Top two lose out as title race blown wide open

Sunday morning last saw predictions fly away in the spring sunshine as both Brideview A and Valley Rgs A were beaten. Inch caused a shock at home in defeating Brideview A, while Valley Rgs A conceded four goals in losing at home to Lismore. We got our predictions wrong here. Lismore scored the fastest goal of the season when they found the net inside 60 seconds and the league table has now become very interesting with Sunday’s results having thrown the title race wide open.

In The Avondhu 1st Division, Brideview B have opened a gap at the top of the table with their home victory over nearest rivals Cappoquin/Railway.

The Valley Rgs B v Kinsalebeg fixture was abandoned after a Kinsalebeg player received a serious leg injury.

This weekend we have the local derby in Conna between Valley Rgs A and Brideview A with the result here so important for both teams in the title race, while in Lismore the home team, now in second spot, welcome Inch.

In The Avondhu 1st Division, a win for Brideview B against Valley Rgs B wills see them requiring just a point from their three remaining league games to be crowned champions.

MARI MINA PHARMACY PREMIER Inch 3 Brideview A 1

No problem in admitting it, we got our prediction very wrong. We felt Brideview A were the form team and after seeing their demolition of Valley Rgs A the previous week and having seen Lismore defeat Inch, we could not see the East Cork team winning. How wrong we were.

Inch went into the game with only a draw from three league games played, while Brideview were top of the table and undefeated in their four league games.

The game opened brightly with both teams attacking and Brideview had a few chances that were not converted, giving confidence to the Inch team. In the 19th minute, the hosts took the lead through Mike Foley. Brideview hit the bar and at the other end the long serving Leonard Byrne found the net in the 29th minute – 2-0 to Inch at the interval.

After the restart, Brideview upped the tempo as they chased the game and in the 60th minute Dave McInerney scored to cut the deficit. But back came Inch and once again the experienced Byrne was on hand to score. Try as they might Brideview were unable to score for the last 25mins even though the crossbar denied them at least twice and at the final whistle, Inch were victorious.

Our thanks for the match report to the ‘ birthday boy’ Dominic for his help and keeping us up to date with the scores. With Brideview losing, not a great start for the birthday celebrations!

Valley Rgs A 0 Lismore 4

We predicted a draw here following their game in Lismore a few weeks back. Our colleague Paddy travelled to Conna to report for the notes and he tells us on a perfect pitch and ideal conditions for football, he saw the fastest goal scored this season when Finbarr Reaney found the net inside the first 60 seconds; following a cross from the wing he volleyed to the net giving Facunda in the home goal no chance.

Lismore were playing the better football and shortly after, a Lismore corner kick was cleared to Kyle Bennett who hit the net from all of 25 yards – 0-2 Lismore. Facunda saved well from Bennett on 15mins and at the other end, Adrian Carr shot wide under pressure on 20mins.

Facunda was called into action again when diving at Kevin O’Neill’s feet and at this stage Valley were beginning to come more into the game after a very poor start and at half-time, Lismore had a two goal lead.

Valley manager Paul Geary was not happy with his team’s display and his half-time talk we felt would see an improvement in the home team.

Within a minute of the restart, Kelvin Gleeson had a header saved by Lismore ‘keeper Maurice Shanahan. A good move by Lismore saw Reaney pass to Whelan, but Facunda saved brilliantly diving at Whelan’s feet.

Valley kept attacking and in the 56th minute Pearse O’Rourke cleared off the Lismore goal line to deny the home team. In another good Lismore move, Reaney scored the third goal and his second and within a few minutes saw an effort go the wrong side of a post for his hat-trick. But he did not have long to wait, scoring his third goal in the 85th minute. At the final whistle Lismore were deserving winners.

Valley Rgs A - Facunda, Graham O’Neill, Ivan Ohrim, Steve Carr, Rob English, Ed. Kenneally, Adrian Carr, John Noonan, Stephen O’Donovan, Tom Hartnett, Kelvin Gleeson. Reserves - John Carr, Jack Lazack, Kieran Kelleher, Luke John Heffernan, Paul Geary.

Lismore - Maurice Shanahan, Paddy Foley, Pearse O’Rourke, Ben Shanahan Quinn, Oisin O’Gorman, John Roche, Aaron Whelan, Cealan O’Gorman, Kyle Bennett, Kevin O’Neill, Finbarr Reaney. Reserves - Sam Ryan, Paul Quinn, Jordan Shanahan, Jack Roche.

Referee Stephen Pratt kept the game moving, helped by two sporting teams. Colour scheme - both teams passed.

Man of the Match - Paddy selected Finbarr Reaney for his hat-trick and overall display.

THE AVONDHU 1ST DIVISION Brideview B 1 Cappoquin/Railway 0

We took in this game on Sunday afternoon at Leonard Fraser Park between the leaders and second placed teams.

We had seen Brideview play the previous week when defeating Kinsalebeg and looked forward to seeing Cappoquin/Railway. This was a top of the table clash but unfortunately it did not live up to our expectations.

On a perfect pitch and in ideal conditions neither team was asserting themselves early in the game. In fact the number of chances created were very few with both goalkeepers not being tested in the opening 45mins. While play swung from end to end there was no continuity with passes going astray and it was obvious that the first goal would have a bearing on the game. 0-0 at half-time.

The second half saw Brideview upping the tempo, but the Cappoquin/Railway defence was coping quite easily with the Brideview attacks. O’Connor in the visiting goal saved well from O’Sullivan and a few corner kicks to the home team were easily dealt with, as Cliffe, Murphy and Flynn did not allow the Brideview attack much scope. However, in the 70th minute a wonderful run by Adam Crawford from outside the area saw him weave his way inside the 18 yard box and shoot past O’Connor for what would be the winning goal.

There was a lot of huff and puff by both teams in the last 10mins, but scoring never looked likely. The final whistle sounded and Brideview had the three points and increased their lead at the top of the table with four league games to play.

Overall, a disappointing game for a top of the table clash with Brideview just about the better team on the day.

Brideview B - Shane Martin, Ethan Scotton, Paddy Sheehan, Andy O’Riordan, Thomas McCarthy, Eamonn Forbes, Stephen Pratt, Shane Ryan, Darragh Buckley, Adam Crawford, Shaun O’Sullivan. Reserves - Aaron Whitmore, Ryan Cahill, Joas Almedia, Jake Chambers, Tom Feeney.

Cappoquin/Railway - Andrew O’Connor, Eamonn Drohan, Cian Murphy, Ivan Cliffe, Jevon Flynn, Colin Walsh, Liam O’Gorman, Sean Hale Cullinane, Bradley Keane, Cealen Foley. Reserves - Ciaran Power, Brian Crotty, Michael Dalton.

Referee Eamonn Cusack did his best to keep the game flowing. Colour scheme, both teams failed.

Man of the Match - This was a most difficult decision as there was no player who stood out in a game that appeared never to come to life. We give the award to Brideview’s Adam Crawford for making and scoring the only goal of the game.

Valley Rgs B v Kinsalebeg

This league fixture at Conna on Sunday afternoon was abandoned after 25mins when Kinsalebeg player Andy Walsh received a serious leg injury which necessitated his removal to hospital by ambulance. The game was scoreless at the time.

We have been asked by the League Management Committee, through the notes, to say that all involved in the WW/EC Junior League wish Andy a speedy recovery.

PREVIEWS

After the results from last Sunday and with the league table, especially in the Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier, now so open, we are entering an exciting stage of the leagues and to predict a winner at this stage would definitely be tempting fate. Any one of the four teams can still end up the season as league champions.

It has the makings of a wonderful and exciting end to the season and hopefully the clubs will have their supporters out in force for the remainder of the games.

