Shelbourne 1-0 College Corinthians

By Aidan Geraghty @1895Aidan

Shelbourne progressed to the quarter-final of the FAI Cup on Friday night, one step closer to what might be their eleventh national cup victory. But Reds fans will be more concerned about other things; namely their substandard performance against non-league opposition and a nasty looking injury to captain Glenn Cronin.

The killer blow in this one came in just the fifth minute. Seán Brennan delivered a corner-kick into the box and Dean Kelly rose above the Corinthians defence to put the League club 1-0 up.

The amateur Corkonian side gave Shels some minor worries in the first-half but inefficiency meant Niall Burdon's job wasn't too difficult. The most notable chance ended up in a double-save by the young Frenchman after two successive shots by Peter Moreland.

A penalty claim and two or three inaccurate shots were as close as the game came to a goal before the interval and both sides would have considered themselves fortunate not to concede any more than they did.

After the restart, Adam Hanlon's pace caused nightmares for the Corinthians defence. It was evident that the winger had an extra yard (or ten) over both full-backs and he made sure the small crowd knew it. He delivered a number of quality balls into the box, none of which were converted into shots by Kelly or Murtagh. A good team move ended in a powerful shot outside of Power's right hand post after 53 minutes but it was downhill from here for the Reds.

Shelbourne had a nervy final half hour and David Welch forged a number of chances for Corinthians which ended in near-misses, the most significant of which was a looping header that eventually fell into Burdon's hands.

Shelbourne fans collectively worried for the welfare of their captain Glenn Cronin when he was on the receiving end of a malicious tackle from a Corinthians player. The Ballyfermot-native needed two-men to help him leave the pitch and early reports suggest he has sustained a serious knee injury.

The final opportunity of the game was for the visitors. Luke Connolly found himself in some space to pass to Welch who, again, narrowly missed the Ballybough End goal. This time, he hit it wide of the target.

Shelbourne: Niall Burdon; Rob Cornwall, Ian Ryan, Paul Andrews, Pat Flynn; Adam Hanlon, Glenn Cronin (Sheerin), Stephen Hurley, Seán Brennan (Tinnelly); Dean Kelly, Lee Murtagh.

College Corinthians: Mark Power; Richard Cronin, Josh Kra, Colin O’Shea, Robbie Brohan; Peter Moreland, Chris Madden (Stihler), Ricky O’Sullivan, Edwin Buckley (Browne); David Welch, Luke Connolly.

Attendance: 336

Referee: Rob Rogers

OnTheSidelines Man of the Match: Adam Hanlon (Shelbourne)

Sligo Rovers v Cork City

By @bit_red

Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers are at home to Cork City tonight in the FAI Cup quarter-final. They are without David McMillan who is cup-tied and his brother Evan who is suffering from a knee injury and will be out for up to 4 weeks. They are also without Ross Gaynor who is suffering from a knee injury and Iarfhlaith Davoren who has picked up a calf injury.

Ian Baraclough gave his view to sligorovers.com ahead of the game: 

“We are hoping to have a long run and prosper in this competition. We’re fully aware of what it means to supporters and our history and association with the FAI Cup. A good run would give us a boost for the rest of the season. It is a home game and I can’t imagine Cork are relishing the long trip up to the North-West. We have to make that count on Saturday. Hard work and the right approach to the game will get us a long way.”

“Cork have moved into the top half of the Premier Division and I feel this is the tie of the round. We have to be at it from the off. The club were cup holders for two years prior to an early exit last season and I would very much like to do well in it again.”

  

Cork City

Cork will be without the services of Daryl Horgan who is suspended. He was influential in the Cork win over Sligo earlier in the season. Garry Buckley is also suspended, while Ciaran Kilduff is cup-tied. Both Kevin Murray and Darren Dennehy are still sidelined with long term injuries and Dave Ryan is out with a groin complaint. Finally, Gearoid Morissey is a doubt with an ankle injury.

Cork’s caretaker boss Ashton acknowledged the extent of their injury list but remained hopeful nonetheless. Speaking to corkcityfc.ie,  Ashton comments :

“It’s a cup tie, so it’s a change and a game without the pressures of the league. I think both will welcome the break from the league and will go out to play football and enjoy the game. It has the potential to be a real cup tie, with both teams going out to win it. It is our only realistic chance of winning silverware this season and I’m sure Sligo will be looking at it is a competition they can win also.”

