UMBRO Galway Cup Team of Day 1
Credit:
Hello dear readers,
Aside from my reports on the key matches from this week's Umbro Galway Cup, I wanted to write a more personal piece in order to allow me to talk to somebody while alone in my hotel room without removing the last barrier which divides my vulnerable sanity from the vast armies of madness. For this article, I'll compile a 'Team of the Day' based on the performances I witnessed on Day One of the competition.
Goalkeeper:Eoghan Daly (FAI Development Squad). Daly played of the first of the FAI side's games on Wednesday and looked composed throughout, but I have selected him mainly on the back of some excellent game-saving stops. He twice was called upon to dive bravely at the feet of opposing strikers as the last line of defence before making an absolutely stunning flying save to keep a fierce Aberdeen strike out of the top corner of his goal, for which he received a huge ovation from the crowd.
Left Back:Edvard Moen Naes (Valerenga). The Norwegian full-back was a key part of a stern Valerenga rear-guard and looked more than capable when coming forward in attack.
Centre Back: Simen Olafsen (Valerenga). Olafsen was the definition of solid in both of his side's outings on Day One. Tall and stocky, the blonde-haired defender was uncompromising in the tackle and showed a sense of positioning beyond his years. Olafsen also showed excellent composure on the ball and was an important part of his side's building from the back.
Centre Back:Sean Heaney (FAI Development Squad). Heaney was a rock at the back for the FAI's Emerging Talent team and spread an air of confidence around the team.
RIght Back:Glenn Eadie (Glasgow Celtic). Eadie was another who always sought to pass the ball short out of defence and help build attacks. He looked comfortable in his defending but excelled as an intelligent, thoughtful attacker.
Left Midfield: Bugra Bagci (Valerenga). The Norwegian side's go-to-man lit up both games in which he played. Scored the winning goal against Celtic and his quick feet and ability to ghost past players at speed made him a standout performer. Less effective in second game but still showed plenty of class.
Central Midfield: Liam Henderson (Glasgow Celtic). Henderson was the playmaker of this Celtic side. Always looking to drop deep to receive the ball from his defenders and launch an attack and managed to find space effortlessly. Showed good range of passing and tackling.
Central Midfield: Kevin Daly (Athlone Schoolboy League). Daly showed the kind of vision and passing range that can illuminate the darkest of games. Despite being on the losing side in the 2-0 defeat by Roscommon Lions, he played a number of incisive through-balls and generally sought to be the metronome of his side with his accurate forward passes.
Right Midfield: Paul McMullen (Glasgow Celtic). Played on the left for the most part but would be devastating anywhere on the field. The standout performer on the day, McMullen danced through the stubborn Valerenga defence in a flurry of feints and step-overs. Denied an equalling goal only by a superb save in the final minutes.
Centre Forward: Adrian Delap (Donegal). Displayed excellent close control and a terrific touch. Bamboozled defenders regularly in tight spaces.
Centre Forward: Luke Coates (FAI Development Squad). Very impressive in his all-round play and showed some wonderful movement. Very unlucky to have goal disallowed after great header.
Substitutes: Sean Hume (FAI), Ryan Keir (Aberdeen), Anthony O'Hagan (Donegal), Eiloz Ori Or (Maccabi Haifa), MIkey Dilger (Roscommon Lions), Keith Murphy (Roscommon Lions), Ciaran Deeney (Oxford United Stars).
Aside from my reports on the key matches from this week's Umbro Galway Cup, I wanted to write a more personal piece in order to allow me to talk to somebody while alone in my hotel room without removing the last barrier which divides my vulnerable sanity from the vast armies of madness. For this article, I'll compile a 'Team of the Day' based on the performances I witnessed on Day One of the competition.
Goalkeeper:Eoghan Daly (FAI Development Squad). Daly played of the first of the FAI side's games on Wednesday and looked composed throughout, but I have selected him mainly on the back of some excellent game-saving stops. He twice was called upon to dive bravely at the feet of opposing strikers as the last line of defence before making an absolutely stunning flying save to keep a fierce Aberdeen strike out of the top corner of his goal, for which he received a huge ovation from the crowd.
Left Back:Edvard Moen Naes (Valerenga). The Norwegian full-back was a key part of a stern Valerenga rear-guard and looked more than capable when coming forward in attack.
Centre Back: Simen Olafsen (Valerenga). Olafsen was the definition of solid in both of his side's outings on Day One. Tall and stocky, the blonde-haired defender was uncompromising in the tackle and showed a sense of positioning beyond his years. Olafsen also showed excellent composure on the ball and was an important part of his side's building from the back.
Centre Back:Sean Heaney (FAI Development Squad). Heaney was a rock at the back for the FAI's Emerging Talent team and spread an air of confidence around the team.
RIght Back:Glenn Eadie (Glasgow Celtic). Eadie was another who always sought to pass the ball short out of defence and help build attacks. He looked comfortable in his defending but excelled as an intelligent, thoughtful attacker.
Left Midfield: Bugra Bagci (Valerenga). The Norwegian side's go-to-man lit up both games in which he played. Scored the winning goal against Celtic and his quick feet and ability to ghost past players at speed made him a standout performer. Less effective in second game but still showed plenty of class.
Central Midfield: Liam Henderson (Glasgow Celtic). Henderson was the playmaker of this Celtic side. Always looking to drop deep to receive the ball from his defenders and launch an attack and managed to find space effortlessly. Showed good range of passing and tackling.
Central Midfield: Kevin Daly (Athlone Schoolboy League). Daly showed the kind of vision and passing range that can illuminate the darkest of games. Despite being on the losing side in the 2-0 defeat by Roscommon Lions, he played a number of incisive through-balls and generally sought to be the metronome of his side with his accurate forward passes.
Right Midfield: Paul McMullen (Glasgow Celtic). Played on the left for the most part but would be devastating anywhere on the field. The standout performer on the day, McMullen danced through the stubborn Valerenga defence in a flurry of feints and step-overs. Denied an equalling goal only by a superb save in the final minutes.
Centre Forward: Adrian Delap (Donegal). Displayed excellent close control and a terrific touch. Bamboozled defenders regularly in tight spaces.
Centre Forward: Luke Coates (FAI Development Squad). Very impressive in his all-round play and showed some wonderful movement. Very unlucky to have goal disallowed after great header.
Substitutes: Sean Hume (FAI), Ryan Keir (Aberdeen), Anthony O'Hagan (Donegal), Eiloz Ori Or (Maccabi Haifa), MIkey Dilger (Roscommon Lions), Keith Murphy (Roscommon Lions), Ciaran Deeney (Oxford United Stars).
About Dean Hayes
Dean covers Waterford United and, due to a challenge from Gareth, writes in an increasingly Gonzo style. Having found himself with a considerable surplus of a culinary herb, Dean founded sister 'site extrathyme.ie some years … View Full Profile