League of Ireland

Derry City v UCD: Kevin Deery Analysis

Derry City’s 0-0 draw with UCD marked Kevin Deery’s first start and 90 minutes of the 2012 season. Had Barry Molloy not been dismissed late in the previous match against Drogheda United, it is unlikely that Deery, who has not yet attained full match sharpness, would have been called upon to play the whole game. No doubt Declan Devine will be unhappy that his team were unable to record a fifth consecutive home win, but truth be told, City’s performance lacked intensity and sharpness in the final third. Derry also looked shaky at the back, with Eddie McCallion being forced to play at centre-back as Shane McEleney and Stewart Greacen were absent … Continue reading →

Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians: Aaron Greene & Karl Moore

Stephen Kenny still appears to be searching for a system and a preferred starting eleven as Shamrock Rovers continue to enjoy their early season form. Kenny’s project at Tallaght Stadium is clearly still a work in progress, yet Rovers’ clear superiority over many teams in the league is what has allowed them to emerge from many early season fixtures with preferable results. Against Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers dominated much of the game’s possession, but were unable to take the lead until the 78th minute courtesy of a terrific goal, engineered by the impressive Ronan Finn and finished majestically by the emphatic Gary Twigg. Rovers then doubled their lead on 93 minutes through Billy … Continue reading →

Derry City v Cork City: Patrick McEleney and a Number of Tactical Insights

Derry City maintained their 100% home record in 2012 with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cork City. A double salvo from Mark Farren and Stephen McLaughlin early in the second proved to be enough for Derry to seal all three points. After falling two goals behind, Cork never looked like responding. Patrick McEleney In relation to the performance of Patrick McEleney, there can be no doubt that he will have been both frustrated and disappointed with his display. However at this point it is worth noting that McEleney is still only 19 years old and he is a player on whom many place an extremely high level of expectation. Whilst this expectation … Continue reading →

Analysis of Derry City’s Full-Backs (Derry City v Linfield: Part 2)

Analysing the performances of the three players that played in the full-back positions for Derry City during the Candystripes’ 3-1 win over Linfield provided for a number of intriguing tactical insights. Dermot McCaffrey and Eddie McCallion began the match at left-back and right-back respectively, before Declan Devine substituted McCallion at half-time, moving Simon Madden (who had begun the game at right-midfield) into the right back position. After analysing the first half performances of McCaffrey and McCallion, I felt that a half time change was obligatory. However I was initially critical of Devine’s decision to substitute McCallion. Rather, I thought he should have replaced Dermot McCaffrey with Patrick McEleney, switching Madden from right-midfield … Continue reading →

Linfield Analysis: Carvill and Lowry (Setanta Post Part 1)

Yes, to say this game with Derry City was one of two halves is perhaps a tired cliché but the changes in which home manager, Declan Devine, made at the break really did make the difference between both periods as opposing as Emile Heskey’s feet when his brain asks him to shoot. In the first 45 minutes, Derry were dominated. The Irish League champions had all the possession and all the territory and wingers, Michael Carvill and Philip Lowry were causing the Candystripes defence all sorts of bother – not least when they combined for the first goal of the game. But the change in impact at the restart correlated directly with … Continue reading →

Cork City 1-1 Shamrock Rovers: Analysis of Vinny Sullivan & Ronan Finn

A 94th minute header from Gary Twigg secured a point for 10 man Shamrock Rovers as they held Cork City to a 1-1 draw at Turner’s Cross. Cork had previously taken the lead through a Gavin Kavanagh strike on 62 minutes, but the Leesiders were unable to hold out for their first win of the Premier Division campaign. Both teams lined out like-for-like, in 4-4-2 formations. The first half was rather uneventful. Shamrock Rovers enjoyed large spells of possession without with causing Cork City’s defence any notable problems. Towards the end of the first half it was Cork City who came close to taking the lead as Craig Sives almost put the … Continue reading →

Linfield v Derry City: Michael Gault & Barry Molloy

A late goal from David McDaid secured a 1-1 draw and more importantly a crucial away goal for Derry City in the first leg of their Setanta Cup Quarter Final tie against Linfield. Alan Blayney had been a virtual spectator up until that point as Derry failed to create any chances of real note against a formidable Linfield side. Both sides appeared to change between 4-4-2/4-2-3-1 formation throughout the game. For Derry, McDaid and McLaughlin began the game up front, but McDaid often pulled out into a wide position, having McLaughlin at the tip of what was effectively a 4-2-3-1. Meanwhile, Jamie Mulgrew would often drop off Linfield’s attack the give the … Continue reading →

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers: Stephen Rice and Kerrea Gilbert

Shamrock Rovers began the defence of the Airtricity League of Ireland title with a 2-1 away victory over Drogheda United, having come from a goal down to take all three points at Hunky Dorys Park. Stephen Kenny lined his side out in a 4-4-2 formation, with the left-footed Killian Brennan operating from the right hand side of midfield. Given Brennan’s left-footedness, it made Shamrock Rovers extremely narrow at times on what is already a tight pitch. Their narrowness was perhaps characterised by the number of times that Killian Brennan and Billy Dennehy linked up! Rovers’ main source of width came from the right back, Kerrea Gilbert, when he advanced down this flank. … Continue reading →

Derry City v Bohemians: Stephen McLaughlin’s Performance

Derry City got off to a winning start in their 2012 Airtricity League campaign as a 49th minute header from Stephen McLaughlin was enough for the Candystripes to secure a 1-0 victory over 10-man Bohemians. Throughout the game, Derry failed to show much of the free-flowing attacking football that we had seen from the Candystripes throughout the preseason period as they struggled to find any rhythm in their attack. Initially, Derry lined out in a 4-4-2 formation but after an unproductive opening half an hour, Declan Devine decided to change the formation to 4-2-3-1. Adopting this shape, Derry appeared to be more cohesive and flexible and therefore more creative, but went in … Continue reading →

League of Ireland 2012: Season Preview (Part Two)

As SC1 Sports’ season preview continues, one of the most notable factors emerging in light of the coming season is that the majority of teams will attempt to play attractive football. At this stage it is worth noting the considerable advantage enjoyed by League of Ireland clubs in playing Summer football, as given the likely state of the pitches in the winter months, the quality of the subsequent product would suffer enormously. View Part One Monaghan United Roddy Collins’ men achieved promotion to the Premier Division via the play-offs in 2011, outclassing the abysmal Galway United over two legs. Having knocked on the Premier Division door over the past number of seasons … Continue reading →