No shortage of reasons to be cheery on domestic front
Credit:
What a fantastic time for domestic Irish football. Shamrock Rovers qualification for Europe; Sheriff’s wonderful comeback against Shelbourne “bringing back memories of Saint Francis great run”; the start of the national under 19s league; two of the best supported clubs in the country participating in the EA sports cup final; UCD coming back from the death against Rovers; Salthill get an unlikely point against future giants Limerick who in turn go and demolish Premier side Bray wanderers 4-0 to advance to the FAI cup quarter finals; and former players returning to haunt their previous employers.
Don’t get bored of hearing how great it is that Shamrock Rovers have qualified for European group stages. Indeed their success should be embraced because like it or not the Hoops are our national pride with their achievements being noted worldwide. While they will continue to dominate our domestic league for years to come, it is how our other big clubs react that will ensure a very competitive, tactical, and technically improved league is on the horizon.
On Rovers’ victory in Belgrade, the phase “One game does not make a season “was waxed lyrical by some cynics. By my calculations Rovers played six European games - winning two drawing two and losing two. To my mind it was not a one match wonder in Belgrade that catapulted Rovers into the European lime light but a brilliant European campaign led by the canny Michael O’Neill. Michael will be delighted with the draws and wins but he will probably point to the losses against Copenhagen as the catalysis for his team’s heroics against Belgrade. Although they lost both games to Copenhagen, the Hoops performances in both legs would have instilled in Michael and his team the belief that they were capable of producing something special and that’s exactly what they have done.
The beauty of the FAI cup was there for all to see with the remarkable comeback of Sheriff YC against Shelbourne last week. The 5 goals on fair at Tolka Park on Friday night would have graced any ground in any league in any country around the world. So well done to both clubs but Sheriff’s performance will ensure a much-focused Limerick team arriving in Tolka for the Quarter finals and we wish them well.
Well done to Tommy Dunne and his Cork City team reaching the final of the EA sports cup against a rejuvenated Derry City team. Turners Cross will be sold out and both teams will ensure a great cup final takes place. I only hope that Tommy’s players don’t lose focus for what is their number one priority of promotion. Because the match is in Cork the players can get caught up in the razzmatazz that surrounds a national final and focus can be lost on valuable league points. So tight is the First Division at the moment - with four teams competing for honours - now is not the time for players to lose focus.
Over the weekend I took the opportunity to watch two under 19 games of the new national league competition. Cork City put in a powerful display against Bray Wanderers. Young Rob Lehane looks like a player for the future, with pace and strength and an eye for goal. The under 19 league looks like it will produce some top players over the coming years.
On Sunday I took the time to visit my old club Cobh Ramblers to see how they were progressing and I am delighted to report their under 19 team looked excellent. Niall Abbot and Mossy Mahony have done fantastic work putting together a very strong side and their demolition of a game Galway United team by give goals to nil would suggest Ramblers will be clear favourites to win their regional group.
Don’t get bored of hearing how great it is that Shamrock Rovers have qualified for European group stages. Indeed their success should be embraced because like it or not the Hoops are our national pride with their achievements being noted worldwide. While they will continue to dominate our domestic league for years to come, it is how our other big clubs react that will ensure a very competitive, tactical, and technically improved league is on the horizon.
On Rovers’ victory in Belgrade, the phase “One game does not make a season “was waxed lyrical by some cynics. By my calculations Rovers played six European games - winning two drawing two and losing two. To my mind it was not a one match wonder in Belgrade that catapulted Rovers into the European lime light but a brilliant European campaign led by the canny Michael O’Neill. Michael will be delighted with the draws and wins but he will probably point to the losses against Copenhagen as the catalysis for his team’s heroics against Belgrade. Although they lost both games to Copenhagen, the Hoops performances in both legs would have instilled in Michael and his team the belief that they were capable of producing something special and that’s exactly what they have done.
The beauty of the FAI cup was there for all to see with the remarkable comeback of Sheriff YC against Shelbourne last week. The 5 goals on fair at Tolka Park on Friday night would have graced any ground in any league in any country around the world. So well done to both clubs but Sheriff’s performance will ensure a much-focused Limerick team arriving in Tolka for the Quarter finals and we wish them well.
Well done to Tommy Dunne and his Cork City team reaching the final of the EA sports cup against a rejuvenated Derry City team. Turners Cross will be sold out and both teams will ensure a great cup final takes place. I only hope that Tommy’s players don’t lose focus for what is their number one priority of promotion. Because the match is in Cork the players can get caught up in the razzmatazz that surrounds a national final and focus can be lost on valuable league points. So tight is the First Division at the moment - with four teams competing for honours - now is not the time for players to lose focus.
Over the weekend I took the opportunity to watch two under 19 games of the new national league competition. Cork City put in a powerful display against Bray Wanderers. Young Rob Lehane looks like a player for the future, with pace and strength and an eye for goal. The under 19 league looks like it will produce some top players over the coming years.
On Sunday I took the time to visit my old club Cobh Ramblers to see how they were progressing and I am delighted to report their under 19 team looked excellent. Niall Abbot and Mossy Mahony have done fantastic work putting together a very strong side and their demolition of a game Galway United team by give goals to nil would suggest Ramblers will be clear favourites to win their regional group.
