Title within grasp for Brideview A

The big local derby at Leonard Fraser Park on Sunday afternoon saw Brideview A defeat nearest challengers Lismore and they are now just three points away from lifting the Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier title with two games to play. For all of us at the game this was the fixture we looked forward to all week, as we felt the winners here had every chance of being champions at the end of April.

Once again as they have over the years, shown us when the pressure is on, Brideview will always deliver. One win from their two remaining games and they will be crowned champions regaining the trophy they won back in 2019/20 before a halt was called to all sporting fixtures due to Covid-19. The 6-1 scoreline is not a fair reflection on Lismore’s display - see match report.

Valley Rgs A, the team we expected to be the big challengers, saw their hopes finally banished when losing away to Inch, who are themselves in third spot behind Lismore.

In TheAvondhu 1st Division, newly crowned champions Brideview B travelled to the Danes Field and lost to Cappoquin/Railway.

Due to Covid-19, Kinsalebeg gave a walk-over to Valley Rgs B as the West Waterford club are three games behind the other teams and as their league title hopes are now gone, the club felt it better not to add an extra game to the list of games to play.

This weekend there will be just two league games.

MARI MINA PHARMACY PREMIER Brideview A 6 Lismore 1

A game that received so much pre match publicity failed to reach the heights we expected and yet, while the score shows Brideview with a big victory, Lismore in fact could have been very much closer to the champions in waiting if they had taken their chances. At the end of the 90mins Brideview defeated Lismore for the third time this season, twice in the league and in the Pollard President’s Cup final.

Our colleague Paddy took in the game for us, as due to circumstances totally outside of our control, we were unable to be present for the opening 18mins. Sunday afternoon was a beautiful Spring day and Leonard Fraser Park was in excellent condition.

When we arrived at Leonard Fraser Park, Brideview were 2 goals up and we joined Paddy in his press area. The game was only 3mins old when team captain Michael Curley finished to the net following a cross from the wing. 5mins later, Dave McInerney doubled the score and the Tallow side were in total control.

David Prendergast in the Lismore goal was definitely the busier of the two ‘keepers, saving on 15mins and then on 20mins from Eoin McGrath.

Lismore were handed a lifeline on 22mins when they were awarded a penalty. Aaron Whelan’s spot kick unfortunately went the wrong side of a post - a let off for Brideview. Shortly after Lismore were reduced to ten players when Maurice Shanahan was sent off by referee Simon Drislane for a second yellow card. The dismissal seemed to work to Lismore’s advantage as they piled the pressure on the Brideview defence and from our vantage point, they missed two very good chances, one especially from inside the six yard area. With a minute to half-time and Lismore playing more of the attacking, Jamie Murphy brought off a top class save from Pearse O’Rourke as he threw himself across goal to keep the ball out. A very important save and at a crucial stage of the game. Brideview led 2-0 at half-time.

The second half commenced as the opening half had concluded, with Lismore on the attack. A remark was made that it looked as if Lismore had the extra player. 20mins in Finbarr Reaney had a great chance to reduce the arrears when put clear and only Murphy to beat, but he shot wide. However, three mins later Lismore were awarded another penalty and this time Whelan gave Murphy no chance - game on.

But two minutes later the two goal advantage was restored when Curley finished off a wonderful movement as his shot from the edge of the area ended in the net off the far post.

Lismore were now chasing the game and Kieran Geary was unlucky to see his effort from a Ben Ahearne corner kick hit a post and trickle wide.

In the 79th minute a pass from Geary found Aherne and he scored the 4th Brideview goal and he followed this up minutes later heading to the net from an Eoin McGrath cross. The final goal arrived with six minutes remaining when Kieran Geary scored following a mix up in the Lismore defence.

When the final whistle sounded, Brideview had increased their lead at the top of the table over neighbours Lismore. One has to say the better team over the 90mins won, but for the final 15mins of the opening half and the 20mins of the second half, Lismore were on top, but had only a goal to show for their endeavours.

Both Paddy and myself have been covering games between these two teams for many years, and while the quality of play may not compare to some of these games, Sunday’s game was still in abeyance with Brideview leading 3-1 and 20mins remaining. But the advantage of the extra player in the final 20mins proved too much for Lismore and Bridview used the extra man to the full.

