Fern Mc Costigan

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Waterford developing into a contender

A successful 2018 when Alan Reynolds and his Blues were promoted into the top tier and these finished in a whooping third place, despite last season it wasn’t too prolific, but Reynolds managed to avoid disaster.

With a sixth spot finish in the end and with a strong finish, the Blues managed to stay put in the Republic of Ireland Premier Division for another season, after losing their top playmaker Zach Elbouzedi to League One side Lincoln.

Now the tables have turned for this club top directives looking forward to building a contender in netting important players in the offseason and for its manager looking for a run into the top spots if possible.

This comes after club owner Lee Power stated his commitment with the club and moving forward.

So far, the club has gone to assure the return of several players of its 2019 base, with forward Dean Walsh, midfielder Shane Griffin, midfielder John Martin to new contracts and promoting U-17 midfielder Darragh Power.

In addition of giving manager Alan Reynolds an extension, the club also has gone in the task of getting new faces to come to RSC and see this club return to its old form like in 2018 when these assure a European spot.

New faces of the likes of goalkeeper Tadgh Ryan (Coventry), defender Kevin O’ Connor on loan from (Preston North End), midfielder Scott Allardice (Bohemians), forward Graham Cummins (Cork City), midfielder Sam Bone on loan (Shamrock Rovers).

Recently the Blues have announced the arrival of U-21 international midfielder Robbie McCourt who along Will Fitzgerald will make dynamite duo in Waterford midfield, to add a new striker in Michael O’ Connor coming on loan from NIFL side Linfield.

It certainly looks that Waterford is committed to displaying a new season for its followers that last season abandoned the stands in RSC and after its owner commitment of excellence and promising to build a contender.

Still, nothing is written as 2020 promises to be another contested season in the LOI and for all its teams building to contend and dethrone the likes of Dundalk entering as the defending champions.

In the end, if Waterford displays a good season maybe a fourth spot finish will be considered positive but never discount the way this club surprised us in 2018 and with the potential to make a decorous run in the end.

A fourth-place finish is something I forecast for the Blues.

* Correction Zack Elbouzedi went to English side League One Lincoln not Linfield, my apologies.

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Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Liam Buckley looking to many exciting things in 2020 for his Sligo Rovers

For Liam Buckley entering his second year at the helm of the Rovers, the man is looking forward to more exciting things for the Bit O’Red this upcoming 2020 were he is looking to build a contender.

With the team directives hard at work to build to their manager Liam Buckley a total winner, and despite the departure of important players like Romeo Parkes to America’s USL side New Mexico, the team looks ready!

Still for manager Buckley his levels of confidence for Ronan Coughlin in getting him a new scoring partner in the Rovers attack after Romeo Parker left the team to new ventures and altogether both tallied a total of 20 goals.

Currently, the team is in its preseason preparation day one and the competition among its players is somehow contagious in all its positions, as Liam Buckley and his player assistant John Russell are looking with intricate attention to all their player base.

As the team prepares for their away opener to Finn Harps at Finn Park!

So far, the arrival of Will Seymour from America’s Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati, in addition of boosting the midfield with Darragh None from Bray Wanderers the return of Garry Buckley from Cork City.

In addition to the Bit O’ Red reinforcing their midfield, these recently added a defender to add more depth to their backfield in Finnish Temmu Pennikangas from FC Lathi from Finland’s top tier division.

In the end, this team if these display a good season and with a healthy squad, many can foresee the Bit O’ Red having a banner of a season but with some doubt as these will face stiff competition from other squads.

However, nothing is written and despite Dundalk looking like the overall favorite along the Shamrock Rovers, Derry City, and Bohemians, anything can happen, and the balance can turn in favor of Liam Buckley and his Sligo Rovers.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

The turnaround continues for a renewed Watford

The Hornets under their new man Nigel Pearson are looking like a contender, after posting back to back wins and leaving their sorry performances early in the season behind and now focusing on their salvation.

