3-0 win for U21's in qtr final

**SSS** · 30/10/2004, 3:08 PM

Behan (pen), Long (header, Lopes (shot).

Mullingar had two sent off and it could have been 3 - the ref only yellowed the keeper who pulled Long down for the penalty.
The second red was a bit weird though - the Mullingar player claims that a City guy asked the ref how long was left, the ref said "ten" and then turned to the Mullingar fella and gave him a straight red "just in case you think you're being left out of it"

Mulls got about three yellows for dissent aswell. Most of 'em sounded like Dub thugs tbh.

As for City, Lopes is still not imposing himself at this level and his midfield partner was better (Kev Murray!!).
SteveO was on the left and whilst he has lots of skill, there's a touch of the Colin P's about him - head down, don't pass..

**Ruairi** · 30/10/2004, 3:11 PM

i disagree about your points about Lopes and Flynn there SSS. I thought Lopes saw a lot of the ball today and used it intelligently and efficiantly. Stevie, for his part, is still short of match fitness, although his pace and technique is frightening. give him a while. he'll prove himself alright.

**SSS** · 30/10/2004, 3:27 PM

Fair enough, Lopes got quite a bit of ball, but my opinion is that he doesn't impose himself on games at U21 level in a way that suggests that he'll add to the first team. Murray and Murray did as much on the ball in midfield as Lopes today I thought and neither are making the bench this season.

As for SteveO's fitness - I knew that someone would make that point, but a guys natural tendancy to overrun the ball a bit too often when a pass will keep things going is not a match fitness thing. His skill is not in question.

Shane Long is defo one to watch out for..he's keeping Nolan out of the U21 and that's not easy.