Fenn, Kelly and Rovers: the season gone by
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As I’m sure you’ve noticed, the past week or so on Extra Time has seen some of our writers review 2010. In all honesty, we’ve kept it brief because our highlights, and indeed lowlights, could have easily dragged on through thousands of litigious words. Instead, I think, we’ve summarised the big talking points pretty well. But just in case you still haven’t had enough and you’re of the uber-nostalgic sort, then here are some of my top memories from the year that was. (Oh and on behalf of all of us here at Extra Time HQ, have a great Christmas and we look forward to providing you with even better coverage from 2011 onwards)
Cork City’s rapid recovery
When Cork City’s hastily assembled squad trudged out into a packed Turner’s Cross for the ‘new’ club’s first ever home game, they were welcomed by a raucous crowd of over 4000 people. In the First Division.
While such a fanbase should not belong in the lower echelons of Irish football, what had led before meant there was no other option but to demote the Leesiders. Still, the hardcore down south were just happy to have a club to support. The mammoth struggle of putting a team together has been more than well-heralded by now, but it was a Trojan effort from those behind the scenes and next year should be an even better year for the club.
Neale Fenn’s retirement
Neale Fenn left Dundalk before turning up at Shamrock Rovers a short few days later after reconsidering his retirement. Cue deserved bile from irate Dundalk fans, who felt aggrieved that the talented forward had retired from the game only to, apparently, change his mind so quickly and join up with the eventual league winners.
This was one of a couple lowlights throughout the season, and showed the lack of player loyalty that now exists in the game. It wasn’t nice to watch from whatever point of view, but it showed that player power is certainly too much for the Irish game, if not the game in general.
The Aviva mauling
Lest not dwell too much on negatives throughout the year, but this simply has to be mentioned. The magnificent new stadium’s opening soccer match was a desperate sight for followers of the league. United came and wiped the floor with a selection of the league’s players.
While the result was embarrassing, there was worse to come: 95% of the crowd in attendance supported the away side. It was horrible to witness our own Irish side denied the support because of the far superior visitors.
The year of the Rover
While Sligo Rovers were terrific in the run-in towards the end of the season, it was the Hooped Rovers that were crowned champions in a tense climax at Bray.
Undoubtedly, they were the best side throughout the arduous campaign and deserved their first title since 1994. It was made even sweeter when Galway defeated nearest challengers and hated rivals Bohemians on the penultimate weekend to give Rovers the ammunition to grab the title a week later in Wicklow despite an almost catastrophic capitulation during the run-in which almost saw them throw the title away.
The Aviva masterstroke
While the United game was a disaster from start to finish, the FAI struck a rare masterstroke by charging just a meagre €10 for tickets to the cup final and it resulted in a packed ground, a great game, and a perfect ending to the season.
Sligo Rovers, 3rd in the league and with the EA Sports Cup already captured, ended up the victorious side in a tense battle for the Blue Ribband. After the game finished scoreless, Ciaran Kelly provided one of the great cup moments by producing the greatest goalkeeping performance ever seen in Ireland during the shoot-out.
It was the perfect ending to a pretty decent season and all bodes well for 2011, with the fixtures already announced.
Cork City’s rapid recovery
When Cork City’s hastily assembled squad trudged out into a packed Turner’s Cross for the ‘new’ club’s first ever home game, they were welcomed by a raucous crowd of over 4000 people. In the First Division.
While such a fanbase should not belong in the lower echelons of Irish football, what had led before meant there was no other option but to demote the Leesiders. Still, the hardcore down south were just happy to have a club to support. The mammoth struggle of putting a team together has been more than well-heralded by now, but it was a Trojan effort from those behind the scenes and next year should be an even better year for the club.
Neale Fenn’s retirement
Neale Fenn left Dundalk before turning up at Shamrock Rovers a short few days later after reconsidering his retirement. Cue deserved bile from irate Dundalk fans, who felt aggrieved that the talented forward had retired from the game only to, apparently, change his mind so quickly and join up with the eventual league winners.
This was one of a couple lowlights throughout the season, and showed the lack of player loyalty that now exists in the game. It wasn’t nice to watch from whatever point of view, but it showed that player power is certainly too much for the Irish game, if not the game in general.
The Aviva mauling
Lest not dwell too much on negatives throughout the year, but this simply has to be mentioned. The magnificent new stadium’s opening soccer match was a desperate sight for followers of the league. United came and wiped the floor with a selection of the league’s players.
While the result was embarrassing, there was worse to come: 95% of the crowd in attendance supported the away side. It was horrible to witness our own Irish side denied the support because of the far superior visitors.
The year of the Rover
While Sligo Rovers were terrific in the run-in towards the end of the season, it was the Hooped Rovers that were crowned champions in a tense climax at Bray.
Undoubtedly, they were the best side throughout the arduous campaign and deserved their first title since 1994. It was made even sweeter when Galway defeated nearest challengers and hated rivals Bohemians on the penultimate weekend to give Rovers the ammunition to grab the title a week later in Wicklow despite an almost catastrophic capitulation during the run-in which almost saw them throw the title away.
The Aviva masterstroke
While the United game was a disaster from start to finish, the FAI struck a rare masterstroke by charging just a meagre €10 for tickets to the cup final and it resulted in a packed ground, a great game, and a perfect ending to the season.
Sligo Rovers, 3rd in the league and with the EA Sports Cup already captured, ended up the victorious side in a tense battle for the Blue Ribband. After the game finished scoreless, Ciaran Kelly provided one of the great cup moments by producing the greatest goalkeeping performance ever seen in Ireland during the shoot-out.
It was the perfect ending to a pretty decent season and all bodes well for 2011, with the fixtures already announced.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile