Corbally 1 Carew park 4.
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Corbally 1 Carew park 4.
There wasn't really much to write about. Frenetic game with neither team capable of putting together long spells in possession. John Boyle was the standout player on the day, just about getting the better of a remarkable battle with John Tierney. He put in quite a few successful tackles on him to break up the play. Really their duel summed the game up - both sides rather cancelled each other out. Both sides pressed high and it was no surprise that there were a few chances in the first half stemming from misjudged long balls over the top.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hollywood Hogan
Pike penalty was the correct decision - Slattery on O'Shea. Carew should absolutely have had one of their own for Colbert's challenge on Connery towards the end of the half. Power made a rod for his own back by not giving it, but there is no excuse for the abuse he was allegedly subjected to.
Not many chances in the second half. Carew had a couple of chances from set pieces, most notably the close range header by Mark Keane from a Pa Boyle free kick. Pike of course had one of their own - Doona hitting the post after Hartnett headed on a Tierney free.
Pike switched to 3-4-3 for the last quarter or so. Carew responded by going 5-4-1, bringing on Cyril Maher for the injured O'Sullivan to play out the last few minutes.
Really it was a bit of a stalemate. Draw a fair result.
Ive read your reports on other games aswell and people keep correcting you.. I don't think your even at the games to be honest.. It was a cracking game from two of the best teams in the country.. You always get players mixed up.. Mark Keane gave away Peno..pike had 3/4 chances in second half at least and it was second half when Connery was fouled by Colbert ..and Carew didn't go 4-5-1.. They simply moved pa Boyle out left for sully and maher in middle..if your going to write a report about the game make sure you go watch them first...Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanOB
for once i am actually going to agree with you,Quote:
Originally Posted by mrman
correct and right, though i must say its also one of the first times pike have,nt won and he has,nt blamed the managers lack of knowledge of the gameQuote:
Originally Posted by neverseenit
totaly agree,although i usually enjoy reading your reports i think you got this one wrong ,boyle played well but,WAYNE COLBERT was something else head and shoulders above everyone else the man totally dominated his half of the fieldQuote:
Originally Posted by neverseenit
You're right on the penalty. I misread my notes (four days after the game). Slattery gave the ball away running up the field, leaving Keane alone and it was the latter that made the challenge.Quote:
Originally Posted by neverseenit
It was definitely the first half when Colbert fouled Connery. I take two sets of notes on the phone, one for each half.
I didn't say Carew went 4-5-1, I said they went 5-4-1. Maher was clearly playing on the same line as the other two centre halves when he came on, which makes sense as Pike were operating with three strikers at that point. Also, Connery was moved back to the right flank at this point too, with Grant up on his own. If things went down the way you've painted them, Connery would have remained up with Grant. There was absolutely a change of shape.
So two of your "corrections" are nonsense. I appreciate the first one though.
Spot on Alan ob.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanOB
Cheers js. Interesting to see the usual suspects chime in to agree with him when two thirds of what he said was nonsense.
As for the idea that I don't watch the games - sometimes, particularly last Sunday, it seems like I'm the ONLY one watching the game. Most seem to be more interested in their phones or talking amongst themselves. Presumably then the one who shouts loudest gets his opinion accepted as fact.
As for Colbert, he was indeed excellent but should definitely have been penalised with the concession of a penalty. So to say Connery didn't get a sniff isn't accurate.
Tierney was the most dangerous player on the pitch and Boyle quieted him. If anyone else had been in the deeper midfield position for Carew I believe they may have lost. He also made a goal saving last man tackle. Owing to both, I felt he was the games most important player.
