The Bailey and The Kids Stay on Course for Showdown

Wednesday Div 1

The Bailey narrowly overcame Racing Club to stay top and 3 points ahead of their rivals The Kids. An under strength Racing Club made them work hard for the points, but some poor goalkeeping gifted The Bailey with 2 of their 4 goals, but they did look like they could up it a gear if they had too. Stephen McCarthy and Stephen O'Donovan did well in midfield for the Bailey but Ben Ryan stood out in defence and found some lovely long range passes. Jurgen Buwoski scored a brace for Racing and always looked dangerous.

The Kids produced their best display of the season as they totally outclassed Crystal Phallus, playing some beautiful football in the process. Michael Doody and Oisin McGrath were in great for form the Kids and contributed 3 of their 8 goals. Colin Hammond brought his seasons tally to 21 goals with a hatrick. Again Darragh O'Regan was Phallus's best player and scored their only goal.

Game of the evening went to CUH and CSKA Tongo. CSKA coming out on top in a most entertaining game.Shane Fitzgerald got the man of the match and showed some excellent skill for CUH but was still on the losing side. Martin Dunlea and Joe Dempsey both scored twice for CSKA who were more clinical in front of goal.

Wednesday Division 2

Top of the Table clash between Sub Standard Liege and the Lemmons was as expected a tight game that could have gone either way with 5 minutes to go but the Lemmons pulled away to win 5-2, with 3 late goals. Alan Greaney was in tip top form and was too hot to handle for Liege. Bryan Lyons was also excellent for The Lemmons who are now level on points and goal difference with Liege with 4 games to go. Patrick Coleman tried hardest for Sub Standard who had James Mealy and Phil Wade on the scoresheet.

AC Standard continued their winning streak with their 4th win in a row with a 2-0 win over Rosies. One of Standards most consistent players this season Eamonn Kelleher was again on the scoresheet along with Tom Dempsey who got the man of the match. 

FC Coping Badly had a rather easy 9-2 win over AFC Tesco. John O'Brien (4), Robbie Doyle and Damien Murphy contributed the most to this one sided affair. 

Thursday Division 2

The top 2 teams the Dragons and the Net Busters are running away with this division after they both won again. Only Goal difference separates these 2 sides, who are both well organised and its hard to pick a winner here at this stage. The Dragons dispatched O'Higgins FC in horrendous conditions last Thursday evening while The Net Busters beat the Jager Bombers on Monday night, after most of last Thursdays fixtures were called off due to the bad weather. Tim Crowley was brilliant in defence for the Net Busters and was first to every loose ball and had his defence well organised. This organisation was sadly lacking in the Bombers side who leaked some poor goals after poor defensive mistakes. Paul Sexton and Dave McCarthy capitalised the most and both scored 3 a piece for the Busters. 

The Dragons had too much pace in their side for O'Higgins FC and stayed more focused in the dreadful conditions to see out a 4-0 win. Rory Walsh was best for the Dragons who also had Donal Flanagan in good form in goal. The Dragons and the Net Busters go head to head on the 4th of April in a game that is sure to decide the destination of the Division 2 trophy

Culloty Inspires Palace Comeback

Wednesday Division 2

Comeback of the week goes to Fritzl Palace as they came from 3-0 down to beat fellow contenders The Lemmons 5-4 in a thrilling encounter. The Lemmons who were below strength on the night were ahead thanks to 2 quick goals from Andy Daunt and an own goal which had them looking good to seal the 3 points. But Palace reorganised themselves and got back into the game with 2 goals from man of the match Joe Culloty. The industrious Mike Wren equalised for them with 10 minutes left on the clock before Dan Gallagher pounced to seal a great comeback following a superb pass from Culloty.

This win puts the Palace boys back in contention and 4 points the leaders Sub Standard Liege who had a 5-2 win over the Duffers. Patrick Coleman was best for Liege who always looked comfortable as they had a bit too much football for the Duffers, who fought hard as they always do but were 2^nd best on the night. Liege are now in a very strong position being 4 points clear following the Lemmons defeat. But a few twists and turns are still likely with some decent sides in this division capable of upsetting teams above them.

Rosies produced one of their best performances of the season but still came up short in losing 4-3 to FC Coping Badly. John O'Brien was again Coping's top man with a hatrick. This was a physical encounter but very fair with O'Brien lads just about deserving of the win. Colin Murphy and Eoin Moynihan were best for the Carrigaline lads.

