FM 12 - Luck o' the Irish

[larrymcg421]

All the recent FM dynasties plus the Amazon sale has inspired to do an FM dynasty. Now I'm no expert when it comes to soccer knowledge, but I've fiddled with the game for the past week and think I've got the hang of it. We'll see.

Instead of starting in one of the most established countries, I thought it'd be fun to give it a go in Ireland. Certainly not one of the major soccer leagues, but it has obvious appeal to me and it's something different.

FM simulates the top two leagues in Irish football, the League of Ireland Premier division with 12 teams and the First division with 8 teams. The last place team gets relegated automatically while the 11th place team is in a playoff against the 2nd place First division squad. In real life, there is a 3rd level, which is a mixture of amateur clubs and reserves from Premier division clubs, but that is not simulated here.

I'm running several other leagues - Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Mexico, N. Ireland, Scotland, Spain, USA.

[larrymcg421]

The team I chose to run is first division squad SD Galway FC.

http://www.salthilldevon.ie/db/Gallery/The_Club/Airtricity_Leag/SD%20Galway.JPG

SD Galway FC was formed in 1977. They are located in Salthill, on the west coast of Ireland and play at the 6500 capacity Terryland Park. In 2008 they joined the inaugural season of the A Championship (Irish 3rd division). In 2009, they were the top non-reserve team and earned a chance at a promotion playoff. However, the team they were going to play disbanded and thus SD Galway earned autopromotion to the first division. They have not done well so far, finishing last in 2010 (3-6-24) and 2011 (2-5-23). Here's hoping I can at the very least improve on that.

[larrymcg421]

So this is going to be even tougher than I thought. I have no transfer budget and my payroll budget is $850/w, while I already have $848/w going out. Thankfully the board isn't expecting me to do well at all, so there is very little pressure. Let's take a look at what I have to work with:

Goalkeepers

Liam Grant (25): The only guy I have as of the moment. He has decent aerial ability and reflexes, but is pretty awful everywhere else. He has worse hands than Ted Ginn and couldn't stop my mom in a one on one situation. I'll definitely be looking for someone else here, even if I have to go overbudget to do it.

Defenders

Eric Browne (33): Probably my best defender. Decent marking and tackling, but his physical attributes are lower than I'd like.

Cian Fadden (20): My scout likes this guy's potential and he's already pretty good in several areas. One major weakness is his strength. This guy needs to hit the weights.

James Whelan (22): Has one good skill (11 in tackling), but is pretty crappy everywhere else. Scout likes his potential, so I'll hold on to him for now to see if he develops at all.

Paddy Quinlan (25): Is below 10 in every key attribute other than concentration. A 7 in tackling and 8 in marking. At $70/w he's one of the highest paid players on the team and will be finding an exit pretty quickly.

Fullbacks

Nicky Curran (27): Definitely one of my most well-rounded players with no major weaknesses. He's also got great speed.

Michael Harty (32): Has some good physical skills and solid teamwork, but can't hit a cross to save his life.

Emmet Shaw (21): Has a mixture of some really good attributes and some really bad ones. Could be a decent backup at both defensive midfielder and fullback.

Midfielders

Ciaran Foley (30): Fast, strong, and relentless. He's the best player on my team, but his awful positioning makes me nervous about sticking him in the anchorman role.

Mike Tierney (29): Good teamwork and strong work rate make him an acceptable candidate for the support role, but he's a mediocre passer.

Eugene Greaney (26): Has some speed, but is a very poor passer and easily gets lost on the field. Also overpaid and will be heading for the exit soon.

Luke McConnel (22): It'd sure be nice if I had one midfielder that could pass the ball.

Advanced Playmakers

Robert Porter (24): Very physically fit and strong composure, but with a 1 in positioning, the question is if he can even find the field.

Oscar Sibanda (23): Can throw in some crosses, but gets winded very quickly and has some other major flaws.

Ronan Conlon (19): The best crosser we have, but still too green to be a starter.

Sean Gavin (22): This guy might have some potential and let's hope so, because he's atrocious across the board right now.

Brian Gaffney (20): Well, he can run fast, but is useless unless he develops.

Forwards

Enda Curran (19): My scout is really high on this guy's potential and he's already a solid finisher. Needs to work on his off the ball skills.

Jason Lyons (17): Scout also loves this guy. He's the best finisher on the team, but has awful stamina.

Gerard Dolan (21): Not a good passer, which makes him a bad choice for advanced forward, but isn't a good enough finisher to be a poacher.

[larrymcg421]

Without much money to spend, I have to settle for guys willing to take amateur contracts:

ST Richard Stevens (21): Terrific finisher (14!) and a really strong work rate. I wish he was faster, but he's definitely starter material.

CD Hugh Davey (27): Good stamina, tackling, and bravery. I wish he was stronger, but he's good enough to be in the rotation and can play fullback as well.

CD Thomas McGauley (34): He's strong and has good heading and jumping ability.

GK Danny Holewa (21): Much better than Liam Grant and my scout loves his potential. he'll be starting right away.

FB Colm Horgan (17): Has terrific potential and is already good enough to earn a chance at a starting job. Michael Harty is going to tutor him.


I go overbudget to sign one guy that I could not let get away:

ST Alex Williams (29): Extremely fast and has solid finishing ability. He comes for the price of $150 p/w.


I try to make up the money by getting rid of Quinlan, but he isn't willing to terminate his contract and is pretty pissed that I asked him to do so. I tell him that he has no future here and he asks to be transfer listed. I do this, knowing that no one in their right mind would pick this guy up. He fails to report for training and I fine him 2 weeks salary.

After all this, I offer to terminate his contract a second time and he finally agrees to it without compensation. That makes up almost half of what I just spent.

[larrymcg421]

January 28, 2012

Friendly: Sd Galway vs. Dundalk

Dundalk is a premier division side that is way better and I expect to get rolled, but it'll be a good look at what my guys can do.

I'm running a heavily attacking formation that has been pretty successful so far.

GK Holewa
WB Horgan, CD McGauley, CD Browne, WB Curran
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Williams, ST Stevens


13': Dundalk get a great cross to the middle set up their man, but the shot goes off the crossbar.

17': Off a terrible cross attempt from Sibanda, Dundalk's Griffin goes down the left side untouched and gets a great shot that Holewa manages to deflect.

19': Curran is hurt and I send in Davey.

25': Horgan is completely out of position and lets the winger run right by him to send in a great cross for the Dundalk striker, but Holewa deflects it and Browne clears.

43': Great pass from Tierney sets up a good attack on the left. Sibanda gets a good shot, but is offsides.

60': Porter makes a good run on the right, sends it to Stevens who makes a great pass to Williams, but he sends the shot wide.

66': Dundalk send in a cross and we are simply outclassed in the air. Holewa has no chance to stop the header. 0-1

82': McGauley with a beautiful free kick that Browne expertly heads past the Dundalk keeper for the equalizer! 1-1

89': Another great cross from Dundalk and 5 SD Galway players somehow lose out to Dundalk's Coughlan who heads it in. 2-1

91': Sibanda with a good run on the left, but his cross evades everyone. That was our last chance.

Final: Dundalk 2, SD Galway 1

Goal: Browne
Assist: McGauley
The top 3: Browne 7.4 (MOM), Foley 7.1, Davey 7.0
Worst: Williams 5.9
Shots: 2-7
On Target: 1-3
Possession: 40%

Can't be too upset about that performance. Not a bad effort since it was only a friendly and our competition was much better. The bad news is Nicky Curran will be out 6-8 weeks, but if Davey can keep playing like that it won't be a problem.

[larrymcg421]

Three more amateur signings:

CM Darren Berrigan (31): By far the best passer on the team. Too weak in other areas to be a starter, but makes a good backup.

AP Alan Mulcahy (21): Good speed, teamwork, and flair make up for some other deficiencies. Scout loves his potential.

AP/CM Terry Gleeson (33): Versatile player that will be good in the backup rotation at multiple spots.

[larrymcg421]

February 4, 2012

Friendly: SD Galway vs. Cork City

Cork City are the reigning first division champions and are about to enjoy their first season in the premier league.

GK Holewa
WB Horgan, CD McGauley, CD Browne, WB Davey
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Williams, ST Stevens

3': A couple smooth passes get Cork City's striker a great opportunity. Holewa deflects it and gets up in time to deflect the rebound shot.

6': A long clearance gives Williams a great chance, but he blows the one on one opportunity.

7': Browne gets beat by the opposing striker, but the shot goes wide.

17': McGauley with a free kick, but it goes over the bar.

27': Cork City get several great chances inside the box, but Foley and Browne play great to keep them from getting a good shot.

41': Tierney gets hurt and I send in Berrigan.

47': A great longball to Cork City striker gets him a one on one opportunity, but Holewa makes another great stop.

66': Dangerous Cork City corner is headed right into the upper crossbar, Browne gets the rebound and makes a great clearance.

77': Cork City send in a routine cross, but Browne finds himself turned around and accidentally taps it in for an own goal. 0-1

79': Some good teamwork gives Stevens a good chance just outside the box, but he hits it wide left.

82': Williams intercepts the ball with a great sliding tackle and finds himself all alone against the keeper but blows the shot.

91': Porter sends in a great corner, but it is just edged out by a Cork defender.

Final: Cork City 1, SD Galway 0

Goals: None
Assists: None
Top Three: Foley 7.3, Davey 7.2, Horgan 7.1
Worst: McGauley 5.8
Shots: 8-14
On Target: 1-6
Possession: 42%

Still preseason, but I'm not happy with what I'm seeing from my strikers, which were supposed to be the strength of my squad.

[larrymcg421]

February 8, 2012

Friendly: SD Galway at University of Limerick Aisling

Since this friendly is against a university team and I have another friendly in two days, this is a good chance to get my second team some match fitness.

GK Holewa
WB Shaw, Fadden, Whelan, Harty
DMC Gleeson
MC Berrigan
AP Mulcahy, AP Gaffney
ST Curran, ST Dolan

7': Dolan gets a great feed from Fadden but sends the shot wide left.

