Brideview into Bolger Cup semi-final - again

Last weekend saw the second series of group games in the Tony Bolger Cup. When the draw for the two groups took place, we wrote that Group B would be the closest. And so, going into next weekend, Valley A have a point advantage over Lismore and Ballybridge, while Clashmore need a win at home on Sunday. They may then find themselves in the knockout stage, depending on the Lismore/ Valley A game.

In Group A, Brideview are once again in the last four and will keep their tag as favourites. They are top of the group following their win away to Valley B. With Inch drawing with Cappoquin/Railway, they travel to Brideview on Sunday morning and the winner here will have home advantage in the semi-final. A draw will suffice for Brideview.

In Group B, while Valley Rgs hold the advantage by a point, Lismore, Ballybridge and Clashmore all have a chance of making the semi-finals. The two group games should be two crackers and real cup ties.

On Sunday night we heard what can only be described as devastating news on the TV that the country could be going into Level Five lockdown, due to the seriousness of the spread of Covid-19. If this happens, then all our planned fixtures could be thrown into disarray, as what happened last March. We are writing this piece on Monday morning as we try to make the deadline for our newspapers. So, when you are reading our notes, all must understand the notes are with the editors early on Monday lunch time, before the government will or will not agree to NPHET’s proposal to go straight to Level Five.

We have for many weeks always concluded this segment of our notes asking all our readers to look out for each other, follow the guidelines as laid down by the Government and the Department of Health. We do so again this week, asking everyone what we have been requested to do since March - wash our hands, wear face masks, respect social distancing.

Finally, we conclude with what we read during the week and we think is very relevant to the present - We isolate now so when we gather again, no one is missing.

TONY BOLGER CUP 2ND ROUND GROUP B Clashmore 2 Valley Rgs A 2

On a bitterly cold and windy Pablo Park last Sunday morning, last October’s defeated finalist Valley Rgs A had to settle for a share of the points in a game that had everything one expects in a cup game.

We took in this game for the notes and for both teams, the wind blowing across the field from the road made football difficult throughout and also made life uncomfortable for the handful of supporters present. Clashmore went on the attack from the start and Paddy Prendergast at centre forward for the Ramblers had the first opportunity - played in from midfield, he rounded goalkeeper Paul Geary but shot wide. In the 15th minute, he shot from all of 25 yards but his effort went over the bar.

Play was swinging from end to end, but the wind was causing problems for both teams. On 32mins, Valley had a great chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty. John Noonan, in attempting to find the top corner, did not allow for the wind and the ball went the wrong side of the post. A let off for the home side.

Valley were made to pay for this miss as two minutes later Geary was taking the ball out of the net when Danny O’Mahony got inside the Valley defence to score. There was nothing more in the 10mns to half-time and one felt Valley had yet to show how good a side they are.

We were not surprised after manager Geary’s half-time chat, as within two minutes of the restart Darra Curran had to dive full length to save a Noonan shot at the expense of a corner. On 58mins minutes Curran was called into action again when he saved with his feet in a one-on-one with Kevin Barry. Five minutes later the game changed. First, Ed Kenneally scored a wonderful goal for the equaliser, and straight from the kick-off John Cashman took possession inside the centre circle and hit a wonderful strike, wind assisted that went over the hapless Curran and into the net. Two goals within sixty seconds of each other.

For the next 10mns the game was punctuated with frees and both teams in this reporter’s opinion were lucky to have a full quota of players remaining on the pitch.

Then on 30mins, Clashmore were awarded a penalty and Adam Curley’s spot kick gave Paul Geary no chance and the sides were level.

Six minutes later a brilliant effort from the edge of the area saw Danny O’Mahony’s pile driver come down off the crossbar into the ‘ keeper’s hands. As time ran out Valley got in behind the home defence and Cashman’s effort to lob Curran in the Clashmore goal saw the ball just go over the bar.

The full time whistle sounded shortly after and the points were shared, which to us was a fair result. This draw saw Valley go top of the group, but still not guaranteed a semi-final spot, while Clashmore need to win next Sunday at home to Ballybridge to stand a chance of the knock-out stages.

Valley Rgs - Paul Geary, Stephen Carr, Chris Kelly, John Carr, Rob English, Ronan Carr, Eoin Coughlan, Ed Kenneally, John Noonan, John Cashman, Kevin Barry. Reserve - Adrian Carr.

Referee Keith Hornibrook, as with the players, had to deal with the strong wind that blew across the pitch. He tried to play the advantage and keep the game moving. Unfortunately he was not helped, in our eyes, by 22 players who felt they wanted to referee and play at the same time. In a time when the league is crying out for referees, one cannot believe there is a shortage, as the 22 players on view last Sunday all wanted to call the shots, but one wonders, how many will be available to take up a whistle on a Sunday when one or two of the “official” referees are not available?

We do not get enjoyment or pleasure from writing the above “rant”, as this will be called, but players’ behaviour when they cross the whitewash has to be controlled by team management. Let us all remember, if the league does not have referees, then there are no games. Simple, isn’t it?

Man of the Match Award - In the opening half we felt Clashmore’s Paddy Prendergast was a certainty for the award, however he did not have the same impact in the second half. For his performance over the 90mins, we give the award to Ed Kenneally, Valley Rgs A.