AC Standard made it 3 wins on the trot as they beat an improving Tescos side 4-2. Standard have settled well after a poor start to their season. Eammonn Kelleher was Standards best player and scored a hatrick. Ryan Mealy and Aidan Philpott were on the Mark for Tescos, but their side lacked a centre forward to hold up the ball and lost possesion to quickly when they attacked.

Wednesday Division 2

Brian Geary performance in goal for the Kids, helped his side produce a comfortable scoreline in a 5-0 win over Sliabh na mBan. However na mBan battled until the final whistle and made the Kids work harder for the 3 points than the scoreline suggests. Oisin McGrath was best for the Kids and played a starring role at centre forward, holding the ball up well and being involved in all the goals.

Racing Club were too strong for CSKA Tongo and beat them 4-2. The German, Jurgen Buwoski scored twice for Racing who had energetic Edward Noonan and Jason Lake in superb form. CSKA showed more energy in the 2nd half but left it too late after being 3-0 down at half time. Keeper Damien Kennedy was best for CSKA and kept the scoreline from looking worse for his side.

The Thirty Somethings also had a great comeback as they won a tight battle with Crystal Phallus, coming from 2-0 down. Darragh Murphy continued his impressive form this season and took his tally 16 goals as he scored 2 first half goals for Phallus. Kevin Murphy showed incredible energy for for the Somethings and seemed to be everywhere for his side. Goals from Shane O Donoghue and Graham Virgo brought the Somethings level before Brian Kelleher scored a late winner.

The Bailey continued their excellent season with a comfortable 7-3 win over CUH. This was an excellent overall team display, that keeps them in pole position 3 points ahead of the Kids, who they play on the 3^rd of April in a game that should decide the title.

Division 2 Turned Upside Down

Footy Report Thursday 7^th March

Div 2 Thursdays

This division was turned completely upside down as the top 2 teams were beaten by the bottom 2 teams. The Chancers, who fielded their strongest team yet this season, won only their 2nd game of the season beating the Dragons 5-3. They were 4-1 up at the break thanks to goals from Adam Clinton, Gavin O Driscoll, Rob Meade, and Joe Harte and were well deserving of this lead as they were by far the better team in the first half. However the 2nd period was a different story as the Dragons really put on the pressure and were rewarded with 2 goals from Shaun Jordan that got them back in with a chance. But thanks to some excellent defending by Jason O Connell the Chancers held on before Joe Allen sealed the points for them with his sides 5th goal. 

The Net Busters also lost out to Apple Exiles who have struggled so far this season to keep a consistent panel of players, but they were inspired by Jarrin Koopman who scored a very impressive 5 goals in a 7-5 win. The tall Dutchman, Koopman put in a masterclass display in midfield for Apple. Paul Sexton was again leading the line for the Net Busters and scored a hatrick. The Busters put the Exiles under pressure for the last 10 minutes but Apple held on for an excellent victory, and if they could keep this team together could upset any team in this division. Ronan Geary (2) Jermey Dulea and Willie Magnier also did very well for Apple.

The Mount Oval Bar and O'Higgins FC looked like playing out the first 0-0 draw in 3 years at Footy, but up stepped Shane Power to score after a scrappy goal mouth scramble in the dying seconds to secure 3 very valuable points for O'Higgins. These 3 points puts them within striking distance of the Dragons and Net Busters and opens up this league again. Defences were on top but neither side got a grip on this game, with the Oval having most of the possession, but both sides lacked a decent final pass that led to this games lack of goals.

Div 1 Thursday

Drink Team and Ezy FC stay in pole position in this league that is now a 2 horse race between these 2 sides. Ezy had a comprehensive victory over Far From Athletic. Brian Lyons was in brilliant form once again for EZY, and is a class player. He scored 5 times for his side who had Dave Johnson at centre forward holding the ball up very well for and pulling all the strings. Andrew Daunt was also in fine form fo EZY. Drink Team picked up a 5-0 walkover against the All Blacks to stay 3 points adrift.

Kitteringham FC and OS Naventeges played out a cracking game that finished 5-4 to KFC. Os Naventages were 4-1 down at the break but played all the football in an exciting 2nd half and brought it back on level terms only to lose to a Dave O Brien late winner for KFC. Dean Dunlea was KFC's star man and was on the mark 3 times.

In 3rd v 4th the Booze Crew also came up a goal short against Oxford Intl losing 3-2. The Crew from Cobh were 2 nil up and were looking impressive but Oxford re organised and showed their battling qualities and fought their way back into the game. This was also a tough game with 2 fully commitited teams. Again Joe Kinsella was Oxfords main man and scored twice who also had Colin Hawes on the scoresheet.