Overall, a very sporting game as we expected. Brideview - Jamie Murphy, David Kingston, Kevin Henley, Shane Roche, Kieran Geary, Donnacha Mulcahy, Eoin McGrath, Eric Hickey, Michael Curley, Dave McInerney, Richie Ryan. Reserves - Ben Aherne, Ryan Grey, Darragh Buckley.

Lismore - David Prendergast, Fionn O’Gorman, Pearse O’Rourke, Maurice Shanahan, Oisin O’Gorman, Ben Shanahan Quinn, Paddy Foley, Caelin O’Gorman, Shane Lynch, Aaron Whelan, Finbarr Reaney. Reserves - Jamie O’Keeffe, Dave Moloney, Paul Quinn, Stephen Quinn, Kyle Bennett.

Referee Simon Drislane. Colour scheme - Brideview passed, Lismore failed.

Man of the Match - On this occasion the two Paddy’s selected the player for the award. Brideview had Jamie Murphy in goal, Eoin McGrath and Shane Roche. For Lismore we had Paddy Foley, Ben Shanahan Quinn and Aaron Whelan. However, both reporters agreed Michael Curley to receive the Man of the Match award, with his two goals and overall display from midfield.

Inch 1 Valley Rgs A 0

Both teams lost the previous Sunday with Valley’s loss at home to Brideview in all probability costing them their title hopes for the season. However, Valley still had a mathematical chance of winning the league. But the result from Sexton Park on Sunday has dashed all hopes for the Conna team.

Inch went into the game with missing their players back last Sunday and this made a difference to them. The game itself was fairly even throughout, but a lack of a goal scorer was costing both teams. Chances were few and neither ‘keeper was overly busy - half-time arrived with the teams scoreless. The second half followed the same pattern as the first 45mins and a draw was the most likely outcome. With under 5mins remaining, Mike Foley found the net for Inch and when Eamonn Cusack blew for full time this was the only score of the game.

The result means Inch leapfrog Valley Rgs in the table with the Conna team now bottom with two games remaining – they have no game until Sunday week.

THE AVONDHU 1ST DIVISION Cappoquin/Railway 2 Brideview B 0

The newly crowned champions of TheAvondhu 1st Division, Brideview B travelled to the Danes Field on Sunday morning to play the runners-up and at the end of the 90mins, the home team came out on top.

Brideview went into the game, not only as champions, but the only team in the entire league undefeated in the league. Neither team had their full squad of players, but both sides battled for the points, and at the end, Cappoquin/Railway became the first team to inflict a defeat on the champions. Goals from Craig Dunne and Ciaran Power saw them take all three points and this Friday night, they play their final league game when they have Kinsalebeg as visitors to the Danes Field under lights.

Brideview B’s next game is Sunday week.

Valley Rgs B v Kinsalebeg

Due to a series of Covid-19 cases amongst the Kinsalebeg club, the West Waterford club contacted the league agreeing to cancel the game and give the Conna team the points.

PREVIEWS

This weekend there are only two league games as the fixture secretary wishes to have all the teams level with games played as we enter the final few weeks of the league, before the cup fixtures commence. Looking at the remaining league fixtures, the league in all probability will be concluded over the Easter weekend or the following weekend.

Great credit is due here to everyone involved, fixture secretary, clubs, players and especially the referees who have week after week manned the fixtures by doubling up on most occasions.

But the entire WW/EC Junior League should be completed by the end of May, if all league and cup competitions are played as per the dates.

This Friday night under lights Cappoquin/Railway play their final league game when they have Kinsalebeg as visitors and on Sunday morning, Lismore play Inch at the Castle Farm Ground with both sides playing their third last league game of the season.

LISMORE V INCH

Having lost to Brideview A last Sunday in Tallow, Lismore’s game on Sunday morning against Inch has taken on a must win scenario if they want to keep pressure on the league leaders. A win will see them four points adrift of the Tallow team and both teams will have two games each remaining. Lismore were disappointed to lose to their neighbours last Sunday, and while they had to play for almost 60mins a player short following a red card, they did create enough chances, especially in the opening half, to be level, if not in the lead at the break. In the final 20mins of the game, Brideview were able to take advantage of 11 v 10 and found plenty of space to convert their superiority into scores.

