Declan Devine: Post Match Reaction.

Derry City manager Declan Devine was very happy with the character that his side showed following their 1-1 draw against Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night “I think it is testimony to the character of the players that they survived a penalty, going down to 10 men and being a goal behind. They were brave enough to continue to play and pass and believe in themselves. We are not in the habit of celebrating a point but we are happy coming away tonight the way things worked out.”

Patrick McEleny was sent off in the 70^th minute. The first yellow was for dissent and the second was for diving. Devine did not agree with the first booking “I will assess it on Monday when I see it again but the first yellow is very harsh. I asked Patrick (McEleney) what he said. I asked the referee what he said. They both said the same thing. It was a very harsh first yellow. There was no bad language or questioning the referees decision. It was a simple comment and it was a very harsh first yellow for me.”

Regarding the second yellow Devine stated “The boy said he was caught. My initial raction was that it was a bit of a dive. Sometimes you get them sometimes you don't.”

Gerard Doherty saved a 22^nd minute penalty from Billy Dennehy and Devine was full of praise for the Derry born goalkeeper “Gerard Doherty has been outstanding for this club since he signed. In my opinion he should be an international goalkeeper. I am hoping that opportunity will still arise for him. He works hard on a daily basis and he kept his team in the game tonight with a terrific save from the penalty and a terrific save from Gary Twigg as well.”

The Candystripes manager is hoping that his side can improve on a mixed start to the season but he did highlight that Derry have a number of injuries at the moment “ We haven't done as well as we should have against teams we should beat but I can't question the effort and commitment the players are putting in. I feel we will get better and when we get players fit we will continue to play the way we play. I feel we can strengthen in the break”. 

“We haven't been able to train this week because we haven't had enough players to train. Mark Farren has done himself more damage because he has played injured tonight. Tonight we had seven players missing” concluded Devine.

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Derry City

A brave performance from Derry City saw them earn a 1-1 draw against champions Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night. David McDaid cancelled out Gary Twigg's opener in a game which also had a missed penalty and a red card.

Shamrock Rovers had the better of the first 30 minutes of the first half and should have scored on at least one occasion. In the second minute a Billy Dennehy free kick found the head of Craig Sives. Sives got his got his header on target but Barry Molloy cleared it off the line

Rovers had another chance in the 7^th minute. Gary McCabe played it to Ronan Finn. Finn crossed from the right and picked out Gary Twigg. Twigg rose unmarked but headed wide from about 6 yards out.

Just a minute later Daryl Kavanagh missed for Rovers. He played it to Gary McCabe on the right. McCabe's precise cross found Kavanagh but the former St.Pats man headed wide when it seemed easier to score.

The home side missed their best chance of the half in the 21^st minute. The impressive McCabe made a fine run into the Derry area. Rover’s number seven was fouled by Matthew Crossan and referee Anthony Buttimer pointed to the spot. However visiting goalkeeper Gerard Doherty dived low to his left to and made a fine save to deny Billy Dennehy. Derry number 10 Patrick McEleney was booked for dissent.

Derry came into the game as the half went on. David McDaid struck a shot just wide  after a pass from Mark Farren in the 34^th minute and six minutes later they had another chance. Dermot McCaffrey took a corner from the right, Ruaidhri Higgins flicked it on and Mark Farren headed over from 6 yards out.

However Shamrock Rovers took the lead in the 47th minute. Gary McCabe took the corner from the right. Craig Sives miskicked it but Gary Twigg was there to knock it home from about 6 yards out on the half volley to score his 10^th  league goal of the season.

In the 65^th minute Rovers nearly went two up. Chris turner played a ball in behind the Derry defence. Twigg raced onto it and struck it first time on his left foot. However Derry goalkeeper   Doherty made a fine save and tipped it over the bar.

In the 70^th minute Patrick McEleney was sent off. McEleney went down on the halfway line and referee Anthony Buttimer felt it was a dive. It is his second yellow card of the night and he was sent off.

However Derry were not prepared to go down without a fight and they managed to score in the 77^th minute. After Rovers failed to clear a free kick, Dermot McCaffrey crossed from the right and captain Barry Molloy volleyed it against the post but David McDaid was there to tap it home.

