FAI Intermediate Cup 2008

[Allstar]

Sure i thought that u said that ul b there at 11 clifford so parking shouldnt b a problem!!!!!

[ball-hop]

Cashmans offering 10 to 1 for either team to win on penalties.

The egg-chasers will make the trip to the Cross a nightmare. Have they scheduled to accomodate the end of the over-hyped league across the water??

[Clifford]

Sure i thought that u said that ul b there at 11 clifford so parking shouldnt b a problem!!!!!

I'll be there for the egg chasing now seeing as it's on, rah rah old chap. Pass me my scarf and whiskey flask. Spiffing.

[Clifford]

Cashmans offering 10 to 1 for either team to win on penalties.

The egg-chasers will make the trip to the Cross a nightmare. Have they scheduled to accomodate the end of the over-hyped league across the water??

Oh noooo, not spotters. After the epic 25-24 shoot out with Avondale earlier this season I don't know how we'll take to them.

I believe the rugger buggers are kicking off early to accommodate rte's gaa coverage at threeish.

[ball-hop]

Has the spotters option been introduced this season - strange that it only applies to the final. We've both had replays in the cup this season. Pity that some schedule dictates that there has to be a winner on the day.

Even there we're close - both beat the 'dale on pens this season... but not the ideal solution. Hopefully we won't need them

[Clifford]

Off to the Cross, not sure about it going to spotters, but hope it finishes today for game pile up reasons.

Gutted for Alan Wheldon, get well soon mate, hope the lads do it for you.

Bon chance one and all - especially Rockmount! Come on you Green and Yellowssss...

[balls]

rockmounts defence is awesome , Hall had plenty of chances but overall rockmount shaded it

[Clifford]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssss ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

[razor]

My neutral match report.
Rockmount 2-0 Douglas Hall

Mount shaded the start but Hall gradually took control and had some golden chances which they didn't take. Mount then scored twice in a matter of minutes against the run of play. 2 Beechinor crosses and 2 excellently taken goals from Ross & Keane, Hall hit the cross bar between the goals too. Mounts excellent defence stood firm despite a really strong start to the 2nd half but again any chance Hall had they didn't take. Willies has some left foot its unreal, banished a few in the direction of Muzzers.
Mount deserved it for their ability to take their chances and I thought the ref did very well, played in the right spirit despite some handbags between Brohan and Beechinor, well spotted by the linesman.
An absolutely beautiful day, I even got a bit of sunburn. Left after the 90 minutes but I heard the Hall keeper was sent off in stoppage time for a professional foul.
What happened Weldon Cliffy?
Mount now equal with Dale on 3 Intermediate Cup wins

[Clifford]

Alan Wheldon's appendix went on Friday night. Had an operation and got it sorted hoepfully. He was there today to see the win. Slatts dedicated the match winning save to the lad as it would have been his first win in the FAI Cup final. All the players I would imagine dedicate the win to him. What an unbelievable player to bring in however - Johnny Busteed, he marked Deckie o so tightly I forgot he was playing until they put up his number to come off.

It must be heartbreaking to teams to know that if they do manage to get past Oldham/Wheldon/Busteed (seldom I know) that they then have Willie Byrne to get by. If they ever manage to get through him (seldom I know) there then is Slatto awaiting their arrival. Add in Hoey and Gearoid on the wing back slots and you see why they won the cup conceeding only 1 goal in 6/7 matches or whatever it was.

I agree with Razor, Hall bossed it more or less from the first minute til the 40th. They created nothing other than the one on one that Slatts saved crucially and the one he touched onto the bar. Against the run of play Pat Keane (not Beech Razor!) crossed beautifully for Ross to score and Beech played in a super ball for Pat himself to bury. After that it was never in doubt really, despite Mount letting Hall have most of the possession. It was more huff and puff than anything. As I said Buster nullified Deckie O and that was about the size of it.

I won't single out a man of the match, cos lads, today your all winners! Fair play.

(John was ok in the reffing job, tried to make a game of it in the sec half, got the red spot on - horrible tackle by the keeper. Had to foul him, but to nearly break him? No need.)

[razor]

Alan Wheldon's appendix went on Friday night. Had an operation and got it sorted hoepfully.

Thats a terrible pity for the lad.

Slatts dedicated the match winning save to the lad

Twas the only real save he had to make, he did well.

Against the run of play Pat Keane (not Beech Razor!)

opposite side to me so wasn't positive

I won't single out a man of the match, cos lads, today your all winners! Fair play.

Pat Keane got the official MOTM I think.

horrible tackle by the keeper. Had to foul him, but to nearly break him? No need.)

Was gone at that stage, who did he foul?

[Clifford]

Yeah, Pat K got man of the match and that's a good call. One of the best indeed on the day.

Mickey Deasy was clean through down the centre of the pitch. Pat Oldham was charging down the left wing for a simple pass, Mickey used Pat as a decoy knocked the ball 15 feet past the keeper and got lamped big time. Keeper had no option and we'd all have done it, but it was the comprehensive manner in which he done it disappointed me. He made sure Mickey didn't get up for about 5 minutes.

Beautiful day for it and a really good crowd came out for it. Couldn't fault either team for effort in the heat. Douglas Hall will learn from this and come back all the better for it. As Billy Cronin said on red fm, they will collect trophies along the way.

[ball-hop]

Just into recovery mode!!

Kevin Mul's one on one and Wilkie's first half header saved for a corner and onto the bar just about sums it up.... in between Rockmount got two chances and put them away.

Fair play, they defended well as we knew they would and limited chances after that. We needed to take any chance we got. Even at 1-0, it would still have been game on for the second half, but Pat Keane's goal just before half time was a real sickener.

We'll learn from this and move on - i'm sure the core of the 'Hall team will be around for many years to come.

Smashing crowd, great occasion, pity about the result....

Well done, Rockmount - on the day, more clinical and deserving of the victory.

[Clifford]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/opti76/sets/72157605006474571/

Saw this link on Peoples republic of Cork or somewhere like that. Robbed it, read their thread and ran!! Anyone familiar with it? If I've taken the link wrongly then I apologise, but it seemed to be there for everyones perusal.

[Clifford]

From the echo front pages..

http://www.eveningecho.ie/pdf/front.pdf