Pretty in Pink and Winning Ugly

Bohemians 2 – Shamrock Rovers 0, Dalymount Park, Dublin 20.03.2009



Well, this was it, my first experience of a Dublin derby game and it didn't dissappoint. Those in attendance and indeed those watching on television were treated to an open, flowing game of football and nothing like the tense and turgid affairs which these kinds of games normally descend into.

I knew I was in for something very different when upon entering the Jodi Stand. I was witness to the truly bizarre sound of several hundred Bohs fans singing in a hearty, full-blodded manner to the strains of Johnny Logan's “Hold Me Now”. In my time following football it's probably the most curious choice of terrace chant I have heard. Later, during the game we were treated to an acapella version of the same song by the vociferous home support. In fact, so loud were the Bohs fans in the Jodi stand that the Rovers fans on the other side of the pitch were largely drowned out for most of the game and that itself probably gives a fair indication of how the game played out.



Shamrock Rovers and their travelling contingent arrived at Dalymount Park still basking in the glow of opening their new stadium in Tallaght just seven days previous. So if the fans were viewing through rose-tinted spectacles then, the sight of their team taking to the field in a specially commissioned pink kit ( part of a fund raising initiative for Breasr Cancer Action) was probably quite apt for the occassion. The Champions however had no time for sentimentality and went about their job, with winning three points their primary objective. The visitors made it tough going for them early on and both sides had their chances. The breakthrough game after 16 minutes when Rovers Stephen Rice got the wrong side of the dynamic Gary Deegan and conceded a penalty. The evergreen Jason Byrne expertly converted the kick sending the 'keeper the wrong direction. Rovers contiuned to show initiative and created enough chances to regain parity and in doing so kept their hosts on their toes. Stephen Bradley had the best opportunity for Rovers late in the first half when his free-kick swung in and hit the post but somehow managed to stay out of Brian Murphy's goal.

The second half wasn't as hectic as the first and the Champions began controlling the ball and the tempo of the game more effectively. Former Shamrock Rovers winger Joseph N'do gave his full-back a torrid time and garnered ample joy for Bohs' on the left wing. Indeed it was a moment of inspiration from the Cameroon international which led to Bohemians second goal. Out of nothing and surrounded by two Rovers players and the left touchline N'do managed to play a one-two pass and ghosted past Madden to provided a low cross which Byrne stabbed home at the near post to seal the points for Bohemians and continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Bohemians won last seasons league championship at a canter in the end, finishing some 19 points clear of the chasing pack and based on the efficient and professional nature of their victory over Shamrock Rovers it would be difficult to make a case against them going all the way again, even at this early stage. The addition of Joseph N'do, who was roundly booed and berated by the visiting fans, to an already impressive squad certainly sends out a messege that 'Bohs' mean business in 2009. Rovers can certainly take solace in the fact that for large parts of the game they provided their opponents with a stern challenge and with a few more games under their belt by the time these sides meet again in May, the Rovers boys may fancy their chances on Bohs first visit to Tallaght.

A lot done, a lot more to do

Finn Harps 1 – 0 Longford Town, Finn Park, Ballybofey, 14.03.09

Week two of the new League of Ireland season and Finn Harps kicked off their home campaign against Longford Town, having started the season with a 1-1 draw with Kildare County in Newbridge the previous week.

The first home game of the season has always been an occassion to pique the interest and excitement of supporters. A fresh start, a new challenge and a chance to write the dissappointment of last season into the annals of history. However, arrriving at the ground some thirty minutes before kick-off I was surprised to see so few spectators and feared that this may be a 'one man and his dog' attendance. Indeed one line in particular from the match programme seemed to ring with a terrifying air of forboding 'If we don't get our act together now then we really do have to wonder if the club has a future'. At 19:20 the paltry attendance provided a damning visual indictment of the club's predicament and the uncertainty to which Harps and possibly most of the League of Ireland clubs face in the forseeable future. Not all doom and gloom though the punters began taken their places in greater numbers as kick-off approached but the atmosphere of previous seasons seems long gone given the lack of lustre from the traditionally vociferous home support.

The Harps performance however, certainly was encouraging and the improvement in initiative and application even in one week would suggest that this fledgling group of young Harps may be there or there abouts when the curtain comes down on the league season in November. Over the ninety minutes Harps were certainly the more attack minded of the to sides but it wasn't until the second half that the home side began to up the pace of the game. The first real chance of the game fell to Harps after 12 minutes when Longford failed to clear a corner and Harps came close to breaking the deadlock in the enschuing scramble. Longford followed that by creating two scoreable opportunities in as many minutes but McCartney and Lynch both missed their chance to give 'Town the lead. But there was little else of real note from the first half.

