*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?
No comments:
Post a Comment