Brideview A are league champions
Congratulations to Brideview A on winning the Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier League on Sunday last when defeating Inch at Leonard Fraser Park. Needing only three points from two games, the Tallow team took the three points in the penultimate league game, while nearest challengers Lismore finish the league campaign as runners-up, having defeated Valley Rgs A at Conna. Next Saturday afternoon at Tallow both teams play each other in the final league game of the season and the Mari Mina Trophy will be presented to the Tallow team after the game.
Brideview B and Valley Rgs B drew in Tallow last Sunday morning and the Tallow team play Kinsalebeg in the final league game and they will receive TheAvondhu 1st Division trophy after the game.
The weekend will see the completion of the league which has not been played since 2019/20, when Brideview were also winners. The lockdown arrived in March 2020 which saw all games cancelled until September.
There was no league in season 2020/21 due to the lockdown and the Bolger Cup commenced in September 2020 and after only two series of games, another lockdown. After consulting with the clubs the following May 2021, it was agreed to complete the Bolger Cup - the final was played at Lismore on 20th June with Brideview defeating Valley Rgs.
The current season commenced with the Bolger Cup followed by the President’s Cup and now this weekend the league will conclude. Then it is into cup competitions to conclude the 2021/22 season. We will give all info on the cups when we receive fixtures, etc.
We have mentioned this before in our notes that the new committee that was elected last July have done a good job, especially considering that many are new to their positions, but games have taken place and credit here that all the competitions will finish as planned.
Through the notes we take this opportunity to wish all players, managers, club officials, referees and readers of the WW/EC League notes a very happy Easter and hope all enjoy the break. We ask everyone to be careful as the virus unfortunately is still amongst us.
MARI MINA PHARMACY PREMIER Brideview A 4 Inch 0
Needing three points from two games, Brideview A wrapped up the Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier League when defeating Inch at Leonard Fraser Park on Sunday morning. We took in this game for the notes and on a bitterly cold windy morning (but rain free) and on a hard pitch, Brideview attacked the dressing room end from the very start, putting pressure on an Inch defence backboned by two of the most experienced players in the league, Conor McNamara and Leonard Byrne.
The home team forced three corners in quick succession in the opening few minutes but all were dealt with, including Kevin Treacy heading off his goal line with ‘keeper Dec Nugent beaten. For the opening 10mins the ball did not go beyond the Inch halfway line and one felt it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken. In the 15th minute a Michael Curley corner was headed over the bar by Ryan Grey. The first goal arrived on 20mins when Evan Sheehan flicked the ball from a pass across goal to the inrushing Dave McInerney at the far post.
Shortly after, Shane Roche shot over when placed.
Inch did threaten but found the Brideview defence difficult to break down and ‘keeper Jamie Murphy had very little to do in the opening 45mins.
The second half commenced with Brideview attacking and five minutes after the restart, Nugent in the Inch goal made a brilliant save from Adam Crawford at the expense of a corner. From the resultant flag kick by Dave McInerney, Michael Curley found the net and this gave the home team and the champions in waiting, breathing space. The third goal was a result of a passing movement from defence that saw three players involved, with Dave McInerney scoring in the 55th minute.
The game as a contest was over and Brideview were the champions. But we had 35 more minutes to play and credit here to the Inch team who battled on. They did not really trouble the home defence and Jamie Murphy only had a few shots from outside the area to deal with. At the other end Nugent was the busier of the two ‘keepers and he saved brilliantly from Kieran Crawford at the expense of a corner. Substitute Richie saw a delicate chip beat Nugent but rebounded into play off the crossbar and the danger was cleared. A wonderful run from the right wing into the area saw Adam Crawford find the far corner of the net for goal number four.
Brideview played out the final minutes in total control and at the final whistle, the Tallow team were victorious and the newly crowned champions of the WW/EC Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier Division, adding to the title they last won in 2019/20 before the lockdown saw the league cancelled.
This was an entertaining game and while the scoreline may sound like an easy victory for the winners, Inch did play well and made Brideview fight for the points.
Brideview A - Jamie Murphy, Kevin Henley, David Kingston, Ryan Grey, Michael Tobin, Shane Roche, Kieran Crawford, Dave McInerney, Evan Sheehan, Michael Curley, Adam Crawford. Reserves - Richie Ryan, Jake Chambers.
Referee JP Grey had an excellent game, helped by two sporting teams. Colour scheme - both teams passed.