31': Mulcahy makes a great run around the left side and sends in a great cross which Dolan heads in on target. 1-0

41': Gaffney makes a great interception, but should probably never be shooting. that was ugly.

45': Mulcahy is hurt, so I send in Ronan Conlon.

54': Aisling make a strong move down the left and a greart pass to the middle gets them a direct shot on the goal but it is too high.

57': Conlon hits a great cross, but Curran heads it over the goal.

61': Really poor ball control from us gives Aisling another direct shot from center, but once again it is too high.

70': Great long pass from Harty gives Dolan a great opportunity, but he takes too long to get the shot off and it is deflected.

77': A great give and go maneuver from Gaffney and Dolan finds the latter in the penalty area. He dribbles around the keeper and sends int he easy shot. 2-0.

83': Aisling penetrate our defense once again, but once again hit a terrible shot.

Final: SD Galway 2, University of Limerick Aisling 0

Goals: Dolan 2
Assists: Mulcahy, Gaffney
Top Three: Dolan 8.8 (MOM), Harty 7.7, Gaffney 7.4
Worst: Holewa 6.7
Shots: 7-6
On Target: 2-1
Possession: 43%

Mulcahy will be out for 6-8 weeks.

[larrymcg421]

February 10, 2012

Friendly: SD Galway at Tullamore

Another amateur team and with the first team in, we should win this one comfortably even taking it easy.

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Stevens, ST Williams


17': Tullamore with a dangerous throw in but their striker can't quite reach it and Holewa picks it up.

25': Tullamore hit a great corner into traffic but Holewa catches it.

26': On the counterattack, Horgan hits a beautiful cross that the Tullamore keeper tries to intercept. He misses and Stevens is all alone for the easy goal. 1-0

32': Sibanda with a free kick from the corner gets it right to Williams whose shot bounces off the right pole. The rebound goes right to Stevens who puts it away. 2-0

41': Their striker runs right by our best player Foley, which is not a good sign, but the shot is missed.

51': Porter sends a cross into the box and Stevens seems to have a good chance but is fouled. He easily puts away the penalty for a hat trick. 3-0

58': Sibanda with a free kick from the corner finds Browne on the left side of the goal and he heads it past the keeper. 4-0

66': Davey hits a great cross to Porter, but the header goes wide right.

86': Williams splits two defenders and has the keeper caught in no man's land, but hits the shot too high.

Final: SD Galway 4, Tullamore 0

Goals: Stevens 3, Browne
Assists: Porter 2, Horgan, Williams
Top Three: Stevens 9.6, Browne, 8.5, Horgan 8.3
Worst: Holewa 6.8
Shots: 12-3
On Target: 5-0
Possession: 49%

Most important thing to note is we got through the match with no injuries for a change.

[larrymcg421]

Before the transfer deadline, I make one more amateur signing...

CD/FB James Walsh: Got him mostly for injury insurance. He has good marking, speed, and positioning.

I am informed that we sold a grand total of 30 season tickets. Rumors that I forced each player to buy one are unfounded.

It is time for the season to start. I'm not very happy with what I saw from my team in the friendlies but hopefully that was just preseason jitters.

[larrymcg421]

March 2, 2012

League: SD Galway vs. Wexford

Wexford finished second to last in 2011, so this is the kind of match we need to win if we're going to improve on our last place performance.

SD Galway: 11-5 Draw: 11-5 Wexford: Pick Em (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Stevens, ST Williams

13': Wexford send a cross in that Browne makes a bizarre play on as he heads it towards the goal. Thankfully, Holewa is there to grab it.

18': Another cross into the box and Williams commits the foul. The ref awards the penalty, but it is not converted as Holewa makes a diving stop!

23': Tierney makes a great move by dribbling around some defenders into the middle and sends a great ball to Williams who has a great chance, but he just misses to the left.

31': Sibanda on the wing sends it to Tierney who finds a crease in the Wexford defense and sends a great shot into the left side of the net! 1-0

39': Wexford send a great pass to their forward McCann. Browne comes in with a hard challenge and is called for the yellow. That's his second yellow and he's sent off the pitch. Ugh! I move Davey over from his FB spot to fill in at CD.

45': Horgan makes a great play to head a corner back out. The ball comes back to Wexford's Molloy who tries a long range shot and misses.

Halftime: Horgan is a little banged up, so I bring in Whelan. Switched to defensive mindset.

51': Great passing team work gets Wexford forward once again and McCann has a great chance but Holewa makes a superb save.

52': Wexford middie Roche dribbles to the middle and makes a really deft short pass to McCann who strikes it right past Holewa. 1-1

65': We win a corner. Sibanda sends a great one in. The rebound comes back out to Tierney who firest it in, but it's blocked back out. We get several chances here but to no avail.

71': Tierney dribbling around defenders again sends a great pass to Williams who tries to cross it in front of the goal, but it is blocked out.

73': Porter running around right side of the defense, sends a great ball in to Williams but Wexford's Doyle makes a great save.

81': Wexford on the counter and they run us off the field. McCann gets the ball at a perfect angle and makes the easy shot. 1-2

91': Sibanda with the throw in to Tierney who sends it to Williams, then back to Tierney who makes a nice shot but Doyle grabs it.

Final: Wexford 2, SD Galway 1

Goals: Tierney
Assists: Sibanda
Top Three: Tierney 7.3, Foley 7.1 Horgan 6.9
Worst: Williams 5.5
Shots: 7-7
On Target: 2-5
Possession: 44%

What a frustrating way to start the season. I'm convinced we would've won if Browne didn't get sent off. A horrible performance from my one big signing in Williams.

Other First Division matches:

Finn Harps 4, Limerick 1
Athlone Town 2, Mervue Utd 0
Longford 1, Waterford Utd 0

[larrymcg421]

March 9, 2012

League: SD Galway (0-0-1, 6th) at Athlone Town (1-0-0, 2nd)

This will be a tough road match, especially since my best defender is suspended due to a red card. My eye will be on Williams in this one. He'll find himself on the bench if he keeps shitting the bed.

SD Galway: 10-1 Draw: 5-1 Athlone Town: 1-6 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Fadden, FB Curran
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Stevens, ST Williams

18': Athlone on the counter. They take a shot from just outside the box, but it's high.

25': Sibanda with a good corner kick, Stevens heads it just narrowly wide to the right.

32': Are you fucking kidding me? Davey is whistled for a foul in the box. Not only do they get the penalty, but he gets a red card and is sent off the pitch. Luckily, they miss the penalty.

35': Athlone's Bruton gets the ball and fires it from long range, just narrowly missing as it hits the right pole.

Halftime: We are very fortunate to be even. Williams still playing like crap (5.80). I moved him to AF and Stevens to Poacher to see if that will suit him better.

69': Athlone get a corner and it is headed just wide of the right post.

92': A late collision injures my keeper! I don't have a keeper sub, so Harty gets in there. I switch to a 5-4-1 and bring Whelan in for Williams.

93': A long shot fired from the left corner goes right into the net as Harty basically stares at it. Fuck! 0-1

Goals: None
Assists: None
Top Three: Tierney 6.9, Foley 6.9, Fadden 6.9
Worst: Williams 5.5
Shots: 3-9
On Target: 1-3
Possession: 45%

Ugh, how much worse can it get? Playing a man down in the first two matches. The one player I made a financial move for is the worst player on the team. A keeper injury in the 92nd minute costs us a chance to steal a point. Very, very frustrating.

Other First Division Matches:

Limerick 2, Mervue Utd 0
Longford 2, Finn Harps 1
Waterford Utd 3, Wexford 0

[larrymcg421]

March 16, 2012

League: SD Galway (0-0-2, 7th) vs. Limerick FC (1-0-1, 5th)

Limerick has some talent. I know this because I have previously played as them and won autopromotion in my first season. They have a great striker in Dominic Foley.

SD Galway: 13-2 Draw: 11-4 Limerick FC: 2-5 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Harty, CD McGauley, CD Fadden, FB Curran
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Stevens, ST Curran

7': It doesn't take long as a series of short passes finds Foley right in front of the net for an easy finish. 0-1

14': A cross rattles around inside the box as we fail to clear it. Eventually Foley gets his foot on it and knocks it through for his second goal. 0-2

19': Foley makes an interception and then sends a ball deep where both strikers have a chance. Stevens lifts an oddly arcing shot that looks like the keeper will easily catch, but Curran rushes the keeper and heads it in! 1-2

24': Limerick make a run down the right side and send a cross thgat Foley almost gets, but McGauley makes a great play to knock it out of bounds.

35': Limerick send a dangerous corner in but it is headed over the bar.

37': Foley with another great shot. This one is rebounded but Derek O' Brien is there for the putback, 1-3

Halftime: We are playing like crap and I mention so to the team.

53': Terrible throw in from Harty is intercepted and crossed in, but Limerick's other striker Behan misses.

65': Stevens makes a nifty move around his man and fires a shot from the middle, but it is easily blocked.

69': sibanda sends in a corner and Limerick's Kelly mistimes his jump and puts it into his own net! 2-3

72': Behan gets another point blank attempt and once again blows it.

90': Foley makes a great run down the right side, sends a cross in to Behan who finally gets one past the keeper. 2-4

Final: Limerick 4, SD Galway 2

Goals: Curran
Assists: None
Top Three: Curran 7.2, Tierney 6.8, Stevens 6.7
Worst: sibanda 5.7
Shots: 5-14
On Target: 4-6
Possession: 38%

Other First Division Matches:

Athlone Town 1, Wexford 0
Finn Harps 4, Waterford Utd 1
Longford 3, Mervue Utd 1

[larrymcg421]

March 23, 2012

League: SD Galway (0-0-3, 7th) at Longford (3-0-0, 1st)

This one isn't going to be pretty. A road game against the #1 team. Gonna give Williams another chance here. Will sub him at half if he continues to suck.