The Avondhu 1st Division appears to be Brideview B’s to lose as they hold a six point advantage over nearest rivals Cappoquin/Railway and also have a game less played. By our calculations, Brideview need just four points from four games to clinch the title.

Valley Rgs A v Brideview A

Sunday last saw both teams lose and this has given the chasing pack a wonderful opportunity. For the two teams Sunday will see both play their fourth last league game, while both Lismore and Inch have five games to play. This local derby at Conna is somewhat of a cup tie clash, as neither team can afford to lose. They have met twice in the league already with a draw the outcome when they met at Conna and only two weeks ago, Brideview scored six times without reply at Leonard Fraser Park.

Brideview have been leading the table since the start of the season and last week’s came as a surprise to ourselves with our prediction totally wrong. The Tallow side know they cannot afford to drop anymore points with Lismore now breathing down their necks and a game less played.

Of all the occasions these two clubs have met, this Sunday’s fixture is up there with cup finals and league play-offs, such is the importance of the result.

We discovered writing these notes through the years that predicting a result of a local derby between these clubs rarely sees us getting the correct result. Most games are close and tight, admittedly there have been a few occasions, such as last Sunday week, when Brideview have scored five or more goals when winning. But with so much at stake this Sunday, a prediction is impossible and we could say a draw, which might sound cowardly, but a share of the points may not be enough, especially for Valley.

There should be a large crowd on Sunday in Conna when the game kicks off.

Lismore v Inch

Both teams had impressive victories last Sunday, opening up the league and Lismore’s win sees them leapfrog Valley into second place, four points adrift of Brideview with a game less played.

When the sides met a few weeks back at Sexton Park, Lismore came out on top. Last Sunday’s victory sees Lismore in a great position, as they must play Brideview twice and Valley Rgs once again. Inch will be visiting the Castle Farm Ground once again at the end of March. The home side must win to ensure they keep the pressure on the league leaders, while Inch, after their victory against Brideview, know they are still in the title race with five league games to play. It has the makings of a great game and it would be easy to predict a draw, a result neither team will want as this is a game where three points are so important. We think Lismore will win.

Cappoquin/Railway v Kinsalebeg

The weekend fixtures kick off on Friday night under lights with Kinsalebeg visiting the Danes Field to play second in the league table Cappoquin/Railway. The home team lost last Sunday away to leaders Brideview B and that defeat sees them six points adrift of the leaders and a game more played.

When they met here under lights in early February, Cappoquin/Railway came out on top and also when they met at Fitzgerald Park.

Kinsalebeg’s game last Sunday away to Valley Rgs B had to be abandoned and the previous week they lost at home to Brideview B.

We saw Cappoquin/Railway lose to Brideview B on Sunday and they have a very young team, but unlikely to catch the Tallow team with only three games to play. With home advantage we expect Cappoquin/Railway to win and keep the pressure on the league leaders.

BRIDEVIEW B V VALLEY RGS B

The league leaders go into the game knowing a win will see them require only a point from three games to clinch the league title. They are the only unbeaten team in the entire league having won their five league games to date. Sunday last we saw Brideview defeat nearest challengers Cappoquin/Railway which has them in a very strong position.

Valley Rgs home game on Sunday last was abandoned and so far in the league, Valley have had just the one victory, away to Cappoquin/Railway and it is doubtful if they will take anything from Sunday’s fixture. However, we never forget to mention in these situations, football is a funny old game. Still, we predict a Brideview victory.

FIXTURES FRIDAY, 11TH MARCH

The Avondhu 1st Division - Cappoquin/Railway v Kinsalebeg, 8pm.

SUNDAY, 13TH MARCH

Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier - Lismore v Inch 2pm, S Pratt; Valley Rgs A v Brideview A 2pm, E Cusack. The Avondhu 1st Division - Brideview B v Valley Rgs B 11am, E Cusack.

