So I didn't get around to updating this over the week with the Bohs game, I was busy, and there was some really good football on the tele, wanna fight about it?!
It really wasn't that interesting anyways. Davin and Vincent had fantastic games, the former scoring a peach of a goal to beat 2009 League champions Bohemians. The current Bohs side isn't a scratch on the team beaten almost two years ago by the same player in Dalyer. The menacing strikeforce of Glen Crowe and Jason Byrne replaced by two players that looked like they were more at home in the classroom than at a League of Ireland game, and that showed. It capped off a decent pre-season for the Rebel Army and saw them in good stead for their second crack at the whip for promotion.
Walking past the Wexford team bus I couldn't help but notice Mick Wallace's head plastered on the side, his pot-noodlesque hair even more distinct when blown up 4x. Anywho, courtesy of an anonymous tipster yours truly found himself with a free season ticket for this year, and my smug face could have been seen all around Cork as I strode in the gate and took my seat for the first game after a short interview with John O'Sullivan (Which can be heard here). [/more shameless advertising]The tie was being billed as the battle of the TD's. On the City side we had Jonathan O'Brien, a born and bred Norrie, as well as a member of Sinn Féin for as long as I can remember. On the youths side was Mick Wallace, a man who made his name for wearing pink; the result was never in doubt really.
In front of a bumper crowd City started the brighter, and Graham Cummins should have put the Leesiders ahead early on, but Youths player of the season last season Packie Holden got across his goal well to smother last season's top scorer and deflect the ball wide. Wexford didn't seem to have much football in them, and relied on a long ball game supplemented with some kicking, scratching and diving to see them through.
Cummins was lucky not to be reprimanded, when he lashed out at Martin Kehoe, taking the young defender's legs out from underneath him. Kehoe landed awkwardly and went off for treatment on his shoulder, Cummins counting himself fortunate not to be spotted by either referee Stuart Templeman or his assistant. Holden was called into action, getting a strong hand on Vinny Sullivans volley to turn the ball over. City had the lions share of possession, and were well on top of a disappointing Wexford side; Davin O'Neills indecision with the goal begging saw that ball being cleared. The Graham Cummins somehow managed to head the ball wide when it seemed easier to score as City piled on the pressure.It was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken though, and it was Vinny Sullivan that provided it. Some good patient build up saw the ex-Waterford man with the ball at his feet in the Wexford penalty area, and his chip across Holden was too good, nestling into the corner of the net. 1-0 City and the first goal of the 2011 league campaign, hopefully a few more to follow!
S
ullivan then should have made his hat-trick within the opening five minutes of the second half. Less than a minute after kick-off he latched onto a Morrissey through ball, touched the ball beyond the onrushing Youths 'keeper, but the ball bounced agonizingly left and wide. Then, a fine cross found Sullivan completely unmarked, six yards out from goal, but City's number nine got it all wrong and headed the bar over the bar. A sense of un-ease started to build up around the ground, temporarily alleviated by the presence of Cork City's new mascot, a cheetah, or a leper or something. Whatever he was he was proving to be a big hit with both young and old fans alike, and proving that the club aren't going to rest on their laurels, certainly not concerning the match-day experience!Soon the chances started to dry up, and the game turned a bit nasty. The bad blood from Cummins' challenge re-surfaced, as the two sides started to exhibit the ugly side of our beautiful game. A weak referee in the shape of Templeman did nothing to help matters, and following what seemed an innocuous enough challenge, youngster Kalen Spillane saw his second yellow and was soon down the tunnel. It mattered little to the game though, as City saw out the last few minutes, with tempers rising once more following the game. What people in the GAA business call, 'handbags'.
Despite the late unpleasantness and a plethora of missed chances, City managed to take all three points from their first game back; and with two draws in the other two games it sees City finish the day on top of the league! Next up is an away trip to Mervue United and my virst ever visit to Fahy's field; how many new fans will be returning to the 'Cross for the Rebel Army's next game against Limerick will yet to be seen. Pictures will follow as soon as I get 'em and stuffs!
'Till next weekend,
Kev
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