SD Galway: 10-1 Draw: 5-1 Longford: 1-6 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Harty, CD McGauley, CD Fadden, FB Curran
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Stevens, ST Williams

5': A nice Longford cross is headed over the bar.

11': Longford counter with some really nice passing. Skelly has a good chance, but just misses to the right.

27': Skelly with another good chance, but this time he makes a nifty pass to Bermingham who puts it away. 0-1

32': A really good opportunity for us as Williams makes a great pass through the defense to give Stevens a one on one, but he misses.

44': Skelly beats the defense down the field, but misses the shot to the left.

Halftime: Williams is playing better than previously, but still not good enough and is marked as "playing without confidence" so I send in Curran.

60': Sibanda with a great cross but Curran just misses the header.

76': Sibanda with yet another cross. This time Curran puts it in, but the whistle is blown as he was offsides.

79': A pathetic sequence where Holewa makes a stop and the ball bounces around in the box where all of our guys stand around with thumbs up their asses until Skelly finds it and puts it in. 0-2

85': Curran scores another, but is once again offsides.

87': a tough Davey challenge leads to a penalty. Salmon knocks it through easily. 0-3

Final: Longford 3, SD Galway 0

Goals: None
Assists: None
Top Three: Porter 6.8, Foley 6.8, McGauley 6.8
Worst: Davey 5.2
Shots: 5-15
On Target: 3-4
Possession: 46%

Other First Division Matches:

Limerick 5, Athlone Town 0
Mervue Utd 1, Waterford Utd 0
Wexford 1, Finn Harps 1

[larrymcg421]

March 30, 2012

League: SD Galway (0-0-4, 8th) vs Waterford Utd (1-0-3, 6th)

We're underdogs here, but this is the kind of match I need to win if I'm going to do anything this year.

SD Galway: 13-2 Draw: 11-4 Waterford UTd (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Fadden, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Williams, ST Stevens

4': Sibanda crosses to Porter on the far right of the field. Porter crosses it back to the middle of the box where Williams is waiting and he puts it through for the goal! Finally, Williams is on board! 1-0

10': Williams gets another chance and attempts to lift it over the keeper, but sends it too high.

16': Browne sends a free kick beyond the back line of the defense. Stevens makes a great slide to keep it away from a defender, then passes it to Williams who easily scores his 2nd goal! 2-0

23': Waterford's Dempsey receives a pass outside the box, takes a long shot and nails a beauty in the corner of the net. 2-1

37': Waterford get a free kick and Breen bends it perfectly to the corner of the net. 2-2

44': Sibanda with a cross and Williams finds perfect position, heading it right past the keeper. He now has a hat trick! 3-2

Halftime: Annoyed at giving up the two goals, but couldn't be more delighted about Williams performance. I tell the team how well they're doing and they're all delighted to hear it. Sibanda has a yellow and looks hurt, so I replace him with Mulcahy.

60': Waterford make a run down the right unchallenged. Luckily, it's a weak cross that Holewa gobbles up.

61': On the counter, Horgan sends a long pass to a streaking Stevens who fights off a defender to get it, then passes it over to Williams who sends it home! 4 goals! 4-2

75': Switch to defensive.

81': Bell makes a good run around defenders, but his shot is deflected out of bounds. The ensuing corner is uneventful and we clear.

88': Ball bounces around in the box longer than I'd like, but we eventually clear.



Final: SD Galway 4, Waterford Utd 2

Goals: Williams 4
Assists: Stevens 2, Sibanda 1, Porter 1
Top Three: Williams 9.8 (MOM), Stevens 7.7 Foley 7.4
Worst: McGauley 6.9
Shots: 5-17
On Target: 4-8
Possession: 45%

Well, that's what I've been waiting for all along. Brilliant performance from Williams.

Other First Division Matches:

Athlone Town 0, Longford 0
Limerick FC 4, Wexford 0
Mervue Utd 1, Finn Harps 1

[larrymcg421]

April 6, 2012

League: SD Galway (1-0-4, 8th) at Finn Harps (2-2-1, 4th)

We are considered huge underdogs here and that's not surprising as Finn Harps are spending $200k in salary per year compared to our $48k.

SD Galway: 10-1 Draw: 5-1 Finn Harps 1-6 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Fadden, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Mulcahy, AP Porter
ST Williams, ST Stevens

3': Finn Harps easily move the ball down to our side and pass it around looking for an opportunity. A good pass from the wing gets it right in front of the goal for an easy tap in. 0-1

5': Davey with a good pass down the left side to Porter who heads it to Williams. Williams dribbles around his man, but his shot isn't even close.

17': Finn Harps' Breen splits two defenders, but his shot is blocked by Holewa.

29': Another move by Breen between two defenders, but the shot is wide left.

40': Finn runs right by us again. Our defenders make several challenges and a sliding tackle sends a ball to Reilly who puts it away. 0-2

43': Porter gets it off a long goal kick and make sa good run down the right. He tries a long shot, but it is blocked.

45': Horgan is injured. I send in N. Curran.

Halftime: I tell the team to show me something else in the second half and they seem motivated.

58': Mulcahy makes a good run to the middle and finds an open shot opportunity, but it is just barely deflected by a defender.

78': We get a corner. Williams heads it over the bar.

91': We get a great late opportunity, but Porter's pass is just behind a charging Williams.

Final: Finn Harps 2, SD Galway 0

Goals: None
Assists: None
Top Three: Porter 7.0, Tierney 6.8, Mulcahy 6.8
Worst: Horgan 6.1
Shots: 6-11
On Target: 0-3
Possession: 41%

Other First Division Matches:

Limerick 2, Longford 1
Waterford Utd 0, Athlone Town 0
Mervue Utd 2, Wexford 0

[larrymcg421]

April 13, 2012

League: SD Galway (1-0-5, 8th) vs Mervue Utd (2-1-3, 5th)

Pretty big underdogs for a home match. Hopefully we can at least come away with a draw.

SD Galway: 4-1 Draw: 5-2 Mervue Utd 4-7 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Fadden, FB Harty
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Mulcahy, AP Porter
ST Williams, ST Stevens

9': Mulcahy makes a run down the left side, then sends a great cross to Williams on the right side of the box, but his header goes over the bar.

17': Foley with a great pass to Porter, who taps it to Williams, who then sends it to Stevens with an easy opportunity, but he blows the shot horribly.

27': A corner rattles around the box, but Browne finally makes the clearance.

36': Porter makes some beautiful moves, taking it by himself down the field and faking out several defenders, but his shot is poor.

39': Off a throw in, Williams beats the Mervue defense to the middle, then leaves a beautiful pass for Porter who comes in and nails it home. 1-0

Halftime: I warn my team not to get complacent.

47': Porter with another great run, gets it to Stevens who misses yet again, but that was a tough shot.

55': Mervue get several dangerous corners in a row, but we clear them.

69': This one we can't clear. It's headed into the box for the equalizer. 1-1

85': Foley sends a free kick high into the box and Browne heads it in to retake the lead! 2-1

Switch to 5-4-1. Berrigan in for Stevens. Fadden in for Foley.

89': Defense is asleep at the wrong time as a pass to the middle gives Mervue a one on one opportunity, but Holewa saves.

92': Mervue striker gets a beat on the defense, but McGauley makes a great sliding tackle.

Final: SD Galway 2, Mervue Utd 1

Goals: Porter, Browne
Assists: Williams, Foley
Top Three: Browne 8.1, Porter 7.6, Foley 7.5
Worst: Holewa 5.8
Shots: 7-14
On Target: 2-6
Possession: 39%

A great win that we really needed. Williams didn't make top three, but he once again had another terrific game and suddenly my signing doesn't look so bad.

Other First Division Matches:

Finn Harps 2, Athlone 1
Wexford 2, Longford 1
Waterford 3, Limerick 1 (Wow)

[larrymcg421]

Current Standings

Limerick 5-0-2 15
Finn Harps 4-2-1 14
Longford 4-1-2 13
Athlone Town 3-2-2 11
Waterford 2-1-4 7
Mervue Utd 2-1-4 7
Wexford 2-1-4 7
SD Galway 2-0-5 6

Waterford's shocking win over Limerick keeps us in last place, but the good news is we're only 1 pt out of 5th. If I can keep pace and steal 5th, I'd be ecstatic.

Eric Browne and Robert Porter were named to the First Division Team of the Week.

As for Williams, here's how his season has gone so far

5.5
5.5
Benched
6.1
9.8
6.7
7.1

Definitely a promising sign.

[larrymcg421]

April 17, 2012

League Cup 1st Round: SD Galway at Longford

We have only have two days off before our next league match, which is a key one against Athlone Town, so I'll be resting most starters.

SD Galway: 10-1 Draw: n/a Longford 1-6 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Shaw, CD Fadden, CD Whelan, FB Walsh
DMC Greaney
MC Berrigan
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Lyons, ST Curran

1': Lyons gets through two defenders and sends a nice pass to Curran, but he hits his shot high over the bar.

4': On the counter, some nice passes find Longford's Walsh a clear shot from just outside the box, but it just misses the corner.

11': Sibanda sends a corner in to Lyons. His header goes straight to Whelan who heads it in for the goal! 1-0

14': Curran has a goal disalllowed due to being offsides, but we have been the surprising agressors so far.

25': Off of a corner kick, Longford find a great opportunity from inside the box but the shot hits the post and we clear.

Halftime: I tell the team they are playing very well and they are delighted to hear it.

58': Lyons with a stupid challenge gets his second yellow and his sent off. We are playing a man down for the 3rd time in 8 matches.

62': Off a steal by Whelan, Porter makes a run on the right, passing back to Walsh who sends a cross in that connects with Sibanda. He puts it away! Switch to defensive. 2-0

68': Whelan makes a great sliding tackle to prevent an opportunity, but the ball is deflected to Skelly who sends in a cross that is easily headed in by Lacey for the goal. 2-1

86': Longford's Purdy gets behind the defense. Whelan misses his tackle, and Purdy nails a hard shot into the left corner. 2-2

Extra time: I tell the team to keep playing hard because we can still win. Curran is having a poor game and has a yellow, so I send in Williams. Whelan is completely gassed, so I send in McGauley.

