Summer Sun

So the Junior Cert is finally over!! And with its end comes a summer of away trips, holidays and that horrible two week break. But the elation of finishing the exams has been sharply contrasted by the worry and disappointment that has surrounded the club these past few weeks. Following the loss to Bohs the team butchered their chances of getting back to winning ways, and in my opinion their chances of winning the league by succumbing 2-1 on the banks of the Boyne to a resilient Drogheda and Alan Matthews.

That was followed by a truly awful performance in front of a fleeting City crowd where a feeble offensive effort contributed little to our 0-0 draw with Shamrock Rovers. Negative performances coupled with poor results had the ‘famous’ Cork sporting public heading for the exits, possibly never to be seen again this season? Money (once again the figure is a mystery) was coughed up to the taxman on Wednesday the 10^th in preparation for the court case that following Monday. That Friday a rest byte from the league woes could have been achieved in the form of progress in the FAI Cup, but alas in front of a tiny crowd two leads were thrown away against Sligo Rovers, as a result of poor defending and poor goalkeeping. That being said the football was of a high quality and a positive note for City was the well taken goal by Shane Duggan, defiantly one for the future.

We were given another 4 weeks by the high court and Tommy No Bobs can once again breathe a sigh of relief. The ‘saviour’ of City has amassed a bill rumoured to be around €400k from PAYE/PRSI and tax on the winnings of the Setanta Cup and in my opinion under the guidance of this messer our beloved club will just lurch painfully from crisis to crisis. The bad feeling around the club was compounded further as our poor form continued, dumped out of the cup by a Rafael Cretaro goal at the Showgrounds.

The last game until the midsummer break is this Friday when we play our 5^th home game in 5 weeks, welcoming relegation battlers Dundalk to the Cross. The venue will play host to another special game the following day. City stalwart, legend and full back Neal Horgan will pit Cork City against a Cork exile/legends team on Saturday the 21^st June at 4.30 for his testimonial. The exile/legends team will include the likes of Dave Barry, Kevin Doyle, George O’Callaghan and will be co-managed by Damien Richardson and Pat Dolan, entertainment in itself!!

In the next update there will be a summery of the season so far as well as reports from the Dundalk and testimonial games so until then auf wiedersehn

First is the Worst, Second is the best...

One of the worst performances of the season came last Friday when we played host to Bohs.

With about 5 and a half thousand packed into the Cross and the prospect of going 6 points top one felt the team would be fired up for the match. A great display was organised before the match by the members of 'Commando's 84' . The game started and almost immediatly we hit problems, Joe Gamble off after three minutes, the knock he picked up last week at Bray rearing it's ugly head once more. Former Bohs midfielder Stephen O'Donnell came on in his place. We started brightly all the same and almost scored when Ken Oman's hack off a Dennehy cross blazed just over the bar. Dan Murray then headed wide from the resulting corner. But that was just about as good as it got for the Rebel Army as it went downhill from there. The first half petered out as Bohs siezed the posession.

After the second half it was put to good use. First, Jason Byrne went on a good run down the right hgand flank, skinned Danny Murphy and contnued into the box. But Dan Connor was on hand at the near post to make a smart save from a narrow angle. This gave the Gypo's yet more momentum and only a fine Connor save prevented Byrne scoring from close range.

The ex-Drogheda netminder's kicking was apalling, and his poor kickouts were building pressure on the City back 4, and the Irish International Byrne was not to be undone, a moment of utter confusion among the City ranks following a disgraceful dive by Anto Murphy led to Billy Dennehy virtually hoofing the ball out of Connor's hands. Unfortunatly for the Kerryman and the rest of the City team it was a topper and landed straight at the feet of Glen Cronin, he put a good ball into the box and with the striker completly unmarked and out of position Byrne bagged his 12th of the season, now leading Shamrock Rovers Gery Twigg by one.

From there on in the Bohemians took their foot of the gas, and a pitiful attempt was made to try to grab an equaliser, set pieces were thrown away and only a half chance by second half substitute Tim Kiely was the only shot of note. Tonight the Rebel Army play bottom of the table Drogheda United at United Park. Three points will be needed if the Corkonians are to re-start their title challenge

A Lovely Day at the Seaside

We're still top of the league!! With an absolutetly huge match this Friday that is sure to draw the crowds this was a very important, if subdued win.