If Pike were clever they could have played Tierney behind one striker, instead of starting Okoro and sticking slavishly to the rigid 4-4-2 they favour. He would have theoretically had far more freedom between the lines with no direct opponent.
thought AOB report was as usual top notch,of course he is going to miss the odd incident but in terms of accuracy his spin on the games are excellent,to suggest he was not even at the game is the typical visioned nonsense that stems from the usual quarters who have the rose tinted glass,s on whenever ....their..ehem...club is playing.in terms of the overall contribution over 90mins j.boyle was the standout player on the field,was certainly run close by w.colbert.tough game for the ref to handle,it was one where a ref needed help,thought the carew manager was lucky to survive a sending off given his conduct.
to be fair alan your reports are top knotch not going to get everything correct all the time but very informative and accurate boyle for me was mom wayne had a super game but won his headers and defended like you would expect him to Boyle had to deal with the best junior player in the country and he done well I agree without him it would have been a victory for pike.. pike are lumping it into the box every opportunity but a lot of quality with their deliveries if it doesn't go thru tierney it is route 1 stuff Carew tried to play a little but it was a helter skelter 100mph junior game wit a draw being a fair outcome.. that is just my neutral opinion on what I saw...
whats happening in Pike, they had to field some of their B team this morning and no sign of Conny
well whats happenning at the minute is that they are munster champions, munster champs lge winners and in with a big shout of winning the league again,its that time of the year when injuries and work commitments unfortunately kick in,frank stewart only real B player if you want to call him that, young butler has been part of the A squad since xmas, hope that clears up few things for youQuote:
Originally Posted by mrman
Be surprised if connie wasent there especially with 2 of the irish junior international set up being at the game before they travelled up to the lawson cup final.Quote:
Originally Posted by mrman
Any updates on tonight's games?
Dines 0 Carew park 2.
Geraldines 0-2 Carew Park
Carew Park took one step closer to the league title in an extremely tight game at Rathuard this evening.
The away side started out in their usual 4-4-2 shape. There was one change from the team that lost to Janesboro in last Sunday's Lawson Cup final - Cyril Maher in for Brian Ahern, with John Boyle moved out to the right flank in place of the latter. The Dines were operating a 4-5-1/4-3-3 shape with Donie Curtin leading the line.
Geraldines broadly had the better of the first period, but were guilty of not maximising their 3 v 2 advantage in the middle of the field. Too often when going back to front they chose to go direct too early instead of playing the ball into that area. Ian Storan was being used in the anchorman position, and despite putting in a number of successful tackles, didn't look suited to that role from a distribution perspective. None of the Dines back four, with the exception of left full Danny O'Neill looked comfortable in possession either. As such, despite seemingly having the edge on their opponents, the home side were unable to capitalise. It was Carew who would open the scoring.
Mark Slattery found the ball at his feet in his own half. He delivered a simple long ball up to John Connery who was able to bring it under control in the box under no pressure. He showed great technique to turn centre back Thomas O'Grady, before the Dines man slid in and bundled him over, conceding a penalty. Carew right full Gary Griffin calmly rolled into the bottom right past James O'Connor. 0-1.
At the other end of the field however, Griffin was struggling. Dines' left sided forward Derek Daly was consistently getting the better of him. Towards the end of the first half, he beat Griffin down the line, before delivering a low cross into the area. Eddie Lee, the right sided forward, looked certain to convert, but Carew left full Fra Kett tracked him all the way to deny the Dines man. 0-1 at half time.
The second half was only five minutes old when the home side were forced to make a change. Right full Paul Fitzgerald came off due to injury. He was replaced by striker Derek Hannon. This resulted in a big reshuffle. Danny O'Neill moved from left to right back. Ian Storan moved to left full. Bobby Tier dropped into the anchorman position, with Donie Curtin moving back to fulfil Tier's box-to-box duties. Almost immediately Tier played a perfect long pass to Eddie Lee on the right, and it appeared that the Dines would now be able to move the ball forward more effectively.
Carew, however, had other ideas, and had a 10 minute spell that killed the game off. First, on 55 minutes, Somers came in off the left and went close with a strong right footed drive. Then, on the hour mark, an seemingly innocuous free kick from Fra Kett deep in the Carew half led to Jonathan Grant being allowed to collect on his chest in the box easily. He turned and shot, but shot over. A good chance gone begging. The killer blow, however, was still to come. On 65 minutes, Somers again received the ball on the left, cutting inside. He laid off to Connery, who beat Danaher before squaring to Pa Boyle on the edge of the area. Donie Curtin was not close enough to him, and one half of the Boyle Brothers did what he does best - a fantastic left footed drive into the bottom left corner. Game over.
