Column Off To A Flyer

Column Off To A Flyer

Thursday Division 3

The Flying Column had the best possible start to this Footy.ie Spring campaign with a big win over Parken the Bus. The East Cork lads were always up against it when they conceded 2 early goals and the Column never allowed them back into the game. Ciaran McArtan was pulling all the strings in the Column midfield, and was well assisted by Ciaran Barry. A Contender for goal of the season was scored by McArtan, a goal described by referee Denis Cronin as “the best goal he has ever seen at Footy”. It was a first time right foot drive from 25 yards into the top corner. Could this be the spring board for the Column's first ever Footy title having played in these leagues for many years now. They have a solid keeper in Brendan Cotter, Ray O'Regan marshalls their defence well, and they have brought in some younger fresh legs to add to their ageing but experienced line up. It might be early days but I expect the Column to be in the mix come mid April.

The JT Specials also had a good victory over newcomers Murder on Zidanes Floor. Having played the first half with only 6 players, Dan Hegarty and Ronan Geary turned the scoring in the Specials favour in the 2^nd half. The prolific Hegarty with 4 and Geary with a hatrick. Shane and Darren Yoannou were best for Zidanes Floor and were on the scoresheet along with Stephen Aherne and Matt O'Keeffe.

Men Utd also had an explosive start to their season with a big win over another new team Rapid Vienneta, winning 9-1. This United line up have played together for a few seasons now and are starting to gel and look like contenders for Division 3. Mick Ryan manages this team well and they have some strong players in their line up in Padraig McGovern, Joey Herrity, Bernard Parkes and Craig Hayes who were all amongst their goals.

Whitfords overcame Kia Fc in a 5-4 thriller having come from 3-1 down to take 3 valuable points. There were 9 different goal scorers in this game. Man of the match Kevin O'Connell rolled back the years and was most influential in the Whitfords line up in this closely fought contest.

Thursday Division 2

On Paper this league should be really tight with and 8 very even teams in the line up. The experienced Boca Seniors had an excellent 3-2 win over Deadly Buzz. Bocas just about held on to the 1 goal lead having come under intense pressure for the last 5 minutes but they were worth the win. Joe McAulliffe was excellent for the Bocas and scored a brilliant goal, with a lovely finish after some very neat passing. Brian Lyons and Peter Carroll were best for the Buzz.

Newcomers South Coast Ath and The Cowboys played out a very intense thrilling game, that in a fair 4-4 scoreline. Jessie Byrne scored a last minute equaliser for the Cowboys and both he and Brendan Cashman from South Coast both shared 3 goals a piece.

Crystal Eagle showed true grit in coming back from 2-0 down to earn a point against a tough River Plate side. Eoghan O'Sullivan with the equaliser for Crystal Eagle. Darren Deasy was their other goal scorer. Gary O Connell and Gavin O Driscoll were River Plates scorers who started the match the stronger and were 2 up at the break.

NRG Fitness also had a narrow victory over The Frauds, winning by the odd goal in 11. This game was end to end and neither side were allowed to settle on the ball. The Frauds who were division 3 champions last season did well to match the fitness of the NRG lads. Rob Jones was a real threat and scored 3 times for NRG while Daragh Behan scored twice for the Frauds.

Thursday Division 1

The Hungarian lads “The Wanted Fc” had an excellent 6-0 win over the 30 Somethings. Last season's MVP winner for this division Zsolt (George) Laszlo again was to the fore for them. It is a joy to watch these lads passing the ball and can only be criticised for over passing sometimes instead of shooting. The Somethings never got into the game. Monyo and Laszlo did most of the damage for the Hungarians.

Soup a Stars came back from 2-0 down to beat Hardly Ath 6-2. Hardly ran out of steam in the second half when Brian Lyons scored a hatrick for the winners.

The Zimmerframes did really well coming back from 4-2 down to end up with the spoils with a narrow 5-4 win over the Sons of Pitches. Patrick O Riordain scored 3 times for the Frames. The Pitches were a bit unlucky to came away with nothing from this game and scored an own goal to help the Frames get back into the game.

Judging on this weeks fixtures only, it looks like the Soup a Stars and the Wanted should be contenders for this division.

Lots of very close and exciting games this first week at Footy and John and I would like to thank all players who continue to play Footy.ie in a very sporting manner !!