Lismore lose in Munster Junior Shield

With the weather causing all sorts of problems last week, the Waterford and District League had all league fixtures cancelled, except those Munster Cup games that needed pitch inspections as per rule. Brideview’s Munster Junior Shield fixture away to Southend was called off as the pitch failed an inspection and the game will now be played in Tallow this Sunday afternoon. Lismore’s fixture away to Carrick took place with Carrick proving too strong on the day.

This week we are concentrating on the Airtricity League 1st Division playoffs that saw both Waterford and Cobh Ramblers reach the final, which will be played at Turner’s Cross this coming Saturday.

We give an account of the victory of the Irish women’s team that defeated Albania in Tallaght Stadium and in our Memories segment, we go back to season 1997/98 with events off the field, that included referees on the RHL committee having to make a decision to either continue refereeing or stay on the committee. This was a directive following a meeting in Cork between representatives of the RHL committee and the Munster Referees Society. Following this directive, the committee lost two members who wished to stay refereeing.

We conclude the segment thus week with clubs informed of the plans by the committee to apply for membership of the MFA as a league on their own.

IRELAND’S WOMEN’S TEAM DEFEAT ALBANIA

The Irish women’s international team played at Tallagh Stadium on Friday last in the first of two games against Albania in the Women’s Nations League - League B, group B1.

Before a large and vociferous home crowd the Irish team came out on top with a 5-1 victory. This game can be called the Katie McCabe show as Ireland’s best player scored a hat-trick and “made” the other two goals.

Ireland led at the break 2-1 thanks to McCabe scoring in the 4th minute, before Albania surprised the Irish with an equalising goal three minutes later. But Ireland hit back when McCabe scored in the 26th minute and this was the score at half-time, 2-1.

This was not a great half for the home team with a number of mistakes being made, but it was obvious this was a different performance to what we had become accustomed to under the previous manager. The second half saw a much better performance and the third goal arrived from an Albanian corner kick which was saw McCabe pick up the clearance and race down the right wing, before passing to Kyra Caruso who found the net.

Three minutes later McCabe played a wonderful pass from the left wing into the centre where Caruso headed to the net for a three-goal lead. Katie McCabe completed her hat-trick from a well worked free kick that gave the visiting keeper no chance for a 5-1 victory, that leaves the Irish top of the table.

As one of our colleagues remarked to us, if only the men’s team could play like this, the atmosphere at their home games would be so much better. We have to agree and it is wonderful to see all the players make the time when the game is over to pose for photos and autographs with the fans. Do we see this at the Aviva with the senior men’s team? A big no.

For those of us who get to see the games in the Women’s National League, a feature always is at the final whistle, the players of both teams make it their business to meet the supporters of the two teams before leaving the pitch. While there may not be large crowds attending the league games on any Saturday during the season, the relationship between the girls and the supporters is comparable to a family greeting. We have commented on this before in our notes, as have those who attend the games. Long may it last.

By the time our notes appear in print, Ireland will have played Albania away at the Loro Boricii Stadium Shkoder and the two final group games are at home to Hungary on 1st December and away to Northern Ireland on 5th December.

The FAI will then make a decision in selecting the next head coach/manager. Eileen Gleeson has said she does not want the job, but let us be honest, the way the team has played in her three internationals as head coach we have seen a totally different side, an attacking team that can score goals and we believe the FAI should try hard to encourage her to stay as head coach with her assistants, Colin Healy and Emma Byrne. There have been enough mistakes by the FAI in former years with the appointment of a manager for the senior men’s team and let us not do likewise with appointing a senior women’s team coach.

U21S

The Ireland U21 men’s team will play two group games in November in the UEFA U21 Championship 2023m starting with an away fixture on Friday, 17th November against Norway and then they have Italy as visitors to Turner’s Cross on Monday, 20th November, which will be the big game in the group. Tickets have gone on sale for the game at Turner’s Cross.

WATERFORD V COBH RAMBLERS IN PLAYOFF FINAL

Last week was all about the play-offs in the 1st division with two games - Athlone v Waterford and Wexford v Cobh Ramblers – being played over two legs on Tuesday and Saturday.

We start with Tuesday when Waterford travelled to Athlone Stadium for their clash with Athlone Town in the first leg. The Blues brought their usual large support to the Lissywollen venue and before an attendance of 1,597 the team attacked from the start and created plenty of chances without converting any. Athlone did cause a few problems for the Blues’ defence with Frantz Pierrot at centre forward keeping the defence on the alert. However, the half-time whistle sounded and the teams were scoreless.

