Brideview B win The Avondhu 1st Division

Congratulations to Brideview B on winning Avondhu 1st Division on Sunday afternoon. Nearest challengers Cappoquin/Railway suffered their second home defeat to Valley Rgs B and cannot now catch Brideview B, who still have three games to play.

In the Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier, Brideview A once again defeated neighbours Valley Rgs A, opening the door for Lismore who defeated Inch, to lay down the challenge to the Tallow team. What a game is in store at Leonard Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon when Brideview entertain Lismore in a top of the table clash.

After all the bad weather that caused cancellations, it was great to get back playing again last Sunday and clubs are to be complimented on having their pitches in good condition. Indeed, pitches were excellent for Sunday’s fixtures.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day and as we do every year, we wish all mothers a very happy day and thank them for all they do for us, especially those who are playing sports every week. Boys, do not forget the flowers!

MARI MINA PHARMACY PREMIER Valley Rgs A 0 Brideview A 1

These near neighbours met at Conna on Sunday morning in the eagerly awaited local derby and once again Brideview A came out on top to continue to lead the Premier Division, with Lismore breathing down their backs. For Valley this was a bad result and while they have three games to play, the chances of winning the title are slipping away - the title at this stage appearing to be between Brideview A and Lismore.

The opening 15mins on Sunday morning was fairly even. Evan Sheehan came close on 29mins, while Tom Hartnett had a chance a minute later. David McInerney shaved a post on 35mins and Ed. Kenneally shot straight at the ‘keeper and the follow up just went wide. The half ended scoreless.

In the second half Evan Sheehan turned and volleyed straight at Facunda in the Valley goal. McInerney hit the crossbar and Roche, following up, hit wide. Facunda then saved from Kingston and a minute later Ben Aherne shot wide. With time starting to run out and five minutes remaining, Ben Aherne went down the wing, crossed to Michael Curley who found Sheehan and he gave Facunda no chance as the ball nestled in the net for the goal that would give the league leaders all three points.

Valley pushed hard for the equaliser, but Brideview held on for the win.

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

Brideview A - Jamie Murphy, Dave Kingston, Kevin Henley, Michael Tobin, Kieran Geary, Eric Hickey, Dave McInerney, Shane Roche, Michael Curley, Evan Sheehan, Ben Aherne. Reserves - Jake Chambers, Dylan Managan. Referee Eamonn Cusack.

This Sunday we have another local derby and a top of the table clash when Brideview entertain Lismore.

VALLEY A TRAVEL TO SEXTON PARK TO PLAY INCH

Our sincere thanks to Dominic who took over the report of the game when we were unable to attend.

Lismore 6 Inch 0

Lismore had a big win at home on Sunday morning that keeps them in second place in the table, four points adrift of Brideview A with a game less played. Our colleague Paddy took in the game for the notes and he tells us the Castle Farm pitch was excellent and looked very well on the day.

Lismore attacked from the start and an intelligent pass from Sam Ryan almost had Paddy Foley through. And Foley was doing well in his new position on the right wing. Inch ‘keeper Dec Nugent saved well from Kyle Bennett on 18mins and Lismore were on top at this stage. The Inch back four were making life difficult for Lismore, but on 33mins the breakthrough goal arrived, scored by Ryan. A minute later the score was doubled when Foley found the net. Nugent did well on 40mins to deny Ryan and then there was a mix up in the Lismore defence with Inch missing the proverbial sitter. At halftime Lismore were in a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Two minutes after the restart Finbarr Reaney was unlucky not to score and at the other end David Moloney saved well from a header following an Inch corner kick on 51mins. Kieran Lane then cleared off the Inch line on 55mins, and three minutes later Cailean O’Gorman saw an effort go the wrong side of a post.

Pearse O’Rourke then played a great ball down the wing, but Kyle Bennett wasted the chance. In the 68th minute a pass from Bennett to Jamie O’Keefe and the ball ended in the Inch net.

Finbarr Reaney then took control of the game and scored in the 70th minute after good work by Foley and a few minutes later, he made it 5-0. Ben Shanahan Quinn went close in the 89th minute and in the last minute, Reaney scored to complete his hat-trick – 6-0 to Lismore.

Lismore - David Moloney, Fionn O’Gorman, Pearse O’Rourke, Ben Shanahan Quinn, Oisin O’Gorman, John Roche, Paddy Foley, Cailean O’Gorman, Kyle Bennett, Sam Ryan, Finbarr Reaney. Reserves - Jamie O’Keefe, Nathan Jenkins, Paul Quinn.

Referee Stephen Pratt kept the game flowing as much as possible. Colour scheme - Lismore fail, Inch pass.

Man of the Match - Paddy selected Finbarr Reaney as his Man of the Match with his hat-trick and all round performance.

THE AVONDHU 1ST DIVISION Kinsalebeg 0 Brideview B 2

Brideview B started the game as league leaders, needing just four points from four games to be crowned champions. When the result from Cappoquin came through later in the afternoon, Brideview were champions with three games to play.

