MariborKev
07/10/2002, 12:30 PM
So crooned a famous singer from Northern Ireland. However that was the tune that I was singing in the bar of the Comfort Inn at 3am on Saturday morning.
As a City fan there are days when your belief is tested. After a string of away defeats it can be tempting to say "Ah naw, I don't want to see them lose again", but you still end up going anyway. Well results like that on Friday night make it all worthwhile.
Car loaded we set off on Friday morning for the other end of Ireland more in hope than expectation. Ask any of thos who travelled for Friday's epic and they would readily admit that if someone had offered them a draw halfway down the road they would have turned back there and then.
It was set up for a cracker. A sell out crowd for a semi-final, Cork unbeaten at home and Derry on a run of seven unbeaten games. It had all the ingredients of an unmissable game an it was this thought that comforted us as we made the long trek southwards.
We hit Cork around three and despite the complexities of Leeside's one-way system we managed to find the hotel. Even as we left the car people were coming up and asking us if we had any spare tickets. Considering that we didn't even have out own tickets at this stage, never mind spares, we were a little edgy. Having checked in and deposited the gear it was time to hit the town. We found out how to get to Turner's Cross and decided that rather than hang about we would head out stright away and ensure that we got tickets.
All the way out to ground there was a tangible buzz about, from the burger vans setting up three hours before to the continuing stream of pleading locals looking for tickets. Having eventually found our way the ground around five-ish we saw a large queue- people waiting for tickets. We were directed to knock on the gate and we would get sorted out. Despite wearing a Derry shirt, scarf and hat the first question I was asked, "Are yee from Derry?"
My Northern accent seemed verification and two tickets were pulled out from inside a coat pocket and we were in. We had the tickets- at least we would get in. Outside the queue for tickets was still growing and it felt like you were at an All-Ireland such were the numbers looking for tickets.
Having at least secured entry to the game it was time to retire to the Horseshoe Inn for a pint or two beforehand. We were amongst the first Derry fans to arrive and so managed to secure a seat. As the time passed the bar filled up and the anticipation steadily grew. Having glanced at my prized possession, the green cardboard that was to grant me entrance I saw that there was no reserved seating arrangements. This meant that if we were to e together we would have to leave early.
The Brandywell Pride crew arrived just before seven and suddenly it was just like any other game. All the regulars were there and it was like a Christmas party as people greeted each other like we hadn't seen them in years. Songs rang around the bar's jammed interior as rumours were traded. Pizza was playing, Pizza wasn't playing, we were playing five at the back- all these got an airing. Then it was time to go as anyone who knows me knows that I like to be in the gorund early.
We were directed to the seats behind the nets and then we were in. We were here- in Cork for the biggest game of the season. It was not all smooth sailing as the stewarts refused to allow the drums into the ground. We were stunned by this as in all the travels, the drums have never before presented a problem. We decided that we would go down and sort out where we were standig for the game. Even at this stage the ground was bunged and there was only one block of seats that we could get significant numbers together.
The atmosphere was electric in the ground- everything the Irish game should be. I phoned the lads beck in the bar and told them to shift or we would be all split up. They responded in double quick time and soon the travelling army were massed behind the nets. We had succeeded in getting the drums into the ground and th flags had been spread out on the pitch. It was now or never.
We were in great voice, aware of the size of the occassion and acutely aware of the feeling of disappointment after last year. On hearing the teams our fears were confirmed, both McGlynn and Pizza had missed out. Deery was to take over at right back and we assumed that Gary would slot in at right wing.
The roar when the teams took the field was tremendous and showed the potential for the game in this country- it should be like that all the time. However when the team lined out David Kelly was on the right hand side. We were all a bit shocked at this- to tell you the truth I thought back to last year when Derek Philips was told to man mark Kevin Hunt. Thoughts like this were pushed to the back of the head as it was time to sing the hearts out for the lads.
I would say that there were about 250 amongst our contingent and we could spot familiar faces in the main stand as well, a decent support taken all the circumstances. The advantage we had was that we were the hardcore- the Cork fans didn't know what hit them. The general consensus beforehand was that if we could keep Cork scoreless for a half an hour then the crowd would turn. It was obvious that many of their fans were bandwagoners and if things didn't go their way it was clear that they could turn on their own team.
So to the game. It wasn't the best spectacle for teh neutral but when your team is involved the need for "good football" goes out the window. Derry, chastened after last year seemed to settle quicker and we had two early chances when Ciaran Martyn was sent through and Devine did well to parry his effort for his corner. Derry forced several early corners and from one of them Liam headed wide when he could have down better.
This start had us all in great voice and not even the persisitent shouts to "sit down" from the home support behind bothered us. Cork had several chances of their own when they found their feet. Shooting into the Shed End, roared on by the fans in that end they pushed Derry back. Their star men, O'Flynn and O'Callaghan got much more of the ball and had several efforts on goal which the travelling support were more than glad to see sail wide. Their best chance, from what I could recall was when O'Callaghan put the ball on the roof of the net as a result of an attempted lob.
Cork, for all their new players reminded me of all the Cork teams,with their physical challenges drawing the irk of Dery fans who roared at Hubert Byrne to punish their repeated late tackles with a card.