The second half saw Waterford up the pace and Ronan Coughlan found the net to give the Blues a deserved lead. Then we had a penalty shout ruled out by the referee who must have been the only one in the stadium not to think it was a penalty. We are still wondering how he gave a corner kick.

With 15mins remaining, Athlone equalised through Pierrot and it was game on. With time running out the referee was again the centre of attention when he turned down what can only be claimed as a legitimate penalty kick to the Blues and the full time whistle sounded and the teams would hit to the RSC with the score 1-1.

We never criticise referees as we know how difficult it can be. But the performance on Tuesday by the match official only adds to the criticism of the league and match officials. This is for another day and we looked forward to Saturday at the RSC.

Saturday saw the 2nd legs taking place and we were at the RSC to see Waterford and Athlone Town continue where they finished on Tuesday evening.

Before an attendance of just over 2,200 and on a pitch that was soft from all the rain that had fallen, Waterford started the better of the two sides and went on the attack. Indeed, for the first 12mins the ball never got over the half way line into the Waterford half. There was sustained Blues pressure that did not yield a score, with central defenders Fuentes Rodriguez and Noah van Geenan keeping the Waterford attackers at bay and Minogue in the visiting goal showing us why we think so highly of him. After sustaining this early pressure, Athlone started to make inroads into the Waterford half and it took a few good saves from Sam Sergeant in the Waterford goal to deny the visitors the lead and after 45mins, there was no addition to the score. Speaking to a few Blues fans at halftime, all agreed, this was not a good performance by the home team.

The second half started similar to the opening half with Waterford attacking, but nothing to show for their non-stop attack and it was obvious a change was needed. 15mins into the second half manager Keith Long replaced Dean McMenamy with Romeo Akachukwu and the Irish U17 international did not let the manager and team down, as he scored the opening goal in the 64th minute after a wonderful run from Ronan Coughlan, in which he beat three Athlone defenders before crossing for Akachulwu to score.

But the lead was short lived as Athlone hit back, when Pierrot was brought down just inside the area by Derik Osede in the 71st minute and referee Gavin Colfer pointed to the penalty spot and Pierrot converted - the score on aggregate was now 2-2.

The Blues hit back with Coughlan again supplying Akachukwu with another pass and once again the ball was in the net and Waterford led. Into injury time and the Blues cemented their victory when Akachukwu received the ball in his own half and raced into the area to hit a wonderful strike past Minogue to complete his hat-trick.

Minutes later the full time whistle was blown and Waterford are back into the divisional final for the second consecutive season.

Waterford were the better team, especially in the second half and deserved their victory, but can thank Romeo Akachukwu for his three goals in the last thirty minutes, not forgetting Ronan Coughlan’s assists for the opening two goals. The Blues now have a week to prepare for the Cobh challenge on Saturday.

Tuesday saw Cobh Ramblers play Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park and at the end of the 90mins came away with a goal lead, the only score of the game. This goal arrived after only 14mins play, with a Mikie Rowe in-swinging corner being met by Pierce Phillips who finished to the net for the lead goal, which turned out to be the winner. On a pitch that cut up badly, both teams tried to play the ball on the ground as much as possible, but it was difficult in the conditions. The game was not as exciting as the league meeting two weeks previous when the teams shared the points 3-3, but on Tuesday Cobh were happy to leave the Wexford venue with a goal advantage, while for the Wexford management, this was a disappointing result.

Saturday evening before an attendance of around 2,000, this was going to be a difficult game for both teams and so it was. The weather changed during the game with plenty of rain making the conditions very difficult. We received a report from a colleague throughout the game.

Wexford had to attack to get the goal that would bring them level on aggregate with the home team and in the 33rd minute, James Crawford found the net and this of course quietened the home crowd. Wexford were playing the better football in this half and created more of the chances, with former Waterford player, Thomas Oluwa causing problems for the home defence, but after 45mins there was only the Wexford goal that separated the teams on the day, but level 1-1 on aggregate.

The second half saw Cobh come more into the game, but Wexford were still creating more chances and Oluwi ran from his own half into the area only to see his effort go the wrong side of a post. Then with 15mins remaining, Jack Doherty played a pass to James O’Leary and he beat the visiting keeper as the ball nestled in the net to the delight of the large home following for the equalising goal on the day, but more importantly, the lead goal on aggregate.