“Hopefully we can win the game on the night but if not, a draw would be a great result if we can bring it back to Turner’s Cross and try to finish the tie there. We are going up there to win the game but we won’t be stupid and risk throwing it away. The downside for us is the number of players we are missing and from that point of view we will have to do a bit of re-jigging. That said it is up to the players who come in to show their worth, show they are in the squad in the first place and step up to the plate” 

Match Stats:

Both teams have beaten each other this season. Sligo first beat Cork 2-0 at home but Cork came back with a 3-1 win at Turner’s Cross. The last time the sides were drawn together in the FAI Cup was in 2009. In the first game that year, Cork City took the lead twice (through Shane Duggan and Denis Behan), but were pegged back both times taking the tie to a replay in Sligo.  This time Cork’s Guntar Silagilis put the Leesiders ahead but Raffaele Cretaro sent the game into extra time. Cretaro gave the Bit O’Red the lead in extra time, but when Danny Murphy missed a penalty in the 111th minute, Cork City saw their hopes of FAI Cup success disappear. (via corkcityfc.ie). 

Betting:

Sligo 2/4 Draw 3/1 Cork City 7/1

Prediction:

Sligo Rovers 2 - 1 Cork City

Dundalk brush past the Champions

Dundalk 2-0 Sligo Rovers

Dundalk brushed past the Champions Sligo Rovers with a fairly comfortable 2-0 win in Oriel park infornt of a packed house of over 3,000 spectators.

It was a quick start to the game and Sligo started off the brighter side and they had tehir first chances after six minutess when  Joey Ndo took a quick free kick set up Alan Keane who crossed for Gavin Peers who headed over the bar.

Dundalk were beginning to have  a spell of momentum and through Darren Meenan, Dundalk tested the Sligo keeper with some testing crosses. You could feel something was going to happen soon as Dundalk looked dangerous in attack.

On the quarter of an hour gone Kurtis Byrne broke forward and sent it on to Richie Towell whom then headed it into the box for Pat Hoban whom with his back to goal quickly turned with an overhead kick to the top corner leaving Rogers with no chance in the Sligo goal.

The goal did seem to give Sligo that kick they needed and they put the home side under some significant pressure until half time. The impressive Djillalli for Sligo took advantage of some sloppy play from Mark Rossiter and he broke through and took a shot on goal,however it went inches wide and didn't trouble Peter Cherrie too much. Djillalli continued to trouble Dundalk and his cross met Gavin Peers who hit the bar with a header.

Dundalk went in half time 1 nil up.

Dundalk came out all guns blazing and were very impressive. Stephen O'Donnell had a chance but for his shot being blocked and Dane Masseys cross was so close to been met by Kurtis Byrne at the back post.

Sligo goalkeeper Rogers had to make  agood save from Ricghie Towell as he took a blast at goal and through the following corner Brian Gartland’s header was deflected wide. From that corner, Meenan’s cross causes even more trouble with Rogers unable to claim and Byrne's shot was blocked and it went out for yet another corner as Dundalk continued to pile on the pressure

Eventually, Dundalks dominance was made to count as they doubled their lead  when Meenan’s pin point cross found the head of substitute Chris Shields and he powered his header to the net to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.

Meenan, the creater yet again as he won a free kick against and sent the cross in but for Hoban to just head over.

Dundalk were fairly comfortable now and could have had a penalty when Stephen O'Donnell went tumbling down in the box but referee Neil Doyle waved play on.

Substitute Danny North had an effort from far out was deflected wide and it went out for a corner, from the corner Sligo really should have scored, with Cretaro's shot beating everyone but hitting straight off the post and Dundalk got rid of the danger.

The time was up as Dundalk  recorded another impressive night this season  as they keep up the pressure on league leaders Patricks Athletic.