Man of the Match - A few players from both teams here, with Shane Roche, Michael Curley and Kevin Henley for Brideview; for Inch Leonard Byrne, Conor McNamara and Mike Foley and goalkeeper Dec Nugent.
However, we give the award to Brideview’s Dave McInerney for his two goals and an assist and overall display.
Brideview play their final league game on Saturday afternoon when they have the league runners-up Lismore as visitors. After the game, the Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier League Trophy will be presented.
Finally, to conclude our match report, a small piece of nostalgia and remembrance. On 1st February, 2004 the Red House League played Sligo/Leitrim in the Oscar Traynor Cup at the Ray McSharry Sports Complex in Sligo, losing to a last minute goal in a 2-1 defeat. Playing in that team was Sunday’s referee John Paul Grey and Inch stalwart playing last Sunday, Leonard Byrne. At Sunday’s game we met another member of that panel in Sligo, Stephen Pratt who plays with Brideview B, who have won The Avondhu 1st Division. Also in Tallow were two of the management team, Liam Fraser and Paddy Pollard. The third member of the management team, Joe Tobin was with Lismore who were playing and winning against Valley Rgs A at Conna. Included in the Lismore management team was another player from that game, Paul Quinn.
We felt this was worth a mention from 18 years ago. How time flies!
Valley Rgs A 1 Lismore 2
Both teams played their penultimate league game on Sunday morning with Lismore needing the three points and hoping Brideview dropped points at home. Our colleague Paddy took in this game for the notes and told us a very strong wind would help the team that had the wind advantage.
Valley did have the wind behind them and scored within three minutes of the start when Ivan Ohram found the net from close range following a corner kick. Ben Shanahan Quinn then came close on 5mins for Lismore but with the strong wind to their backs, Valley were doing most of the attacking.
Facunda was then forced into a good save for the home team as Lismore got in behind the Valley defence and he then saved well at the expense of a corner from Caelin O’Gorman on 37mins. In the last minute of the half Maurice Shanahan in the Lismore goal saved to keep the score at half-time 1-0 to Valley. One wondered was a goal enough with such a strong wind to favour the visitors in the second half.
Lismore attacked straight from the restart and Aaron Whelan was just wide from a Ben Shanahan Quinn pass. Facunda then saved well from Caelin O’Gorman on 56mins, but Lismore equalised through Whelan when he beat Facunda with a ball that came off a post into the net.
Maurice Shanahan was forced into a good save from Ohram at the expense of a corner on 64mins. Both teams came close to taking the lead on a few occasions but could not find the net. Then with 9mins remaining Lismore did take the lead when a free kick by Caelin O’Gorman was saved by Facunda but the rebound was headed to the net by John Roche for the all-important winner.
When word came through from Tallow that Brideview A had defeated Inch, Lismore knew they were guaranteed the runners-up spot in the league with a game remaining.
Valley Rgs A - Facunda, Kieran Kelleher, Ivan Ohram, Kelvin Gleeson, Rob English, John Carr, Tom Hartnett, Kevin Cotter, John Noonan, Jack la Zac, Adrian Carr. Reserves - Luke Heffernan, Paul Geary.
Lismore - Maurice Shanahan, Paddy Foley, Fionn O’Gorman, Oisin O’Gorman, Jordan Shanahan, John Roche, Sam Ryan, Ben Shanahan Quinn, Caelin O’Gorman, Aaron Whelan, Finbarr Reaney. Reserves - Pearse O’Rourke, David Moloney, Craig Tobin, Paul Quinn.
Referee Kestutis Vaityunas had a good game helped by two sporting teams. Colour scheme - Valley passed, Lismore failed.
Man of the Match - Paddy selected Aaron Whelan, Lismore as his Man of the Match for his all-round performance.
Lismore play their final league game when they visit Leonard Fraser Park on Saturday afternoon to play the newly crowned champions.
THE AVONDHU 1ST DIVISION Brideview B 2 Valley Rgs B 2
Both teams played their penultimate league fixtures on Sunday afternoon at Leonard Fraser Park. With The Avondhu 1st Division title already secured, Brideview wanted to keep their home record in tact but knew they would have to battle hard against a Valley team that have played very well in the past few weeks.
In an entertaining opening 45mins, Brideview took the lead through Darragh Buckley. But the lead was short lived as Valley went chasing the equaliser and it arrived courtesy of Francis Warren - 1-1 at half-time.
The second half started with Valley putting pressure on the Brideview defence and they took the lead through Brendan Daly. They held this lead for most of the half as Brideview tried to get the goal that would give them a share of the points. The goal arrived when Noel Condon found the net and when the full time whistle sounded the points were shared.