Div 3 Thursday

Top of the table clash between the Sons of Pitches and the JT Specials did not disappoint on entertainment value as the Specials came out on top 4-2. Eoin Barrett scored 2 excellent and almost identical goals for the Pitches when he drove a low right foot shot from out on the wing to put them 2-1 and in the driving seat. But JT's settled down and got back into the game playing some good football. Rob Carpenter and Dan Hegarty again were best for the Specials and scored a brace a piece. Murt O Connor was very steady at the back for the Specials and made some crucial blocks in the early part of the game when the Sons of Pitches were the better team. This excellent win should give JT's the confidence to close out their first title after playing many years in Footy. But the Pitches and the Flying Column will push them all the way.

The Column were too strong for Men Utd and beat them 5-0 in a one sided affair. Ciaran McArtan was best for the Column scoring 4 times while Alan Mullery was also excellent for the Column who showed more urgency on the night.

Billy Stewart put in a great performance for the Whitfords as the beat Balaga Tongo 4-3, by scoring all of his sides 4 goals in a very tight game. A tremendous volley from 15 yards by Stewart was the highlight of this game with his side just about deserving of the 3 points

Seniors Weekly Game

Over 40/50's weekly game

Notice to all "senior" over 40/50's players. Anyone interested in a casual game of ball on Thursdays at 9pm for a seven a side game at Footy.ie. First come first serve basis each week, no commitment, no pressure to be there each week. If you can make it well in good. I am looking for a panel of about 20/25 players who will be notified by text & e:mail each week. Any takers call me at 0872358331 or email me at brian@footy.ie.

Brian

Long Brothers Blossom Against Rosies

Footy Report 27th Feb

Wednesday Division2

Brothers Dean and Conor Long helped Duffers FC beat Rosies 6-4, combining to score 4 of their sides 6 goals. This game was closely contested but a sublime Dean Long volley with 10 minutes to go, from a tight angle into the far corner gave the Duffers the confidence to go close out the game comfortably in the end. Stephen O Riordain was in the right place to tap in 2 late goals for the Duffers to seal the points. Dean's hatrick has now brought his tally to 7 goals in the last 2 games. Newcomer for Rosies Gus Bowen and Colin Murphy with 3 goals did well, but Duffers had youth on their side which made all the difference in the crucial last 10 minutes.

FC Coping Badly threw a spanner in the works as they beat table toppers Sub Standard Liege 5-4 in a cracking game. John O'Brien popping up in the last minute to score the winner for Coping. Liege, inspired be Kevin Heelan, did well to get it back on level terms after being 4 -1 down, and perhaps should have been happy with a point but pushed on for the winner and were caught on the break by O'Brien. Bernard Parkes scored the pick of the 9 goals for FC Coping after a superb move that seemed to involve most of the team.

AC Standard also had an excellent win over Fritzl Palace, winning by the odd goal in 5. This was a tough encounter with both sides going at full throttle. Tim O Connor scored with a brilliant effort to open the scoring for AC. Paul Kilcoyne scored with a great drive to make it 2-0 at the break. But Palace showed their battling qualities and levelled the game at 2-2 midway through the 2^nd half with goals from Dan Gallagher and Killian Lynch. O'Connor who led the line of attack superbly for AC went on to score the winner and clinch the 3 points.

Wednesday Division 1

The Kids and CUH played out a very entertaining game that finished 6 -3 to the Kids. Colin Hammond was in excellent form and showed some lovely skill throughout the game, and scoring a hatrick in the process. This game was very open and CUH had goalkeeper Patrick Ryan in superb form. But a yellow card at a crucial time midway through the 2^nd half proved a big blow for CUH as they conceded twice with just 6 players on the pitch.

CSKA were made to work all the way by Crystal Phallus, but had just enough in the tank to win 7-5. CSKA had clinical finisher Philip Sweetman back in their side and needed him as they were pushed hard by Darragh and Pat O'Regan for Phallus.

The Bailey also won an open encounter with Sliabh na mBan 8-4, to stay top of this division. Ross Flood was in top form for the Bailey who seem to be improving each week and will be hard to stop. Stephen McCarthy and Ronan Sherman also combined well in a team that is ticking all the boxes at present. It looks like their encounter with the Kids on week 10 will be the crucial game and should be a title decider.

The 30 Somethings had an unexpected easy victory over Racing Club. Racing are struggling this season to find some form and were always 2nd best against a Somethings side that had Graham Virgo and Kevin Murphy in great form. Virgo was back to his best with 3 well taken goals. Jason Lake and Jurgen Buwoski tried hardest for Racing, but their final ball was not good enough on the night.