Rovers searched for a winner and substitute Aaron Greene missed their best chance in the 85^th minute. Fellow substitute Sean Gannon played  him in  and Shamrock Rover's number 14  was through on goal  but his shot went just wide.

The champions had a lot of possession thereafter but could not break down a stubborn Derry defence. In the end the visitors deserved a point.

Shamrock Rovers: Oscar Jansson; Conor McCormack, Craig Sives, Graham Gartland, Conor Powell; Chris Turner, Ronan Finn, Gary McCabe (Aaron Greene 80), Billy Dennehy (Sean Gannon 85); Daryl Kavanagh, Gary Twigg (captain).

Subs not used: Reyaad Pieterse, Colin Hawkins, Gary O'Neill, Stephen Rice, Kerrea Gilbert.

Booked: Craig Sives (17), Gary McCabe (36),

Sent off: None.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Simon Madden, Eddie McCallion, Ryan McBride, Dermot McCaffery; Patrick McEleney, Barry Molloy (captain), Ruaidhri Higgins, Matthew Crossan (Brian McGroary 32) (Shane McEleney 84), David McDaid, Mark Farren (Ryan Curran 45).

Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, Shane McEleney, Michael Barr, Barry McNamee, Caoimhin Bonner.

Booked: Patrick McEleney (22) Ruaidhri Higgins (28)

Sent off: Patrick McEleney (70)

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).

Attendance: 3,000 estimate.

Man of the match: Gerard Doherty (Derry City)

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Premiership Predictions.

After an unsuccessful attempt to correctly predict the two Champions League finalists, it is back to the Premier League to try and redeem myself this weekend. Four of the five remaining relegation candidates face tough looking away trips on Saturday and Sunday. Wigan are the only one of the five with a home tie. They will entertain Champions League chasing Newcastle.

Something will have to give in the race for Champions League qualification and surely Chelsea and Spurs will fancy their chances at home to QPR and Blackburn respectively. Don't be shocked if there is a surprise or too though. Of course on Monday, City will  play United in a potential title decider. City's home form has been outstanding in the league, with only Sunderland so far managing to take something from the Eithiad Stadium. It was all over on Easter Sunday when United were 8 points clear, before Wigan and Everton exposed the defending champions. However it will be virtually all over if Alex Ferguson's  side win on Monday night. Will Carlos Tevez have the final say against his former club?

Below are the fixtures for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. As usual, it is one oint for the correct score and three points for the correct result. Tune in on Tuesday for a review of the weekend's action.

Saturday April 28th

Everton v Fullham 15.00 2-1

Stoke City v Arsenal 15.00 1-2

Sunderland v Bolton 15.00 1-0

Swansea City v Wolves 15.00 2-0

West Brom v Aston Villa 15.00 1-2

Wigan Athletic v Newcastle 15.00 1-1

Norwich City v Liverpool 17.30 1-1
 
Sunday April 29th

Chelsea v QPR 13.30 1-0

Spurs v Blackburn Rovers 16.00 3-1

Monday April 30th

Manchester City v Man United 20.00 2-2

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Champions League Semi Finals. Second Leg Predictions.

This Tuesday and Wednesday will tell us who will contest this year's Champions League Final in Munich. On Tuesday Chelsea will take a 1-0 lead tot he Nou Camp against defending champions Barcelona. If the second leg is like the first leg and Barcelona dominate the game then I believe that they will progress. They will also be stung after virtually losing their league title at home to Real Madrid on Saturday. Pep Guardiola can not afford to leave Cesc Fabregas on the bench again though. Messi as usual will have a big say. 

Chelsea will be resolute, and I also expect Didier Drogba, who is a doubt with a knee injury, to play. It may be the last chance for Lampard, Terry and co to reach a Champions League final.  I expect the London club to give it everything but I expect Barca to win 3-1 in 90 minutes and 3-2 on aggregate. 

 

First gaolscorer prediction: Lionel Messi (Barcelona).

Wednesday night's encounter in Madrid between Real and Bayren Munich is also nicely poised. Bayren, who played very well in the first leg take a 2-1 lead to the Spanish capital. Jupp Heyncke's side will once again look to the front trio of Ribery, Robben and Mario Gomez, who scored the winner in the first leg, to provide the attacking threat. Munich also have the added incentive of hosting the final in their own stadium on May 19th.