Geraldines made a couple of changes with 15 to go, moving to a 4-2-3-1 shape with George Daffy behind Derek Hannon. They looked a little better in possession with two holders but were unable to create any significant chances. Apart, of course, from when they were clean through on goal, only for the referee to call it back, failing to utilise the advantage rule!
Huge win for Carew in what many would argue was their last remaining potential banana skin. They've struggled of late. The possession game of the first half of the season has gone as the nerves and edginess have set in. Unsurprising really, considering that many of these players have never been in this position before. You have to admire, however, the way in which they've ground out results despite this dip in performance. I would again, however, question the omission of Steven Grant of late. Early in the season his presence in front of the defence was a key reason that Carew were so efficient at holding onto the football. Perhaps there are good reasons for his absence from the side, but I find it quite strange personally.
Geraldines will be delighted with a 4th place finish having just been promoted. Their attempts to do something different by trying to operate a possession based 4-3-3 is admirable, but you suspect that they don't yet have the players to do this. They need defenders who are comfortable in possession, an anchorman with excellent distribution, and a prolific target man who can compensate for the lack of a partner. They're a young side and if they can stay together the sky's the limit. Credit to all involved at the club.
Geraldines (4-3-3): O'Connor; Fitzgerald, Danaher, O'Grady, D. O'Neill; Storan; Tier, C. O'Neill; E. Lee, Curtin, Daly
Carew Park (4-4-2): Stewart; Griffin, Slattery, Keane, Kett; J. Boyle, Maher, P. Boyle, Somers; J. Grant, Connery
Just want to say a big well done to John boyle called up to Irish squad to play northern Ireland also well done to shane clarke and John teirney
Excellent report. Would you be interested in submitting reports to http://thejuniorsoccerportal.info/ ? Please give us a shout if you are interested in becoming involved.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanOB
I've been posting them here for a couple of seasons now. I'd have to have a good reason to change to be honest. This is a widely used forum on the Limerick scene. Most people at least lurk here, even if there are relatively few regular posters. Any switch to a different website, particularly one as packed with information as that one, would probably reduce readership.
Also, it's an unfortunate time to be starting something like this with the junior seasons coming to a close.
Best of luck with it though.
Yeah the idea is to have it fully up and running by next season. Ok I understand what you're saying, but our site is intended to promote junior soccer all over Ireland not just in one region. You could post your reports to both to increase readership if you want? I'll leave it with ya, if you change your mind you can always just register on the site and submit when you want.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanOB
Regards,
Derek.
Cheers Derek, I will indeed register. I'm probably done for the season now (half considering doing the Wembley-Carew game tomorrow), but yeah I'll post the first few in both locations next season.
Much appreciated !! + There is a link on our site to this forum so there is a connection between the two.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanOB
Regards,
Derek.
Congratulations to Carew Park Afc on winning the league tonight,well deserved lads
congrats to carew park,best team in limerick this season in the league.,and good for the league to have new winners,might give others the belief to do what carew have done.
Wembley 1 Carew park 6
Carew park afc champions 12/13 take a week to sink in :-D
Wembley 1 Carew Park 6,score line says it all we just couldn't cope with this terrific side the way they pressure the ball and are so deadly in front of goal is a pleasure to see,congratulations to them on their league victory thoroughly deserved.
Congrats to Carew Park! Looked like a really close league title run in. Well done :cool::ball:
And so ends another eventful Limerick DL season. A season in which Carew Park, who finished a distant third last year, were one game away from winning the lot. A season in which Pike Rovers, who many were declaring champions after their victory over Janesboro in August, finished empty handed.
Much has been said already about the former, but not much (if anything at all) has been said publicly about the latter. To me it's patently clear that this year's performance by Pike is a gigantic and inexcusable underachievement, considering both the size of their squad and their ability to attract players.
Tactically this season, they've been consistently questionable. Their insistence on sticking with two out and out strikers in a classic 4-4-2 shape saw them looking predictable in their movement and struggling to break down the better sides. This was particularly evident in the key 1-2 home defeat to Carew in which they dominated possession in the middle of the park through Colbert and Tierney, but were faced with static performances from the two strikers and both wide players.
