munster Derby, one thing the Blues got the upper hand after defeating the favorites to win it this match Cork City to a 2-1 score, putting on an abrupt hold to the Rebel Army celebrations with this all around upset.

As all the Limerick faithful could not believe their eyes after seeing how their Boys deliver an amazing win that catapult their team as far away from the relegation spots with early scores from Rodrigo Tosi 7 and Shane Tracy 9 were enough for the win.

Despite City sudden awakening in the 15 and in a match that all goals scored in the first half, the local’s defense played honoring their moniker of Super Blues with this scandalous and upsetting win over to who are to be crown as league champions.

Galway United did the ultimate of eats in their quest of salvaging their campaign and not going down the tubes of relegation and see a return and light of another campaign in the Airtricity League of Ireland.

Playing as locals in Eamon Dearcy Park, the local Tribesmen brought joy to their faithful after defeating by the score of 3-1 with scores from Mark Ludden 44, Kevin Devaney 72 and Gavan Holohan 75.

After the Bit O’ Red with a early score in the 15 Kyle Mc Fadden, many thought that the Rovers were on their way to an easy win but at the end, the perseverance of the Tribesmen prevailed.

For the defending champions Dundalk making a brilliant run on the last matches of the campaign maybe they are hoping for a miracle but at the end, the Boys of Stephen Kenny are just having fun and reading themselves for next campaign.

Playing in the colossus of De Town Oriel Park, the Lilywhites delivered an easy win over a decimated Drogheda United with the score of 3-0.

With goals from Steven Kinsella 42, David McMillan 52 and Michael Duffy in the 90 to culminate the feat and alongside Cork City defeat at Limerick these opens the possibilities as well the dominance of the Lilywhites in the Louth Derby.

In the Dublin Derby between the Bohemians and Saint Patrick’s Athletic celebrated in Dalymont Park in Phibsborogh, the local Gypsies delivered the unthinkable with a raucous win over the Saints and putting Liam Buckley squad in the brink again of fighting for its survival.

With a final 3-2 score favoring the Bohs, these in this campaign had the upper hand by the look of it in the capital Derbies of its cross-town foes.

The Gypsies via Ismahil Ainade 2 and a double by Daniel Corcoran 16 and 52 were enough to stop the Pats revival with Chris Fagan 3 and Conan Byrne 65 but coming short.

Monday football with two notable matches in the Dublin Derby between the Saint Patrick Boys and Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park in Inchicore were Liam Buckley and company netted a valuable win.

The Pats via Iam Bermingham 19 and Paul O’ Connor 42 were enough to seal the deal and the Pats backfield doing a master of a job in keeping the Hoops strikers at bay and persevere the win as well a clean sheet for their keeper Luckaz Skowron.

In the top of the league Derby between Cork City and Dundalk highlighting this weekend of activities in the SSE, both titans were held to a simple draw and share of the points with a final score of 1 goal each.

With the Lilywhites defender Brian Gartland own goal in the 20 and Robbie Benson saving score the Town put the Rebel Army celebration on hold briefly, as the err would not happened maybe we could had a one sided contest.

Monday, September 25, 2017

The Portland Timbers preparing for the postseason

By the way these played last night, the PTFC is playing a one of a kind game lately in the quest to make a tough front in the upcoming postseason were these are closing in MLS grand fete.

After a heartbreaking loss in Rio Tinto Last weekend, playing at home is one of the Timbers utmost specialties and facing a foe that since its inception, the Portland squad has never beaten.

Providence Park live a one of a kind evening when the local Boys guided by their talisman player Diego Valeri so far setting scoring records and now being atop the league amongst one of its scoring leaders.

El Jefe with an opening goal in the 15 minute via penal that after review by the match official Baldomero Toledo, the call went in favor of Portland after carefully reviewing a flagrant foul inside the area by Orlando’s defender.

That flagrant foul inside the area cost a yellow card to Jonathan Spector that later in the second half got a red in the 47 leaving his squad with ten men and came another red to Victor Pagliari in the 84.

Orlando City suddenly saw a total meltdown.

Getting back to the locals drive and momentum- that since the initial whistle the Portland Boys did not stopped in their quest of sealing three golden points with an array of opportunities especially from one red hot Darren Mattocks intents all night long.

As the Reggae Boy had a wondrous match with seven shoots and one scored in the 29 minute with the Colombian connection of Diego Chara setting up the play to Dairon Aspirilla passing for Mattocks to deliver.

Going to intermission the Portland squad was well in command of this match with a score of 2-0, which this should been a 5-0 after several near goal opportunities wasted.

Out of those seventeen shoots and ten being on target for the Timbers and for Darren Mattocks having the opportunity to shine with a possible foursome that at the end by sheer luck of Orlando and its keeper being alert, he prevented the rout.

Still the night seeing how Diego Valeri captured it once again with his all-around heroics, when he finished a possible play that could been left as an effortless one, but with his skills and scoring instinct he delivered in the 59 the go ahead and definitive goal.

One thing for sure if Portland continues in its quest to a magnificent campaign closing with an spectacular bang as well looking for an encore of that 2015 performance that delivered for this club its first MLS Shield.

As last night, we saw excellence in the way Diego Valeri is continuing with his amazing energy and total confidence filled football that so far is delivering in the clutch and motivating whatever Timber initial eleven is on the field.

That self-assurance mirrors in the remaining squad as last night despite seeing a couple of notable absences we still saw how the Cheesmaster initial eleven, the way exhibited a wondrous and team driven football.

