Gary Twigg: Postmatch Interview.

Shamrock Rovers striker Gary Twigg paid tribute to his team mate Tommy Stewart following his side's 2-0 victory over Cork City in the last 16 of the FAI Cup on Friday night “ We knew it was going to be difficult. They are a good side. They made it difficult but we are just happy that Tommy (Stewart) came on and got the two goals. We are delighted for him. They were his first goals since he came back. Overall it is a good night.”

Twigg was particularly complimentary about Stewart's second goal, which was scored from long range “It was a great strike. It was a great header from Hawks (Colin Hawkins) to put him into that space and he done the rest himself. I don't think any goalkeeper in the country would have saved it.”

The Scot admitted that Rovers found it difficult to break the deadlock against Tommy Dunne's side “They came and they were very rigid. They had two banks of four. They were hard to break down and the back four never really moved much. It was always going to take a long time to break them down but we knew if we were patient the time would come and fortunately Tommy took the two chances.”

The Hoops are currently 11 points behind Sligo Rovers in the league tale but the defending champions do have a game in hand on the league leaders. Twigg believes that the title race is not over yet “There are still nine games to go.  The league is far from over. There are a lot of games and there is a lot of football still to be played. We are playing well at the minute and winning games.”

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Shamrock Rovers v Cork City: Match Preview

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers will take on Cork City in an all premier league tie in the last 16 of the FAI Cup at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night (kick off 7.05.p.m).

Rovers will come into the match having won four of their last five league and cup games.

Graham Gartland (back) and Stephen O'Donnell (hamstring) will both miss the match through injuy, while Ken Oman will not play because of suspension.  Aaron Greene has returned to full training and will be in contention to start the game.

Hoops manager Stephen Kenny is keen for his side to keep their unbeaten run going "We are keen to continue our unbeaten run and the fact that there is a quarter final place in the FAI Cup is another great incentive to win this game. We have done well recently, we've being keeping cleaning sheets and have scored good goals, and we need to keep that going.”

CORK CITY

Cork City returned to winning ways on Monday night with a 3-2 victory over Drogheda United in the league. However they will be without a number of players for various reasons for the trip to Tallaght.

John Dunleavy and Eoghan Murphy will both miss out with ankle injuries. Colin Healy (thigh strain) and Cathal Lordan (knee) and are also ruled out for City. Keith Quinn, Brian Lenihan and Graham McCarthy are all cup-tied, having featured in earlier rounds for their previous clubs. There are also doubts over Garry Buckley (foot) Neal Horgan (knee) and Gearóid Morrissey (ankle).

Despite missing a number of key players Cork City manager Tommy Dunne is looking forward to the game

“This is another great game for us, after a fantastic game against Drogheda on Monday, so we are going into this game looking for another big performance from the players. It is a tough ask for part-time players to play Monday and Friday, but we are looking forward to the game and I hope that we give a good account of ourselves and hopefully book a place in the next round.”

Referee: Padraig Sutton.

MATCH STATS

Recent Shamrock Rovers signing Shane O'Connor is a Republic of Ireland Youth and under-21 international and was at Liverpool from 2006 to 2009.

Shamrock Rovers defender Graham Gartland has three FAI Cup winners medals. He won the trophy twice with Longford Town and once with Drogheda United.

Dan Murray made 212 appearances for Cork City before signing for Shamrock Rovers, where he won two league titles. Murray returned to Leeside before the beginning of the 2012 season.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 4/7, Draw 11/4, Cork City 9/2.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Cork City.

  

Home Injury News: Graham Gartland (back) and Stephen O'Donnell (hamstring)

Home Suspension News: Ken Oman.

Away Injury News: John Dunleavy (ankle), Eoghan Murphy (ankle), Colin Healy (thigh strain) and Cathal Lordan (knee) . 

Away Suspension News: None.

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Saint Patricks Athletic 0-1 Bray Wanderers

Bray Wanderers earned a dramatic and somewhat controversial win away to Saint Patricks Athletic at Inchicore on Friday night. Kieran Water’s stunning 87^th minute winner was only one of the talking points during a game in which three players were sent off.