Man of the match: Richie Towell (Dundalk)

DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie; Mark Rossiter, Andy Boyle, Brian Gartland, Dane Massey; Richie Towell, Stephen O’Donnell; Darren Meenan, John Dillon(Chris Shields 51); Kurtis Byrne(John Sullivan 88), Patrick Hoban(Vinny Faherty 90).

Subs not used: Francis McCaffrey, Jordan Keegan, Francis McCaffrey, Ciaran O’Connor, Aaron Shanahan(GK)

Booked: Towell(41)

Sent off: None.

Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Jeff Henderson, Seamus Conneely(Danny North 63); Kieran Djilali, David Cawley, Joseph Ndo, Aaron Greene, Rafaele Cretaro(Lee Lynch 81); Anthony Elding.

Subs not used: Pascal Millien, Danny Ventre, Lee Lynch, Jake Dykes, Liam Martin, Ciaran Kelly(GK)

Booked: Peers(52)

Sent off: None.

Referee: Neil Doyle

Attendance: 3,031

Derry City 0 VS 2 Drogheda United

Another miserble night at the brandywell for the candystripes as once again they lose to Drogheda.

Derry actully started the game brighter and Rory Patterson had a chance to make it 1-0 to Derry but they went wide after a poor cross from Paddy Kavanagh.

Drogheda could have taken the lead on the 18th minute when a mistake from Eoghan Osbourne allowed Cathal Brady to cross the ball to Gavin Brennan whos shot went over the bar but soon after Fabio O`Brein had a chance when he beat the offisde trap but Gerrard Doherty came to Derry`s rescue and it remained 0-0.

Derry`s best chance came on the 30th minute when Patrick Mc Eleney took a shot which did trouble Schilngerman and Paddy Kavangh`s corner went to patterson whos shot was saved and Ruadhri Higgans sent the ball well over the net.

Drogheda took the lead on the 38th minute Fabio O`Brein who has been a real thorn in the side for Derry over the years took a shot but it was defecled off Gerrard Doherty who appered to have taken an injury and Gavin Brennan took advantage and made it 1-0 to Drogheda.

Half Time Score Derry City 0-1 Drogheda United

Drogheda United dominated the start of the second with both the Brennan brothers casuing trouble for the candystripes.

Drogheda where awarded a pelenty when Shane McEleney had apparntly barged Ryan Brennan.

Ryan Brennan took the pelenty and scored 2-0 to Drogheda more misery for Derry.

Declan Devine made some much needed chances brining on Barry Molloy, Barry McNamee and Marc Griffin but to no avail.

Barry Molloy did have a chance to make it 2-1 but his shot was saved by Schilngerman and Barry McNamee coudlnt get anything out of the rebound.

Derry had one last real chance in the 76th minute a header from Ryan McBride did go close but didn`t go in and Drogheda kept it 2-0.

Full Time and Drogheda continue to be a bogey side for Derry City.

Full Time Derry City 0-2 Drogheda United

By Adam Quigley - Nixon

Bray Wanderers 1-2 Cork City - Bray below par as City head west with all three points.

Cork City traveled to the east coast this evening to face Bray Wanderers and left with all three points in the bag thanks to an 80th minute Ciaran Kilduff strike.

The game had a lively start with City's Danny Morrissey firing straight at Darren Quigley from range before Bray attack and Kieran Marty Waters attempts an audacious lob over Mark McNulty's head only to see his shot go narrowly over the crossbar.

Soon after the visitors took the lead. The ball fell for Ian Turner 25 yards from goal and he unleashed a sublime strike with the outside of his right foot which flew in to Quigley's goal.

After this goal it only looked like more were going to follow, with City constructing attack after attack and with every one of these attacks, the Bray defense looked shakier and shakier each time. This shaky Bray defence was never more evident than the minute of madness in which Cork had countless opportunities to double their lead. Darren Quigley was forced into a world class double save before a third shot was blocked right in front of goal by Danny O'Connor.

A short while later Kilduff was through on Quigley's goal after a perfect ball from Dan Murray found him free, only to miss his shot.

Then came the Bray equaliser, a high ball in from Waters found Ismahil Akinade who seemed to be hanging in the air for an eternity who fired a great header past McNulty in the City goal to draw his side level.

After this Bray upped their game for a while. Marty Waters won a free kick 25-yards-out which Jason Byrne fired way over.