Inch, having defeated Valley Rgs A at Sexton Park, now find themselves just two points adrift of Lismore and a win for the East Cork team will see them leapfrog Lismore into second. That will see Inch six points behind Brideview and two games to play, including the final league in Tallow.

When Lismore played Inch two weeks ago in Lismore, the home team won 6-0, but Inch were short two or three of their first team squad. Sunday’s game is a must win fixture for both teams, but we think Lismore will not want to drop points that will be impossible to catch Brideview. Lismore to win.

CAPPOQUIN/RAILWAY V KINSALEBEG

This game will kick off the weekend when the teams meet under lights at the Danes Field. The home team defeated the league champions Brideview B at Cappoquin last Sunday, but it was a victory too late to cause any problems with the league title resting in Tallow. Kinsalebeg did not fulfil their fixture away to Valley Rgs B last Sunday as four of the team were struck down with Covid-19 and two more players out injured. The club committee decided instead of looking for a cancellation and add another back game to the already back games list, to give walkover and concede the points.

For both teams on Friday night it is a case of fulfilling a fixture, but it will be Cappoquin/Railway’s last league fixture. For Kinsalebeg, they will have two games to play and a win on Friday will see them close the gap on Valley Rgs B. Cappoquin/Railway to win.

FIXTURES FRIDAY, 1ST APRIL

TheAvondhu 1st Division - Cappoquin/Railway v Kinsalebeg 7.30pm, S Pratt.

SUNDAY, 3RD APRIL

Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier - Lismore v Inch 11am, E Cusack.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

It was like old times on Saturday last in Ballsbridge with the crowds milling around before heading to the Aviva for the centenary fixture between the Republic of Ireland and Belgium. The demand for tickets reminded us of the glory days, but after a few years that saw fans not travelling because of the boring displays and then the country hit by Covid-19, Saturday definitely heralded in hopefully a new era for the international team.

Playing Belgium, the world ranked number one was a big coup for the FAI. Admittedly, Belgian manager Roberto Martinez did not bring all his “stars” to Dublin, but regardless, this was a strong Belgium team and for Ireland to end up 2-2 draw shows Stephen Kenny is going in the right direction with his team building for Nations League games in June and September, followed by the Euros.

We spoke to many after the game and a few sceptics reminded us that this was more or less a Belgium B team, but the majority are happy with the progress of the team. We have seen the manager give young and inexperienced players the opportunity to play at international level. We are delighted that so many of the players started their careers in the League of Ireland and are coming through from the underage system. Stephen Kenny has worked with the U21 team and knows these players and for any player the step up to international football takes time.

Saturday’s display was far from perfect, especially the first 30mins when Belgium were totally on top, scoring after only 12mins and then playing their passing game and making the Irish players move around the pitch. But to their credit, the Irish stuck at their job and when Chiedozie Ogbene equalised, we could see the Irish spirits lift and all of a sudden it was the Belgians who were under pressure.

In the second half Ireland dominated the early stages but again conceded, this time from a corner kick. But the introduction of Alan Browne saw him head in the equaliser from a wonderful cross from another Cork man, Ogbene and only 4mins remaining, to send the Aviva full house home happy.

Ireland were outplayed in the opening 30mins, but they never gave up and showed the heart and spirit that exists within the squad that Kenny has assembled.

The style of play from the Irish is very much different to what we were always used to seeing, be it in the Aviva or anywhere else in Europe or on the World stage. The players are buying into the Kenny way and so are the fans. Needless to say, the critics are still there as we saw during the week with Roddy Collins adding his criticism. He should be delighted to see the young players that have come from the League of Ireland now making the transition to the international stage.

We mentioned one player in particular before when writing on the new international team, Ogbene; many of us will remember him playing in Cork and then at the Markets Field with Limerick before he went across the water. He is definitely a find for Stephen Kenny. Overall, a great performance from the team on Saturday and by the time our notes appear in print Ireland will have played Lithuania at the Aviva on Tuesday night in the second friendly game for the Irish team.