100': Sibanda injured and has to come off. I send in Conlon.

113': Morley makes a hard tackle on Walsh and is given a yellow. That's his second, so we're all even now.

115': Conlon makes a good move to get free, sends a nice pass to Williams, but it's a weak shot that is easily saved.

116': Morley with a hard foul on Williams and that's his 2nd yellow, so we're a man up now!

120': They get one last corner that is very dangerous and almost deflected in but Fadden manages to clear it.

We're on to penalty kicks. Other than Williams, none of my guys are very good at penalties, so this will be difficult:

*Salmon scores. 0-1
*Williams scores. 1-1
*Hope scores. 1-2
*Berrigan hits the crossbar. 1-2
*O'Brien sends it high over the crossbar. 1-2
*Porter sneaks it in the right corner. 2-2
*Purdy scores. 2-3
*Conlon's shot is blocked. 2-3
*Bermingham scores and that does it. 2-4

Final: Longford 2, SD Galway 2 (4-2 Penalties)

Goals: Whelan, Sibanda
Assists: Walsh, Sibanda
Top Three: Sibanda 8.1 (MOM), Whelan 7.3, Shaw 7.2
Worst: E. Curran 5.9
Shots: 6-9
On Target: 4-3
Possession: 43%

I really thought we had no chance here, so it's really tough to go up by 2 and then lose on penalties. Also, we lose Porter to injury and he'll be out 6-8 weeks. That really hurts because he's been one of our most reliably consistent performers.

[larrymcg421]

April 20, 2012

League: SD Galway (2-0-5, 8th) vs. Athlone Town (3-2-2, 4th)

Back in week 2, we played Athlone to a standstill, until my boneheaded decision to not have a keeper sub available for the match cost me in the 93rd minute. Here's hoping we can avenge that loss.

SD Galway: 9-2 Draw: 13-5 Athlone Town 1-2 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Mulcahy, AP Conlon
ST Williams, ST Stevens

25': After very little action, Conlon makes a run to the middle and sends a nice pass to Williams. He gets a good shot off but it is deflected out of bounds.

26': On the counter, Athlone send a ball deep. Browne beats their striker Barett there, but allows himself to be stripped. Barett makes the shot easily. 0-1

32': Williams gets the ball off a deflection, makes a nice move to the top of the box and fires a shot that is just deflected by the Athlone keeper.

35': Williams gets another chance off a throw in, but his hard shot is deflected once again.

Halftime: I tell the team to keep their heads up. We can still win this. Horgan is winded, so I replace him with Harty.

55': Athlone corner looks scary, but is headed over the bar.

66': Conlon on the run gets a really nice pass to Stevens, whose shot is deflected out. Williams has a great effort on the ensuing corner, but the keeper blocks again.

73': Barret splits two defenders and gets the ball in great position, but hits the left bar. Harty makes the clearance.

Final: Athlone Town 1, SD Galway 0

Goals: None
Assists: None
Top Three: Browne 7.1, Foley 6.9, McGauley 6.8
Worst: Williams 5.6
Shots: 6-6
On Target: 4-1
Possession: 57%

Probably the most frustrating loss yet as we actually outplayed Athlone, but just couldn't break through. After his string of solid performances, Williams shits the bed again.

Other First Division Scores:

Finn Harps 3, Longford 0
Waterford Utd 2, Wexford 0
Mervue Utd 2, Limerick 1

[larrymcg421]

May 4, 2012

League: SD Galway (2-0-6, 8th) at Wexford (2-1-5, 7th)

A win here will finally vault us out of last place. We're ont he road, but it's really a match we can't afford to lose.

SD Galway: 7-2 Draw: 9-4 Wexford 4-6 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Mulcahy
ST Williams, ST Stevens

7': Off a free kick, Wexford make a nifty pass to McCann who beats his defender to get a shot off, but Holewa saves it.

10': Horgan completely misplays his man allowing him to get inside right in front of the keeper, but we are saved by a terrible shot.

22': Another wide open McCann shot is deflected out by Browne.

36': Foley makes a great interception, taps it over to Mulcahy, who lifts a nifty pass to Williams who beats his man and puts it right past the keeper. 1-0

Halftime: I warn the team to not get complacent and they gain focus.

46': Very dangerous corner from Wexford is headed over the bar.

68': williams with a pass to Sibanda inside the box. Sibanda takes a difficult shot and hits the wrong side of the net.

69': In a counter, Wexford's Elmes beats his man and receives the long pass. Holewa has to make a superb diving stop.

72': A free kick from the left side is sent on a beautiful cross which Wexford's Malone heads in for the equalizer. 1-1

76': Awesome. Another winger injury. Harty in for Mulcahy.

87': Sibanda with a great corner, headed by Browne into the right post and Wexford clear.

94': Hard charge against Harty results in a red card against Wexford, but too late for it to matter.

Final: Wexford 1, SD Galway 1

Goals: Williams
Assists: None
Top Three: Horgan 7.9 (MOM), Williams 7.3, Foley 7.1
Worst: Mulcahy 5.6
Shots: 4-11
On Target: 1-3
Possession: 47%

Can't be too upset with a road point, but we fail to move out of last place.

Other First Division Scores:

Athlone Town 2, Mervue Utd 0

[larrymcg421]

May 12, 2012

League: SD Galway (2-1-6, 8th) at Limerick (5-0-4, 4th)

Limerick have surprisingly lost three in a row, but they still outclass us. however, they will be without striker Dominic Foley, who leads the league in goals and average rating.

SD Galway: 10-1 Draw: 5-1 Limerick 1-6 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Mulcahy
ST Williams, ST Stevens

3': Limerick get down quickly on a pass from Coughlan to striker quinn he is inside the box, but hits the left post on a terrible shot. We cannot clear and they get another clear shot, but this one hits the crossbar.

6': Limerick's midfielder Gamble fires a shot from 30 yards out and puts it in the right corner. 0-1

25': Sibanda with a corner gets it right to williams, who fires a shot past the keeper! 1-1

30': A horrible mistake by Limerick defender gives Sibanda a really easy chance, but his shot isn't even close. Ugly.

38': Limerick make a run down the right side and send in a pass to Behan, whose shot is barely deflected by Holewa.

Halftime: I give the team some encouragement. This is a very good first half for us.

52': Limerick change to a 5-3-2.

63': Limerick corner is headed over the crossbar.

69': Limerick attacks on the right and a cross is sent in to Quinn who heads it home. 1-2

88': A corner from Limerick's Bradley finds Behan who puts it in to seal the match. 1-3

92': Stevens beats the defense for a one on one opportunity, but can't put it away.

Final: Limerick 3, SD Galway 1

Goals: Williams
Assists: Sibanda
Top Three: Williams 7.2, Sibanda 6.9, Horgan 6.8
Worst: McGauley 5.8
Shots: 4-10
On Target: 2-4
Possession: 42%

Other First Division Scores:

Athlone Town 0, Wexford 0
Waterford Utd 4, Finn Harps 1
Mervue Utd 1, Longford 0

[larrymcg421]

May 25, 2012

Senior Challenge Cup (Round 2): SD Galway vs. Newbridge Town

For once we are favorites. Newbridge Town are an obscure amateur club and we should handle them with ease. Stevens with no goals yet this season gets put on the bench and Enda Curran will get a shot with the first team. Porter is back from his injury.

SD Galway: 1-4 Draw: 4-1 Newbridge 9-1

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Williams, ST E. Curran

11': Porter beats the defense down the right side, sends in a beatiful cross that Sibanda knocks home. 1-0

15': And a repeat as Porter gets a pass on the wing and sends another cross that Sibanda knocks home. 2-0

20': Williams gets a pass from Sibanda with a one on one opportunity, but hits a really weak shot.

22': This time we attack down the left side, sibanda hits a cross which Curran puts in. 3-0

25': Williams with a pass to Curran who immediately flings it to Porter for a one on one opportunity and he beats the keeper on the left post. 4-0

30': Porter maneuvers inside the box, sends a quick pass to Tierney who beats the keeper. 5-0

34': Porter free kick. Williams heads it home. 6-0

38': Porter to Curran for another goal. 7-0

Halftime: I tell the team I am pleased with their performance.

48: Curran picks off a keeper deflection and hits it home for a hat trick. 8-0

55': Part of why I've just about had it with Williams. He makes an interception and has an easy opportunity against a very weak keeper, but basically kicks it right to him.

61': Newbridge actually get a chance here on a cross that is headed into the crossbar.

78': Newbridge defender with a lazy pass to the keeper. Curran comes in to intercept the pass and knock it in the goal for his 4th of the match. 9-0

Final: SD Galway 9,Newbridge Town 0

Goals: Curran 4, Sibanda 2, Porter 2, Tierney 1
Assists: Porter 4, Sibanda 2, Tierney 1
Top Three: Curran 9.8, Porter 9.8 (MOM), Sibanda 9.8
Worst: Holewa 7.6
Shots: 18-9
On Target: 13-4
Possession: 54%

[larrymcg421]

June 1, 2012

League: SD Galway (2-1-7, 8th) at Waterford Utd (4-1-5, 5th)

I was gonna bench Williams again, but his last time out at Waterford, he scored 4 goals, so he gets one more chance.

SD Galway: 10-1 Draw: 5-1 Waterford: 1-6 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Williams, ST E. Curran

2': Dangerous free kick from Waterford is headed over the bar.

11': Williams beats two defenders but for some reason just doesn't take the shot.

15': Williams gets a one on one opportunity and blows it yet again. I'm so done with this joker.

22': Lazy defense allows a pass right in front of Holewa which is easily put through. 0-1

27': More lazy defense. Another through ball for an easy shot. 0-2

Halftime: I'm pissed. Stevens in for Williams.

54': This is how the season is going for us. We earn a penalty, but Porter I guess is trying to kick it to his buddy in the stands instead of the goal.

67': Porter playing like crap. Several of his passes being intercepted. We're getting no scoring chances.

