President's Cup Report: Cork City 2 - 0 Dundalk
Cork City made a real statement of intent for the 2016 League Of Ireland season with a 2-0 victory over champions Dundalk in the President's Cup.
City took the lead in the 20th minute through Gavan Holohan and doubled the advantage in the second half through ex-Dundalk man, Sean Maguire’s header.
Since these two last faced each other in the FAI Cup final last November in the Aviva Stadium, City had a lot to ponder. Since returning to pre season training in January, they have been working hard to get in shape for what they hope will be the year they finally finish top of the table for the first time since 2005 in Ireland’s top flight.
Dundalk saw Richie Towell depart for English Championship side Brighton, but they have added Patrick McEleney, one of the league’s most talented players, to the strong core of a side which they have kept together. In this particular game, they still looked just as organized and well drilled as they did last season on a number of occasions.
On an overall level, there was some entertaining stuff played at times, with both sides showing samples of good play . There was also a real competitiveness in the clash throughout. They will be fully aware of the high expectations on them from their respective sets of fans.
In the opening stages, the Leesiders took the game to their opponents. Eoghan O’Connell headed just over from a corner, before an effort from Alan Bennett went just wide following a decent cross by Greg Bolger on the right. The former St Patrick’s Athletic man impressed, with his work rate and good skill and vision on the ball.
In the 15th minute, Ciarán Kilduff, who spent a spell on loan with City in the past, went close for Dundalk with a chipped effort in the penalty area, but he was denied by a great save from Mark McNulty, showing glimpses of why he is regarded as one of the top shot stoppers in the league.
Cork took the lead with 20 minutes on the clock, as Holohan was on hand to finish, after Sean Maguire passed across the box. It may have been little reward for Dundalk keeper Gary Rogers, who just second earlier made a great save to deny Stephen Dooley.
Dundalk had more of the ball as the first half reached its conclusion, with McEleney going close after good link up play with O’Donnell.
Things threatened to boil over just before the half time break, as a melee involving several players broke out, after Andy Boyle went in late with a challenge on Alan Bennett, while committing for the ball.
In the second half, City went close when Morrissey saw a shot saved by Rodgers. Then just on the hour mark, Kenny Browne’s header was cleared off the line by Ronan Finn.
John Caulfield’s charges would double their lead with 61 minutes on the clock, when O’Connell’s brilliant piece of invention picked out Maguire, who with pin point accuracy found the bottom corner with a diving header.
Dundalk went close, when Daryl Horgan did well to cross, but Kilduff was unable to get on the end of it. They could not open up a City defence which looked well organized overall. As the game progressed, their threat started to diminish. This was especially given Brian Gartland was given his marching orders in the 80th minute for a second yellow card.
As the encounter reached its conclusion , Ian Turner showed City fans some of his great abilities from set pieces, like he did last term with Limerick, when he saw his well taken free kick saved. So City win the first piece of silverware on offer this season, but they will be hoping a certain one will be coming their way come the end of October.
Both will now turn their attentions to the new League Of Ireland season, which gets underway next weekend. City will kick off at home to Bohemians, while Dundalk will start their campaign for three league titles in a row with a trip to face Bray.
Cork City: Mark McNulty; John Dunleavy, Alan Bennett, Kenny Browne, Eoghan O’Connell; Greg Bolger, Stephen Dooley(Karl Sheppard 76), Gearóid Morrissey, Ian Turner, Gavan Holohan (Steven Beattie 71); Sean Maguire(Mark O’Sullivan 86).
Subs not used: Colin Healy, Danny Morrissey, Michael McSweeney , Alan Smith(gk).
Booked: Mark McNulty (45+1), Gearóid Morrissey (53), Greg Bolger (60).
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon (John Mountney 62), Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Stephen O’Donnell, Daryl Horgan, Ronan Finn, Patrick McEleney (Paddy Barrett 81); Ciarán Kilduff (David McMillan 84).
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Shane Grimes, Robbie Benson, Darren Meenan.
Booked: Chris Shields(12), Andy Boyle (45+1), Brian Gartland (56).
Sent Off: Brian Gartland (80).
Referee: Graham Kelly.
Attendance: 1,850
Man of the Match: Eoghan O’Connell (Cork City).
