v. St. Pat's

[DmanDmythDledge]

All those chances were half chances, nothing more. Podge got past the defence at times because they played a high line because of his lack of pace.

That's just not fair. He's a mediocre player playing in a very difficult role. He works hard there and does his bit.

Fitz practically played up front for the first half. It didn't do us any good. Fitz has a grand total of 0 goals this year. 0. He's absolutely the solution to our problems up front.

Working hard isn't enough. As you said he is mediocre- he is not able to play the role. There is nothing unfair about what I said- he has had a poor season.

Practically, but didn't really. That was only until Pats scored anyway.

From the couple of games that Fitz played upfront he was more impressive than Podge and was more effective than when he was on the wing. Putting Fitz upfront will mean that the opposition's defence will have to sit back to deal with his pace which will give our midfield and forwards more space to operate in.

I kind of think we should stick him on the right and use Fitz as an impact sub. King's crossing was useful at the start of the season, and we really don't have any threat down the wings at the moment.

There are some alternatives sitting on the bench. Until you get your UEFA licence, I'm going to assume Pete and his staff are a better judge of them than you.

That's what I was thinking myself. He would give protection to whoever is at RB, which has been our weak spot for a good while.

Earlier on you agree that Timmy would be a better option to play but now you start making smart comments about the same thing? Managers get things wrong sometimes and Pete has done so. This blind faith is pathetic- can you not use your own mind to have an opinion on something?

[pineapple stu]

Podge was released and had he a bit more pace, he'd have been odds on to score. As it was, we had a penalty call. Not much, really, but better than recently.

Podge was released in on goal twice, as was Meenan in the first half. Those were the chances I was referring to alright, with absolutely the qualification in your last sentence. We were much livelier than recently, and until Pat's got the second (with less than 20 to go, I think), I had blind supporter's hope of grabbing an equaliser somewhere. That's a nice improvement too in this poxy season.

[pineapple stu]

UCD annus horribilis continued apace in the Bowl on Sunday afternoon with a comfortable 3-0 reverse against St Pat's. Despite debutantes Darren Meenan and Shane Duggan ensuring a much livelier performance from the home team, St Pat's were always in control, although they only really registered their domination towards the end of the game.

With Galway having won the previous Friday to draw level with UCD, the nerves were jangling come kick off; that seemed to transcribe to the on-pitch performances too, with Matt Gregg, who has generally been in fine form this season, flapping at a couple of early crosses, as a result of one of which, St Pat's somehow managed to fire over at the far post with the goal gaping.

Darren Meenan, the new signing from Monaghan, took his time to get into the game and it was his careless loss of possession just past the half hour that set Pat's on their way to the opening goal of the game. Set free down the left, he put in a low cross when there was nobody within 20 yards in support. Barry Ryan collected easily, set the Saints forward and when Mark Quigley's shot was fumbled by Gregg, former Student Glen Fitzpatrick was on hand to tuck home the rebound.

Meenan nearly made amends three minutes later when he was sent through by a fine ball from Ronan Finn, but as he burst into the box and was about to pull the trigger, he was denied by an excellent covering tackle.

Into the second half, and as UCD tried to commit bodies forward for an equaliser, more and more gaps developed at the back. Ryan Guy squirmed past three tackles to get into the box, but Matt Gregg somehow got just enough of a touch to the ball to direct it inches past the post. Two minutes later, it could well have been 1-1 when McWalter was sent clear through 30 yards out; with Ronan Finn in space on his right, McWalter chose to go it alone, and Dessie Byrne put in the all-important tackle just as McWalter reached the edge of the box.

The game was really opening up now with chances at either end, although more and better ones were arriving at Matt Gregg's goal. Derek O'Brien nearly had a wonder goal when he met a first time cross with an excellent cross-goal drive which had shades of Jason McAteer against the Dutch in 2001 about it; the Dutch keeper beaten that day was Edwin van der Saar, but his lookalike Matt Gregg was able to produce an excellent save to touch the shot onto the bar. A couple of minutes later, McWalter was again given a run through on goal, but again the Pat's defence were well up to the task, who soon after saw his drive from the right of the box deflected over for a corner, much to Barry Ryan's relief. The Saints countered directly from the corner, and Matt Gregg again had to be at his best to deny Mark Quigley with his feet. Three minutes later, Quigley was through again only to be denied this time by Alan McNally as Pat's upped the ante.

The insurance goal they were looking for came on 72 minutes. Glen Fitzpatrick sent a left-footed curler onto the inside of Matt Gregg's outside post; as UCD looked on in amazement, the ball rebounded behind Gregg along the line, Fahey picked up the rebound, qsuared to Ryan Guy who couldn't miss from two yards out.

Two minutes from time, Pat's made it 3-0. Brian Shortall brought the ball forward out of defence, Darren Meenan was bustled off the pass and Pat's played Fahey through in the area Shortall had vacated to round Gregg and round off the scoring. It could have been four a minute later as UCD heads went down, but no-one was on hand to touch home a ball across the six yard box.

Overall, another dispiriting day at the office, but there was at least enough of a fight to ensure Friday's game in Galway mayn't be the gloom fest it could otherwise be. Defeat on Friday is unthinkable; there's just four days to find out what will happen!

UCD: Gregg, Shorthall, Stevens, Kenna, McNally, Duggan, Fitzgerald (O'Neill 69), Finn, McWalter, McFaul (Reilly 62), Meenan.

Att - c 800

[Dodge]

Ryan Guy squirmed past three tackles to get into the box, but Matt Gregg somehow got just enough of a touch to the ball to direct it inches past the post.

'Twas Fahey that ran through the defence onl for Gregg to ruin it.

Highlights on www.stpatsfc.com for those wishing to relive it

[pineapple stu]

Was it? Just watched it again on MNS; missed that! Youz lot all look the same to me. Someone mentioned at the time it was Guy.

[John83]

Earlier on you agree that Timmy would be a better option to play but now you start making smart comments about the same thing? Managers get things wrong sometimes and Pete has done so. This blind faith is pathetic- can you not use your own mind to have an opinion on something?

Welcome to English comprehension for ten year olds. I agreed with the sentiment "I'd go with Timmy myself". This is substantially different to "there are better options/solutions sitting on the bench/ in the stand. As for Friday the way both teams are playing at the moment we will be beaten but if Pete makes the changes we will give ourselves a chance," or 'Pete has gotten it wrong'.

If you're going to call me "pathetic", I'll retaliate with 'arrogant' and 'semi-literate'.

[HarpoJoyce]

Brian De Salvo couldn't be at a better stadium

Loi.ie article on the UCD v. Pat's game

http://www.eircomloi.ie/news-centre/columnists/brian-de-salvo/column-23/index.xml