Half time came and the sides could not be separated. 1-1 the score as the teams head in for the break.

The first chance of the second half fell to Bray's Gary Dempsey who headed straight into the arms of McNulty from close range.

Turner then tried to beat Quigley for the second time but his shot lacked any real conviction and was easy to deal with in the end.

It began to be taken for granted that Akinade would win every header and he did just that again as he headed at goal only to find it trickle agonisingly past the far post.

An Ian Turner corner found Dan Murray six yards out who fired his volley very high and very wide as it flies out onto the Quinsboro Road. A great opportunity missed. Should have been 2-1.

The home side began to get a real foothold on the game as another effort was deflected wide for a corner which resulted in nothing more than a free kick to Cork in their own box.

Waters once again tries his luck from range but it never looks like troubling the City goal as it flies way over.

A Gearoid Morrissey corner forced Quigley to punch clear off his goal line.

Ciaran Kilduff finally beats Quigley with just ten minutes to spare after the kind of defending that will leave Pat Devlin having nightmares for the rest of the week. The Cork striker wormed his way past the Bray defense before slotting home from a narrow angle.

Full time score: Bray Wanderers 1-2 Cork City

Follow Conor Clancy on Twitter: @conorclancy9

City look to avenge semi-final defeat

    Derry City v Drogheda United

Friday 16th August, Brandywell Stadium, 7:45pm

@jp_fahy previews

Derry City go into this one looking to avenge their semi-final defeat eleven days ago as they welcome Mick Cooke’s Drogheda United to the Brandywell for the fourth time this season; the first two meetings finished 1-1 whilst Drogheda ran out easy 3-1 winners in the EA Sports League Cup Semi-Final last Monday night. 
 

It is the sixth meeting between the two this season with Derry having the advantage in the league encounters with a draw and a win whilst United have the upper hand in the cups with two wins and a draw. In the first meeting Derry came up against an inspired Gabriel Sava who single-handedly kept Derry at bay with save after save before a Michael Daly header nine minutes from time grabbed a point for the visitors; whilst a Rory Patterson double and an Alan Byrne own goal sealed a 3-2 victory for the Candystripes at Hunky Dory Park back in May.
 

Derry City
 

However the Candystripes will have to plan without influential centre half Stewart Greacen who suffered a knee problem in the semi-final defeat as well as captain Kevin Deery who is also struggling with his knee. Declan Devine has been able to call upon Thomas Crawley in recent weeks who has been out injured for the last few months with a hamstring injury, with the signing of Eoghan Osborne in the window and the form of Michael Duffy on the wing Crawley, for the time being will have to settle for a place on the bench.

 

 

Drogheda United
 

Drogheda striker Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien has scored five goals in five appearances this season against Derry including a brace in the semi-final just over a week ago, however the Co. Louth side must make the trip North without the services of Shane Grimes who is suspended whilst Graham Rusk and Gary O’Neill are both injured.
 

This game will see the league’s two leading marksmen go head to head in the form of Rory Patterson (16) and Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien (13); Patterson’s double at UCD last week was first goal(s) since the start of June and the striker will no doubt be delighted to have gotten back on the score sheet after missing a penalty at a crucial stage against Sligo the previous week.  Victory at UCD ended a run of six defeats in seven matches in all competitions whilst Drogheda’s 3-0 win over Limerick was enough to see them claim their first win in nine games so both teams have been a bit rusty recently which should make for a fascinating game.
 

 

Stats

 

- Its the 6th meeting between the sides this season, Derry winning 1 and Drogheda winning 2 with 2 draws (both 1-1 at the Brandywell)

 

- The game see's the leagues top two marksmen go head to head, Rory Patterson (16) & Declan O'Brien (13)

 

- Patterson has scored 4 times against Drogheda this season whilst O'Brien has 5 from 5 against Derry

 

- Derry have taken 4 four points from the two league encounters this season with a Patterson brace at Hunky Dory Park needed to secure a 3-2 win for the Foylesiders

 

- That 3-2 win was only Derry's 2nd win in 10 games against the Boynesiders

 

 

 

 

Airtricity League Premier Division: Bottom Four Fight Heating Up

With the third series of fixtures underway in the Airtricity League of Ireland, the battle at the bottom is shaping up to end in thrilling fashion with all still very much to play for. The four teams in the most immediate danger of the drop are separated by just four points; Bohemians, Bray Wanderers, Shelbourne, and UCD. Bohs currently sit bottom with 18 points, next in line are Bray with 20, then Shels, also with 20 but a goal difference which betters that of Bray by 4, fourth from bottom sit UCD with 22 points. Even outside of these four, Drogheda United sit in eight place with 26 points, leaving the Louth side not too far from the danger zone themselves.