REFEREES BEGINNERS COURSES

We mention again this week an e-mail we received from Rob Hennessy, Referee Executive FAI that we included in our notes last week, where the referees’ department have confirmed two online beginner courses due to take place in March and which can be carried out in our own area.

The online courses consist of 9 hours of self-directed learning that the participants complete in their own time.

This then is followed by 6 hours on Zoom spread over two nights with FAI instructors. The dates are 14th and 15th March from 7pm to 10pm, and 15th and 16th March from 7pm to 10pm.

Anyone interested, male or female, please contact the WW/EC Soccer Society or ourselves through the notes.

We are continuously writing on the lack of referees and the disinterest that appears to be with the clubs. We hope the clubs themselves will encourage someone to take up the whistle.

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE

The old cliché ‘ a game of two halves’ definitely applies to Waterford’s performance on Friday night last at Eamonn Deacy Park as they allowed a two goal first half lead disappear in the second half to end up with a share of the points and stay top of the league table.

In the opening 45mins Waterford played some brilliant attacking football in front of an attendance of 2,500 with Shane Griffin and Anthony Wordsworth in total control at midfield. Last week’s hero Louis Britton missed an early chance of giving the Blues the lead, but in the 16th minute they scored when Junior Quitirna found the net from a Kevin Joshua cross. The Blues scored their second in 38th minute when team captain Eddie Nolan scored after a passing movement involving Wordsworth and Patterson. 0-2 at half-time and many felt if Waterford continued in the second half as the opening 45mins, they would take all three points.

But John Caulfield’s team thought differently and within three minutes of the restart they pulled a goal back. Brian Murphy had to be at his best as the home team went on the attack for the equaliser and Murphy was the busier of the two ‘ keepers. Caulfield then moved the long serving Stephen Walsh from his defensive duties up to the attack and he rewarded his manager by scoring in the 78th minute. Galway were not finished and they went looking for the winner and it took a brilliant save from Murphy to deny them the winning goal and ensure Waterford travelled home with a share of the points. Waterford ended the game with 10 players after Richard Taylor was red carded in the 86th minute.

Manager Ian Morris admitted after the game we saw the two sides of the Blues and while a point in Galway at any time can be looked on as a bonus, Friday night’s second half performance was a disappointment.

Waterford promoted young Romeo Akachunkwu to the bench for the game.

This Friday night we have the first South East derby for a number of years when Wexford FC visit the RSC.

After a very bad opening game to the season when they were hammered at home by Treaty Utd, Wexford have won their two league games since defeating Cobh Ramblers at St. Colman’s Park and then Athlone Town 2-1 at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night last, a game we were on duty at. This was not a straight forward victory as Wexford led at the break by the only goal of the half, but the visitors had two great chances to hit the net before this score, but failed. Just before half-time Athlone were reduced to 10 when they had a player sent off for a second yellow card.

The second half saw Wexford score again to give them a two goal lead, but in the closing minutes the team of 10 scored and went on all-out attack in the four minutes of injury time. It took a top class save by Paul Hunt to deny Athlone a share of the points. Wexford now travel to the RSC on Friday night and are just a point behind the Blues.

Waterford need to play as they did in the first game of the season when defeating Athlone Town for the full 90mins and while they remain undefeated, they should not underestimate Wexford.

Cork City travelled to Bishopsgate on Saturday night and shared the points with Longford Town in a scoreless draw. This was Longford’s first league game of the season and Cork City had Richie Holland in charge in the absence of Colin Healy. It took the home side a while to get their game together and in the opening 25mins City’s Ruairi Keating had an effort saved by the home keeper and the same player shot wide shortly after. Overall, these were the only chances in the first half.

The second half saw an improvement in the home team’s play and they created a few chances, but were unable to convert them. Cork City did have the ball in the net in the 85th minute but it was ruled offside and in the very last minute, it took a top class save by the home keeper to deny a Barry Coffey header that was tipped over the bar.