However, Wexford continued to attack and centre half Ethan Boyle saw a header go the wrong side of a post and Aaron Dobbs had a header go over the bar. The final whistle sounded and Cobh were into the final to play Waterford next Saturday at Turner’s Cross.

Our colleague told us he believes Wexford were the better team on the day, but Cobh held on for the draw and the aggregate victory. This then is second in the league table playing third and we all look forward to the two neighbours playing each other.

There should be a large crowd at Turner’s Cross this Saturday for the divisional final, with the winners playing Cork City the following weekend in the relegation/ promotion final.

Saturday has the makings of a cracking final and on the day, Waterford will be the home team at Turner’s Cross following a toss to decide the home team and away team.

When the league commenced back in February, how many believed that the two teams on Saturday, Waterford and Cobh Ramblers, would be contesting the divisional play-off final. We all believed after last season that Waterford would win automatic promotion with Galway for the second year as beaten finalists. We remember that wonderful final at the Markets Field when Waterford defeated Galway and the Galway supporters wanting John Caulfield to step down. But so much has happened in the twelve months. Caulfield built a Galway team that ran away with the 1st Division, with Waterford unable to beat them in any of the four league games this year. Waterford were good enough we believe, but never showed their true ability on the field with an up and down season, but enough to be guaranteed runners-up again, a number of weeks back. There is no doubt they have players who are good enough to get the club back to the Premier division. In Barry Baggley they have an outstanding midfielder and two attacking full backs in Ryan Burke and Darragh Power, a strong centre half in team captain Giles Phillips and the top goal scorer in Ronan Coughlan, if he is given enough ball can a win a game on his own.

Cobh have an excellent keeper in Lee Steacy, Brendan Frahilly and Charlie Lyons in defence, former Galway player Mikie Rowan and our favourite, former Waterford player Jack Doherty and midfielder and captain Jason Abbott.

This is without doubt the best season the Cobh club is having in many years and there is great credit to manager Shane Keegan and assistant Franny Rockett, for the work they have put into the team since they took over the managerial duties.

This is an intriguing final and we make Waterford favourites to once again battle for a Premier place on Friday week against Cork City. We have many times written how we love visiting St Colman’s Park down through the years, many years if the truth be told, to see the Ramblers play, but our loyalty is with our beloved Blues and we hope both teams give a good account of themselves on the day.

The game on Saturday has a 5pm start at Turner’s Cross and we expect a large Blues following to take over the Cross.

Cork City 0 Derry City 1

Cork City played their penultimate Turner’s Cross league game on Friday night when they had Derry City as visitors and once again lost for the fourth time this season to the team from the north and a result that had Richie Holland’s team all but doomed for the relegation playoff, even with two more league games to play. But with Sligo Rvs drawing at home on Saturday, they went seven points clear and cannot be caught by City.

City played well in the opening half before an attendance of 1,800, restricting Derry to just the one shot on goal that saw Will Patching’s effort well saved by goalkeeper Brooks, while City did have the ball in Brian Maher’s net by Ruairi Keating, but the goal was ruled out as the ball had crossed the end line before Cian Bargary crossed. Barry Coffey had the ball in the net just before half-time, but the referee had blown for a free out as Keating had fouled McJannett in the build up.

The second half had only commenced when Derry were unlucky as a strike from Duffy came back off a post. City had little to offer and it came as no surprise when the Candy Stripes scored. With 15mins remaining Ronan Boyce hit the net when he latched onto a ball that was cleared from McEneff’s attempt on goal and the ball nestled in Brook’s net for the winning score and a goal that has Cork City fighting to play Premier football next season.

As mentioned, they will now play Waterford and Cobh Ramblers in a relegation/promotion playoff.

By the time our notes appear in print, Cork City will have played the newly crowned league champions Shamrock Rvs at Turner’s Cross on Monday. This Friday night they play their final league game when they travel to Dalymount Park to play Bohemians.

We cannot finish this segment without congratulating Shamrock Rovers on winning the Airtricity League Premier title for a fourth consecutive season, a truly remarkable achievement.

While they did not play as consistently as in other seasons, they rose to the challenge when it counted and proved they are the best team in the league and have an excellent manager in Stephen Bradley, who has managed the teams to win the four league titles.

MEMORIES - EVENTS FROM 1998 OFF THE FIELD OF PLAY

A number of weeks back we decided to take a look through the archives of activities that took place off the field of play, but for the past two weeks we have dwelt on the death of former Lismore player, Denis O’Donnell who played with the club in the early 1980s and was involved with the teams that brought the three-in-a-row Dungarvan Tyre Centre Cups to Lismore.