We headed off up the M8 at about a quarter past four. After more dire traffic at Mahon it was a breeze all the way up to Culahill. I must say, this is one thing that the government has actually got right, it's hugely reduced journey times and made away games so much more accessable.
The usual problem of Abbeyleix ensured we hit the M50 at about ten to 5, the worst time possible. An almost endless wave of traffic was being slowed by the inevitable roadworks that now dominate the ring road. We joined the long line of commuters heading from the capital back to the dormatory town, but thankfully at around 6 we had a chance to escape the car and take a look at the thriving metropolis that is the town of Bray.

Food was needed and at an un-named Italian chipper opposite the train station I forced down the worst 'fish and chips' I ever had. To be honest I couldn't tell the difference between the fish and the chips. Seaside food, pah! Although much entertainment was found in the antics of the taxi drivers in the station, who needs fancy pre match entertainment, all you need is a taxi rank overfilled!

Anyway, putting the fast food and taxi drivers behind us we entered the ground about an hour before kickoff. Upon arrival the ground was virtually empty but bit by bit the away end filled and once referee Tom Connolly blew for the start of the match we had the stand filled. After a bit of banter with Rico a minutes applause was held for Alan Kelly Sr. A fitting gesture to an excellent netminder and an honorary president of the Wanderers no less.

And so the game started, City have never gome out blazing this season and the trend was continued, most of the first 20 minutes were spent in the middle of the park. Denis Behan is much improved this season, fitter, faster and smarter then seasons gone by and he was the first to have a meaningful chance, his shot flashing past Chris O'Connor's post.

The Abbeyfeale native then drew first blood on 35 mins. His shot from all of 25 yards took a deflection off a Wanderers player and took one hop before nestling in the right hand corner of the net, 1-0 City, still top of the league and havin' a laugh!

Cillian Lordan tried an opportunist strike with O'Connor of his line but couldn't hit the target, Behan was again challenging the Australian native but he was upto the challenge. After the interval City were once again on top, Greg O'Halloran really have doubled the lead but his weak effort on the back post was the only blip in yet another fine display at centre back. Faz Kuduzovic drifted in and out of the game but did create two half chances, neither converted.

Colin Healy made it two, after a string of passes Guntars Siligalis did the only thing of note for the night with an excellently weighted through ball, that left the ex-Celtic man one on one with O'Connor. He showed composure in abundance when cooly rounding the Bray 'keeper and sliding the ball into the empty net. 2-0 and game over. Meanwhile reports were coming in of two scoreless games between Bohs and Drogs, and Derry and Rovers. We were cautiously celebrating a 5 point lead, then the news of Drogs going down to 10 men made us more nervous. The announcement of 4 minutes injury time didn't improve the mood and the inevitable happened in the last minute of the game. Mark Hughes giving the Gypsies the last gasp winner. While in the Brandywell the score didn't change up until the final whistle

So the trip home was the little bit faster with the 3 points in hand and please the holy sweet Jesus Christ above if we have a club (Which is most unlikely according to sources) there is the mouthwatering prospect of Bohs at home, a sell out perhaps?

Salut

Top of the League and We're Having A Laugh!!

What a night! From red cards to red faces and some red mist for good measure. This game had absolutely everything!

A poor morning turned into a beautiful evening as the sun broke out over Turners Cross for the crucial top of the table clash. With the thoughts of the Revenue in the back of our minds we found our spots in the shed for what was sure to be a low scoring game. We needed at least a point to go top, albeit temporarily and with a good few of our big players injured it was a lot more complicated then it seemed.

Pre match preparation included getting the flags together, reading the programme and being beaten to a pulp by a 7 year old (Which is now on youtube, thank you John Pittaway!)
Anyway, back to more pressing matters and we started on the back foot. A cross in from Kevin Deery found Sammy Morrow unmarked just inside the box but Connor got down well to make a good save. His former Drogheda team-mate Faz Kuduzovic almost scored in the 15^th min, Denis Behan was pulled down in the box (Which was a penalty I may add) and from the loose ball the Bosnian just shot wide.