We were unable to be present for the first half on Sunday afternoon, but saw all the second half. The score at half time was 0-0 and within 5mins of the restart, Brideview took the lead when they were awarded a penalty which the long serving Stephen Pratt coolly converted. Kinsalebeg then went in search of the equaliser and Shane Martin in the Brideview goal was called into action on a few occasions with a couple of long range efforts, but overall, the visiting defence was on top and gave the home attack very few opportunities.

Brideview did have chances to increase their lead, but Graham Guiry at the heart of the home defence was once again outstanding.

In the 90th minute a hand ball in the Kinsalebeg area gave Brideview a second penalty and Ciaran Crawford hit the net. This was the last action of the game and Brideview had the three points.

Brideview B - Shane Martin, Ethan Scotton, Patrick Sheehan, Andrew O’Riordan, Thomas McCarthy, Jake Chambers, Stephen Pratt, Eamonn Forbes, Adam Crawford, Ciaran Crawford, Thomas Feeney. Reserves - Shane Guildea, Joas Almedia, Noel Condon, Dylan Mangan, Eros Scarabello.

Referee Simon Drislane played the advantage as much as possible.

As we were only present for the second half, it would be totally unfair to select a man of the match.

Next Sunday morning Brideview B travel to play Cappoquin/Railway as league champions and Kinsalebeg travel to play Valley Rgs B.

Cappoquin/Railway 1 Valley Rgs B 4

By losing to Valley Rgs B last Sunday for the second time, Brideview B win TheAvondhu 1st Division, with Cappoquin/Railway as runners-up. This was a disappointing result for the home team who started the game with 10 players but had a full complement at half-time for the second 45mins. Paul Tobin gave the home team the lead and the score was doubled when Brendan Daly found the net. Before the break Dylan Crotty scored and the away team had a three goal advantage at half-time.

After the restart Crotty scored his second and Valley’s fourth goal and the game as a contest was well and truly over. Late in the game Shane Dunne scored a consolation for the home team.

PREVIEWS

No need to mention the match of the day next Sunday when top of the table play second. Leonard Fraser Park should be buzzing on Sunday afternoon when Brideview A welcome Lismore for a clash that may have a bearing on where the league title will rest in a few week’s time. With only four points separating them and Lismore having a game less played, this should be a thriller.

Valley Rgs A travel to Sexton Park with a mathematical chance of winning the title.

In The Avondhu 1st Division, Brideview B travel to the Danes Field as league champions and Valley Rgs B entertain Kinsalebeg.

BRIDEVIEW A V LISMORE

Since the two teams met at the Castle Farm Ground in January, this return fixture was the game supporters of both teams looked forward to. Seven goals were scored in that game with Brideview coming out on top by the odd goal. The Tallow team have been top of the table since and in fact, Lismore lost the following week to Valley Rgs. But Lismore have played and won three games in the meantime and have now put themselves in with a chance of winning the title, but will have to keep on winning in their four remaining games, playing Brideview twice.

This is the third time they have met this season, losing to Brideview in the Pollard President’s Cup final in December and in the league at Lismore in January.

Brideview have shown they are the form team all season winning both the Bolger Cup and the President’s Cup and are leading the league table from the commencement of the campaign. They have a settled team with players who have given many years of service to the club and have the experience to keep battling up to the final whistle, regardless of the result. The club ethos is ‘never beaten until the final whistle sounds’ and how often have we seen winning goals scored in injury time.

Brideview, as we have written so often, play the game so many of us admire, ball on the ground, crisp passing from midfield to the wings and players running into scoring positions. In their six league games they have scored 18 goals. Not to be outdone, Lismore have scored 18 goals in five games and have conceded two goals less, eight as against ten. We have seen Lismore play only once in the league, winning away to Inch, while our colleague Paddy has reported on a number of the Lismore games. He has been impressed with what he has seen, and like ourselves, believe they are playing a brand of football similar to Brideview with the emphasis on ground football and fast passing from defence to attack.

Sunday’s game should be the proverbial cracker and there should be a large attendance when Simon Drislane gets the game underway.

Local derby predictions are always difficult and there is so much at stake on Sunday, but a win for Lismore will open up the title race. A win for Brideview will strengthen their cause and put extra pressure on Lismore to win all their remaining games. Settling for a draw will be more beneficial to the home team and we think, and more than likely be proved wrong, a share of the points might be the final result.

Inch v Valley Rgs B

Both teams lost last Sunday, Inch away to Lismore and Valley at home to Brideview A. The latter result is a defeat that has at this stage made the title hopes for the Conna team very difficult. Once again they lost to their Tallow neighbours in a game they had to win to give them a realistic chance of lifting the league trophy. They still have three games to play and a win in all three will give them a mathematical chance of winning the title.

Inch disappointed in Lismore and while the defence played well in the opening half, they were totally outplayed in the second 45mins and had no answer to the Lismore attack.

Valley must get back to winning ways after losing two consecutive home games and we expect them to take the three points on Sunday.

Cappoquin/Railway v Brideview B

The Tallow team come to the Danes Field on Sunday morning as league champions, undefeated in six league games. The home team lost for the second time to Valley Rgs B last Sunday and these two defeats cost them any hope of winning the division. Sunday will give them a chance to make amends for their league failures, but Brideview will not want to lose their brilliant league run and we make them favourites.

