Premiership Predictions

Here are this weekend's 10 predictions for the Premier League in England. 3 points for the right score and 1 point for the right result.

Saturday

Manchester United v Aston Villa (2-1)

Crystal Palace v Chelsea (1-2)

Southampton v Newcastle (1-0)

Stoke v Hull (2-1)

Swansea v Norwich (1-1)

West Brom v Cardiff (2-1)

Arsenal v Manchester City (1-2)

Sunday 

Fulham v Everton (1-1)

Liverpool v Spurs  (3-1)

Monday

Sunderland v West Ham (1-0)

© Seamus Egan 2014

Bohemians 1-3 Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers continued their unbeaten start to the 2014 SSE Airtricity League season with a 3-1 win against bitter rivals Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday night. Gary McCabe, Ronan Finn and Kieran Marty Waters got the goals for the Hoops.

There was little to choose between the teams in the opening 45 minutes. However after a tense opening to the game the visitors were presented with a golden opportunity to take the lead on the quarter hour mark. Gary McCabe cut in from the right hand side. As he advanced towards goal Jack Memery brought him down in the area. Referee Padraigh Sutton pointed to the spot. McCabe stepped up to take the kick and sent it into the net past Dean Delany.

Bohs did have the ball in the net on the half hour mark through striker Dinny Corcoran but the goal was ruled out for offside. Just a minute later Rovers threatened to score a second. McCabe found Simon Madden in space on the right. Madden's cross was met by Ciaran Kilduff but he could only head it wide.

The Gypsies created their best chance of the half in the 34^th minute. After Steven Beattie made his way into the Shamrock Rovers penalty area, the ball broke to Paddy Kavanagh. His effort was blocked by Conor Kenna but the rebound fell to Kevin Devaney whose shot hit the crossbar and went over.

Ronan Finn tested Delany early in the second half when he hit a fine long range effort which the Bohemians goalkeeper struggled to parry away.

Bohs substitute Jason Byrne almost made an immediate impact after he came on for Kevin Devaney. Beattie's pass put Byrne through on goal. His first shot was saved by Barry Murphy. The rebound fell to the home side's number 10 but this time Conor Kenna was there to clear it off the line.

Owen Heary's side did manage to get back on level terms in the 65^th minute. Corcoran played it to his right to Derek Pender who raced forward from right back. Pender's dangerous cross was met by Rovers captain Kenna who could only put the ball into his own net.

However Trevor Croly's team retook the lead in the 74^th minute. This time it was Rover's right back Simon Madden who got forward to good effect. He cross from the right was headed back across  goal by Ciaran Kilduff to the onrushing Ronan Finn who was there to head it into the net from close range.

Just three minutes later it was 3-1. The outstanding Madden got the better of Memery down the right hand side. The former Derry player's cross picked out substitute Kieran Marty Waters who like Finn before him headed home from close range.

McCabe almost added a fourth in the 88^th minute. After the visitors broke on the counter attack Jason McGuinness found his teammate who cut in from the left and curled a right foot shot which just shaved the post.

The Hoops ran out comfortable winners in the end. Their victory means that they have 7 points from their first three league games, while Bohemians first defeat of the season means that they will remain on 4.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Aidan Price, Jack Memery (Karl Moore 78); Steven Beattie, Craig Walsh (Stephen Traynor 75), Kevin Devaney (Jason Byrne 56), Ryan McEvoy, Paddy Kavanagh; Dinny Corcoran.

Subs not used: Daniel Byrne, Keith Buckley, Philip McCabe, Lee Murphy.

Booked; Paddy Kavanagh (23), Ryan McEvoy (44), Jason Byrne (66), Craig Walsh (72).

Shamrock Rovers; Barry Murphy; Simon Madden, Jason McGuinness, Conor Kenna, Luke Byrne;  Ryan Brennan (Robert Bayly 78), Shane Robinson: Gary McCabe, Ronan Finn, Sean O'Connor (Kieran Marty Waterts 75); Ciaran Kilduff.

Subs not used; Rob Cornwall, Karl Sheppard, Eamon Zayed, Dean Kelly, Craig Hyland.

Booked; Ronan Finn (54).

© Seamus Egan 2014

Premiership Predictions

Unless Arsene Wenger gets the sack between now and 12.45 on Saturday, he will take charge of Arsenal for the 1,000th time. How appropriate it is then that Wenger's 1,000th match as Gunners boss will come agianst the club that is managed by Jose Mourinho, who earlier this season called Wenger a "specialist in failure". The French man is not a specialist in failure. He has led the Gunners to 3 league championships and 4 FA Cups since he took charge in 1996. His side also went unbeaten in the 2003-2004 season on their way to winning the title.

It promisies to be the most exciting climax to the Premier League, well since 2012, when Manchester City won the league with the last kick of the season. At the moment there are 4 teams in contention. Two of the contenders Chelsea and Arsenal will meet at Stamford Bridge in what is obviously the standout fixture of the weekend. The aforementioned City should win at home again against Fulham. Liverpool who are currently 2nd, and who embarrassed Manchester United last Sunday at Old Trafford, will hope to follow up their recent impressive away form away with victory at Cardiff.

There will 10 games altogether. It will be 3 points for the correct score and 1 point fot the right result.

Saturday

Chelsea v Arsenal (1-2)

Cardiff v Liverpool (0-3)

Everton v Swansea (2-1)

Hull v West Brom (1-1)

Manchester City v Fulham (2-0)

Newcastle v Crystal Palace (1-0)

Norwich v Sunderland (1-0)

West Ham v Manchester United (2-2)

Sunday

Spurs v Southampton (1-2)

Aston Villa v Stoke (1-2)

© Seamus Egan 2014

Premiership Predictions

Weather permitting, there will be 10 games in The Premiership this weekend. Here are the predictions. 3 points for the correct score and 1 point for the right result.

Saturday

Hull v Manchester City (1-2)

Everton v Cardiff (2-1)

Fulham v Newcastle (3-2)

Southampton v Norwich (2-0)

Stoke v West Ham (1-0)

Sunderland v Crystal Palace (2-1)

Swansea v West Brom (1-1)

Aston Villa v Chelsea (0-1)

Sunday

Manchester United v Liverpool (1-1)

Spurs v Arsenal (1-3)

© Seamus Egan 2014



 

Playlist

These are the songs that I played on March 8th 2015 on Tipperary Mid-West Radio. Have a look.

Valarie - The Zutons

By The Way - Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Every Breath You Take - The Police

Panic - The Smiths

Turn Up The Sun - Oasis

Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? - Arctic Monkeys

Don't You Want Me - Human League

The Killing Moon - Echo And The Bunnymen

Where The Streets Have No Name - U2

She's Lost Control - Joy Division

Sally Cinamon - The Stone Roses

The Drugs Don't Work - The Verve

Had To Hear - Real Estate

Some Candy Talking - Jesus And Mary Chain

Son Of A Baker - Small Faces

I Don't Want To Live This Life Anymore - The Ramones

Enjoy The Silence - Depeche Mode

Walking In My Shoes - Depeche Mode

I Should Have Known Better - The Beatles

Imagine - John Lennon

Baba O Riley - The Who

Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones

Why Walk When You Can Run? - Paul Weller

Talking Backwards - Real Estate

Take It Easy - The Eagles

Heroes And Villains - Brian Wilson

Baron Saturday - The Pretty Things

Two Fingers - Jake Bugg

Going Underground - Buffalo Tom

© Seamus Egan 2014