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.
No comments:
Post a Comment