Search Results for 'First Division'

There is rarely a dull moment at Galway United and tomorrow's trip to the Carlisle Grounds for a clash with Bray Wanderers provides an ideal opportunity to end a wretched losing streak that now stands at 20 matches in all competitions.

Considering their target is to avoid a last place finish in the First Division, Salthill Devon will be hoping to register a rare victory when Wexford Youths visit Drom this Sunday. Having only won once in 19 matches, Salthill are unsurprisingly the basement boys of Irish football at the moment, but they feel they can nick a result against a Wexford outfit that sit only three points above Paul 'Ski' McGee's side on the table.

In the mid fifties, the corporation began to build the houses that make up what we now know as Old Mervue. Many young families moved to the area, and for the children, the open green areas in from Plunkett Avenue, and between Clarke and McDonagh avenues, became their playgrounds. They played all kinds of games here… Gaelic football, athletics, and especially soccer. It was on these green spaces that many well-known footballers first developed and honed their skills.

Welcome to the world of the quick fix. Something bugging you? Have you done wrong in your past? Well, fret no more because this is the week that the world is turning the clock back and crushing any skeletons you may have in your cupboards. Are you a bank executive? Have you frittered away millions and still expect to get paid a sweet bonus? Do not worry, we can wipe all that away from you. Are you a hurling team which hasn’t won a title in 20 years? Not a problem either folks. Just sign on the dotted line here and we can whisk you away to another province. Welcome to the era of the quick fix where if you don’t like it, you can get it fixed. With the internet buzzing with spam emails offering boob enhancements for women and endowments for men that would make an elephant blush in the shower room, this is the era of want it, must have it. Now. Even Halloween has been shafted this year and with the Budget on in two weeks, we can go straight to Christmas. Yes, it’s a choice of freedom or crucifixion, to quote the Life of Brian. And this in the era when the birds are falling out of the hedge funds with the hunger and the world has gone mad with the PDs close to death and Galway United simultaneously one game from Europe and one game from the First Division.

BRIAN GRIFFIN, HIBERNIANS’ MIDFIELDER

There have been a wide range of emotions experienced by followers of Galway United throughout this turbulent season but finally, 330 days after their last league win in Terryland Park, joy unconfined greeted Mark Gough’s final whistle on Friday night as Jeff Kenna’s side produced a winning league performance when it was needed most.

In this top versus bottom tie, Mervue United’s winning margin crisply illustrated the gulf in class between the sides. Although Kiltullagh were missing a number of regulars, the quality and fluidity of the home side’s control and movement was most impressive, particularly given the atrocious conditions the players had to endure at Fahy’s field yesterday morning.

Gale force wind, biting rain and soft underfoot conditions at Laurel Park on Sunday morning all combined to make flowing football almost impossible in this First Division tie. Corrib Rangers’ second string side came into this tie third in the table and eager to get into the habit of closing out victories, dropping points recently due to conceding late equalisers and letting leads slip. Loughrea’s season has a decidedly different purpose, with avoiding relegation being the only aim.

St Patrick’s 3

An eagerly contested First Division game on Sunday morning ended in a comprehensive win for the away side, but it was a flattering end result for the winners as Boys Club could well have forced at least a draw had they been as clinical in front of goal as their opponents.