The squad management was also baffling. Pike packed their squad with at least five out and out number 9s - Barry, Moloney, Okoro, Ryan and Doona. They brought Okoro in halfway through the season, when it was clear that they were far more lacking in other areas of the pitch. Why not bring in a nifty number 10 type to play between the lines? Or strengthen in wide areas? There was also the absence of Conor Kavanagh in front of the defence. This was never resolved. Martin Deady performed there briefly earlier in the season and did well, but in his absence Keith Hartnett was fielded there and was patently not suited to that role in terms of his defensive requirements. Why then bring in the Aisling man considering the plethora of similar players already available to them?
The reaction from the sideline to adversity in games was also poor. The tendency was to switch to a system with three out and out strikers, which often left them vulnerable on the flanks and compromised their chances of getting back into games. This actually happened on one occasion when Pike were AHEAD, in the home game against Boro. The decision to switch led to the equaliser and another two points dropped.
Carew on the other hand showed great acumen from the sideline. The signings of John Boyle and Jonathan Grant in the close season were inspired. With the former playing behind the latter in a 4-4-1-1, with Pa Boyle and Steven Grant behind, they dominated possession in the early season games. Really impressive stuff. Grant being a natural number ten however, was crying out for a channel runner to complement his work, and the signing of John Connery from St. Michaels at the halfway point provided this in spades. The switch to a more 4-4-2ish shape, and the (strange) absence of Steven Grant, meant that Carew were no longer controlling games from a possession perspective as often as before. The increased goal threat compensated for that though. With Grant dropping off and Connery staying on the shoulder and running the channels, defences were given two very different problems to deal with. Compare that to Pike's static shape up top. Carew also had a tendency to get late goals this season. This surely is a sign of the type of character that they have at the club. Remember Jonathan Grant's last minute equaliser against Fairview? Or Brian Ahern's last gasp winner against Regional?
Finally, there was a lot of talk here pre-season about Albert Slattery's personality, about whether he would have the personal discipline to do the job. For me, he always conducted himself professionally, and the decisions he made from the sideline were usually very logical. He also broadly selected a very settled side, particularly at the back. Griffin, Keane, Slattery, Kett.
His influence was undoubtedly one of the key differences between first and second this year.
As for the others, Janesboro struggled massively in the early going. The departure of Mike O'Gorman was a huge loss and he simply wasn't replaced. The signing of Christy Doyle was also a disaster as he and Shane Clarke were not suited to playing together by any means. From September I was calling for Lynch to partner Clarke and it was no surprise to me when they dovetailed brilliantly in the Lawson Cup final to restore some pride to Boro's season.
Fairview were being tipped by all and sundry to go down this season, and considering the average age and size of their squad, you have to hand it to the returning Finnan. They faded badly towards the end of the season but some of their early season performances were highly impressive. They were unlucky not to beat Pike and Carew early on on home soil, pressing high up the pitch and looking extremely organised. The 3-0 away win against Balla in the absence of Scanlon, McGrath and Heffernan was hard to believe.
Geraldines, and particularly their management team O'Donnell and Considine, deserve huge credit, both for the type of football they're trying to inculcate in their club and their final league position. The 4-1-2-3 possession based shape that they are looking to implement is unusual in this league. They undoubtedly lack a few players yet to operate it to an optimal degree, but considering that they're a newly promoted side the end result has to be applauded. Finding someone to play that anchorman position effectively is key for them. Steven Grant maybe?
Unfortunately, I didn't see enough of the other sides to really comment on their season. Thanks to everyone involved in Limerick DL football for the entertainment you've provided me with this year. Congratulations also to Carew and Janesboro on clinching the Limerick trophies. Further afield, congrats go to Pike for clinching the Munster Junior. And credit to a Balla side with a lot of young up and coming talent for pushing them all the way in the last 4. Here's to another fantastic year in 2013/14.
umm you were right there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Minesapint
Quote:
Originally Posted by Red devil
Carew park afc champions
Excellent review of the season Alan. It does look like pike are going through a phase where they will have to rebuild. Barry and Moloney are well into their 30's, colm enright will have to be replaced soon. The three Kilmallock signings not up to pikes usual standard neither was okora.