Final: Waterford 2, SD Galway 0

Goals: None
Assists: None
Top Three: Stevens 6.9, Foley 6.8, E. Curran 6.7
Worst: Porter 4.9
Shots: 5-18
On Target: 2-4
Possession: 44%

[larrymcg421]

June 6, 2012

League: SD Galway (2-1-8, 8th) Longford (5-1-5, 5th)

Hoping to end our losing streak at home here. Williams is on the bench and will be transfer listed once the transfer window opens in July.

SD Galway: 4-1 Draw: 5-2 Longford: 4-7 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Stevens, ST E. Curran

15': Several precise passes gets the ball to Tierney just outside the box. He dribbles around a defender and beats the keeper on the near post. 1-0

24': Longford with a dangerous cross, but it is headed over the crossbar.

35': Horgan with a great pass to Curran, but his shot is badly off target.

Halftime: Not much action in the first half, but I'm delighted to be up for a change. I praise the team for their effort. Horgan has a yellow, so I replace him with N. Curran.

47': Sibanda with a great corner kick. Stevens gets hold of it and fires it in, but the keeper makes a great save.

56': Curran gets another chance, but it's at an odd angle and his shot hits the crossbar.

73': A corner from Sibanda that Stevens has a great shot at, but his header goes over the crossbar.

85': On a counter attack, Holewa rushes out at a bad time and finds himself in no man's land. The equalizer is easily put through. 1-1

Final Score: SD Galway 1, Longford 1

Goals: Tierney
Assists: Porter
Top Three: Tierney 7.5, Porter 7.4, Davey 7.0
Worst: Holewa 5.8
Shots: 9-7
On Target: 2-2
Possession: 49%

We've lost points too many times this year for stupid reasons like this. We can't afford to settle for draws in winnable home situations when we have no chance on the road.

[larrymcg421]

SD Galway (2-2-8, 8th) vs. Finn Harps (7-2-3, 4th)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST E. Curran, ST Williams


15': Corner headed in as our defense watches. Hey, at least they don't have to buy a ticket for the best seat in the house. 0-1

25': We are having more trouble conmpleting a pass than Tim Tebow.

40': Another corner. Another header. 0-2

Halftime: Blah, blah, I'm disappointed. I tell Williams he sucks ass.

59': Williams can't put it away again.

67': Sibanda with a red card.

88': Another missed shot by williams

Final Score: Finn Harps 2, SD Galway 0

Goals: None
Assists: None
Top Three: Browne 7.2, E. Curran 7.0, Foley 6.7
Worst: Porter 5.8
Shots: 3-13
On Target: 2-7
Possession: 40%


Sibanda gets a two match ban. I sign another amateur - ST Shaun Goodhall. He has good finishing and Off the Ball numbers, but awful stamina (6) and Acceleration (5).

[Grover]

Rough start to the season, hopefully it improves!

[larrymcg421]

SD Galway (2-2-9, 8th) at Mervue Utd (6-2-5, 5th)

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Williams, ST Goodhall

8' They work it in the box, but the shot goes wide.

12': Williams gets it inside the box, but is stripped.

27': We fail to properly clear a corner. It bounces around until Mervue put it in. 0-1

33': Another corner angled perfectly into the net. We've been awful at defending these. 0-2

36': Horgan with a beautiful pass inside finds Porter in front of the net for an easy score. 1-2

Halftime: Pulling one back was huge and I encourage the team to keep fighting.

47': Mervue work it into the box for a close range shot. Holewa stops it, but cannot hold on. The rebound is put through. So much for that. 1-3

65': Red card to Mervue's Cawley. We now have a man advantage, but I doubt it will mean much.

81': They score a shorthanded goal when their winger runs unmarked down the left side and beats Holewa. 1-4

Final Score: Mervue UTD 4, SD Galway 1

Goals: Porter
Assists: Horgan
Top Three: Porter 7.5, Foley 6.7, Horgan 6.6
Worst: McGauley 4.9
Shots: 1-12
On Target: 1-7
Possession: 38%

I sign three more players:

CD Nicholas Lyskov and CD Allan McManus are amateur signings. They both have major flaws but have good marking and tackling numbers. I'll throw them into the rotation at some point.

I open up the books for another player, ST Rodrigo Astudillo, because I badly need a striker that can put the ball in the net. At $200 p/w, this will put me into debt, but I felt it was needed at this point. He has some really good numbers - 13 Finishing, 13 Off the Ball, 13 Heading, 14 Long Shots.

[larrymcg421]

Rough start to the season, hopefully it improves!

Thanks! I've done better with other teams in Ireland, but SD Galway is a mess so I think this will be a long term project.

[larrymcg421]

SD Galway (2-2-10, 8th) vs. Wexford (2-3-9, 7th)

We have a chance to finally pull out of last with a win here.

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Mulcahy, AP Porter
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

2': Tierney with a cross. Headed in by Browne. Great start! 1-0

27': McGauley with a terrific play to block a header that would've gone in.

37': Astudillo to Mulcahy on the wing. Mulcahy sends it back in, but the pass goes wide.

Halftime: Morale still very low. I do what I can to encourage them.

56': Astudillo with a great header off a corner is just narrowly blocked.

57': Curran with a nice move, but his shot is wide left.

61': Wexford free kick crossed into the box and headed for the equalizer. 1-1

78': Mulcahy with a free kick. He crosses it in and Astudillo gathers it with his feet and makes a great shot in. 2-1

93': Ugh! they get several corners in a row and finally head one in right before the ref calls time. 2-2

Final: SD Galway 2, Wexford 2

Goals: Browne, Astudillo
Assists: Tierney, Mulcahy
Top Three: Foley 7.7, Astudillo 7.6, Browne 7.3
Worst: Davey 6.0
Shots: 9-6
On Target: 5-3
Possession: 46%

This is worse than any of the defeats.

Assistant says that wasn't good enough, but I need to build some morale so I thank everyone for their effot.

[larrymcg421]

SD Galway (2-3-10, 8th) at Athlone Town (7-4-4, 3rd)

We've played well against Athlone Town, losing 1-0 both times, including an awful defeat in extra time when my keeper got injured. I've carried a keeper on the sub list ever since.

GK Holewa
FB Davey, CD McGauley, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Mulcahy, AP Porter
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

11': Athlone's striker Kelleher finds some open space and gets a great pass for the easy score. 0-1

14': Astudillo misses a header.

34': McGauley with a stupid pass that gets intercepted, but thankfully they badly miss the shot over the bar.

40': Curran crosses it in and it bounces off the goalie into the net for an own goal! We'll take that! 1-1

42': Porter with a wide open chance, but blows the shot.

Halftime: Very happy so far and I let the team know it.

53': Astudillo rounds defender, but blows the shot.

54': Astudillo with a brilliant through ball to Mulcahy who takes the keeper one on one and beats him! 2-1

60': Astudillo fires a shot, but it's narrowly tipped over by the keeper.

75': Ciaran Foley injured. Hope this isn't long term, because it would be a massive blow. Berrigan comes on.

80': Astudillo starts a break, sends a pass to Mulcahy on the wing. He crosses it in to Curran right in front of the keeper and the shot is put through! Switch to defensive mindset. 3-1

87': Mulcahy hurt. Conlon comes in.

Final Score: SD Galway 3, Athlone Town 1

Goals: Mulcahy, E. Curran
Assists: Horgan, Mulcahy, Astudillo
Top Three: Mulcahy 8.2, Horgan 8.2, E. Curran 7.7 (FYI Astudillo 7.3)
Worst: Davey 6.9
Shots: 10-8
On Target: 5-2
Possession: 52%

Now this is a terrific result! We'll take any victory we can get, especially one on the road.

*Foley is alright, but Mulcahy will be out 3-4 weeks. Kinda sucks after his brilliant game, but Sibanda's suspension will be over.

*Horgan, McGauley, Mulcahy, and Curran were named in the team of the week.

*Enda Curran has turned in consistently excellent performances and has earned a regular first team spot ahead of Williams.

[larrymcg421]

This win finally takes us out of last place!
Current Standings

Limerick 11-1-4 34
Finn Harps 10-3-3 33
Athlone Town 7-4-5 25
Mervue Utd 7-2-7 23
Waterford 6-4-6 22
Longford 6-2-8 20
SD Galway 3-3-10 12
Wexford 2-5-9 11

[larrymcg421]

The performance at the left fullback spot is our biggest hole. Davey has been terrible there and I have no suitable replacement. So I open up the checkbook once again and pick up FB Mateusz Trachimowicz. He's a solid all-around player who can play decent defense but also contribute offensively when needed.

July 27, 2012

SD Galway (3-3-10, 9th) vs Limerick (11-1-4, 1st)

Limerick is the best team in the First Division and leading goal scorer Dominic Foley (17 Apps, 18 Gls, 7.76) is completely dominating the league.

GK Holewa
FB Trachimowicz, CD Whelan, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Porter
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

2': Porter on the run, beats the defense and has Astudillo wide open in front of the net, but his pass is off the mark and the defense recovers before he can get it.

21': They penetrate the center of our defense and pass to D. Foley who makes a great shot from the left. 0-1

33': Porter beats his man on the wing and flips a pass to Curran who makes a terrific angled shot from within the box. 1-1

44': D. Foley heads a corner into the goal but at the last second Porter steps in and blocks it with his own header. Great play!

45': Browne with a long pass and Astudillo gets to it. He seems to have a direct path to an easy goal, but Limerick's Guthrie pulls him down ruthlessly and is sent off with a red card.

Halftime: I praise the team for their performance so far.

64': Off a throw in, Sibanda gets it on the wing and crosses it in the box, Trachimowicz dives forward and heads it into the box. 2-1

78': D. Foley with a hard shot from inside the box. Holewa blocks it, but the rebound comes back to Limerick's Quinn, who easily knocks through the equalizer. 2-2

Final: SD Galway 2, Limerick 2

Goals: E. Curran, Trachimowicz
Assists: Porter, Sibanda
Top Three: Porter 7.6, Trachimowicz 7.5, E. Curran 7.2
Worst: Holewa 6.6
Shots: 5-13
On Target: 2-4
Possession: 46%

The 78th minute shorthanded equalizer is hard to swallow, but I'm delighted with the team's performance.