The visitors made the brighter start to the match. In the 5^th minute Danny O'Connor flashed a header across the goal from a Dean Zambra corner while in the 8^th minute Jason Byrne played a wonderful pass in behind Jake Carroll to Kieran Waters. Waters curled his shot wide.

The home side created their first real chance in the 19^th minute. Sean O'Connor, who had an eventful night got in behind Shane O'Connor at the back post and hit it first time but the ball went wide.

In the 37^th minute the home side created another opportunity. After fine build up play involving Christy Fagan and Sean O'Connor, O 'Connor played it back to Greg Bolger. Bolger's shot just shaved the post.

However the first half was only the warm up to the main event. There was nearly a goal for Pats in the 53^rd minute. O'Connor took a free kick from the left with his right foot which was heading in but Darren Quigley dived low to his left and got his hands to the ball before it bounced onto the crossbar. Soon after Kenny Browne was booked for a foul on Bray striker Jason Byrne.

The game's first major flashpoint then occurred around the hour mark. Sean O'Connor went down after Jason Byrne raised his hand. It is not clear if Byrne made contact with O'Connor. Byrne was gesturing to suggest that O'Connor was playacting and the Bray striker was enraged after he received a straight red card from referee Padraig Sutton who had lost control of the match at this stage. Players from both teams squared up to each other and the Pats right winger Darren Meenan was also sent-off.

Another player to see red was Pats central defender Kenny Browne. In the 84^th minute he received a second booking after referee Sutton decided that his tackle on Kieran 'Marty' Waters deserved a yellow card.

Waters who was a threat throughout, and who earlier had created a chance for Dean Marshall, which led to Marshall hitting the post, provided the game's outstanding moment in the 87^th minute. He received the ball just inside the Pats half and set off towards goal before cutting in and striking a fine left foot shot into the top of the net.

The home side had two late chances to equalize. In the 89^th minute Greg Bolger's corner from the right was headed just wide by James Chambers. Then in the 4^th minute of injury time substitute Jake Kelly raced down the left wing and hit a fine left footed shot which just went past the post.

Bray held on to win what was at times an ugly contest. Chances were few and far between and unfortunately it was the three red cards and the performance of referee Sutton which were the main talking points after the game. It has to be pointed out though that Bray’s Kieran Waters did produce some outstanding moments in the game.

Saint Patricks Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Ger O'Brien, Kenny Browne, Conor Kenna (c), Jake Carroll; Darren Meenan, James Chambers, Greg Bolger, Ryan Coombes (Jake Kelly 90), Sean O'Connor (Anthony Flood 78); Christy Fagan.

Subs not used: Barry Murphy, Pat Flynn, Aidan Price, Ian Bermingham, Vinny Faherty.

Booked: Kenny Browne (57), Darren Meenan (66), Greg Bolger (82)

Sent-off: Kenny Browne (84)

Bray Wanderers: Darren Quigley; Shane O'Connor, Adam Mitchell (David Webster 42) , Danny O'Connor (c), Dane Massey; Kevin O'Connor, John Mulroy;  Dean Zambra (Dean Marshall 34), Sean Houston, Kieran Waters; Jason Byrne.

Subs not used: Daire Doyle, Lee Dixon, Ismahil Akinade, Brian Kane, Brendan King.

Booked: Kieran Waters (49), Sean Houston (72).

Sent-off: Jason Byrne (64).

Referee: Padraig Sutton.

Attendance: 1,105.