BIRTHDAY WISHES

Through our notes we send happy birthday wishes to Lismore AFC’s Joe Tobin, who can now turn out for the over 70’s team. Joe has given wonderful service to Association football in Brideview and Lismore and especially to the WW/EC Junior League, where he has acted as team manager with the Oscar Traynor team.

We are sorry we are a week late with the birthday wishes, but he will understand as he is catching up with some of us that at a certain age it is easy to forget! Congratulations Joe.

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE

The 7th series of games in the Airtricity League Division 1 were played last Friday night and disappointingly Waterford lost their successive away game in two weeks when losing to Treaty Utd at the Markets Field. Having lost away at Turner’s Cross to Cork City two weeks ago, all Blues fans felt the two week break would work in favour of Waterford, especially with Treaty losing to Cork City 0-4 the previous week. Speaking to some of our Cork colleagues after the game, while they were delighted with the result and performance, they felt the absence of ace striker Enda Curran for the Limerick team helped them get the three points. However, Curran was back for the visit of Waterford and he was not long showing how good a player he is when he set up Matt Keane for the opening goal on 7mins. This was a setback for the Blues, and while they were the better team for the rest of the half, Waterford were unable to penetrate the home defence and the score at half-time saw the Treaty leading by the only goal of the game.

The second half was only 4mins old when disaster struck Waterford, as Sobowale received a straight red card for a challenge on Curran and the Blues had to play the remaining 40mins a player short. 8mins later Treaty doubled their tally when Curran scored and one felt the game as a contest was over. But the Blues battled hard with a player short and were rewarded when substitute Anthony Wordsworth found the net with 13mins remaining and all of a sudden, there was only a goal between the teams.

Waterford ‘keeper Brian Murphy was called into action to make a few crucial saves, while Brady in the home goal also had to be alert as the Blues went in search of the equaliser and made a very good save from Cian Kavanagh in injury time. When the full time whistle sounded, Waterford had slipped to third in the league table, six points adrift of Cork City who have a game more played.

Overall, a disappointing result for Waterford and they have now lost two successive away games, conceding four goals and scoring only once.

This was the second defeat away to Treaty in a few weeks as the Limerick team also defeated Waterford in the quarter-final of the Munster Senior Cup 2-0, which was played at UL in February.

Waterford fans felt the team this season, especially after the first league game of the season away to Athlone, would be strong favourites for automatic promotion, but results in the last two games have shown there is much work still to be done before the Blues can be guaranteed Premier football in 2023.

This Friday, Waterford have Longford Town as visitors. Longford surprised Galway last Friday night and that win sees them just three points adrift of the Blues and two games less played. This is now a mustwin game for Waterford.

Cork City continued their winning run with another home win on Friday night, this time against Athlone Town, following on from their last home game against Waterford.

Before an attendance of 2,700, Cork City took the lead in the 7th minute when Ruairi Keating found the net and the same player doubled City’s lead in the 18th minute, when he converted a penalty following a handball in the area. The third goal arrived ten minute from the break following a corner kick that saw the ball played to Cian Murphy and he gave Micheal Schlingermann in the away goal no chance as he hit the net. But Athlone hit back before half-time when Ubaezuonu scored and this was the score at half-time with City in control at 3-1.

Within seven minutes of the restart, Cork City had regained their three goal advantage when Barry Coffey scored and the game as a contest was well and truly over. With 9mins remaining, Athlone player Aaron Connolly received a red card and at the final whistle, Cork City had increased their lead at the top of the table by three points over Galway. Colin Healy’s team are now setting the pace for promotion, but the league is still in the early days, and points won or lost at this stage will have a bearing at the end of the season.

Cork City make the trip to Ferrycarrig Park this Friday night to play Wexford FC, a team that are having a mixed season so far, but cannot be taken for granted. We expect City to continue on their winning ways.

Cobh Ramblers had no game last Friday night and this Friday night they make the trip to Eamonn Deacy Park to play John Caulfield’s Galway. The Tribesmen will want to return to winning ways on Friday night. The Ramblers themselves will want to put the defeat in their last home game to Bray Wanderers behind them. A draw will be a good result for Cobh.