Derry then had a golden opportunity and their best of the night by a long way. Morrow put in a good ball for Mark Farren in the six yard box and his powerful header was exquisitely tipped over the bar by the diving Dan Connor, soon winning his way back into the good books of City supporters.

They were made to pay for their miss as with 5 minutes to go in the half, a free kick from the right was headed across goal by Greg O’Halloran, and with an open goal beckoning Dan Murray headed it into the net. That sparked wild celebration in the shed. ‘WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE’ rang out in the chilly May air. Half time came and went and it seemed like the buzz was back in a club that could be gone by the end of the week. Things went from good to better as Mark McChrystal was sent off. Taking down Colin Healy late after a City break earned the Derry native his second yellow and a dressing down from the City faithful.

This rallied Derry, and City lacked the momentum they had in the first period. But the Foylesiders couldn’t get past a resilient City defence (Patrick Sullivan take a bow). City lost two more players to injury, Latvian international Robert Mežeckis and Kerryman Denis Behan the latest to join the waiting list for the treatment table. In their place came Tim Kiely and winter signing Stephen O’Donnell. Kiely was poor on the left but following the switch of sides performed brilliantly, working his socks off and helping out all over the pitch. O’Donnell also played well before he had a nighmare incident, sent off on his City début for dissent towards the linesman. Declan Hanney take a bow, typical for an LOI referee to ruin a special moment for a nonchalant moment.
Poor referee’s aside it was a huge win and one my personal favourites, next for the Leesiders is an away trip to ‘south Dublin’ outfit Bray Wanderers. Top of the League and we’re havin’ a laugh!!

The night wasn’t over though, it was onto the Evergreen pub to contest the first ever FORAS quiz. A huge turnout, a generous donation*, and some great sponsorship ensure over €3,000 was collected for safe keeping in the ongoing fight to keep our club alive. A great night was had and well done to all involved in organising, we didn’t win but on the plus side a top 10 finish was nothing to laugh at!

*Many thanks to the members of the Queens University Derry City Supporters Club who were unable to make the quiz but still donated the money for a few teams, sometimes love-ins are good things!!

Catch Up

What an apt title!

The week started with an important win over Galway United. United have find going tough after losing manager Jeff Kenna and to be honest offered very little. A typical cagey opening, Doolin trying to figure the other team out. We had a few half chances with Billy Dennehy first setting up Denis Behan to head over, and then shooting wide himself. Galway really didn't look like they had much and a man i had worried about pre match, Jay O'Shea, proved to be very dissapointing.

We took the lead after around 20 minutes. A brilliant Colin Healy ball out to Fahuran Kudozovic saw the Bosnian native charge into the box and play a ball across the box that Billy Dennehy ran into the net. It was great play by Kudozovic, who started in place of Guntars Silligallis, Dennehy ending in the back of the net with the ball. As the sun set and left a beautiful flaming red sky, we sat back as per usual and just soaked up the pressure. Half time came and went and it was only after an hour or so did the next chance come along, Denis Behan getting himself one-on-one with ex-Pats netminder Barry Ryan, but from a tight angle the Abbeyfeale native could only hit it straight at Ryan.

Galway were the absolute pits and apart from a few passes their attacking threat was non-existent. We had a few pot shots before the end but the second half was a terrible spectacle. The neutral's mightn't be best pleased but us hardcore fans will be delighted with the 3 points. After a poor start we were moving up the table slowly but surely. And the girls I brought liked it! Always very important!!

Next up was Sligo and a good crowd turned up on a bright sping evening to see the first game in the second round of matches. With one quarter of the season gone there was a small bit of reflection, but with 36 games gone this season there is plenty more to come. As regards the match I could easily say read above, but being the dedicated and hardworking amateur journo that I am I'll continue. The only chance in the first 10 minutes was a flashing Billy Dennehy cross that managed to avoid all the limbs in the box and go out for a goal kick. Faz Kudozovic continued on from his good performance against Galway with a header that narrowly cleared the Sligo crossbar. Behan then shot past the post in an unusally bright period, reflecting the weather I suppose.