Man of the match: Kieran Waters (Bray Wanderers)

© Seamus Egan 2012

Premiership Predictions

Life returns to normal this weekend because the premiership returns. I will not  make any season predictions but City United or Chelsea will probably win the league, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs will probably compete for 4th place and at least one of the promoted teams (Reading, Southampton or West Ham) will be relegated and at least one of them will exceed expectations.  Robin Van Pierse will either score a load of goals for United or he will not, while Liverpool will probably not hit the woodwork 33 times, as they did in 2011-2012, during this season's league campaign. Wigan Athletic will probably not win a game beforeChristmas and be certainties for relegation and then beat everybody in the last 3 months of the season. Stoke will still provide the most long throws into the penalty box. Rafael Van Der Vart, if he stays at Spurs will score at least three brilliant goals for them. Liam or Noel Gallagher (or both) will probably be seen at Man City matches on at least one occasion this season. That's enough random probable predictions until next week. Below are the opening weekend's forecasts. It is 3 points for the correct scoreline and one point for the correct result. I will publish the results on whatever day that I can decide to be bothered to next week (probably Tuesday). By the way from next week on I will be looking for challengers to give their predictions for the weekends games. More of that anon. Fixtures are on the left and predictions are on the right as you look at it.


Saturday August 18th 3.00 unless stated

Fixtures                                    
Arsenal v Sunderland  2-1

Fulham v Norwich  1-0

Newcastle v Spurs (5.30)  1-1

QPR V Swansea   2-1

Reading v Stoke City  0-1

West Brom v Liverpool  1-2

West Ham v Aston Villa  1-1

Sunday August 19th

Wigan v Chelsea (1.30)  0-1

ManCity v Southampton (4pm)  3-0

Monday August 20th

Everton v Man United (8pm)  1-1

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Saint Patricks Athletic v Bray Wanderers Preview.

Saint Patricks Athletic

Fourth placed Saint Patricks Athletic will take on relegation threatened Bray Wanderers at Inchicore in the Airtricity League Premier Division on Friday night (kick off 7.45.p.m).

After being eliminated from the Europa League by Hannover 96 on the 9^th of August, the Saints returned to winning ways in the league with a crucial 1-0 win away to Cork City on Monday night. Liam Buckley’s team do have games in hand over the teams above them in the table, therefore they cannot be ruled out of the title race just yet.

Mark Rossiter, who picked up a knee injury against Derry City, will again miss out for Pats. Dean Kelly will also miss out with a groin injury as will Stephen O’Flynn with a rib injury. John Russell will face a fitness test before kick-off and Jake Carroll will return to the squad after serving a one match ban. 

Bray Wanderers

Bray Wanderers have won just once in their last eight league games, although four of those eight games did end in draws, including a 0-0 draw away to champions Shamrock Rovers. Last Friday night they drew 1-1 with Dundalk at the Carlisle Grounds. The Wicklow club drew 3-3 with Liam Buckley’s side in the league in May at the Carlisle Grounds.

Bray, who are currently third from bottom in the table, will be boosted by the news that they have a full squad to choose from for the trip to Inchicore.

Bray Director of Football Pat Devlin is hoping that his side can improve their finishing against Saint Pats. “We need to improve our finishing. I’m hoping we can improve that aspect of our game against Saint Patricks Athletic, who have had a great season so far. The games between us have always been entertaining and we are looking forward to it.”

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.

MATCH STATS

Saint Patricks Athletic goalkeeper Brendan Clarke, who won an FAI Cup winners medal with Sligo Rovers last season, is a lifelong Saint Pats fan.

One of Bray’s most recent signings Brendan King, was a member of the United States squad at the 2007 under 17 World Cup.

Donegal born Sean Houston scored a hat-trick for Bray Wanderers against UCD in September of 2011.

BETTING

Saint Patricks Atletic 2/5, Draw 10/3, Bray Wanderers 13/2.

PREDICITION: Saint Patricks Athletic 2-1 Bray Wanderers. 

© Seamus Egan 2012.

Radio Playlist: 28-07-2012.

I fought the law-The Clash           

Message in a bottle-The Police

Another girl, another planet-The only Ones

The sidewinder sleeps tonight-R.E.M

Dancing in the dark-Bruce Sprinsteen

Alive and kicking-Simple Minds

I wanna be adored-The Stone Roses

Rock n roll star-Oasis

A design for life-Manic Street Preachers

Bettlebum-Blur

Going out-Supergrass

Come back to what you know-Embrace

Fire-Kasabian

True faith-New Order

Life on mars?-David Bowie

She loves you-The Beatles

In the city-The Jam

Moving on up-Supergrass

Set me free-The Kinks

With or without you-U2

Tattooed lady-Rory Gallagher

Jenie Jones-The Clash

The beautiful ones-Suede

Babies-Pulp

Here comes your man-The Pixies

Coz I love you-Slade

Tumbling dice-Rolling Stones

Breathe-The Prodigy

Holiday in Cambodia-Dead Kennedys

Love removal machine-The Cult

April skies-Jesus and Mary Chain

Digsy's Dinner-Oasis

© Seamus Egan 2012.