Valley Rgs B v Kinsalebeg

Valley will be on a high following their victory last Sunday away in Cappoquin, scoring four goals. At the same time Kinsalebeg lost at home to Brideview, a result that confirmed the Tallow team as champions.

When the teams met at this venue a few weeks back, the game was abandoned due to a serious leg injury to a Kinsalebeg player that necessitated his removal to hospital. A draw is a likely outcome on Sunday.

FIXTURES SUNDAY, 27TH MARCH

Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier - Brideview A v Lismore 2pm, S Drislane; Inch v Valley Rgs A 2pm, E Cusack.

THE AVONDHU 1ST DIVISION

Cappoquin/Railway v Brideview B 11am, S Drislane; Valley Rgs B v Kinsalebeg 11am, E Cusack.

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE

The first Munster derby of the season between Cork City and Waterford took place on Monday, 14th March and this was a game we all looked forward to. Waterford were undefeated in their four games and headed the table from Cork City by three points, as they had lost at home to Galway. City went into the game having defeated neighbours Cobh Ramblers at the Cross three nights previous.

The atmosphere was electric as both the Blues and City took to the field before an attendance of just over 3,000, which included 370 Waterford supporters. It was obvious from the kick off that Cork City were going to attack the Waterford defence with quick ball from defence and midfield. It became obvious that the home team were the hungrier of the two teams and in the 15th minute a mistake by Blues captain Eddie Nolan allowed Ruairi Keating gain possession 35 yards from goal and he raced away into the area and slid the ball past the advancing Brian Murphy at the Shed end, sending the home supporters into rapturous applause and singing.

The home team were not allowing any of the Waterford defence and midfield time to dwell on the ball and as the ball was continuously spread to the wings, and the crosses coming in behind the visiting defence creating chances for the City strikers. This is exactly what happened three minutes later when a ball was played from the end line by Keating across goal, ending with Darragh Power putting the ball into his own net.

At this stage one feared the worst with the City supporters in full voice and the Waterford fans at the St. Anne’s end silent and finding it difficult to understand what was happening in those 20mins. Thankfully, Brian Murphy made a few saves to keep the score at 2-0 at half-time. All round us during the break the general discussion was what was going wrong for the Blues. It was very simple, Cork City were playing the better football and Waterford had too many players not good enough on the night.

The second half commenced and Cork City continued as they played into the goal in front of the Waterford supporters. However, as the half progressed and a few changes were made, Waterford came more into the game and it appeared that Cork City were feeling the pressure of their first half exertions. David Harrington in the City goal was called into action a few more times than the opening half. But City were dangerous anytime they moved forward and Murphy pulled off the save of the game when he tipped a goal bound effort to the top corner of the net, around the post at the expense of a corner. It was a top class save from a top class goalkeeper.

In the final 15 mins one felt if the Blues got a goal, the game might change, but Harrington made two very good saves to deny Waterford and the full time whistle sounded with the Munster derby points going to Cork City.

On the night, the better team won and many questions will be asked, why did the Blues perform so badly in such an important game with a number of players found not up to the standard required, even in the 1st Division. With Galway winning at home to Treaty Utd., there is a three-way tie at the top of the table as the teams headed into Friday’s games.

Cobh Ramblers travelled to play Athlone Town and came home with the three points, their first victory in four league games. The Ramblers opened the scoring in the 14th minute through Benoin O’Brien-Whitmarsh. They then had a player red carded and 3mins into injury time, Athlone equalised. The second half saw play swing from end to end but in the 68th minute Athlone were reduced to 10 players when McAuley received a red card. But with 7mins remaining Athlone scored to take the lead. With a minute remaining Danny O’Connell scored the equaliser for the Ramblers and into injury time, O’Brien-Whitmarsh scored to give the Ramblers all three points and their first league victory of the season.

CITY CONTINUE GOOD FORM

Friday afternoon last Cork City travelled to the Markets Field to play Treaty Utd. With a large City following present the visitors went into an early lead when Barry Coffey found the net. Cian Bargary then doubled the lead on 26 mins and added another with 10 mins to the break and this was the score at half-time, 0-3 to Cork City. Treaty were playing way below their form but improved in the second half and City ‘keeper Dave Harrington made a brilliant save to deny the home side a goal. He also made a few other saves, but overall was not really tested. In the 80th minute Cork City scored their fourth goal through Jonas Hakkinen and the game played out at City’s pace and they deservedly won and went joint top of the table with Galway, but the westerners have a game less played.

Cork City will be expected to continue their winning ways when they have bottom of the table Athlone as visitors to Turner’s Cross on Friday night.

Cobh Ramblers had just over 1,200 supporters inside St. Colman’s Park on Friday night for the visit of Bray Wanderers. Having won away to Athlone the previous Monday, expectations were high amongst the Ramblers supporters. We were at the game which did not start until 30mins after the official time as there was a power failure due to an ESB transformer going on fire in the town, resulting in no floodlights. However, power was restored and eventually the game commenced.