First things first, I’ll start at bottom club Bohs and their survival chances. It was predicted by many that this season would be a struggle for the Dublin side, but just how much of a struggle was always in question.

Their season started relatively well with a 2-1 victory over UCD. They went on to pick up seven points from their first five games in which they defeated two relegation rivals UCD and Shelbourne, and shared a point with fierce rivals Shamrock Rovers in Dalymount Park. Then things took a turn, losing three on the trot to Derry, Limerick and Dundalk. Bohs began to realise they were involved in this relegation scrap.

One major contributing factor to where Bohs find themselves is that they, unlike the teams around them, have not really had a good run of games this season. Had they have put a run together like those around them did, they would be well clear of this fight but instead they find themselves at the foot of the table.

One factor that could play into their hands is the very stature of the club. Bohemian Football Club is a huge club in Irish football terms. It is a club which has never been relegated. Travelling to Dalymount to play Bohemians still has a certain feel to it. Travelling to an intimidating ground to come up against a big club who, if you ask anyone associated with the club, belong nowhere near the bottom of the table. I’m certain it will be drilled into the players that this club is almost too big to go down and I expect Bohs to put up more of a fight in the final series of fixtures.

Next, I’ll take a look at Bray. The Seagulls find themselves second from bottom in the league. They also have the second worst defence in the league, with only UCD leaking more goals than them to date this season. At a first glance, things look pretty bleak for the league’s only Wicklow based team. But Bray do have a few factors which could prove to work in their favour. Pat Devlin’s men are one of, if not the most experienced League of Ireland side when it comes to fighting for their lives, and more often than not they come out on top. They will not be panicking about the fact that they find themselves near the foot of the table as it’s very much where they expect to be season after season.

Another thing which gives Bray hope is their record goal-scorer Jason Byrne. Since returning to the club in 2012 the veteran striker has netted 26 times in just 40 games. Byrne is a man who is always capable of scoring with just one chance and having him in the team means Bray will always be likely to score goals. Young gun Ismahil Akinade has also been finding his goal scoring touch since the halfway point of the season and should he continue this form Bray could well pull off a surprise or two before the season ends.

Tolka Park next, and Shelbourne the team to be looked at. Another big club that find themselves battling for their lives. For a long time Shels looked dead and buried, written off by most who follow the league and the teams above them possibly even began to relax. Following the departure of manager Alan Matthews in May and the arrival of Johnny McDonnell they began to show some fight and claw their way back into the battle.

Perhaps being written off by almost everybody helped, it certainly would have eased the pressure as nobody expected anything from them. Their best run of form came as they burst into life with a draw away to Drogheda was followed by successive victories over Cork City, Limerick and UCD, then came a draw away to fellow strugglers Bray before finally succumbing to defeat at the hands of Dundalk. Shels have come into form at a good time and this could be a decisive factor in regards to their survival hopes.

Now to the team who currently sit four points clear of bottom, UCD. Like Bray, UCD are well used to finding themselves at the bottom of the table as the season reaches its end.

Like Bray and Shelbourne, UCD showed signs that they are capable of winning games. UCD’s hot streak coincided with Bray’s. The Students have a massively inexperienced squad. The coaching staff at UCD will be experienced at fighting the drop, the players, on the other hand will not. With the right guidance UCD will be able to remain calm and keep their heads above water. Knees will no doubt be trembling in the dressing room at Belfield, it will be interesting to see how The Students handle the pressure of another relegation dog-fight.

It could well come down to the remaining fixtures between each clubs, I have put together a small table of games in which the bottom four have faced each other.