Friars was always an outlet down the wing and Gary Beckett ran all over the place to close down advancing Cork defenders. Sensing that Deery might be the weak link Cork threw their efforts down the left wing and David Kelly was having to double up on their winger to try and stem the flow. The half seemed to go on for an enternity but as we thought, the home fans became restless and soon the only ones singing were ourselves. Half-time was welcomed by all inside the ground. Cork fans were hoping for a change of luck in the second half and City fans were more than happy with the way things were developing.
The second half was a much higher standard of football as both teams seemed to have shrugged off the weight of expectation and decided that they had to play their own game. Seated as we were behind the goal, Derry fans were in the perfect position to see the efforts of the City defence in the second period. No doubt Liam Murphy had told his charges that he didn't want a replay and they committed a lot more men forward. The pace of their front duo of O'Flynn and Callaghan, twinned with Billy Woods on the flank were their main threats.
Woods drove forward at every opportunity, giving young Kevin Deery a hard time but he was injured early in the second half and had to be replaced. Cork had several good moves early in the second forty-five but Eddie McCallion, Paddy McLaughlin and Sean Hargan improved their performance levels from excellent to super-human. They dealt with the threat of the Cork attackers and Hargan in particular was outstanding, not more so that when he got a foot to a superb cross to prevent O'Flynn firing home.
Muscles were aching and nerves were highly strung at this stage, and this was only the supporters. Cork continued to pore forward, roared on by an appreciative home support. Derry were reduced to clearing the ball, Gary Beckett doing sterling work chasing and holding the ball up.
The game still had a few twists and turns before its conclusion. On 70 minutes, O'Flynn went down after a tackle from Paddy, claiming a penalty. Hubert Byrne recieved howls of derision from the home support and of delight from ourselves when he booked O'Flynn for a dive.
Cork seemed to be still thinking about the penalty as Derry broke forward and Ciaran Martyn drove narrowly wide after being set up by Liam Coyle. Amazingly Cork then broke forward with a ball back to Gough being chased by O'Flynn Byrne whistled and pointed to the spot. As you can imagine this caused serious anger amongst the Derry fans as we couldn't see any reason for the penalty but speaking to journalists after the game they said that Byrne had claimed that Deery had been tugging O'Flynn's shirt.
The home support was in raptures but there was the small matter of having to convert the kick. Minds floated back to Russell Payne's heroics at Bohs last year and to Tim Dalton saving one the year we won the Cup. Gough looked ready and Flynn, for all his exploits, had surely never felt this pressure was there.
Candystripes Online (http://www.derrycityfc.moonfruit.com)
As a City fan there are days when your belief is tested. After a string of away defeats it can be tempting to say "Ah naw, I don't want to see them lose again", but you still end up going anyway. Well results like that on Friday night make it all worthwhile.
Car loaded we set off on Friday morning for the other end of Ireland more in hope than expectation. Ask any of thos who travelled for Friday's epic and they would readily admit that if someone had offered them a draw halfway down the road they would have turned back there and then.
It was set up for a cracker. A sell out crowd for a semi-final, Cork unbeaten at home and Derry on a run of seven unbeaten games. It had all the ingredients of an unmissable game an it was this thought that comforted us as we made the long trek southwards.
We hit Cork around three and despite the complexities of Leeside's one-way system we managed to find the hotel. Even as we left the car people were coming up and asking us if we had any spare tickets. Considering that we didn't even have out own tickets at this stage, never mind spares, we were a little edgy. Having checked in and deposited the gear it was time to hit the town. We found out how to get to Turner's Cross and decided that rather than hang about we would head out stright away and ensure that we got tickets.
All the way out to ground there was a tangible buzz about, from the burger vans setting up three hours before to the continuing stream of pleading locals looking for tickets. Having eventually found our way the ground around five-ish we saw a large queue- people waiting for tickets. We were directed to knock on the gate and we would get sorted out. Despite wearing a Derry shirt, scarf and hat the first question I was asked, "Are yee from Derry?"
My Northern accent seemed verification and two tickets were pulled out from inside a coat pocket and we were in. We had the tickets- at least we would get in. Outside the queue for tickets was still growing and it felt like you were at an All-Ireland such were the numbers looking for tickets.
Having at least secured entry to the game it was time to retire to the Horseshoe Inn for a pint or two beforehand. We were amongst the first Derry fans to arrive and so managed to secure a seat. As the time passed the bar filled up and the anticipation steadily grew. Having glanced at my prized possession, the green cardboard that was to grant me entrance I saw that there was no reserved seating arrangements. This meant that if we were to e together we would have to leave early.
The Brandywell Pride crew arrived just before seven and suddenly it was just like any other game. All the regulars were there and it was like a Christmas party as people greeted each other like we hadn't seen them in years. Songs rang around the bar's jammed interior as rumours were traded. Pizza was playing, Pizza wasn't playing, we were playing five at the back- all these got an airing. Then it was time to go as anyone who knows me knows that I like to be in the gorund early.