Still, for Pearson, the reason for his Orns sudden success comes by taking advantage of his front four in Deulofeu, Doucoure, Sarr and team captain Denney, the new man in the helm is taking advantage of this foursome talents.

Today was no exception when Aboulaye Doucore delivered with a goal and an assist to become the man of the match, delivering a top-notch match for the visiting Hornets that never gave up any liberties to the local Cherries.

Something that manager Eddie Howe is clueless about why the skid his team is submerged lately in another chastening afternoon was his team after today’s loss is in the relegation spots while the visitors catapulted out of the abyss.

in a game that the locals somehow are lacking confidence game after game, contrary to the visitors in Pearson’s Watford looking too serene and patient and when the opportunity arose, voile these capitalized.

With a first goal scored after a clearance mishap from the Cherries keeper when the ball was intercepted by Ismailia Sarr and he didn’t hesitate to find a wide-open Aboulaye Doucore.

As the French national with a cool composure pushed the ball and putting in evidence of their pressure trap against the Cherries backfield working wonders and the man opening the score in the 42’ minute to put the visitors up.

Coming into the half and Watford holding the lead somehow manager Pearson was not satisfied with a one-goal lead, as many braced for a contested second half and the Cherries fans to see a reaction from its Boys.

The match continued as it was left with Watford dominance until their second goal of the afternoon scored with authority by Troy Deeney in the 65’ assisted by Aboulaye Doucore the man that scored the visitors first goal.

Since Watford assure the game with a cushion goal these did not stop in their attempts of extending their lead and with such dominance and several tries where Gerard Deulofeu intents went in vain.

When the game was in injury time, the time couldn’t be opportune for Roberto Pereyra taking advantage of a rebounded ball from Andre Gray shoot and the Argentinian shoot delivered the final nail in Bournemouth’s coffin.

A valuable win that in the end the Hornets improvements states their desires of permanency and moving out of relegation spots for the first time in this season and with more to go with their salvation as their ultimate prize.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

LOI 2020: Bohemians looking forward to another fruitful season

For Bohemians manager Keith Long this is it!

The man is looking forward to another repeat of last season successes with his Bohs, after having an eventful season in 2019, now the aim is to look for the league shield and a positive run in the upcoming UEFA Europa qualifiers.

So far, the Dublin side has reinforced its ranks in the offseason with the arrival of new players and assuring their current player base as well boosting their academy in getting new managers in their- U-19, U-17, and U-15.

The arrival of managers Gavin Teehan U-19, Derek Pender U-17 and Keith Roche shows off the seriousness of the Bohs front office of building a contender for many years to come, starting from its academies.

With the big team netting four new faces in fullback Anton Breslin, midfielder JJ Luney, winger Kris Twardek, and goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness as well seeing the return of defender Dan Casey on loan with Cork City.

In addition to re-signing the likes of Paddy Kirky(df), Michael Baker (df), Andre Wright (f), Andy Lyons (df), Cristian Magerusan (f), Dawson Devoy (m), Keith Ward (m), Luke Wade- Slater (w) and Promise Omochere (w) these players have confirmed a return to Phibsborough.

Adding to the group the likes of striker Dinny Corcoran and defender Rob Cornwall being the first to sign contracts with the Dalymont side before the end of last season.

As the club with near of completing a full squad and preparing for their home opener on February 14 against their cross-town foes the Shamrock Rovers, kicking off another contested edition in the League of Ireland.

As these will kick a preseason with matches against first division foes Longford Town on January 15 and on January 22 against Athlone Town and other matches to be announced, it shows how this team is getting ready for a contested 2020.

Coming to this 2020 the LOI obvious favorites will be the defending champions Dundalk FC as well the Shamrock Rovers touted as the other side to win the league after their feat in the FAI Cup upsetting the league champions.

Still, I do not discard a strong run from these hardened Bohemians, despite the competition, these will face off with Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk defending its shield as well as their new European adventure.

The Bohemian somehow are building a contender and for sure these will display a top-notch campaign, still, a third or fourth spot is something these will endure in their European adventure this upcoming summer.