Madrid will be boosted by their 2-1 victory at the Nou Camp at the weekend, a result which has almost guaranteed another Spanish league title. Whether Cristian Ronaldo plays well in big games or not does not always matter, as he often scores in them, just like he did on Saturday. I expect Xabi Alonso to pull the strings in midfield for Real and Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Angel DiMaria to provide the cutting edge for Jose Mourino's side. I expect Madrid to win 2-1 in 90 minutes and to win 3-1 after extra time.

First goalscorer prediction: Karim Benzema.

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Bohemians v Monaghan United Match Report: 20-04-2012.

Supersub Jason Marks scored a late winner to give 10 man Monaghan United their first league win of the season against Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday night.

It was a victory which Monaghan deserved depite going a man down early on. In the 3^rd minute Bohemian's Dave Mulcahy played a through ball in behind the Monaghan defence. Karl Moore raced onto it . Visiting goalkeeper Chris Bennion raced out of his goal and took Moore out of it. There were Monaghan defenders chasing back but referee Dave McKeon gave Bennion a straight red card.

However despite their early set back Roddy Collin's team were the better side in the first half and came close to scoring on a number of occasions.

The visitors had a half chance in the 11^th minute. Shaun Maher headed the ball down to Stephen Maher in the area. Maher turned on it just outside the 6 yard box. However his effort was off target.

In the 29^th minute Daragh Reynor received the ball after neat passing play involving Chris Bayly and Jordan Keegan. Reynor's cross caused some concern to McNulty and the ball hit the crossbar before going out of play.

Monaghan continued to look comfortable as the half went on and should have gone in front in the 35^th minute. Danny McGuinness played a lovely ball from right to left. The excellent Jordan Keegan got in behind Owen Heary. Keegan laid it off for Stephen Maher. However Maher somehow scuffed his shot wide from 8 yards out

The home side created their only real opportunity of the first half in the  39^th minute. Derek Pender played it to Dinny Corcoran. Corcoran turned brilliantly in the area and hit an excellent shot. However substitute goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann dived low to his right to make a tremendous save.

It was Monaghan who deservedly took the lead in the 49^th minute. Jordan Keegan cut in from the left hand side and despite being faced by two Bohemians players, he managed to get a cross in. The ball found its way to Stephen Maher. Maher's volley went into the net off the post.

Substitute Ryan McEvoy scored a stunning equalizer right out of nothing in the 63^rd minute for Bohs. He gained possession about 30 yards from the Monaghan goal and let fly. His shot found its way into the top right hand corner of Schlingermann's net. It was another goal of the season contender.

Dinny Corcoran nearly put the home side in front in the 78^th minute. Karl Moore took a corner from the left. Corcoran met it but his header just shaved the post. The expected onslaught from Aaron Callaghan's side against the 10 men did not take place and it was Monaghan who looked for the winner.

It was substitute Jason Marks who proved to be supersub for United in the 87^th minute. Conor Murphy played it to Marks close to the  6 yard box. Marks controlled the ball before curling a beautiful and precise left foot shot into the  corner of the net past McNulty.

Bohs had plenty of the ball afterwards but failed to create any late chances and Roddy Collins emerged victorious against the club which he led to the double in 2001.

Bohemians: Andy McNulty; Owen Heary (captain),  Evan McMillan, Dave Mulcahy; Derek Pender (Andy Mulligan 80), Karl Moore, Adam Martin Ryan McEvoy 53), Luke Byrne; Keith Ward, Dinny Corcoran, Davie Byrne (Keith Buckley 38 ).

Subs Not Used: Stephen Traynor, Andy Mulligan, Neil Harney, Dan Mahon, Craig Sexton.

Bookings: None.

Monaghan United: Chris Bennion; Shaun Maher, Paul Whelan, Conor McMahon; Danny McGuinness (Jason Marks 73);Robert Bayly (captain)  Stephen Maher (Bobby Ryan 84), Darragh Reynor; Conor Murphy,   Jordan Keegan, Tony Griffiths (Michael Schlingermann 5).

Subs Not Used: Roddy Collins, Owen Humphey,  Shane Dunne.

Bookings: Stephen Maher (27), Shaun Maher (64), Chris Bayly (67).