Colour scheme - Valley Rgs passed, Clashmore failed dismally.

Ballybridge 3 Lismore 1

In our preview we wrote that we have only heard of the reports of the “new” Ballybridge team and how good a side they are. Ballybridge played their first home game in junior football in twelve years when Lismore were visitors.

On a very cold morning, both teams started at great pace, trying to get the upper hand and both defended well in those opening minutes. On 20mins, a cross from Steve Beausang caught out the Lismore ‘keeper and a defender, who both jumped for the ball and this allowed Sean Carroll to slot home.

A break from midfield saw Conal Rooney pick the ball up outside the box and turn his marker with a low shot that found the back of William Halford’s net. The home side were on top with a two goal advantage and before half-time had a free kick awarded outside the box which was despatched with great confidence into the top corner by Paudie O’Sullivan, giving Halford no chance.

Straight from the kick off, Lismore’s Jordan Shanahan took what can only be described as a stunning shot from the halfway line which caught the home ‘ keeper out and the ball nestled in the net for a 3-1 half-time lead for Ballybridge.

The strong wind played a big part in the second half with both teams unable to capitalise on some fine build up play and at the final whistle, Ballybridge had their first win in the WW/EC Junior League after a twelve year absence.

GROUP A Valley Rgs B 1 Brideview 5

Victory in Conna on Sunday afternoon for Brideview sees them back into another Bolger Cup semi-final, their 10th consecutive semi-final, as they head their group with one game to play. On a bitterly cold evening Brideview were the better team and were three goals up after only 12mins. Valley pulled a goal back on 20mins, but two further goals from the Tallow side saw them leading comfortably at half-time 1-5.

The second half saw both teams creating chances, but poor finishing on each side failed to add to their respective totals at the final whistle. Ben Aherne with two goals, and a goal each from Jake Chambers, Richie Ryan and Noel Condon were the Brideview scorers.

Cappoquin/Railway 1 Inch 1

Played at a bitterly cold Danes Field on Saturday night, the result almost certainly ensures Inch a semi-final spot in a week’s time. Our colleague Paddy reports on the game.

Inch attacked strongly and created a few chances and on 10mins following good work on the left wing, player/manager Ger Griffin scored from a cross into the area. Michael Lillis was then off target for the East Cork team. Cappoquin/Railway’s Ciaran Flynn saw a wonderful strike from a free kick go the wrong side of a post and half-time arrived with just the one goal the difference.

The home side improved in the second half and started to create chances. In the 55th minute, league debutant Cian Nolan came close to equalising. Barry Nolan should have done better a few minutes later. Cappoquin/Railway were trying hard for the equaliser and following a free kick from Ciaran Flynn, Ivan Cliffe was wide with an effort from the edge of the area. But it was obvious with the home side attacking they were going to score and with only 2mins remaining, Barry Nolan finally got the equaliser. A draw was a fair result.

Cappoquin/Railway - Robbie O’Connor, Killian O’Connor, Shane Dunne, Eoin Mansfield, Ivan Cliffe, Ciaran Flynn, Barry Nolan, Caelin O’Gorman, Craig Dunne, Luke O’Rourke, Liam O’Gorman. Reserves - Michael Fogarty, Cian Nolan.

Referee Stephen Pratt had a very good game. Colour scheme, both teams failed.

Man of the Match Award - Paddy selected Cappoquin/Railway’s Caelin O’Gorman for his allround display.

MUNSTER JUNIOR CUP

The WW/EC Junior League had three teams - Brideview, Ballybridge and Valley Rgs - in the draw for the Munster Junior Cup which took place at Turner’s Cross last Thursday. Brideview have home advantage against Tramore AFC B, Valley Rgs will have Ferrybank AFC A as visitors to Conna, while Ballybridge travel to Waterford to play Red Star A.

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE

Last week we started our Airtricity League round up with Dundalk’s away success in Moldova in the Europa Cup. This week we are delighted to commence our notes again reporting on Dundalk’s victory by 3-1 on Thursday last at the Aviva against Ki Klaksvik of the Faroe Island. This was a fantastic win for the Lilywhites and the victory sees Dundalk into the group stage of the competition.

The draw which took place on Friday lunch time sees Dundalk in Group B with Moldove from Norway, Rapid Vienna and the ‘big one’, Arsenal. Qualifying for the group stage will see a financial windfall for the League of Ireland club. €3M to qualify and then depending on the results from each group game, with at least a draw, more than Dundalk received by winning the Airtricity League last season. This is the second occasion Dundalk have qualified for the group stage in four years, and while their league form is nothing compared to previous years, the displays in Europe have shown how professional a club they are. To reach this stage of the competition, Dundalk defeated Inter Escaldes of Andorra, Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova and Ki Klaksvik.

Returning to domestic affairs, all three Munster teams, Waterford, Cork City and Cobh Ramblers, all lost. Waterford made the long trip to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Derry, last Friday and we all hoped for at least a draw, but unfortunately the home side won 2-0. A disappointing result for the Blues, especially as Derry have not won a game in four outings. Waterford conceded a penalty just before half-time and Conor Clifford converted.