Sunday, November 13, 2016

The Bicycle Giver

[NOTE: This post has been in my drafts tab for months. I no longer know how many or why I didn't publish it at the time. It has been left as is, aside from some little notes where appropriate. SPOILER: This post has nothing to do with bicycles or thieves of aforementioned non-existent bicycles]

I rarely have free time these days, what with shift work and important personal commitments. Though it's far from ideal, I generally don't mind. It's just life and I do enjoy mine when I can.


Sunday, September 11, 2016

For Extratime.ie, book review: Gods Vs Mortals: Irish Clubs in Europe

In light of Dundalk's recent European adventure, a review of a book chronicling the greatest exploits of all League of Ireland clubs in continental competition seemed appropriate. Paul Keane does an excellent job documenting ten such memorable occasions in his book Gods Vs Mortals.

Monday, August 15, 2016

For Extratime.ie, book review: A Life Too Short - The Tragedy of Robert Enke

Most people read the autobiographies of sports people to gain a better understanding of their heroes, to find out what makes them tick – what drives them to be successful. The importance of Ronald Reng's biography of German goalkeeper Robert Enke is not in how it captures him on the field, but in how it chronicles his life and his battle with depression off it.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

If Dundalk get Celtic, Aviva Stadium could work against them

Dundalk achieved one of the biggest results in the club's European history by seeing off BATE Borisov over two-legs to reach the Champions League play-off round. With Tallaght Stadium needing numerous upgrades to make it fit by UEFA standards to host a tie in this round, the Aviva Stadium is looking more likely to be used by the Lilywhites for their home leg, and this could be to Dundalk's detriment if they do indeed draw Celtic.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Decent week in Europe for the LOI sides

Three 1-1 draws, two away from home. Fans of Cork City and St. Patrick's Athletic would have probably taken score-draws from their first-leg jaunts to Sweden and Belarus in the Europa League. For Dundalk, the concession of an away goal means they face an uphill task when they go to Iceland - the home of ' The Mountain', Hafþór Júlíus "Thor" Björnsson - for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier next week.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Denmark 1992 and Portugal 2016, not so different yet viewed differently

In 1992, Denmark achieved the seemingly impossible - they won Euro 92 in Sweden, a tournament they hadn't even qualified for and were only competing in by virtue of Yugoslavia's enforced withdrawal. In 2016, Portugal achieved the highly unlikely  they won Euro 2016 after finishing third during the group stage and ensured that France failed to win a major tournament which they were hosting for the first time since the 1960 European Nations Cup.

Sunday, July 3, 2016

For Extratime.ie: Flabbergasted Keegan rues Cherrie save

Wexford Youths boss Shane Keegan admitted he was “flabbergasted” to see his side lose 3-0 to Bray Wanderers – and he was left ruing an incredible Peter Cherrie save which took place 60 seconds before the Seagulls netted their third. 

Saturday, July 2, 2016

For Extratime.ie: Joe Doyle's on fire

Joe Doyle made history when he scored four goals during Cabinteely's 5-1 victory over Athlone Town in Stradbrook on Friday night – and he said he would be straight onto teammate Ben Hanrahan after the game.

Friday, July 1, 2016

For Extratime.ie: Disappointed Fenlon wants Rovers to have go

Shamrock Rovers boss Pat Fenlon was disappointed with his side's 2-0 defeat to RoPS Rovaniemi in Thursday night's Europa League first qualifying round match – and admitted ahead of the return leg in Finland, “We've got to go and have a go.”


Wednesday, June 29, 2016

For Extratime.ie: Corral injury a blow says Esch manager

Jeunesse Esch boss Carlo Weis believes losing Ken Corral to injury early in the first-half disrupted his side during their 1-0 defeat to St. Patrick's Athletic in Richmond Park on Tuesday.

For Extratime.ie: Fagan smashes Saints' European goalscoring record

Christy Fagan netted the only goal in St. Patrick's Athletic's 1-0 win over Jeunesse Esch at Richmond Park on Tuesday night to become the Saints' all-time leading goalscorer in Europe.

For Extratime.ie: Buckley wants better Saints performance in Luxembourg

St. Patrick's Athletic boss Liam Buckley was pleased with the 1-0 win over Jeunesse Esch in Richmond Park on Tuesday night – but he believes the Saints will need to improve on their second-half performance to finish off the tie in Luxembourg next week.

Monday, June 27, 2016

For Extratime.ie: Byrne calls on Pat's to grasp Europa League chance

Conan Byrne has called on his St. Patrick's Athletic teammates to forget about their indifferent Premier Division season by throwing themselves into their two-legged Europa League first qualifying round tie against Jeunesse Esch.

For Extratime.ie: Buckley believes league form is irrelevant to Europa League tie

St. Patrick's Athletic boss Liam Buckley doesn't believe his side's inconsistent form in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division will have any bearing on their Europa League first qualifying round tie with Jeunesse Esch. 

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

For Extratime.ie: Doherty frustrated to come away with nothing

While the spectators inside Tolka Park on Sunday afternoon will have left – for better or worse depending on which side they support – thoroughly entertained following an incredible seven goal thriller, for Shelbourne boss Kevin Doherty there was only one thing on his mind.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

For Extratime.ie: Russell acknowledges complacency and injuries as biggest enemy

Following the crazy 4-3 victory over Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Sunday afternoon, Limerick boss Martin Russell acknowledged that complacency and injuries were now his side's biggest hurdles to making an immediate return to the Premier Division.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

For Extratime.ie: KMW's goal-drought a curse from misdeeds of a previous life

Having seen his UCD side come out on top in a thrilling end-to-end clash against Shelbourne at Tolka Park, Students boss Collie O'Neill could afford to make a light quip about the gilt-edged chances missed by Kieran Marty Waters.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

When Newcastle United won the 2006 Intertoto Cup

Staring down the barrel of relegation from the Premier League at present, that 2006 Intertoto Cup success doesn't look to shabby to Newcastle United fans right now, I imagine.