It was a good confidence booster - Russell
Limerick manager Martin Russell says it is “important” to enter the new season with a win and he says their 3-1 success over Galway United in their final friendly will come as a “good confidence-booster” ahead of next weekend’s kick-off.
The Shannonsiders completed their warm-up schedule to the new SSE Airtricity League First Division campaign with a come-from-behind victory over their Premier Division opponents at the Markets Field on Saturday night, thanks to goals from Séamus Sharkey, Robbie Williams and captain Shane Duggan.
Those came after Vinny Faherty – the club’s top scorer in the top flight last season – had given Galway a 13th-minute lead. And while Russell was disappointed with the concession of that goal, he said “there were more things to be pleased about”, with the focus now on the visit of UCD to Garryowen next weekend.
“I was happy with most parts – the victory is good leading into the first game,” Russell told LimerickFC.ie. “There were phases of attacking play again, the goals that we scored and chances that we created were good – we could have got one or two more as well.
“I’m disappointed with the goal that we conceded and at times, again, we were sloppy. But overall I was pleased. We got caught for the goal and there was a big space for Vinny to go in and finish off. I was disappointed with that, but there were more things to be pleased about.
“There were elements of the defensive display that were good. We looked solid when we were called upon. The whole performance gives us a right chance of being in a positive mood this week and looking forward to the UCD game.
“It’s important to go in with a win and for some of the lads to hit the back of the net – things like that. And there were elements of the game where it was a good confidence-booster against a good Galway side that had come off the back of beating Longford 4-0.
“We’ll work now from Monday getting prepared for UCD. Tonight is in the past. We’ll focus on the first game of the season now.
“Playing in the Markets Field, it’s such a big pitch and good pitch. It’s appealing to sides that want to play and try to knock the ball around, which is what we want to do. And we did that at times tonight.”
Limerick’s league opener against UCD takes place at the Markets Field next Saturday, 5 March, kick-off 6.30pm.
The Shannonsiders completed their warm-up schedule to the new SSE Airtricity League First Division campaign with a come-from-behind victory over their Premier Division opponents at the Markets Field on Saturday night, thanks to goals from Séamus Sharkey, Robbie Williams and captain Shane Duggan.
Those came after Vinny Faherty – the club’s top scorer in the top flight last season – had given Galway a 13th-minute lead. And while Russell was disappointed with the concession of that goal, he said “there were more things to be pleased about”, with the focus now on the visit of UCD to Garryowen next weekend.
“I was happy with most parts – the victory is good leading into the first game,” Russell told LimerickFC.ie. “There were phases of attacking play again, the goals that we scored and chances that we created were good – we could have got one or two more as well.
“I’m disappointed with the goal that we conceded and at times, again, we were sloppy. But overall I was pleased. We got caught for the goal and there was a big space for Vinny to go in and finish off. I was disappointed with that, but there were more things to be pleased about.
“There were elements of the defensive display that were good. We looked solid when we were called upon. The whole performance gives us a right chance of being in a positive mood this week and looking forward to the UCD game.
“It’s important to go in with a win and for some of the lads to hit the back of the net – things like that. And there were elements of the game where it was a good confidence-booster against a good Galway side that had come off the back of beating Longford 4-0.
“We’ll work now from Monday getting prepared for UCD. Tonight is in the past. We’ll focus on the first game of the season now.
“Playing in the Markets Field, it’s such a big pitch and good pitch. It’s appealing to sides that want to play and try to knock the ball around, which is what we want to do. And we did that at times tonight.”
Limerick’s league opener against UCD takes place at the Markets Field next Saturday, 5 March, kick-off 6.30pm.
Season Preview 2016 - Waterford United
Manager: Roddy Collins
Stadium: The Regional Sports Centre (R.S.C)
Players in: Eoin Rhodes (New Ross Celtic), Ian Sinnott (Shamrock Rovers AFC), Roddy Collins Jnr (Unattached), Phillip Gorman (Athlone Town), Sean Byrne (Tolka Rovers), Kevin Burns (Unattached), Jimmy Dermody (Wexford Youths), Corey Chambers (Bray Wanderers), Dean Broaders (Wexford Youths).