UCD 0-2 Shamrock Rovers

Goals from Gary Twigg and Gary McCabe gave Shamrock Rovers a deserved 2-0 victory over UCD at Belfield on Friday night. It was Rover's second away win on the bounce in the league.

It didn't take the hoops long to break the deadlock. After a quiet and even opening to the game they took the lead in the 6^th minute. Ronan Finn broke down the right hand side and crossed for Gary Twigg. Twigg controlled the ball, and his shot went into the net via the post.

Rovers nearly went two up soon after. Stephen Rice found Twigg in the box and the Scot pulled it back for Gary McCabe. McCabe's right foot shot was off target though.

However UCD were still very much in it in the first half and Chris Lyons nearly equalized for them  in the  22^nd minute. After David McMillan won a challenge on the edge of the Rovers area the ball found its way to the UCD striker. Lyons tried to round Oscar Jansson but the visiting goalkeeper dived full length to prevent a goal.

In the 33^rd minute Paul O'Conor went on a fine run and picked out Tyrone McNelis on the right. McNelis' cross was half cleared by Pat Sullivan and the ball found its' way to McMillan whose first time volley was not too far away.

The champions should have doubled their advantage just before half time after Twigg played a fine ball to Gary McCabe on the left. McCabe pulled the ball back for the onrushing Ronan Finn, but Finn who scored against Derry last week fired his effort over the bar this time from inside the area.

The Hoops created the first real chance of the second half in the 52^nd minute. Conor Powell played it forward to Gary McCabe. McCabe beat Hugh Douglas down the right hand side and pulled it back for Daryl Kavanagh in space. Kavanagh shot first time but his effort was just wide.

UCD's only real opportunity of the second half came soon after. David McMillan curled a right foot shot from outside the area just over the top.

Rovers deservedly doubled their advantage in the 68^th minute. Killian Brennan played it to Ronan Finn who found the outstanding Gary McCabe. McCabe raced towards goal and curled a fine right foot shot from outside the area into the corner of the net past McGinley.

Substitute and recent signing Thomas Stewart missed a sitter late on for Rovers. Finn put in an outstanding cross from the right. He picked out Stewart in the 6 yard box but somehow the returning player, who got a fine reception from the away fans when he came on, headed wide.

Stewart’s miss mattered little when referee Neil Doyle blew the final whistle after 3 minutes of injury time. Rovers moved up to third with this victory while Martin Russels’ side remain at the bottom of the table.

UCD: Mark McGinley; Hugh Douglas, James Kavanagh, Mick Leahy(c), Daniel Ledwith;  Paul Corry, Paul O'Conor; Tyrone McNelis (Sean Russell 60), Robbie Benson (Gary Burke 77), David McMillan; Chris Lyons (Dean Clarke 70).

Subs not used: Ger Barron, Tomas Boyle, Ciaran Nangle,  Barry McCabe.

Booked: Paul O'Conor (42), James Kavanagh (65)

Sent-off: None.

Shamrock Rovers: Oscar Jansson; Pat Sullivan (Kerrea Gilbert 77), Colin Hawkins, Craig Sives, Conor Powell; Chris Turner (Killian Brennan 30), Stephen Rice, Ronan Finn, Gary McCabe; Daryl Kavanagh (Thomas Stewart 55), Gary Twigg.

Subs not used: Reyaad Pieterse, Ciaran Kilduff, Thomas Stewart, Conor McCormack, Billy Dennehy.

Booked: Craig Sives (79).

Sent-off: None.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance: 1,306.

Man of the match: Gary McCabe (Shamrock Rovers).

© Seamus Egan 2012.