Last week we wrote of the death of Bobby Charlton and went back to 1968 when he played with Manchester Utd against Waterford at Lansdowne Road in September 1968 and then onto 1976, when he played three league games and one cup game for Waterford.

This week we return to a few events that took place off the field of play commencing with a delegate meeting held at the Red House Bar, Lismore on 24th August, 1998 with the league chairman congratulating the Schoolboy League on being granted affiliation to the SFAI. The club delegates were informed that in future all delegate meetings would be held on the first Monday of each month, instead of every three weeks.

A committee meeting was called for 9th November, 1998 and the committee members were informed that following a meeting in Turner’s Cross with the Munster Branch of the Irish Soccer Referees Society, attended by Paddy Pollard, Paddy O’Shea and Leonard Fraser, the league was given a directive that no referees could serve on the league committee as an officer or committee member. Three referees, Michael O’Neill (league hon secretary), Leonard Fraser (league registrar) and Sean Kerins (league PRO), following the meeting in Cork, had to either continue on the league committee or step down to continue refereeing.

Michael O’Neill stepped down from his role as league hon secretary and would be replaced by Michael McBride. Leonard Fraser stepped down as league registrar and would be replaced by Liam Fraser. While Sean Kerins decided to give up refereeing and stay on the committee as league PRO. Both Michael McBride and Liam Fraser would hold their new positions until the end of that season.

League chairman, Paddy Pollard thanked Michael O’Neill and Leonard Fraser for their work, time and commitment to the league committee and while sorry to lose them, was very glad to see they would continue to referee in the league as they were the two most experienced referees the league had.

At a subsequent delegate meeting held on 7th December 1998, the league chairman informed the club delegates of the changes on the committee and explained the reason why this has taken place. He said fixture secretary, Jim Foley would have been in serious trouble if he lost three referees, and thanked Michael and Leonard for continuing to referee. The chairman concluded, by saying the referees in the league had been asked to form their own referees society. By doing this, the referees in the league could retain the match fee structure that existed in the league and any alterations or increases would have to be passed at the Red House League AGM.

Also, during season 1998/99, the Super Draw proved to be another outstanding success for the clubs that participated and at the January 1999 delegate meeting, hon treasurer Pat Casey gave a breakdown for each of the clubs. The league chairman thanked the four clubs that had hosted the draws, Pinewood, Ballybridge, Blackwater and Kilworth. When we look back at the club venues that hosted the draws through the years, those occasions became social occasions and football was left at the door of each venue. Indeed, looking back at those enjoyable times, we remember a few surprises with unknown talent emerging, even singers who we felt did not have the proverbial note and if the truth be known, still don’t! But thanks to the wonderful league PRO of the time, Sean invented a group that we can never forget. Talent, what talent!

At a subsequent delegate meeting, a suggestion came from a club that there should be a meeting with the referees to iron out various problems that had arisen. The league chairman gave a commitment that he would organise a meeting between the team managers and the referees before the new season commenced.

Jimmy Searson, Waterford League hon secretary had replaced Noel Wallace as the Waterford representative at the RHL delegate meetings. Jimmy brought a wealth of experience with him as he had held the position of chairman of the Waterford League and had also served as chairman of the Munster Football Association.

At the March delegate meeting, the league chairman informed the delegates that the committee had been discussing the possibility of the RHL breaking its connection with the Waterford League and becoming an independent league in their own right. The league had a discussion with the Waterford League and Jimmy Searson said his league had already told the clubs in the league what was happening and in what way this may affect clubs, such as Railway FC, Abbeyside, Dungarvan and Ballinroad and while Railway raised some concerns, there were no objections to the RHL. The league chairman stated the idea was only at the discussion stage, but if did come to pass, we would have to take a good look at our clubs, referees and the committee itself.

Joe Hartnett, Castlebridge, said with over 1,000 schoolboys in the Irwin’s League that the future of the RHL looked very good. David Moore, Cappoquin FC, said that going out on our own was the best way forward for the league and he proposed that we continued to work towards that end. Paddy O’Shea, Youghal FC seconded the motion. There weren’t any disconsenting voices. The league secretary was to write and inform the MFA of their intentions and ask for a meeting with them.

As we know and have written here on a number of occasions, June 1999 became the month in the history of the RHL when the league had their application endorsed by the MFA and the rest is history.

Next week we will take another look into the archives to relive some moments in the history of the RHL-WW/EC.