The one about our stars abroad, a goal drought, and marrying Tulisa from N-Dubz
Credit:
I would like to start this week’s column by congratulating Enda Stevens and Daniel Kearns on their moves to Aston Villa and Peterborough respectively. Both players have massive futures ahead of them and along with James McClean who has moved to Sunderland recently, have the potential to play at the highest level in England and for Ireland at senior level for a long time.
Although I had played with Enda at UCD a few years back, and you could tell he was going to be a serious talent back then, that wasn’t the first time I took notice of how talented a player he was. Going back four or five years, myself and my Saints’ team mate Brian Shortall were walking through the Lawns Park in Ballyfermot and we decided to watch a young Cherry Orchard side take on St Kevins in what I think was a league game.
Almost instantly we were stunned at how ridiculously good this lad for Cherry Orchard was at left back. A cheeky nutmeg, two Ronaldo step-overs, a Zidane spin and a successful pin-point 40 yard cross field ping later it was evident that Enda was going to be a great talent. Myself and Brian walked away convinced that this lad could play in the Premiership in a few years and I’m delighted that Enda has got that chance now.
In other news I was saddened to see that Sheriff YC have been thrown out of the FAI CUP after fielding an illegible player in their victory over Shelbourne in the previous round. Judging from the highlights and reports of the game, Sheriff were excellent throughout and would have posed a massive challenge towards Limerick FC in the next round.
After doing all the hard work by beating LOI First Division sides Salthill Devon and high flying Shelbourne at Tolka Park to book their place in the Quarter Finals of the biggest Cup Competition in Ireland - and then to have that taken away must have been crushing for all associated with Sheriff.
Strangely enough though, pending an appeal from Sheriff YC and Shelbourne, Limerick will receive a bye to the semi-finals of the FAI Cup. This decision baffles me to say the least. Obviously Limerick will be delighted with the news, but for them to receive a bye to the semi-final without having to play a quarter final tie is very puzzling.
Having assembled a very strong squad this season, Limerick will feel they have a huge chance of promotion from the First Division and FAI Cup glory. Having achieved that exact success with Sporting Fingal in 2009, I know first-hand that anything is possible and Limerick will pose a serious threat to the remaining clubs in the competition.
Last week I ended my column by stating that I was desperate to score at least one goal this season. On Friday night we entertained Galway United at Richmond Park and since I was named in the starting line-up it presented me with another opportunity to break my goal scoring duct!
Before the game we were saddened to hear the news of the passing of life-time Saints fan Anthony Hawkins. Everyone at the club wishes their sincere condolences to the Hawkins family and the minutes silence before the game was observed impeccably by everybody that attended Richmond Park.
On the game itself we were convincing 6-1 winners having led 4-0 at half time. The goal scorers for the night were Sean O Connor, Stephen Bradley (pen), Danny North, Sean O Connor, and................ Paul Crowley. Unfortunately there was nothing from the Saints tannoy announcer to confirm a goal scored by a certain Shane McFaul.
Last week my team mate Brian Shortall made a very valid point in response to the quote I made in my Extratime.ie column. In trying to remain upbeat and positive in relation to my goal famine, I quoted former professional Ice Hockey player Wayne Gretzky - "You miss 100 per cent of the shots that you don’t take.” Brian "kindly" remarked to me that I miss 100 per cent of the shots that I do take! Cheers for that pal!
In truth though, I didn’t even have one shot on goal so I can’t afford to be that disappointed. The three points are far more important than any personal achievements and the win keeps us in touching distance at the top of the table given the fact Sligo and Derry played out a 1-1 draw at The Showgrounds.
There are exciting times ahead as we have a lot of games coming up in quick succession - starting with a Leinster Senior Cup Replay game against Killester on Tuesday night at Richmond Park.
Following the Killester game we have two crucial league games. Firstly on Friday we travel to the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray Wanderers and then on Monday we host Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park. After that we travel to play Cork City at Turners Cross in the FAI CUP Quarter Finals that will be televised live on RTE 2.
In my opinion these games will firmly determine how our season will pan out. The belief in the squad is that we can win all four games and we will be doing everything we can to make that happen.
To end my column for this week I'd like to congratulate Super Saints’ fans Vicky Cummins and Fergus Hennessy on their wedding last week. Vicky has promised me some homemade cake at the St Pats end of the season awards night so i feel it’s my duty to wish them a long and happy marriage!