[larrymcg421]

August 3, 2012

SD Galway (3-4-10, 7th) at Longford (6-3-9, 6th)

A key match if we want to make a run at 6th place.

GK Holewa
FB Trachimowicz, CD Whelan, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Porter, AP Sibanda
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

7': Trachimowicz sends a dangerous cross into the box. Longford's keeper tries to catch it but actually ends up deflecting it into the net. 1-0

16': Holewa with a great diving save on a corner into the box.

35': Cross into the box and our defense falls asleep. Holewa doesn't have a chance to stop the ensuing shot. 1-1

41': Longford's Skelly hits a shot from way outside the box and buries it in the top left corner. 1-2

Halftime: I try to pump the team up, but they don't seem to respond. Whelan is playing awful, so I send in McGauley.

60': Curran gets past the defense after a great pass, but blows the shot.

75': They are now playing keepaway and we are having trouble even getting the ball past midfield.

Final Score Longford 2, SD Galway 1

Goals: None
Assists: Tierney
Top Three: Foley 8.1, Horgan 7.4, Trachimowicz 6.9
Worst: Whelan 5.7
Shots: 3-13
On Target: 1-6
Possession: 43%

[larrymcg421]

August 17, 2012

SD Galway (3-4-11, 7th) vs. Waterford Utd (8-4-6, 3rd)

SD Galway: 7-1 Draw: 3-1 Waterford: 1-3 (Fav)

We are now 2 pts ahead of Wexford. Longford are now 10 pts ahead of us in 6th. I'm trying a different lineup tonight by moving McGauley up to DMC and Foley up to MC. Horgan has reached the yellow card limit, so will miss this one.

GK Holewa
FB Trachimowicz, CD Browne, CD Whelan, FB N. Curran
DMC McGauley
MC Foley
AP Porter, AP Tierney
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

5': Same old story. Corner is headed in. 0-1

9': N. Curran hurt. Walsh comes in.

10': Foley looking great in the midfield. Dribbles around a defender and lays up a nice pass to Curran who beats his defender and puts the shot past the keeper! 1-1

16': Trachimowicz with a long pass to Curran. He gets a good chance, but the keeper blocks the shot.

22': We manage to clear a corner. This is cause for celebration.

30': Walsh sends a long pass to the right corner. Curran and a defender race for it. Curran narrowly loses the race, but the defender makes an ill-advised weak pass to the keeper, which Astudillo comes in to intercept and put in the goal! 2-1

35': Porter hurt. Baker comes in.

36': We give up another corner kick goal. 2-2

39': Walsh with a great cross in to Baker. He can't control it, but manages to deflect it to Curran who takes a nice angled shot and scores! 3-2

42': Foley with a good pass to Baker. Curran makes a move to the goal and Baker hits him with a perfect pass for an easy shot. That's a hat trick for Enda Curran! 4-2

Halftime: I give the team a passionate pep talk telling them how well things are going. They all respond very well.

50': Third injury of the game? Ugh. And it's Astudillo! I send in new signee Mooney to see what he can do.

54': Wow! Some beautiful teamwork off a throw in near their goal, Several passes eventually lead to Mooney getting it right in front of goal and his strike is solid. 5-2

64': Waterford get a breakaway chance, but the shot is wide.

74': Holewa makes a nice save on a long screamer, but can't hold on to it and Waterford grab the rebound and put it through. 5-3

89': This is ridiculous. Now Foley is hurt and has to be taken off. I'm out of substitutions, so we'll be a man down.

Final Score: SD Galway 5, Waterford Utd 3

Goals: E. Curran 3, Astudillo, Mooney
Assists: Tierney, Foley, Baker
Top Three: E. Curran 9.6, Foley 7.7, Tierney 7.4
Worst: Porter 6.3
Shots: 7-13
On Target: 6-6
Possession: 51%

So this was a huge victory, but one of the main factors was Ciaran Foley's dominance in the midfield and he will now be out for 6-8 weeks. That really, really sucks. Porter is also out and it's for 5-6 months.

[larrymcg421]

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GujnTWjR6kQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[larrymcg421]

August 24, 2012

Senior Challenge Cup 3rd Round: SD Galway vs. Waterford

As luck would have it, we face Waterford in back to back matches. We could use all the money we can get, so going far in this tournament would be very nice. I move Tierney back to his CM role and keep McGauley at Anchor.

SD Galway: 13-2 Draw: 11-4 Waterford: 2-5 (Fav)

GK Holewa
FB Trachimowicz, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

8': Defense gets beat and a great through pass to their striker results in an easy goal. 0-1

21': Yay, another injury. Lyskov out, Walsh in.

33': Sibanda hits a great corner, but Curran heads it over the crossbar.

Halftime: Astudillo doesn't seem to have it today, so I send in Mooney.

55': Great save.

61': Horgan sends a deep ball that a defender gets to, but Mooney comes up behind him, steals the ball and beats the keeper for the equalizer! 1-1

68': Mooney dribbles around a defender to the left, can't quite get by him, but still manages to beat the keeper on the near post! What a shot! 2-1

77': Holewa gets his hands on a deflected shot but can't hold on and it goes in for the equalizer. 2-2

86': Baker sends a cross into the box and a a Waterford defender accidentally knocks it past his own keeper! 3-2

89': We clear a corner and Tierney leads the counter. He passes to Curran on the left wing. Curran sends it in the box to Mooney, who makes a nice short pass back to Tierney who puts it through! 4-2

90': Just to make me nervous, Waterford score very quickly on a cross into the box that is easily knocked in. 4-3

Final Score: SD Galway 4, Waterford Utd 3

Goals: Mooney 2, Tierney
Assists: Mooney 2, Browne
Top Three: Mooney 8.7, Tierney 7.4, E. Curran 6.9
Worst: Walsh 5.2
Shots: 7-12
On Target: 3-5
Possession: 46%

That's a huge win for us! We get $20k for winning in the 3rd round. The team seems to be on a roll now. The question is now who do I start at striker? Can I really sit both Astudillo and Williams and leave over $300 p/w on the bench while I start two amateurs?

[larrymcg421]

August 29, 2012

Emmet Shaw doesn't show up for practice. Do I want to fine him? Of course I do. I could use a 2 week reduction in salary. Anyone else want to skip practice?

League: SD Galway (4-4-11, 7th) at Finn Harps (12-3-4, 1st)

Finn Harps have overtaken a recently struggling Limerick at the top of the league. I stick with the same lineup that's been working, except Whelan gets his starting job back in place of Lyskov who did not impress.

GK Holewa
FB Trachimowicz, CD Whelan, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

8': Dangerous corner by Harps, but the shot goes wide.

32': Trachimowicz with his second yellow and he's sent off. I send in King for Sibanda and move him back to fill in the FB spot.

40': They work it into the box. the defense is there, but we fail to clear and on one of the deflections, Harps put the ball through. 0-1

45': King hits a mean cross that the keeper tries to catch, but it bounces off him. Baker is in the right spot and puts home the easy equalizer. 1-1

Halftime: Whelan is not playing well, so I give Lyskov another try.

46': Holewa with a nice diving save on a long range shot.

51': Baker with a corner kick. Astudillo finds perfect position and heads it in! 2-1

65': Astudillo gets it off a throw in, dribbles to the middle and lays a perfect pass for Enda Curran who beats the keeper! 3-1

68': King steps in and blocks a dangerous header.

72': King is hurt. Of course! Walsh comes in. Horgan moves to left back.

73': And just like that they get one back on a screaming pass to the middle that is put through easily. 3-2

88': After a horrendous giveaway on a throw in from Horgan, Holewa makes an amazing diving save and Lyskov clears the ball.

Final: SD Galway 3, Finn Harps 2

Goals: Baker, Astudillo, E. Curran
Assists: Baker, Astudillo, King
Top Three: Astudillo 8.3 (MOM), Baker 8.3, E. Curran 7.3
Worst: Whelan 6.1
Shots: 7-11
On Target: 3-5
Possession: 47%

This is an amazing result as not only was it a road win against the #1 team, but we did it with a man down at the 32nd minute.

Awesome note: At 3-1-1 we have the best record in the league over the last 5 games.

[larrymcg421]

September 7, 2012

League: SD Galway (5-4-11, 7th) vs. Mervue Utd (8-3-9, 6th)

We are without Trachimowicz due to his red card suspension and Horgan is away on international duty, making us really weak at the FB spots.

GK Holewa
FB King, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

17'; Bad giveaway leads to an easy one on one chance for Mervue, but their striker completely botches the shot.

41': Astudillo makes a nifty moves around some defenders, but the shot is wide left.

Halftime: Astudillo is super winded for some reason (54%), so I send in Mooney. Walsh has an injury, so I send in N. Curran for him.

57': Baker to E. Curran and back to Baker on a nifty give and go move that leads to an easy goal for Baker! 1-0

61': Mervue's McEntee hits a rocket from 30 yards out that Holewa can't get to. 1-1

68': Mooney receives a great pass just outside of the box, but his shot is wide right.

85': N. Curran falls asleep, allowing his man to get behind him on a through pass for an easy goal. That wouldn't have happened if Horgan was there. 1-2

Final Score: Mervue Utd 2, SD Galway 1

Goals: Baker
Assists: E. Curran
Top Three: Baker 7.4, McGauley 7.0, E. Curran 6.8
Worst: Mooney 5.9
Shots: 8-7
On Target: 4-2
Possession: 48%

This one hurts. We had no business losing here. While we are still 6 points clear of Wexford, we are now 11 points out of 6th with only 7 games to go.

[larrymcg421]

September 14, 2012

League: SD Galway (5-4-12, 7th) at Wexford (2-7-12, 8th)

A must win here today. This will give us a good cushion on the fight to avoid last place and keeps us alive for a shot at 6th or better.

