League should build upon Rovers' success
Credit:
Firstly, I’d like to start my column by congratulating Shamrock Rovers on qualification to the Europa League group stages. It was an amazing achievement but was well deserved after two monumental efforts both home and away. Pat Sullivan’s goal was truly one of the best goals I’ve ever seen and had it been scored in the English Premier League, people would be salivating over it for months on end!
Also, one has to admire the coolness of Stephen O Donnell as he stepped up to take that decisive penalty. Not only was he instrumental in helping Rovers get through with an inspired performance - including two world class last ditch tackles - he had the composure under extreme pressure to send the Partizan Belgrade keeper the wrong way and send the Rovers’ supporters into raptures.
I know there is massive rivalry between my club St Pats and Shamrock Rovers but in my opinion that goes out of the window when Irish clubs take to the field in European Competitions. As I have stated in my previous European Blogs, we had many other LOI fans supporting us in Richmond Park that helped us to overcome IBV and Shaktar Karagandy, so I’m sure the majority of LOI fans were delighted for Shamrock Rovers as they have made the country proud and also raised the profile of the league to a new level.
Obviously the gigantic financial boost that Rovers will receive from their achievements will make it tougher for other clubs to compete in the league in future seasons. At present though, with Rovers widely regarded to have the best squad in the country, there is not much between the top sides in the division. If anything it will make other clubs strive to raise the bar in order to not only compete with them, but also follow them into the European Group Stages. This can only be good for the league and its fans.
On another note I’d also like to wish James McClean all the best with his move to Premiership side Sunderland. There is no doubt that he has a huge future in the game and I believe he has the potential to make it at the highest level. My good friend at Derry City Eamon Zayed echoes that belief and although I’m sure all at Derry City will be sad to see such an important player go at his crucial stage of the season, they will be excited at the prospect of seeing him play not only at the highest level in England but also for the Republic of Ireland at senior level.
There is some serious talent in the LOI and it doesn’t get the credit it deserves in my opinion. The likes of Kevin Doyle, Keith Fahey and Pat McCourt have all gone on to huge success across the water after plying their trade in the LOI. With this transfer and Shamrock Rovers’ recent achievements in Europe, I finally hope people will start to sit up and take notice.
The FAI Ford Cup took centre stage last week for the remaining participants and I’m delighted to report that we will be in the hat for the Quarter Finals after a hard earned 3-0 win against Waterford at the RSC. Daryl Kavanagh stole the show for us with an amazing performance and two goals. Dil has been in fantastic form for us all season and he well deserved his Man of the Match award after the game. Stephen Bradley was the other goal scorer with a second half penalty and alongside Dil, has also enjoyed a fantastic season to date.
It is well known that my club St Pats haven’t won the FAI Cup in 50 years. Having grown up as a Saints’ fan just down the road in Ballyfermot, I know how much it means to the fans to finally win the cup. The turnout by the travelling fans in the RSC was a major factor in helping us get the win. They were fantastic from start to finish and with that sort of support we are well on our way to finally bringing FAI Cup Glory to Inchicore.
I’m not known for being a prolific goal scorer by any stretch of the imagination but those close to me will know how desperate I am to score at least one goal this season! I had two golden opportunities to open my account for the club but I continued my unfortunate habit of flopping in front of goal! I think if we played on for 90 Days with the massive beach ball that the Saints’ fans were bouncing around with in the stands I still wouldn’t have scored!
Alas, to quote the former professional Canadian Ice Hockey player Wayne Gretzky, "You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take." With that in mind I’ll keep trying. Hopefully in my next column I will have better news regarding my goal famine!
Being honest though, I probably have more chance of winning the X Factor - so don’t rule out seeing me on your television screens this Saturday Night!
That’s actually not a bad idea. That Tulisa from N-Dubz is quite nice.
Also, one has to admire the coolness of Stephen O Donnell as he stepped up to take that decisive penalty. Not only was he instrumental in helping Rovers get through with an inspired performance - including two world class last ditch tackles - he had the composure under extreme pressure to send the Partizan Belgrade keeper the wrong way and send the Rovers’ supporters into raptures.
I know there is massive rivalry between my club St Pats and Shamrock Rovers but in my opinion that goes out of the window when Irish clubs take to the field in European Competitions. As I have stated in my previous European Blogs, we had many other LOI fans supporting us in Richmond Park that helped us to overcome IBV and Shaktar Karagandy, so I’m sure the majority of LOI fans were delighted for Shamrock Rovers as they have made the country proud and also raised the profile of the league to a new level.
Obviously the gigantic financial boost that Rovers will receive from their achievements will make it tougher for other clubs to compete in the league in future seasons. At present though, with Rovers widely regarded to have the best squad in the country, there is not much between the top sides in the division. If anything it will make other clubs strive to raise the bar in order to not only compete with them, but also follow them into the European Group Stages. This can only be good for the league and its fans.
On another note I’d also like to wish James McClean all the best with his move to Premiership side Sunderland. There is no doubt that he has a huge future in the game and I believe he has the potential to make it at the highest level. My good friend at Derry City Eamon Zayed echoes that belief and although I’m sure all at Derry City will be sad to see such an important player go at his crucial stage of the season, they will be excited at the prospect of seeing him play not only at the highest level in England but also for the Republic of Ireland at senior level.
There is some serious talent in the LOI and it doesn’t get the credit it deserves in my opinion. The likes of Kevin Doyle, Keith Fahey and Pat McCourt have all gone on to huge success across the water after plying their trade in the LOI. With this transfer and Shamrock Rovers’ recent achievements in Europe, I finally hope people will start to sit up and take notice.
The FAI Ford Cup took centre stage last week for the remaining participants and I’m delighted to report that we will be in the hat for the Quarter Finals after a hard earned 3-0 win against Waterford at the RSC. Daryl Kavanagh stole the show for us with an amazing performance and two goals. Dil has been in fantastic form for us all season and he well deserved his Man of the Match award after the game. Stephen Bradley was the other goal scorer with a second half penalty and alongside Dil, has also enjoyed a fantastic season to date.
It is well known that my club St Pats haven’t won the FAI Cup in 50 years. Having grown up as a Saints’ fan just down the road in Ballyfermot, I know how much it means to the fans to finally win the cup. The turnout by the travelling fans in the RSC was a major factor in helping us get the win. They were fantastic from start to finish and with that sort of support we are well on our way to finally bringing FAI Cup Glory to Inchicore.
I’m not known for being a prolific goal scorer by any stretch of the imagination but those close to me will know how desperate I am to score at least one goal this season! I had two golden opportunities to open my account for the club but I continued my unfortunate habit of flopping in front of goal! I think if we played on for 90 Days with the massive beach ball that the Saints’ fans were bouncing around with in the stands I still wouldn’t have scored!
Alas, to quote the former professional Canadian Ice Hockey player Wayne Gretzky, "You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take." With that in mind I’ll keep trying. Hopefully in my next column I will have better news regarding my goal famine!
Being honest though, I probably have more chance of winning the X Factor - so don’t rule out seeing me on your television screens this Saturday Night!
That’s actually not a bad idea. That Tulisa from N-Dubz is quite nice.