Players out: Ethan Boyle (Finn Harps), Cory Galvin (Cobh Ramblers), Evan Galvin (Waterford United), Shaun Corcoran (unattached), Shane Dineen (Unattached), Brian Nolan (Unattached), Mark Walsh (Unattached), Sean Duffy (Unattached), Dylan Mernagh (Unattached), Jack Doherty (Unattached), Willie John Kiley (Unattached), Glen Hawe (Tramore AFC), Bobbi Donoghue (Unattached).
Extratime.ie Key Man: Phillip Gorman
With the majority of outfits in the First Division boasting star strikers, it was vital that Roddy Collins managed to capture the services of the attacker who netted the fourth-most goals (nine) in last season's First Division. Gorman's clever play and leadership skills will give the Blues a new edge to their game this season and will give oppositions a variety of tactical aspects to consider on a weekly basis.
Extratime.ie One to Watch: Dean Broaders
The 26 year-old midfielder joined United from rivals Wexford Youths just months after winning the First Division title with Shane Keegan's side. However, injuries disrupted his 2015 season to the extent that he made only a single appearance, as a substitute, away to Cabinteely last April. Roddy Collins and the other members of United's backroom staff will be hoping that Broaders has overcome his injuries and the midfielder can tap into the experience that he attained during his six seasons at Ferrycarrig Park.
How they did last season:
League: There's no dressing it up. Last season's league campaign was extremely disappointing for the Munster club. The Blues finished seventh, just a point behind last placed Cabinteely. United mustered only five wins from 22 games, drawing six and losing 17. They will be hoping for much better this time around as Roddy Colins gears up for his first full season at the Blues helm after taking the reigns from Tommy Griffin last May.
FAI Cup: Second Round
Some may have thought United could use the cup as a welcome distraction from the league. However, that wasn't to be the case as the Blues were dumped out at the second round stage by Leinster Senior League outfit Tolka Rovers.
EA Sports Cup: Second Round
The EA Sports Cup also offered little hope for United, as Munster rivals Cork City beat them 2-0 on a sunny day at the R.S.C. in early April.
What to expect this season:
Most punters are expecting this season to be a particularly compettitve First Division. UCD, Limerick, Shelbourne, Drogheda and some are even suggesting Cobh may be there or there abouts when it comes to fighting for promotion at the end of the season.
Of course, after a shaky pre-season which saw the Blues thumped 8-1 and 7-0 at the hands of last season's Premier Division top two Dundalk and Cork City, many would tip United to struggle once again this season.
However, if United can keep Dean Broaders injury free and Phillip Gorman can find his goalscoring touch, there's no reason why United can't cause an upset and be pushing for promotion towards the later stages of the season.
Title Odds: 25/1
First Game: Drogheda United (United Park), Friday, March 4th, 7:45pm.
Brandywell stand to be named in memory of Mark Farren
The home of Derry City Football Club will have its new stand dedicated to the striker, who passed away at the beginning of February
The new stand in the redeveloped Brandywell will be named after former Derry City striker Mark Farren after the Derry and Strabane District Council backed the motion.
Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council Elisha McCallion proposed the motion on Thursday, February 25, and it was subsequently backed by all councillors. Mayor McCallion said: "In memory of Mark, and reflecting the widely held view in the community, we propose that the new stand in the Brandywell redevelopment be named `The Mark Farren’ Stand."
Farren passed away at the beginning of February following a long battle with cancer at the age of 33. The death of the Donegal native, who is Derry City's all-time leading goalscorer, prompted an outpouring of sympathy, with individuals such as James McClean paying tribute to his former team-mate.
"Gutted to hear news of the death of my former teammate Mark Farren," McClean wrote on his Twitter page. "Great player, even better man, prayers are with his family, RIP buddy."
In memory of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Hall of Fame inductee, flags at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown were lowered to half-mast. FAI CEO John Delaney said: "Mark’s sad passing is a devastating blow to everybody in Irish football.
"He was not only a tremendous talent, but a real gentleman, who was widely respected in the League and very popular with his team-mates throughout his years in the game.
"I would like to pass on my deepest condolences to Mark’s family."
Derry City retired the number 18 as a mark of respect to Farren, who wore the number during his time with the Lonemoor Road club.
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