GK Holewa
FB Trachimowicz, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Tierney
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

2': A relatively harmless shot goes right by Holewa. This was such a bad miss that I went to check and make sure I didn't accidentally start my backup keeper. 0-1

30': Astudillo header goes over the bar.

45': Baker makes a nice move inside but Wexford's keeper tips it over the bar.

Halftime: I yell at the team alot.

47': Trachimowicz steps in front of one for Holewa and heads it back out.

56': Tierney with a pass to Sibanda on the wing. He takes his defender on and makes a great shot to beat the keeper on the near post. 1-1

74': Curran with a great chance but it is deflected wide.

77': Sibanda with a corner and Astudillo finds perfect position to head it in! 2-1

92': Very dangerous cross from Wexford, but Lyskov beats their man to the ball just before the whistle sounds.

Final: SD Galway 2, Wexford 1

Goals: Sibanda, Astudillo
Assists: Sibanda, Tierney
Top Three: Sibanda 8.2 (MOM), Astudillo 7.4, Horgan 7.0
Worst: Holewa 6.7
Shots: 6-6
On Target: 3-4
Possession: 53%

My assistant tells me I should change McGauley's status to player no longer needed, yet he is averaging a 6.76 and doing it for free.

[larrymcg421]

With 6 games to go, here's where we stand. It'll be a longshot to move out of 7th, but we'll give it our best. At least we're closer to 5th than we are 8th.

Current Standings

Limerick 14-3-5 45
Finn Harps 12-4-6 40
Waterford 10-4-8 34
Athlone Town 9-6-7 33
Longford 9-3-10 30
Mervue Utd 9-3-10 30
SD Galway 6-4-12 22
Wexford 2-7-13 13

[larrymcg421]

Apparently my name has been linked to a possible opening with the New York Red Bulls. I'm not sure why they'd be interested in a 7th place head coach of a low level semi-pro club.

Senior Challenge Cup Quarterfinals: SD Galway vs. Drogheda United

We are one of three First Division sides still left in this cup. We didn't get lucky enough to draw one of the others and instead face Premier Division club Drogheda United. The good news is Ciaran Foley has returned. I'll play him for the first half and then bring in Tierney.

GK Holewa
FB Trachimowicz, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Foley
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

5': We almost go down very early when Astudillo easily gets stripped, but Holewa makes a great play rushing out to gather a through pass.

19': Curran with a nice pass to Astudillo who beats his man but misses the shot.

33': Holewa with a diving save on a shot from outside the box.

37': Sibanda with a great corner kick that is almost headed in. It bounces dangerously in front of their goal, but we can't get a foot on it and they clear.

Halftime: We are surprisingly not outmatched here at all. We have the advantage in both shots and shots on target so far and 48% possession. Foley is out as promised and Tierney comes in completely rested. Hopefully he can provide a spark.

46': Astudillo is for some reason allowed to dribble down the middle of the field uncovered but his shot is a really weak effort.

60': E. Curran gets a one on one opportunity, but the keeper makes a great stop.

81': They work the ball into the box and Holewa gets beat on the near post. 0-1

83': And just like that, we equalize on yet another solid Sibanda corner that Astudillo heads in perfectly. 1-1

91': They get one last corner, but it is cleared.

Final Score: SD Galway 1, Drogheda United 1

Goals: Astudillo
Assists: Sibanda
Top Three: Sibanda 7.4, Astudillo 7.4, Trachimowicz 7.3
Worst: Foley 6.0
Shots: 11-7
On Target: 6-2
Possession: 48%

We actually controlled much of this match and should've come away with a victory. Now we'll have a return engagement with Drogheda at their place.

[larrymcg421]

Senior Challenge Cup Quarterfinals: SD Galway at Drogheda United

No need to upset the balance so we'll be running out our exact same lineup. Foley in the first half and Tierney in the 2nd half. I'll also be keeping an eye on Lyskov who starts the match at 89%.

GK Holewa
FB King, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Foley
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

4': Sibanda with a free kick angles it perfectly into the net! The keeper had a hand on it but couldn't hold on. 1-0

19': A Drogheda striker manages to get inside the box unmarked, receives a pass and makes the easy equalizer. 1-1

36': Sibanda with another free kick and launches a rocket, but it is just a bit too high.

Halftime: I try to pump the team up. Astudillo has another random game where he's extremely tired at the half (59%), so I'm forced to send in Mooney. Tierney comes in for Foley as planned.

47': We attack right away. Mooney makes a great pass to Tierney whose on target shot is tipped wide by the keeper.

65': Sibanda keeps sending in those corners and crosses. I love this guy,

70': E. Curran with a one on one opportunity after a great pass by Baker, but he can't beat the keeper.

83': Browne steps in to make a great interception on a long pass. He flicks it forward to Mooney who dribbles around his man and sends a pass to Sibanda who is uncovered on the left. He puts it by the keeper easily! 2-1

I switch to defensive mindset and pray that we can hold on. This would be an awesome and massive upset if we can do it.

90': The defense looks solid, not giving their striker any space. A tackle sends the ball fluttering out to the wing where their winger gets to it and fires a dangerous shot, but he misses. Whew.

93': Horgan gets hurt late on a spirited challenge. N. Curran comes in.

We win! We win! We win!

Final Score: SD Galway 2, Drogheda United 1

Goals: Sibanda 2
Assist: Mooney
Top Three: Sibanda 8.8 (MOM), Horgan 7.7, Browne 7.5
Worst: Holewa 6.7
Shots: 8-13
On Target: 4-1
Possession: 46%

*We earn $27.8k for that victory. That is huge as we need every penny we can get.

*Horgan is hurt, but thankfully will only be out 6-8 days.

*The team's turnaround oddly seems to coincide with McGauley's move to the Anchorman role. I usually like a guy who can help offensively in that spot, and McGauley is not that at all (Passing: 4). But he's been a solid stopper for us there and our posession and shots differential have drastically changed since he moved there.

*Sibanda has been on an absolute tear, putting up 8.2, 7.4, and 8.2 in his last 3 matches with 3 goals and 2 assists.

[larrymcg421]

October 6, 2012

SD Galway (6-4-12, 7th) at Limerick FC (14-3-5, 1st)

We're pretty exhausted, so will be starting alot of backups as we have yet another match only 3 days from today. Thankfully, Limerick is really banged up. Foley is out along with three other starters and they have yet another starter out on suspension.

GK Holewa
FB King, CD Whelan, CD Browne, FB N. Curran
DMC McGauley
MC Tierney
AP Mulcahy, AP Wiles
ST Astudillo, ST Mooney

2': Wiles throws it in to Astudillo who sends it back to Wiles. Wiles then finds Mooney in the center of the box and he puts it away! That was almost a mirror image of Mooney's last goal. 1-0

22': We have a great chance at a header, but a Limerick defender steps in at the last second.

33': Mulcahy beats his man and makes a move inside, but the shot goes wide.

35': A shot is deflected off one of our defenders and a Limerick striker picks it up and knocks through an easy shot. 1-1

Halftime: N. Curran is exhausted. Since we have a chance here, I bring in Trachimowicz.

47': King sends in a beautiful long range shot that just barely misses off the corner of the post.

61': Mulcahy with a great pass to the middle, but Astudillo misses a direct shot by hitting the crossbar.

72': They have a corner that is headed in. Still our achilles heel. 1-2

Stokes comes in for McGauley for the more offensive mindset. E. curran comes in for Astudillo who has shit the bed in this match.

76': They score off another corner. 1-3

Final Score: Limerick 3, SD Galway 1

Goals: Mooney
Assists: Wiles
Top Three: Mooney 7.2, Wiles 6.9, Whelan 6.8
Shots: 6-7
on Target: 2-4
Possession: 44%

Annoying, but expected defeat on the road. We might have been able to win if I had played all my starters, but I still think it was the right call.

72': They have a corner that is headed in. Still our achilles heel. 1-2

Stokes comes in for McGauley for the more offensive mindset. E. curran comes in

for Astudillo who has shit the bed in this match.

76': They score off another corner. 1-3

Final Score: Limerick 3, SD Galway 1

Goals: Mooney
Assists: Wiles
Top Three: Mooney 7.2, Wiles 6.9, Whelan 6.8
Shots: 6-7
on Target: 2-4
Possession: 44%

Annoying, but expected defeat on the road. We might have been able to win if I had played all my starters, but I still think it was the right call.

[larrymcg421]

October 10, 2012

SD Galway (6-4-13, 7th) vs. Athlone Town (9-7-7, 5th)

We are without Horgan again, who has been called up for the Ireland U-19 squad.

GK Holewa
FB Trachminowicz, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB N. Curran
DMC McGauley
MC Foley
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

2': Sibanda with a corner that Astudillo heads in perfectly, but a defender knocks it away at the last second.

6': McGauley sends a deep ball for E. Curran to get to. The defender beats him there, but makes a bizarre slide that knocks the ball into his own goal. One of the worst own goals I've seen, but I'll take it. 1-0

8': Trachimowicz commits a foul on a corner attempt in the box. The ref awards the penalty and they score easily. 1-1

9': N. Curran hurt. Walsh comes in.

26': Baker gets a step on his man down the right side, sends in a perfect cross that is deflected to Sibanda. He's uncovered coming in from the left and scores easily! 2-1

41': Baker beats his man again down the right side, sends in another cross that Astudillo heads into the net. 3-1

45': Foley with a great interception and pass to Astudillo who seems to have a great break, but is brought down aggressively. They get a red card and we are a man up.

Halftime: I give the team a pep talk, but Trachimowicz who is having an awful game doesn't listen. I consider benching him, but feel that's too risky since I don't have Horgan on the other side.

58': Holewa with a great save on a one on one opportunity.

69': Sibanda's corner connects with Astudillo again for another goal! 4-1

Hume in for Trachimowicz, who has still been playing like crap.

76': Off a great pass from Astudillo, Baker has a clear run at the keeper, but his shot hits the crossbar.