With Darlington Nagbe and Diego Chara doing what they do best and for Nagbe showing off his versatility in whatever position he plays in, by George he delivers with gusto.

Very well, another highlight of the Timbers frontal attack with Mattocks but Ebobisse when he came as a sub, he almost scored what could be the fourth goal of the match.

and to finish with the defense showing off a stingy approach and denying the City squad any liberties towards Attinella posts, that allowed their goalie of keeping a clean sheet throughout the whole match.

By the way, Jeff Attinella is playing one amazing game of football since placed there and not letting go as in every match he shows off his experience coming handy and last night was no exception.

Now for the Portland Timbers upcoming compromises seen vital if not crucial, their next match in the house of horrors Avaya Stadium and face off a resilient San Jose squad looking at whatever cost a spot in the postseason.

This match will be another tough one and for the whole Portland squad and be a grand challenge to come with a positive result and three golden points in route to the league postseason.

Hail to number 100 Derrick Tellez!

Photos Credit and Property of Portland Timbers Football Club and Craig Mitchelldyer 2017

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Manchester City goal fests

Pep Guardiola and company are making a statement of not to be mess against, as proof lies in the recent matches were these have delivered notable wins by the way of stampeding their foes.

I mean by a series of goal routs that Guardiola is silencing many of his fierce critics.

After last campaign, the Sky Blues had, without delivering a single shield to the halls of Etihad, this time the man that in his old Alma matter delivered many notable glories as player and later manager now his aim is to make a tough squad in his City Boys.

Forget Barza or Bayern, as today the future is with Man City that deposited all of its trust in this genius of the soccer fields that so far has made him an all-around legend.

Despite the foe in front under new management in former national squad Boss Roy Hodgson, his Eagles totally plucked by the sheer elegance, class and chivalry that Pep football mastery shows off in the field.

As the Citizens so far making three consecutive matches in scoring five goals or more, being Liverpool the first with a 5-0 rout, then Watford came second with 6-0 and now Crystal Palace with 5-0 score.

Sixteen goals for this initial eleven on fire and hot streaked looking forward to make a stand against their cross-town foes Manu as the lead over these is thanks to the goal differential the Citizens have accumulated lately.

As this day was for delivering records, among one of them is Sergio Aguero within one goal of equaling Erik Brooks by delivering his 176 goal as a part of the Etihad Boys.

The star of the show belonged to the whole initial eleven sent by Pep Guardiola and an inspired Raheem Sterling scoring twice for his number 4 and 5 goals of the campaign and seeing a revival from this player looking forward to many memorable afternoons.

The first goal of the match belonged to the duo of David Silva brilliance in his passing the ball to Leroy Sane paid off for the opening goal in the 44, sending the whole of Etihad into frenzy.

The second and third goals of the match came from assistance to Raheem Sterling in the 51 with a one two punch from Leroy Sane assisting and later Aguero delivering for his second goal in the 59 to the delirium of a sold out venue.

With another player to be called as valuable and opportune as Sane he was the responsible of serving Sergio Aguero in the 79 for the fourth goal and later Silva and Fabian Delph combined for the latter one to deliver the fifth and definitive goal in the 89.

A one of a kind rout and dominance of a 72.3 possession by Pep bunch were the ideal ingredients for a top notch win and seeing a three squad race fighting for the top with Chelsea the defending champions and Man United too.

Once again, Dundalk ruled the Louth Derby

Not even the word Derby awakens the tough side of a modest and dormant Drogs, after playing another edition of the Louth Derby between them and the league defending champions Dundalk FC.

The edition of this Derby became a positive for just one side.

As Oriel Park saw how its side dominated this match and delivering a notable finish with three goals rout over their guest the modest and decimated Drogheda United already sentenced to the infamous relegation after a modest campaign.

For Peter Mahon and his Drogs todays match not even became the spoiler the Lilywhites Boss Stephen Kenny visualize as his side took the visiting initial eleven for a practice run ahead of their big match on Monday against Cork City.

With a late score in the first half via Steve Kinsella in the 42 the locals went ahead before intermission, no later in the second half once again David McMillan in the 52 put the home side ahead and Michael Duffy 90 seal the deal.

This time the Lilywhites became the all-around spoilers for Cork City as this win prevented the Rebel Army to celebrate loudly and awakening the hopes of the De Town to make a strong end of the campaign.

After these lost a couple of its stellar players to Championship side Preston North End in Darryl Horgan and Andy Boyle and this campaign seeing Ciaran Kilduff transfer to Jacksonville Armada in the American NASL.

For manager Kenny this campaign and the upcoming ones his open mind to see new players and build up an armada of a squad to make front in what seems to be a contested league of Ireland, is among one of his priorities.

Very well see a more competitive squad in the upcoming Europa League were this time they can make a strong stand and deliver much needed wins and make another great run in this competition to reach the knockout stages.

With just eleven points near the top, Dundalk can shorten the lead of the Leesiders to eight points.

Still this is something to see next Monday in a match considered as a Derby or seen with the elements of an all-around final between these two as the stumbles of Cork City are for the benefit of the Lilywhites.

At the end, Dundalk has shown the game that has delivered for them three league titles and despite their slump this campaign and not making it to the top, these have delivered a shield in the EA Sports and now looking for a second one.

For the losing side Drogs it is another result of misery an as stated before their one-way ticket to the first division is already assured by a lack of ambition and determination Mahon’s bunch.

They may say that the league race for the shield is over, but it seems the contrary as the Dundalk Boys are playing with such urgency and faith for its foes in the league of Ireland to deliver against the Leesiders opening the possibilities for them.