FAI Cup 2008

[pineapple stu]

We would have been better off if Fitz had been left on the bench. Not once did he beat the full back. Almost all of our play in the second half was long balls so don't know how most of our play went through him.

You're very quick to brand play as hoof ball or long ball; it leads me to think that you don't understand the term.

We didn't really play long ball. What happened was that we played it about so bloody slowly that Monaghan had plenty of time to get back and close the gaps. Monaghan hoofed the ball. We dallied, turned back, and played it back to the defence. We wouldn't have had 80% of second half possession if we were doing the same thing as Monaghan.

Fitz did have trouble against his marker, it's true. He didn't really beat him. But he did often cut back inside him, creating chances. I think it was his shot, for example, that Allie Mac headed off the line (or he set up the chance, at least).

In any event, he could have been played up front, as in the game in Monaghan, when he won the penalty, was fouled for the red card and generally caused headaches all night.

[HarpoJoyce]

........

Fitz did have trouble against his marker, it's true. He didn't really beat him. But he did often cut back inside him, creating chances. I think it was his shot, for example, that Allie Mac headed off the line (or he set up the chance, at least).......

This chance came initially from a corner that was half-cleared.

[DmanDmythDledge]

You're very quick to brand play as hoof ball or long ball; it leads me to think that you don't understand the term.

We didn't really play long ball. What happened was that we played it about so bloody slowly that Monaghan had plenty of time to get back and close the gaps. Monaghan hoofed the ball. We dallied, turned back, and played it back to the defence. We wouldn't have had 80% of second half possession if we were doing the same thing as Monaghan.

Fitz did have trouble against his marker, it's true. He didn't really beat him. But he did often cut back inside him, creating chances. I think it was his shot, for example, that Allie Mac headed off the line (or he set up the chance, at least).

I would consider balls that go in the air from our defence to our striker as hoofballs. The vast majority of balls in the second half were long balls.

Yes, he did cross the ball to the back post for that chance. But that was all he did, which does not amount to most of our play going through him.

[Magicme]

09/06/2008 after first game at KCH Park


25/06/2008 after replay at Belfield Bowl


Magicme, have you just become unemployable or some Rogue Offical forever destined to wander outside the gates of whichever Stadium Monaghan United happen to be playing in...?

There has been talk of me being barred from all games alright but I put forward in my defence that I was present at our home wins this year so I cant be bringing bad luck at home!

[pineapple stu]

I would consider balls that go in the air from our defence to our striker as hoofballs. The vast majority of balls in the second half were long balls.

If they reached their target, then that's completely different to Monaghan's style, to which you likening it in the eL forum. And most of the play still wasn't hoofball - it was spread out to the wings and built (slowly) from there.

which does not amount to most of our play going through him.

I think it does actually. But in any case, that wasn't anywhere near the sum of his contribution.

[DmanDmythDledge]

And most of the play still wasn't hoofball - it was spread out to the wings and built (slowly) from there.

First half was almost completely on the ground, but second half team started to panic and long balls were played the majority of the time.

I think it does actually. But in any case, that wasn't anywhere near the sum of his contribution.

One cross?

It was.

[pineapple stu]

The notes I made at the time indicate that the second time Monaghan cleared off the line also came from a cross from Fitz, and he also had a shot deflected wide from the edge of the box for a corner when he cut in...past the un-go-past-able defender. He did plenty.