Sent off: Chris Bennion (3)

Referee: Dave McKeon

Attendance: 1,378

Man of the match: Robert Bayly (Monaghan United).

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Playlist: 24-03-2012

Playlist for my last programme on Tipperary Mid-West radio on March 24th.  My next programme will be on tomorrow night (20-04-2012) from 7 to 9.p.m. You can listen live to my supersonic show on 104.8fm or by logging onto www.tippmidwestradio.com.

ARTIST on the left SONG on the right.

Kasabian Empire
 
Bruce Sprinsteen Hungry Heart
 
Cast Guiding Star
 
Inspiral Carpets This is how it feels
 
Talking Heads Pyscho Killer
 
Liam Gallagher and Steve Craddock Carnation
 
The Stone Roses I Wanna Be Adored
 
The Verve Rather Be
 
U2 So Cruel
 
The Jam Down In The Tube Station At Midnight
 
Garbage The Butterfly Collector
 
The Rolling Stones Sweet Virginia
 
PJ Harvey Written On The Forehead
 
Elastica Waking Up
 
Dire Straits Romeo And Juliet
 
Horslips Dearg Doom
 
Supergrass Melaine Davis
 
David Bowie The Man Who Sold The World
 
New Order Regret
 
The Villagers That Day
 
The Beatles Ticket To Ride
 
The Jam David Watts
 
Buffalo Tom Going Underground
 
The Charlatans A Man Needs To Be Told
 
Thin Lizzy The Boys Are Back In Town
 
The Buzzcocks Everybody's Happy Nowadays
 
Oasis Listen Up
 
Fun Loving Criminals King Of New York
 
The Jam That's Entertainment
 
The Smiths Panic

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Champions League Predictions: Semi Finals.

European Football's premier competition has reached the semi final stage. Bayern Munich will be hoping to be invited to their own party this year. The final will take place in their own stadium in May. To get there they will have to overcome 9 times champions Real Madrid. Jose Mourhino has already won the tourament with FC Porto (2004) and Inter Milan (2010). He will expect his to lead the Spanish league leaders to another European final.

In the other semi final "old friends" Chelsea and Barcelona will meet in a repeat of the 2009 semi final, when Barca just about got the better of the London club. The Blues come into this tie on the back of fine run of form and will be boosted by their 5-1 hammering of Spurs in the FA Cup semi final on Sunday. Of course in that run they have not met the defending European champions, who have the best player in the world and probably the best team in club football right now. Barca may trail Real Madrid by 4 points in Spain, but another Champions League triumph would just add to their greatness. I predict an all Spanish final.

Champions League Semi Finals: First Leg Predictions.

Tuesday 17-04-12.

Bayren Munich 2-2 Real Madrid.

Wednesday 18-04-12.

Chelsea 1-2 Barcelona.


© Seamus Egan 2012.
 

EA Sports Cup. St Pats 2-1 UCD.

Saint Patricks Athletic 2-1 UCD.

Saint Patricks Athletic booked their place in the next round of the EA Sports Cup after an entertaining 2-1 victory over UCD at Inchicore on Monday.

UCD had some chances in the first half.  The best of these fell to Graham Rusk in the 37^th minute. Barry McCabe played a lovely reverse ball to Rusk, who hit an excellent shot from inside the area that Pats goalkeeper Barry Murphy to get a hand to. 

However it was Pats who took the lead in the 44^th minute. Sean O'Connor, who hit the crossbar just a minute earlier, scored the goal. After Ian Daly's shot was blocked the ball fell to the UCD number 11 in the area and he slotted it past Mark McGinley to give Liam Buckley's side a half time lead.

Pats went 2-0 up on the in the 58^th minute. UCD centre back Hugh Douglas gave the ball away to Dean Kelly. Kelly played it to Greg Bolger on the left. Bolger pulled it back to Ian Daly, who had the simple task of finishing it off from six yards out.

UCD pulled a goal back in the 83^rd minute. Substitute Chris Lyons found himself through on goal  after a poor Kenny Browne header. Lyons didn't hesitate  and finished cooly past Murphy.

Martin Russel's side didn't threaten after that. Saint Pats held on to qualify for the next round.