Brideview play their final league game v Kinsalebeg in Leonard Fraser Park on Sunday and TheAvondhu 1st Division trophy will be presented to the team after the game.
PREVIEWS
This weekend will see the completion of the league. Our heading this week is ‘Easter celebrations in Tallow’ with the Brideview club as the two teams, Brideview A and Brideview B are presented with their league cups - Brideview A to receive the Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier Trophy and Brideview B receive TheAvondhu 1st Division Trophy.
Brideview A have their neighbours and league runners-up Lismore as visitors to Tallow in the Premier on Saturday afternoon and Kinsalebeg will be the visitors to Tallow to play Brideview B on Sunday morning.
Valley Rgs play Inch at Conna on Sunday morning.
Brideview A v Lismore
The league champions play the runners-up at Leonard Fraser Park this Saturday afternoon in the last league game of the Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier Division for season 2021/22. Crowned league champions last week Brideview hold a four point advantage over their near neighbours. When one looks back at the last few seasons, Lismore won the league in 2018/19 with Brideview as runners-up, the following season Brideview A won the league with Valley Rgs A as runners-up. There was no league due to lockdown last season, but this season Brideview win the league and Lismore runners-up.
While there is nothing at stake on Saturday but club pride for both teams, we can expect another attacking game. They have met twice in the league already with Brideview winning in Lismore 3-4 at the end of January and then three weeks ago, Brideview defeated Lismore at Tallow 6-1.
As Brideview will be receiving the league trophy at the end of the game, they will not want to lose in front of their supporters. Lismore on the other hand will want to avenge the two league defeats from their hosts and so we should, as we always do, have an enjoyable game from two attack-conscious teams.
Valley Rgs A v Inch
Both teams play their final league games having lost last Sunday. When the teams met at Conna the end of March, the tie ended in a draw 2-2 and when they met at Sexton Park the end of March, Inch came out on top 1-0. Valley are in bottom spot in the league table, three points adrift of Inch and a win for the Conna team will see them finish level. Valley Rgs to win.
Brideview B v Kinsalebeg
Brideview B play their last game of the season, while Kinsalebeg will have one more game to play and this will be against Valley Rgs B. Brideview will be receiving The Avondhu 1st Division Trophy at the end of the game on Sunday morning and they are unbeaten in their home games and will not want to lose that record on Sunday. Regardless of the result, Kinsalebeg will finish at the bottom of the league table and we expect Brideview to take all three points.
FIXTURES SATURDAY, 16TH APRIL
Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier - Brideview A v Lismore, 4pm.
SUNDAY, 17TH APRIL
Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier - Valley Rgs A V Inch, 11am. TheAvondhu 1st Division - Brideview B v Kinsalebeg, 11am.
AIRTRICITY LEAGUE
Having lost their two previous away games to Cork City and Treaty Utd and drawing with an injury time goal at home to Longford Town, Waterford made the short trip to St. Colman’s Park to play Cobh Ramblers in what we wrote in our notes last week as a must win game. The Blues did take the three points home with them as they beat the Ramblers 0-4. A welcome result for all concerned. Duty had us at the game and in an attendance of 850, there were 120 Waterford supporters in the Liam McMahon Stand.
The home team were definitely the better team in the opening 20mins. Their midfield were on top and the passes were getting in behind the Blues’ defence. But as has been the problem with the Ramblers in the past number of weeks, there was no one to apply the finishing touches and for all the superiority, Waterford ‘keeper Brian Murphy had literally nothing to do.
The game changed in the 27th minute when Waterford scored, against the run of play we might add. A Niall O’Keeffe free kick was not dealt with by the Ramblers’ defence giving George Forrest the easiest of finishes from 6 yards out. Joy for the Waterford supporters, dispair and disappointment for the home fans. The home defence must take responsibility for the goal and also for the second goal which was scored just before half-time by Cian Kavanagh from a Junior Quitirna free kick. Two set pieces to Waterford and two goals scored. Terrible defending it must be added, especially the second goal as we had as good a view as the Ramblers ‘keeper as we stood behind the goal. If a similar goal was scored in a junior game on a Sunday morning, many questions would be asked of the goalkeeper and his defenders. Half-time arrived and Waterford in the driving seat, considering they had been playing second fiddle for most of the half.
Half-time arrived and Waterford in the driving seat, considering they had been playing second fiddle for most of the half.