Succesing Supporters

So with all the hype around Election '11, I thought it might be a good idea to have a look at what candidates involve themselves with our humble little league. Can also be seen on The LOI Blog

Mick Wallace (Independent) - Wexford - Wexford Youths

Probably the highest profile League of Ireland man running for a seat in the Dáil this weekend is Wexford Youths founder and management member Mick Wallace. Wallace, a construction tycoon, built the club from scratch in the mid-90's as a junior side. Through Wallace Construction, the all conquering building company, the property developer bought and built a state-of-the-art facility near the small town of Ferrycarrig, just outside Wexford Town centre. Wallace submitted the Youths into the League of Ireland First Division in 2007 and his side have represented themselves very respectably since. During the property crash and subsequent recession, rumors around Wallace's finances have been rife, but the former Youths manager has been clear and transparent about his finances, announcing his current debt amount on his site. Running as an independent, Wallace will find it difficult to get elected, but does have clear views, notably promoting decentralization and same sex marriages.

Cllr. Jonathan O'Brien (Sinn Féin) - Cork North Central - Cork City FC

Probably the most directly involved in his chosen club is Sinn Féin Councillor Jonathan O'Brien. O'Brien was one of the founding fathers of FORAS, and has been on the Board of Management since the club's re-birth in 2010. O'Brien is a very popular character in his constituency, having topped the pool in the 2004 local elections, and has the opportunity to earn Sinn Féin a seat in an area which traditionally has been either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil dominated. The Farranree native was voted into the Cork Council with much room to spare, and is a hot favorite to get one of four seats on offer in CNC. O'Brien campaigns strongly for drug rehab services and affordable accommodation

Michael D. Higgins TD (Labour) - Galway West - Galway United

Another man closely involved with his local club is Galway United. The current Labour party Foreign Affairs spokesperson is a shoe-in once again for a seat in the Dáil, having served for almost 30 years this far. Higgins is also a president of United, and is ever-present at the Tribesmen's home games, as well as some away. The former mayor of Galway ranks welcoming home the 1991 cup winning side amongst his proudest moments and is a lifelong United supporter.

Cllr. Dermot Looney (Labour) - South Dublin CC - St. Patrick's Athletic

At 28 years of age Dermot Looney can be counted amongst some of the youngest candidates running for election this time around. A strong campaigner of Gay rights as well as allocation of affordable housing, Looney has been a prominent figure in the constituency. A lifelong St. Pats fan, Looney attends nearly all of the Saints home games, and was very vociferous after the ugly scenes that followed last years defeat of Pats by Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup semi-final.

Cllr. Patrick Nulty (Labour) - West Dublin CC - Bohemians

Yet another Labour candidate who's involved with the League of Ireland is councillor Patrick Nulty. Nulty, a Blanchardstown native, has been living in West Dublin his entire life, and has a track record of securing facilities for local clubs across a range of sports. Nulty's true allegiances lie with Bohemians though, and showed his support to the club's efforts in staying afloat.

These are just some of the names hoping to be elected over the weekend who take an interested in all things League of Ireland. If you know of any more, feel free to comment!

Rugby, Rovers, and Racism?!

Photo's courtesy of Mick Ring and Blink of an Eye Photography

Once again we took to the fields of Musgrave Park to see another 'refugee' packed City team try and beat what was a near-full strength Sligo Rovers last Friday. The day seemed to promise another wet and windy backdrop to a game of football, but the skies cleared sufficently and a relatively calm night settled over City's penultamate pre-season friendly.

The crowd wasn't nearly as big as that who turned out for Shamrock Rovers a fortnight ago, but the regulars as well as a brave handful of Sligo fans made the long trip down the West coast. The subs hadn't even taken their seats before Sligo broke the deadlock, Matthew Blinkhorn hitting a stunning floated volley beyond the stranded Mark McNulty and into the top right hand corner of the City net.

That didn't deter the Leesiders who battled on despite the early setback, and restored parity in a frantic openning 10 minutes. Timmy Kiely playing in Graham Cummins to drive home his second goal in as many games. The game settled down, with City matching the current FAI Cup holders in nearly every department, but were let off the hook on a number of occasions after a series mistakes from McNulty. This time last season Gearóid Morrissey was struggling to regain fitness after a long back injury, but the midfielder looked imperious in midfield this time around, controlling the midfield along with new signing Escudé-Canadu. The Mahon-native flashed a low drive wide from about 25-yards to remind the Premier outfit of the danger City posess before the half.

