Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Radio Playlist: 20-10-2012

Playground Superstar - Happy Mondays

Rip Her To Shreds - Blondie

You Stole The Sun From My Heart - Manic Street Preachers

Rather Be - The Verve

Boulevard Of Broken Dreams - Greenday

The Colour Of The Earth - PJ Harvey

Two Of Us - The Beatles

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? - Boy George

Perfect - Lightning Seeds

The Passenger - Iggy Pop

Girl From Mars - Ash

Sally - Kerbdog

After The Gold Rush - Neil Young

1979 - Smashing Pumpkins

Rockafeller Skank - Fatboy Slim

Born Slippy - Underworld

Come As You Are - Nirvana

What You Do To Me - Teenage Fanclub

Dirty Old Town - The Pogues

Psycho Killer - Talking Heads

Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who

I'm Outta Time - Oasis

Devils And Dust - Bruce Springsteen

Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Neil Young

© Seamus Egan 2012


Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Brian Laws: Post Match interview.

Shamrock Rovers director of football Brian Laws was pleased with the reaction of his team after their 2-1 victory over UCD in the Airtricity Premier League at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.“ I am delighted with the reaction compared to last week, where it was a shambles. It was very disappointing.”

Rovers lost their previous game at home to Derry City and Laws believed that his side approached Friday's game in a much better way “I thought that the body language today was much better. They were very much on the front foot and had a real go and if they had produced that last week we might have had three points. It just shows you that attitude and application is vital in any game and certainly they showed that tonight.”

Laws also believes that the Hoops have underachieved this season “There are a lot of good points about this football club and there are a lot of areas that need to be improved on and one of them is on the playing park. The personnel although they have done ok, they have underachieved. They should have done better this year and certainly that is something that can be changed for next year. There will be new players coming in. You just got to make sure that this football club gets the right players and make sure they are motivated to be successful, because this club should be successful. This year has been a poor return. There is lots to work with and look forward to.”

The former Nottingham Forest player was pleased that Gary Twigg proved to be the match winner in his final home game for the club “It was great to see Twigg get a couple of goals. He should really have scored three or four. I am delighted for him that he has got a win and a couple of goals. It was a very emotional night for him.”

Laws also believes that Twigg is a natural goalscorer “One thing that is evident is that he is a natural goalscorer. He has good movement and it is no surprise that he has scored a lot of goals for the club. It doesn't matter what division you are playing in, you could be in any country in the world, it's an art to put the ball in the back of the net. It isn't an easy task but he makes it look easy at times and he is a good goalscorerer and certainly at this level you can see why he has scored a lot of goals.”

When Laws was asked if he would be at Shamrock Rovers next season he didn't rule it out  “We are talking about it and that is the positive thing. We are discussing about ways to go forward and while there is discussion there is hope.”




© Seamus Egan 2012.

Monday, 22 October 2012

Shamrock Rovers 2-1 UCD

It was fitting that Gary Twigg once again proved to be the match winner for Shamrock Rovers in his final home game for the club at the Tallaght Stadium against UCD on Friday night. Twigg scored his 79th and 80th league goals for the club to give them a 2-1 victory against Martin Russel's side.

It was a quiet opening to the game. Both sides had plenty of possession but neither defence was really troubled. The home fans kept themselves entertained though by singing various songs in tribute to Twigg.

They had even more reason to sing his name in the 18th minute when Rovers number 9 gave his side the lead. Billy Dennehy set it up. He raced forward from midfield and played the ball in behind the UCD defence. Twigg rounded Ger Barron and scored.

In the 20th minute Twigg scored his 20th league goal of the season. The goal came after Stephen Rice played a ball in behind the visitors defence. Once again Twigg stole in behind and rounded Barron before putting the ball  into the empty net.

However David McMillan pulled one back for UCD just two minute later. McMillan's goal arrived after a pass from Gary Burke on the left. UCD'S number 23 turned and hit it beautifully on the volley over the head of Oscar Jansson and into the net.

After 27 minutes it was almost 3 for Twigg and 3 for Rovers. The Scottish man headed just wide from an Aaron Greene cross. Twigg was also just a whisker away from completing his hat trick in the 38th minute. This time McCabe crossed from the left and found the Scottish striker who volleyed just wide.

UCD started the second half impressively. In the 52nd minute they came close to scoring again. Ciaran Nangle found Smair Belhout in space in the penalty area. Belhout had a low shot which was deflected just wide.

After 74 minutes Gary O'Neill came on to replace Gary Twigg. Twigg received a standing ovation from the crowd and a hug from Brian Laws.

Howevewr UCD were in no mood to make it easy for the home side and once again they came close to equalizing  in the 85th minute.  David McMillan saw Oscar Jansson off his line and tried to chip him from about 25 yards out but this time Jansson got back to tip it away for a corner.

Then in the second minute of injury time the away side came close again.  The ball broke to Robbie Benson from a free kick. Benson hit a fine shot from the edge of the area and beat Jansson but the ball just shaved the post and went wide.

The home side held on for the win. After the final whistle Twigg acknowledged the home fans who constantly sang his name throughout the night and once again gave him a standing ovation. Twigg of Scotland was also giving a guard of honour by his team mates before leaving the pitch. When will they see his like again?

Shamrock Rovers: Oscar Jansson: Pat Sullivan, Ken Oman (c), Graham Gartland, Conor Powell: Billy Dennehy, Stephen Rice, Conor McCormack, Gary McCabe, Aaron Greene: Gary Twigg (Gary O'Neill 74).

Subs not used: Reyaad Pieterse, Shane O'Connor, Craig Sives, Thomas Stewart, Sean Gannon, Gary O'Neill, Colin Hawkins.

Booked: Oscar Jansson (54), Graham Gartland (71), Billy Dennehy (72), Ken Oman (83).
Sent off: None.

UCD: Ger Barron: Hugh Douglas (Mark langtry 46), Ciaran Nangle, Michael Leahy (c), James Kavanagh: Chris Mulhall (Barry McCabe 67) Gary Burke, Paul O'Connor, Robbie Benson, Samir Belhout (Chris Lyons 60): David McMillan

Subs not used: Mark McGinley, Daniel Lewdwith, Dean Clarke, Tyrone McNelis.

Booked: Michael Leahy (46), Mark Langtry (80).
Sent off: None.

Referee: Paul Tuite.
Attendance: 2,500 (estimate).
Extratime.ie man of the match: Gary Twigg (Shamrock Rovers).

© Seamus Egan 2012