Carew won the league on
Merit but there has been better teams the last few seasons that have finished runners up to superior pike sides namely janesboro last year and Fairview the year they won FAI. Congrats to Carew on their season and if they can bring in 3 or 4 and HOLD what they have they will be a force for the coming seasons.
Alan you have watched a good few games throughout the season, who in your opinion is the top player in the league
I'll only comment on who I think was the top player this season, and in my opinion that was Jonathan Grant. He performed consistently in the key games, both as a 9 in the first half the season, and as a 10 off John Connery in the second half.
No other player made a bigger difference to Carew between this year and last. Exactly the type of player that Pike Rovers were lacking.
Congrats Carew
That is a great report of the season(as usual alanob),from one of the first friendly games of the season against st.michaels Albert has tried to play football,we played Michaels and Drew 3 all and after the game there manager told us that it was one of the best teams they played in along time.the football we played that night was unbelievable..Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanOB
I no grant and Connery scored nearly 80 goals between them but one of the best decisions Albert made was making mark Keane captain.not for one minute did he let players attitude and standards drop all season.he has been an inspirational captain both on and off the field this year.I was never so gutted for any player than I was for mark because of a holiday he had booked meant he missed out on last nights game and lifting the league trophy.all an all it was a brilliant season and hopefully we can have many more like it. I would just like to say that to win this league you nearly have to win every game because that is the standard pike rovers have brought to this league over the last number of years.
Pike had him signed but never played him when it mattered,pikes long ball style was obviously not going to change to accommodate him,fine player grant.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanOB
Finished empty handed??You do know they won the mj and munster champions cup dont you.and with a bit of luck could have won the fai.your constant bashing of the pike management obviously tells me you know nothing bout football.their record speaks for itself.6 out of the last 7 leagues.fai junior cup.2 mjs.lost count of tuohys and lawsons.so you just keep posting your biased opinion and we'll keep laughing and winning trophies.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanOB
- I'm quite aware that Pike won the Munster Junior. I attended the game. I also mentioned it in the above post and congratulated them. Try reading it all next time.
- This season review focused on the Limerick DL season i.e. the Premier, the Tuohy, the Lawson, none of which Pike Rovers clinched this year. They failed in three attempts to beat Carew, losing two.
- As for claiming that you could have won the FAI "with a bit of luck", that's simply ridiculous. You huffed and puffed against 10 man Ballymun and were comprehensively outplayed by Kilbarrack in the semi final. If anyone was unlucky it was Carew. They had the better of their semi against the eventual winners.
- This year, I have been stressing in my reports, from early on, my contention that the Pike management were handling the resources at their disposal poorly. This is not a biased opinion. This is what I observed from closely following the action over a large number of games. And now at the end of the season I feel completely and utterly vindicated.
- Mentioning historical victories is irrelevant to this discussion and frankly quite embarrassing. Are you going to go on about Spurs' 60/61 Double too?
- I'll leave it up to others to decide how much I know about football. But the fact is, I've been listening to your abuse all season, simply for giving my view. If anyone is biased, it's yourself. No-one can be critical of Pike, no matter how valid the criticism, without you rolling in here to shout the odds. The game could do without people like you. We need more people involved in the game who actually think about it.
- Finally, keep laughing. I'll keep writing. Can't wait for the next season.
Haha if nothing your hilarious.you keep writing your playstation views.and by the way what way are you involved in the game by the way.dont ever recall crossing paths with you.??the pike management have won everthing that has to be won and for you to say they have mismanaged is comical.when YOU have played 30 odd times for your country and won every major honour as a player and manager then people who know about football might lister to your balderdash.over and out.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanOB
Like I said, past achievements, particularly as a player, are utterly irrelevant.
We'll leave it up to others to decide how "comical" my comments are.
I'm safe in the knowledge that I've been consistent in my criticisms all season and that those criticisms have been vindicated.
That's the beauty of football. Having the greatest resources at your disposal might sometimes mean success but doesn't guarantee it. Eventually, cannier managers with less resources to play with, will prevail.
Your man was found out this season. Comprehensively so. And if the new man turns it around next season, I'll be the very first to say it.