The second-half began with the same tempo as the first, and both keepers had to be on their toes to keep the scores level. Brendan Cullen denied Canadu his second goal for the Rebel Army, while down the other end a John Dillon dip forced an excellent save from McNulty. Sligo were getting on top in the game though and it seemed that it was only a matter of time before they regained the lead. Rafael Cretaro saw his header just clear the crossbar as the Bit O'Red kept up the pressure. John Russel finally broke the deadlock against a flagging City backline, Alan Kirby fed the ball to Russell, and the 25-year-old stroked his shot beyond McNulty into the back of the net. It could have been three soon after, the Ballincollig shotstopper still had difficulty with the ball at his feet, and his attempted clearence fell straight to Dillon, who squared the ball to Blinkhorn, who, in contrast to his spectactular opening volley, smashed the ball miles over the bar and through the rugby posts; three points Sligo then?

As a contest it was over really, City really falling away after an impressive first half showing, and Kirby put the final nail in the coffin just before the end, firing his shot low and right into the City bottom right hand corner. City fans amused themselvs by acknowledging the presence of Jason McGuinnes, a man now famed for his racist outbust against former team-mate Joseph Ndo; 'So I hear you're a racist now Jason?!' was probably the only publishable comment over the course of the night.

Once again an impressive first half showing fell away after the break, and City manager Tommy Dunne will be hoping his side will find their killer instinct before the season starts at home to Wexford Youths on March 4th.

Next week 2009 Champions and last years runners-up Bohemians come to Cork, and it's a return to Turners Cross after our recent exploits at Musgrave Park.

Au Revoir,
Kev

Rugby and Refugee's!

For the first time in over 15 years, we were off to Musgrave Park to watch City play. Shamrock Rovers were the visitors this time, and with a team made up of mainly trialists, it would be interesting to see how City fared.

After a bit of drama, and fears that I might miss the game, I made it out to Muzzer. A wet, windy, nasty night welcomed me in the gate. A €10 admission fee a bit cheeky for a pre-season game with a team full of trialists if you ask me (Which you didn't, but it's my blog so I'll write what I want!) The romantic dreams of terrace nostalgia were put on hold, as we took our place in the stand amongst the frankly horrid conditions.

The wind killed off the game as a spectacle, as both teams started nervously in the unfamiliar surroundings. City were having the lions share of possession though, and although not quite as outstanding, midfielder Ryan Gyaki was industrious, hassling, harrying, and generally upsetting the Premier League holders. His partner in the middle of the pitch, Gearóid Morrissey was working just as hard, and impressing once again. The Mahon native had an early shot that almost caught out Rovers netminder Alan Mannus with the wind.

Soon City nerves were frayed, as last years Player of the Season Graham Cummins came off with what appeared to be an ankle injury, Graham himself confirmed that he'd be fine for the start of the season though. The players trudged on in the intrepid conditions, and both sides fired warning shots, but any semblance of sexy football was nowhere to be seen on a pitch where the punt and rush tactic is normality.

The Leesiders took the lead just before the break, a quite frankly atrocious tackle by ex-City player Billy Dennehy on ex-Rovers defender and City legend Danny Murphy led to a free kick down the left hand side. The deep cross held up in the stiff breeze, and eventually fell to the feet of prospective signing Vincent Escudé-Candau at the back post, who stuck the ball away into the opposite corner. Cue taunts at the Rovers faithful 'Champions League, yer havin' a laugh!'

Half time came and we all went off to the pub to try and stay warm! The facilities that were provided by the Dolphin bar were good, if a little cramped given the crowd size. Still though, a warm room and a pint were welcome on a night that reminded us why Summer Soccer is the way to go if we're to grow as a league.

So came the second half, as we braved ourselves to take to the terrace! Our joy of leading was short lived though. A seemingly innocious cross was spilled badly by Romanian 'keeper Mihai Lasc, and Gary McCabe needed no second invitation, powering the ball into the bottom of the City net. From there the FAI Cup runners-up from last year took control, and Lasc was left rooted to his spot about 10 minutes after the first Rovers goal. Patrick Kavanagh curling a 30 yard shot beyond the weak Lasc.

Rovers had a number of chances to kill off the game, stopped with varying degrees of success by the 22-year-old shotstopper, as City rode out the last 20 minutes on the seat of their pants. Chants of 'We're playing with a team of refugees' (To the tune of Yellow Submarine) provided a light-hearted take on the influx of foreigners to City.

Eventually the full time whistle was blown and it was out of Musgrave as soon as possible to find shelter! Chips, bus, home; after what was an eventful enough game despite the weather. Next up for City is a tricky away game against Waterford United in the Munster Senior Cup, the first time the Rebel Army will be able to properly judge where they stand in comparison to their main division rivals.

While for me, Friday week will be the next game. Home to Sligo Rovers, again at Musgrave, in another friendly which will most likely see another host of 'refugee's' take to the stage wearing the colours of Cork City Football Club.

Ciao Per Ora,
Kev