If only I had gone to their wedding and caught the bouquet. I’d be destined to tie the knot with my darling Tulisa from N-Dubz!
Oh how a man can dream.
Although I had played with Enda at UCD a few years back, and you could tell he was going to be a serious talent back then, that wasn’t the first time I took notice of how talented a player he was. Going back four or five years, myself and my Saints’ team mate Brian Shortall were walking through the Lawns Park in Ballyfermot and we decided to watch a young Cherry Orchard side take on St Kevins in what I think was a league game.
Almost instantly we were stunned at how ridiculously good this lad for Cherry Orchard was at left back. A cheeky nutmeg, two Ronaldo step-overs, a Zidane spin and a successful pin-point 40 yard cross field ping later it was evident that Enda was going to be a great talent. Myself and Brian walked away convinced that this lad could play in the Premiership in a few years and I’m delighted that Enda has got that chance now.
In other news I was saddened to see that Sheriff YC have been thrown out of the FAI CUP after fielding an illegible player in their victory over Shelbourne in the previous round. Judging from the highlights and reports of the game, Sheriff were excellent throughout and would have posed a massive challenge towards Limerick FC in the next round.
After doing all the hard work by beating LOI First Division sides Salthill Devon and high flying Shelbourne at Tolka Park to book their place in the Quarter Finals of the biggest Cup Competition in Ireland - and then to have that taken away must have been crushing for all associated with Sheriff.
Strangely enough though, pending an appeal from Sheriff YC and Shelbourne, Limerick will receive a bye to the semi-finals of the FAI Cup. This decision baffles me to say the least. Obviously Limerick will be delighted with the news, but for them to receive a bye to the semi-final without having to play a quarter final tie is very puzzling.
Having assembled a very strong squad this season, Limerick will feel they have a huge chance of promotion from the First Division and FAI Cup glory. Having achieved that exact success with Sporting Fingal in 2009, I know first-hand that anything is possible and Limerick will pose a serious threat to the remaining clubs in the competition.
Last week I ended my column by stating that I was desperate to score at least one goal this season. On Friday night we entertained Galway United at Richmond Park and since I was named in the starting line-up it presented me with another opportunity to break my goal scoring duct!
Before the game we were saddened to hear the news of the passing of life-time Saints fan Anthony Hawkins. Everyone at the club wishes their sincere condolences to the Hawkins family and the minutes silence before the game was observed impeccably by everybody that attended Richmond Park.
On the game itself we were convincing 6-1 winners having led 4-0 at half time. The goal scorers for the night were Sean O Connor, Stephen Bradley (pen), Danny North, Sean O Connor, and................ Paul Crowley. Unfortunately there was nothing from the Saints tannoy announcer to confirm a goal scored by a certain Shane McFaul.
Last week my team mate Brian Shortall made a very valid point in response to the quote I made in my Extratime.ie column. In trying to remain upbeat and positive in relation to my goal famine, I quoted former professional Ice Hockey player Wayne Gretzky - "You miss 100 per cent of the shots that you don’t take.” Brian "kindly" remarked to me that I miss 100 per cent of the shots that I do take! Cheers for that pal!
In truth though, I didn’t even have one shot on goal so I can’t afford to be that disappointed. The three points are far more important than any personal achievements and the win keeps us in touching distance at the top of the table given the fact Sligo and Derry played out a 1-1 draw at The Showgrounds.
There are exciting times ahead as we have a lot of games coming up in quick succession - starting with a Leinster Senior Cup Replay game against Killester on Tuesday night at Richmond Park.
Following the Killester game we have two crucial league games. Firstly on Friday we travel to the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray Wanderers and then on Monday we host Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park. After that we travel to play Cork City at Turners Cross in the FAI CUP Quarter Finals that will be televised live on RTE 2.
In my opinion these games will firmly determine how our season will pan out. The belief in the squad is that we can win all four games and we will be doing everything we can to make that happen.
To end my column for this week I'd like to congratulate Super Saints’ fans Vicky Cummins and Fergus Hennessy on their wedding last week. Vicky has promised me some homemade cake at the St Pats end of the season awards night so i feel it’s my duty to wish them a long and happy marriage!
If only I had gone to their wedding and caught the bouquet. I’d be destined to tie the knot with my darling Tulisa from N-Dubz!
Oh how a man can dream.