But then we, and the game in question were dealt a blow after Dennehy akwardly dealt with a challenge and had to be replaced, perhaps his studs catching on the baked Cross surface? Brian Cash then gave Sligo their first chance of the game when his shot whistled past Dan Connor's post. The inconsistancy of League of Ireland referee's was shown when Pat Sullivan got booked for dissent after he was victim to an awful tackle by Tribesman Owen Thorpey, Torpey was also booked for the rash tackle that ended the half. City came out for the second half a new team. Karaoke King Richard Brush was forced into action by a Behan header, then young rebel Shane Duggan missed a guilt edge chance after he fluffed his shot into Brush's hands. Colin Healy then had his shot blocked out for a corner as the pressure was bulilding up to boiling point.

With the City faithful baying for Sligo blood it was delivered 67 minutes in, a cross form Duggan found the head of a rising Kudozovic and looped into the top corner. A fantastic goal by a player that seems to be improving every time he steps onto a football pitch. The decibles being created the Shed were off the scale for the first time this season, we had finally found our voice. We were silenced 10 minutes later when Sligo had the ball in the back of the net courtesy of a Brian Cash shot into an empty net. But thankfully referee Neil Doyle was back, this time to blow for a foul on keeper Dan Connor. Phew!

Sexy football was seen at the cross for the first time at Turners Cross, when after a ball was hoofed into the crowd, one skilfull supporter showed his skills, first heading the ball up high into the air, and then powerfully heading back onto the pitch. In the words of football 'commentator' Andy Gray TAKE A BOW SON!, and so he did, to the applause of the 2,489 in attendance. Manager Paul Doolin had seen enough attacking football for one night and decided to take off a striker (Kudozovic) for a defender (Cillian Lordan) 'Killer' making his first appearence of the season.

From there the game fizzled out and with Sligo looking like a defeated team it was left for Doyle to call an end to proceedings. 8 unbeaten games on the bounce now for City and they face Wexford Youths at home in the 'EA Sports Cup' (League Cup) next Monday to try and pave their way to the Quarter Finals

Until then
Au revoir.

Two Kerrymen Walk Onto A Soccer Pitch...

*Takes Deep Breath*

So what a day!! What a trip and many memories to cherish, the most amazing 10 or so minutes culminated in 3 points for the Rebel Army. We took off from the residence in the south side towards the N8, dire traffic in Mahon Point slowed down progress somewhat but once we hit the tunnel the road was clear. Sunny skies and hot weather was to accompany us the whole day and it started from the outset. Hitting the new motorway outside Mitchelstown we were making great time, first Cahir went, and then looking out the window I saw the Horse and Jockey. The flat featurless road was a shock compared to the old Dublin road but the speed made it a lot easier to take! We got off at Culahill and once we reached Abbeyleix we were confronted by a menacing line of traffic that looked neverending but 45 minutes later we were finally on our way to Portlaoise. A few troubles on the M50 were dealt with and Dundalk was reached in about 4 and a half hours.

Dundalk was a bit of a dump, it was clear that it was suffering the effects of the euro in relation to sterling and its proximity to Newry, supposedly a haven for shoppers (Or so someone told me before departure) Shopping aside the match was the main focus of our attention that night and the 'synthetic grass' was as ever a hot topic of discussion. Personally, I didn't think it was going to have much bearing on the match, Croke Park, the Emirates Stadium and Anfield amongst others use a part synthetic pitch and the technology was advanced enough to ensure it wouldn't interfere with play. But upon arrival into the stadium my mind was changed in an instant, strands of green coloured plastic were sticking out of a sea of recycled and shredded rubber tyres, it was going tohave an inpact alright...

The cramped and uncomfortable stand was substituted for the cold and uncomfortable stand before proceedings got underway and as the sun dropped with the temperature, the game was just as cold. Darren Mansaram and Dan Murray exchanged chances early on but proper chances at goal were few and far between and a dissapointing game and atmosphere was thanfully ended by Declan Hanney's whistle. Dennehy had a chance which he put wide after the break but we were dealt a hammer blow by the 'King' George O'Callaghan when his ball in was well put away with a powerful Chris Turner header. It seemed that it just wasn't our day, the clear sky was now a nusance with the cold weather and icy breeze, City had chances but didn't take them and now a former hero led to our downfall 'I wanna go home, this is the worst trip I've ever been on' was being rumbled by a few on the aincent terrace.