In the second period, Harps signalled their intentions early on when Funston beat the full-back and pulled the ball back into the path of Gethins, lurking just inside the box, but the captain's shot went over the bar. Havlin missed another chance for Harps on 52' and at that stage it appeared as if we were witnessing another in a long line of 'Long-Nights' at Finn Park. Harps got their best opportunity on 74' when Gough handled Gethins shot and received a straight red card. The Harps captain calmly took the resulting spot-kick and gave the Donegal men the lead. Harps man advantage was doubled minutes later when 'Town's Liam Lynch went in late of Michael Funston. The Harp's man took exception to the late challenge but it was the Longford man who reacted and shoved Funston to ground. There was little protest to the straight red card and at that stage any flickering hope of a Longford Town comeback was extinguished.

A narrow but arguably deserved victory for Finn Harps making up somewhat for the dissappointment of dropping two points away from home the previous week. On tonight's showing both sides have ample opportunity and able enough squads to mount a challenge for promotion from a remarkably competitive divison. However the current situation in which Finn Harps find themselves may be attributed to proverbial 'Poisioned Chalice' of promotion. Promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Divison isn't the windfall it is for clubs in a similar position across the Irish Sea. The increase in budgets on all fronts makes the task of surviving the Premier Divison so much than a simple case of producing the goods on the football field. Maybe in that rather dark another year to build this young squad up, in the First Divison may not be such a bad thing after all.

All windswept and interesting?

Kildare County Vs. Finn Harps: Station Road, Newbridge 07.03.2009

The harsh weather conditions which greeted fans and players alike at Station Road on Saturday night provided a rather apt metaphor for what may lay ahead for these two clubs between now and the end of the 2009 League of Ireland season, toil and struggle followed ultimately by a relatively dissappointing result of no real benefit to either side.

In recent seasons the Ballybofey club has become something of a yo-yo side in the League of Ireland, with promotions and relegations becoming common place at Finn Park. However, the cloud of financial instability hanging over the Harps has caused the winds of change to blow through the dressing room, meaning that fewer than half of last year's squad arrived at Station Road to begin their attempt to once again reach the summit of Irish football. But given the evidence on show on Saturday night this latest attempt will be nothing if not long and arduous.

The home side have not been without their troubles in recent times having lost a relegation play-off with Mervue United last November, the Throughbreds were destined to begin this season in the A Championship. However, given the financial difficulties facing so many clubs a reprieve was offered by the FAI and 'County' regained their place in Irish football's second tier.

The football on offer was far from vintage fare. Both sides struggled with the horrendous conditons which were certainly not conducive to open, attractive football. A war of attrition probably best describes the match, with both teams battling the weather as much aseach other. Harps arguably had the better of what play there was to be had, particularly after going behind to a David O'Riordan effort while Paul Hegarty's half-time team talk was still ringing in their ears. 'County' even produced a gilt edged chance to finish the game off but after beating the offside trap and the goal keeper, the finish was pushed just past the post. Harps fought back and were unlucky to find 'County' 'keeper Colin Cassidy in fine form. In fact, the more vociferous among the 'County' support spent much of the game comparing him the Superman. These calls were silenced however when David McDaid levelled for Harps late on when Kildare failed to clear a Harps corner. Even in the dying moments Harps continued to pile on the pressure but alas ran out of time and had to settled for the most hard earned of points.

Both sides produced admirable performances given the task of implementing so many fresh faces into a team, yet it remains to be seen just how high either side can reach this season given the limitations enforced upon them over the winter months.

Harps playing in green with a free kick in the second half




A corner flag's eye view of Station Road

Welcome

Hi folks, thanks for stopping by. My hope for this blog is to chart a season following the League of Ireland. The plan at the moment is to attend at least a game each weekend and to see all 22 sides in action at some stage of the season and give a report on each game.

I know I'm a bit late with the season having already kicked - off but I'll post shortly about my first game of the season, namely Kildare County Vs Finn Harps. Hardly clash of the titans stuff I know, but still, just, honest to goodness football.

Hope you enjoy, hopefully I can keep posting as regular as possible throughout the season and please feel free to contribute.