We were directed to the seats behind the nets and then we were in. We were here- in Cork for the biggest game of the season. It was not all smooth sailing as the stewarts refused to allow the drums into the ground. We were stunned by this as in all the travels, the drums have never before presented a problem. We decided that we would go down and sort out where we were standig for the game. Even at this stage the ground was bunged and there was only one block of seats that we could get significant numbers together.
The atmosphere was electric in the ground- everything the Irish game should be. I phoned the lads beck in the bar and told them to shift or we would be all split up. They responded in double quick time and soon the travelling army were massed behind the nets. We had succeeded in getting the drums into the ground and th flags had been spread out on the pitch. It was now or never.
We were in great voice, aware of the size of the occassion and acutely aware of the feeling of disappointment after last year. On hearing the teams our fears were confirmed, both McGlynn and Pizza had missed out. Deery was to take over at right back and we assumed that Gary would slot in at right wing.
The roar when the teams took the field was tremendous and showed the potential for the game in this country- it should be like that all the time. However when the team lined out David Kelly was on the right hand side. We were all a bit shocked at this- to tell you the truth I thought back to last year when Derek Philips was told to man mark Kevin Hunt. Thoughts like this were pushed to the back of the head as it was time to sing the hearts out for the lads.
I would say that there were about 250 amongst our contingent and we could spot familiar faces in the main stand as well, a decent support taken all the circumstances. The advantage we had was that we were the hardcore- the Cork fans didn't know what hit them. The general consensus beforehand was that if we could keep Cork scoreless for a half an hour then the crowd would turn. It was obvious that many of their fans were bandwagoners and if things didn't go their way it was clear that they could turn on their own team.
So to the game. It wasn't the best spectacle for teh neutral but when your team is involved the need for "good football" goes out the window. Derry, chastened after last year seemed to settle quicker and we had two early chances when Ciaran Martyn was sent through and Devine did well to parry his effort for his corner. Derry forced several early corners and from one of them Liam headed wide when he could have down better.
This start had us all in great voice and not even the persisitent shouts to "sit down" from the home support behind bothered us. Cork had several chances of their own when they found their feet. Shooting into the Shed End, roared on by the fans in that end they pushed Derry back. Their star men, O'Flynn and O'Callaghan got much more of the ball and had several efforts on goal which the travelling support were more than glad to see sail wide. Their best chance, from what I could recall was when O'Callaghan put the ball on the roof of the net as a result of an attempted lob.
Cork, for all their new players reminded me of all the Cork teams,with their physical challenges drawing the irk of Dery fans who roared at Hubert Byrne to punish their repeated late tackles with a card.
Friars was always an outlet down the wing and Gary Beckett ran all over the place to close down advancing Cork defenders. Sensing that Deery might be the weak link Cork threw their efforts down the left wing and David Kelly was having to double up on their winger to try and stem the flow. The half seemed to go on for an enternity but as we thought, the home fans became restless and soon the only ones singing were ourselves. Half-time was welcomed by all inside the ground. Cork fans were hoping for a change of luck in the second half and City fans were more than happy with the way things were developing.
The second half was a much higher standard of football as both teams seemed to have shrugged off the weight of expectation and decided that they had to play their own game. Seated as we were behind the goal, Derry fans were in the perfect position to see the efforts of the City defence in the second period. No doubt Liam Murphy had told his charges that he didn't want a replay and they committed a lot more men forward. The pace of their front duo of O'Flynn and Callaghan, twinned with Billy Woods on the flank were their main threats.
Woods drove forward at every opportunity, giving young Kevin Deery a hard time but he was injured early in the second half and had to be replaced. Cork had several good moves early in the second forty-five but Eddie McCallion, Paddy McLaughlin and Sean Hargan improved their performance levels from excellent to super-human. They dealt with the threat of the Cork attackers and Hargan in particular was outstanding, not more so that when he got a foot to a superb cross to prevent O'Flynn firing home.
Muscles were aching and nerves were highly strung at this stage, and this was only the supporters. Cork continued to pore forward, roared on by an appreciative home support. Derry were reduced to clearing the ball, Gary Beckett doing sterling work chasing and holding the ball up.
The game still had a few twists and turns before its conclusion. On 70 minutes, O'Flynn went down after a tackle from Paddy, claiming a penalty. Hubert Byrne recieved howls of derision from the home support and of delight from ourselves when he booked O'Flynn for a dive.
Cork seemed to be still thinking about the penalty as Derry broke forward and Ciaran Martyn drove narrowly wide after being set up by Liam Coyle. Amazingly Cork then broke forward with a ball back to Gough being chased by O'Flynn Byrne whistled and pointed to the spot. As you can imagine this caused serious anger amongst the Derry fans as we couldn't see any reason for the penalty but speaking to journalists after the game they said that Byrne had claimed that Deery had been tugging O'Flynn's shirt.
The home support was in raptures but there was the small matter of having to convert the kick. Minds floated back to Russell Payne's heroics at Bohs last year and to Tim Dalton saving one the year we won the Cup. Gough looked ready and Flynn, for all his exploits, had surely never felt this pressure was there.
Candystripes Online (http://www.derrycityfc.moonfruit.com)