Dennehy should have scored soon after but for a good save by Dundalk netminder Chris Bennion, it wasn;t going to happen. Another long ball was pumped forward, what is it with Doolin....but wait, Dennehy's on it! Yes, he's got it over Bennion! Shit, there's Thomas Heary, he's going to make it. No! The pitch combined with the frontspin on the ball has justy taken it over the line before heary could get to it! YEEES!!! I run down to the front towards the players, suddenly something clicks in my head. This is almost a carbon copy of the first away game against Bohs last season. I prey for the god(s) to be good this time and for Dan Connor to do everything in the realms of possibility to keep the scores level. Dennehy was in again! But he missed, dammit. That's going to come back and bite us where it hurts. I can't watch, I'm not going all the way to Dundalk and back to see us concead a late goal, surely not.

But another long ball goes in and Denis Behan outpaces Heary, i can't believe I'm seeing Denis outpace someone! But surely he's going to miss, Denis always misses one-on-one's, I close my eyes, but on re-opening them I see the ball nestling in the net. A quck check to the linesman to make 100% sure that something hasn't interrupted the joy and I leap up and down in joy, we have done it. For once we were on the right side of late goals! I look around me, people are jumping and shouting and dancing. For many this year, away trips and brought unrivalled pain and long trips home, but now here is the break.

Two late goals that remind of of why we do it, why we go the length and breadth of the country, wind, rain, sun, no matter what. Yes, it may sound cliched and yes, I haven't expierenced the pan that City have had years ago, but what I have expierenced is a special occasion, a late comeback and two super Kerrymen. What was that joke about Kerrymen being inerior to Corkmen?

6 Toes Extra

An eventful day Tuesday was, starting with flyers and ending in a 1-0 win. I headed into town at about half 12 to help hand out flyers advertising the free game in the City centre. After a half hours wait for the rain to clear I headed out with a stack of flyers towards the GPO where hopefully I’d get the flyers off my hands and back into the warmth of the club shop. Following a few rejections the stack was getting whittled down bit by bit and as the stack was getting smaller I was handing out more flyers per hand. A group of lads enquired as to what the fuss was all about. I told them and gave them about 10 flyers each, getting rid of 50 flyers in the process, big casino!!

An hour after heading out I was back in Sullivan Quay, but there was a visible difference in the mean time. Paul had brought back a TV crew (Trust Paul to head out with flyers and come back with a TV crew) Filming the fly-on-the-wall documentary ‘Chasing Shadows’, the group were in Cork after spending the day with Drogheda United fans. Paul and I politely accepted to do an interview and so from just being the guy with the flyers I turned into a TV megastar (Well, one can always fantasize!) and the finished product will arrive late May. Something to look forward to!

We wrapped up and I headed back home with no flyers, a new game and a release form for my work on camera. A quick spin on NHL on the xbox and it was time to go, I wasn’t expecting much entertainment. Drogheda were clearly going to park the bus and try to eek out a draw. Our best chance in the opening quarter came courtesy of a Dennehy deflection in the 6 yard box, but a mixture of athleticism and sheer luck ensured that League winning goalkeeper Steve Williams could knock it wide. Then, just before half time we went 1-0 up. Silagallis took a shot outside the box which Williams saved well, but after Rico’s word of encouragement a new Denis Behan was on hand to head home. Dan Connor had an excellent match and kept the lead in-tact just before the interval with a good save from Robbie Farrell.

The second half was an awful affair, Connor was alert and brave to stop John Paul-Kelly sprinting in on goal. Silagalis had a half chance from a bad backpass about 10 minutes later but after that the cut up rain soaked pitch made football nigh on impossible to get any sort of move going.

The win will be taken any way it comes though (For most of us anyway) and after 3 wins on the bounce, we’re showing signs of a team on form. Friday is the second of our three Friday’s away in a row (I wonder what genius came up with that?) when we make our first visit to Tallaght stadium. Unfortunately a lack of tickets has made going impossible, but the following Friday will be Dundalk away, from which my next blog post will come from.

Until then