Saint Patricks Athletic: Barry Murphy, Ger O'Brien (James Chambers 66), Pat Flynn, Conor Kenna (captain) (Kenny Browne 46), Ian Bermingham (Greg Bolger 46), Jake Carroll, Mark Rossiter, Sean O'Connor, Darren Meenan, Ian Daly, Dean Kelly.

UCD: Mark McGinley, Mark Langtry, James Kavanagh, Hugh Douglas, Ciaran Nangle, Gary Burke (Chris Lyons 46), Stephen Doyle (David O'Connor 61), Barry McCabe, Paul O'Connor (captain), Robert Benson (Dean Clarke 61), Graham Rusk.

Referee: Sean Grant 

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Bohemians.

A beautiful strike from Gary Twigg and a late Billy Dennehy goal gave Shamrock Rovers the 3 points from an entertaining Dublin derby against Bohemians at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.

It was a cagey opening to the game and both sides were guilty of giving the ball away too easily. Shamrock Rovers had most of the play but managed to create only a couple of clear cut chances in the first half.

The first of these came in the 14th minute when Gary Twigg should have scored for the home side. Ronan Finn played him in with a perfect pass. Twigg was one on one with Andy McNulty, but shot tamely at the Bohs 'keeper. Kerrea Gilbert put the rebound over.

There was a chance for Bohs in the 24th minute. Karl Moore picked out Adam Martin with a fine cross from the left. Martin rose well but headed just over.

Ronan Finn who scored last week against Shelbourne hit a fine effort on target in the 34th minute from outside the area but McNulty was there again to tip it over the bar. 

Neil Harney got into a good crossing position for Bohs in the 43rd minute and put in a decent cross but there was nobody there for the visitors to get on the end of it.

Bohs managed to contain the champions for most of the early period of the second half. The Hoops created their next opportunity in the 62nd minute. After a quick one-two between Dennehy and Finn, the Kerryman crossed and found Twigg who headed well wide from 8 yards out.

Stephen Kenny's side were now dominating possession but Bohs looked dangerous on the counter-attack. This point was emphasised in the 70th minute when Dave Scully made his way into the Rovers area and put his shot just wide.

However Rovers dominance was bound to pay off at some point and when it did it was well worth waiting for. The opening goal came in the 79th minute. After a long sequence of passing by the home team, Craig Sives got in Daryl Kavanagh's way. Kavanagh played it back to Ronan Finn. Finn played it onto the chest of Gary Twigg. The Scot controlled it from close to the penalty spot and hit it first time into the corner of the Bohs net. The Tallaght Stadium erupted but there was more to come.

It could have been 1-1 in the 92nd minute. Oscar Jansson could not deal with a cross from the left and the ball fell to Bohs substitute Dinny Corcoran. Corcoran controlled it and chipped it over everybody but the ball hit the post.

Rovers then had the ball at the other end and Daryl Kavanagh eventually teed up Billy Dennehy, who did not have the best of games. Dennehy's accurate finish found the corner of the net to wrap it up.

Bohemians manager Aaron Callaghan should be happy with the spirit that his side showed but ultimatley it was the home side's geater class and the finishing instincts of Twigg and Dennehy that sealed the points for Rovers. That's why they're champions.

Shamrock Rovers: Oscar Jansson, Kerrea Gilbert (Sean Gannon 74), Craig Sives, Ken Oman (captain), Killian Brennan, Stephen Rice (Gary O'Neill 68), Chris Turner, Ronan Finn, Billy Dennehy, Aaron Greene (Daryl Kavanagh 74), Gary Twigg.

Subs not used: Colin Hawkins, Reyaad Pietrese, Graham Gartland, Conor McCormack.

Booked: Killian Brennan (27) Chris Turner (67).

Sent-off: None.

Bohemians: Andy McNulty, Owen Heary (captain),  Evan McMillan, Dave Mulcahy, Derek Pender (John O'Connor 84),  Stephen Traynor, Neil Harney,  Karl Moore, Adam Martin, Danny Joyce (Keith Ward 59) Dave Scully (Dinny Corcoran 85).

Subs not used: Keith Ward, Pete McMahon, Roberto Lopes, Sean Stewart, Craig Sexton.

Booked: None.

Sent-off: None.

Referee: Richard Winter

Attendance: 5,000 estimate.

Man of the match: Ronan Finn (Shamrock Rovers).

© Seamus Egan 2012.