Final Score: SD Galway 4, Athlone Town 1

Goals: Astudillo 2, Sibanda 1
Assists: Baker 2, Sibanda 1
Top Three: Astudillo 9.2 (MOM), Sibanda 9.1, Baker 9.0
Worst: Trachimowicz 6.4
Shots: 15-5
On Target: 8-2
Possession: 59%

*As you can see, we clearly dominated this match. Athlone beat us the first two times 1-0, but we've outscored them 7-2 in the last two meetings.

*We are clearly a different team right now. Baker was a real steal for an amateur contract and Sibanda has flourished on the other side. The tactic I use is heavily dependant on the wingers getting forward early and often. In matches where I've started those two together, we are 5-1-1 with 17 goals scored.

*Sibanda has 4 goals and 3 assists in his last 4 matches. Baker has 2 goals and 3 assists over his last 6. Both will be back next year.

*We are now only 5 pts behind 6th place Mervue Utd. Athlone is 9 points ahead in 5th.

[larrymcg421]

October 19, 2012

SD Galway (7-4-13, 7th) at Waterford Utd (12-4-8, 3rd)

The last two meetings with Waterford have been crazy. We beat them 5-3 in a league match on August 17 and then followed that up one week later with a 4-3 victory in the Senior Challenge Cup. We finally have Horgan back.

GK Holewa
FB Trachminowicz, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Foley
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

1': We start an attack, but Sibanda gets stripped and Waterford outrun us down the field on the counter, leading to an easy goal from just outside the penalty area. 0-1

2': They get right back down again and Holewa is forced to make a great save to prevent a disastrous start.

8': Astudillo gets the ball in great position, but misses. That's happening too often recently.

16': Defense is really taking a beating today, once again getting outrun down the field, but thankfully they blow the shot this time.

23': Astudillo gets a pass from Curran and fires a good shot, but the keeper makes a diving save.

26': Astudillo with a great strip, but shoots way too early and that had no chance of going in.

Halftime: McGauley is playing without confidence. I drop Foley into his spot and bring in Tierney at CM.

55': Holewa does a great job tipping a header over the bar. On the ensuing corner, Browne makes a fabulous clearance.

70': Stunning save from Holewa on a cross into the box.

76': Another cross into the box and Holewa can't stop it this time. 0-2

77': Well that was fast. On the ensuing kickoff, it's immediately passed back to Tierney who sends the ball forward for Curran. He splits two defenders and catches the keeper in no man's land for an easy shot. 1-2

90': They get the backbreaking goal to put it away. No points for guessing how they did it. 1-3

Final Score: Waterford Utd 3, SD Galway 1

Goals: E. Curran
Assists: Tierney
Top Three: E. Curran 7.2, Baker 6.9, Tierney 6.9
Worst: Browne 5.5
Shots: 10-14
On Target: 3-8
Possession: 41%

We've been on a great run, but the team just didn't have it today. Sibanda with a 6.0 had his first bad game in a long time.

[larrymcg421]

October 26, 2012

Senior Challenge Cup Semifinal: SD Galway at Derry City

Another match against a Premier division side. We are 15-1 underdogs. Enda Curran has reached the yellow card limit, so he'll miss this match.

GK Holewa
FB Trachminowicz, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Foley
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST Mooney

19': Astudillo misses yet another one on one chance.

32': Lyskov hurt. In comes Whelan.

33': Sibanda sends a cross in. Mooney gathers it with his feet and sends it in the net! 1-0

43': Stupid giveaway by a Derry City defender. Mooney has a one on one chance but sends it wide right. Ugh.

45': They send a screaming cross in from midfield that looks very dangerous. Holewa makes a risky play by going after it, but manages to catch it.

Halftime: I encourage the team to keep it up. I'm concerned about Baker and Sibanda who look worn out by the Derry defense. May have to sub them soon.

77': Not much of note going on. They aren't getting chances. Sibanda and Baker seem fine right now. I switch to my usual defensive mindset (Drop deeper, retain possession).

89': Sibanda with a corner kick gets it in the middle of the box perfectly. Whelan gathers it and shoots it home! 2-0

We win again! We are in the final!

Final: SD Galway 2, Derry City 0

Goals: Mooney, Whelan
Assists: Sibanda 2
Top Three: Sibanda 8.2 (MOM), Mooney 7.6, Trachimowicz 7.5
Worst: Browne 6.8
Shots: 5-5
On Target: 2-2
Possession: 52%

*Glad I didn't sub Sibanda at halftime. He was at 51% and I've never kept a guy in like that before, but it paid off here.

*Limerick FC beat Athlone Town 1-0 to clinch the Irish First Division crown and they will be promoted. I have no objection to that.

*We earn $41.7k for winning the semifinal. The board is mad at me about the payroll, but I have made them a $100k profit this year, so they need to quit whining.

*Mervue Utd lost their league match. That keeps us within 6 pts with one less game played. We have also closed the gap on GD (-13 compared to Mervue's -9). We face Mervue in the season finale in a match that could be for 6th place.

[larrymcg421]

October 31, 2012

SD Galway (7-4-14, 7th) vs. Longford (12-3-9, 4th)

It was only 4 days since our last match, so we have some conditioning issues. I'm still running out my first team since we get a 10 day break afterwards. They'll have to try and gut this one out.

GK Holewa
FB Trachminowicz, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Foley
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

4': Foley with a nice pass to the corner. Baker gets to the ball crosses it in and Astudillo knocks it with another precise header. 1-0

7': Browne wins a header battle, but the loose ball is grabbed by Waterford. They fire a shot in, but Holewa makes a terrific stop.

25': Astudillo with a nice bass to Baker who sends a nice looking cross in, but Sibanda just misses getting there in time.

43': Baker beats his man on the wing and sends a cross in, but Curran's header is over the bar.

Halftime: Trachimowicz and Horgan have not played well. That is cause for concern as we need them if we are to hold on here. Astudillo and Bakerare playing with confidence.

56': Longford work it inside the box and find a slight opening in the defense to fire a shot. It almost goes in, but hits the crossbar.

65': Sibanda picks up a slight injury and I'm taking no chances. I send in Hume who is more of a fullback, but he has speed and crossing ability, plus his defensive abilities will come in handy now. Foley is super tired, so I bring in Tierney.

Final Score: SD Galway 1, Longford 0

Goals: Astudillo
Assists: Baker
Top Three: Baker 7.8 (MOM), Trachimowicz 7.3, Astudillo 7.3
Worst: Hume 6.5
Shots: 7-9
On Target: 3-1
Possession: 53%

*We are now 3 pts behind Mervue and the GD gap is slightly smaller. (-12 to -9). We could still theoretically catch Athlone in 5th if they lose their last two, but the GD gap is much bigger (-12 to -6). Assuming they lose both their matches 1-0, we'd need to win out final two by a combined 4 goals to catch them.

*The bad news is that Sibanda's injury has put him out for 3-4 weeks. His league season is over, but he should be back in time for the Senior Challenge Cup final which isn't until Dec. 2nd.

[larrymcg421]

November 9, 2012

SD Galway (8-4-14, 7th) vs. Finn Harps (12-6-8, 3rd)

Last time out we upset Harps on the road 3-2. We are without the catalyst of our resurgence Oscar Sibanda. Alan King is in his place.

GK Holewa
FB Trachminowicz, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Foley
AP King, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST E. Curran

2': McGauley with a foul on a corner. They're awarded a penalty and put it through. 0-1

25': they get several chances but none of them too threatening. The problem is the whole match is being played on our side of the field.

40': And now Baker is hurt. Wonderful. I send in Tierney.

Halftime: Lackluster affair so far. E. Curran is having an awful game, so I replace him with Mooney. I yell at the team a bit. Switch to "Push Higher Up" and "Overload".

73': Finally something in this boring match happens. McGauley with a great sliding tackle starts a break. Astudillo gets it on the wing and sends a ball in to Mooney who puts it through for the equalizer. 1-1

78': Foley sends a corner in. Mooney has great position, but his header hits the crossbar. The ball flutters right in front of the goal but we can't get to it before they clear. Ugh! That should've been a goal.

81': Horgan with a nice long pass to Astudillo on the right wing. He sends it inside to Mooney who has once again found space in the middle and he puts it through! 2-1

85': King is hurt. I send in Mulcahy.

Final Score: SD Galway 2, Finn Harps 1

Goals: Mooney 2
Assists: Astudillo 2
Top Three: Mooney 8.7, Astudillo 7.4, Lyskov 7.0
Worst: E. Curran 5.9
Shots: 5-7
On Target: 3-3
Possession: 46%

*One of my favorite wins of the season. We looked like shit at halftime and were without both of our star wingers, but still pulled it out.

*Mervue Utd beat Wexford (of course) 2-0 so the GD gap is now 4, but it's a meaningless gain. Either way, we have to beat them by 2 to take 6th. Since we have more total goals, we'll win the tiebreaker if the GD is the same.

*I breathe a sigh of relief when I see there is no physio report for Richie Baker.

*Athlone Town forced a draw at home, so we have no chance at 5th.

[larrymcg421]

November 18, 2012

SD Galway (9-4-14, 7th) at Mervue Utd (10-4-13, 6th)

It's pretty simple. We have to win by 2 and we have to do it on the road. McGauley has been in a bizarrely awful mood lately and is morale is abysmal. Thus I move Foley back to his old Anchor role and Tierney back to his CM role. I also reward Mooney for his recent performances and he gets the start.

GK Holewa
FB Trachminowicz, CD Lyskov, CD Browne, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Tierney
AP Mulcahy, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST Mooney

7': Browne with a nice clearance on a dangerous corner,

10': Baker sends a free kick into the box which Astudillo heads in! 1-0

25': A cross into the box, but Astudillo's header misses this time.

27': On the counter, they get down field quickly and send a pass to the middle which their striker slides and knocks into the net. 1-1

40': Astudillo with another weak shot in a good situation.

Halftime: Well we still need two goals. We're going to push this second half and take some risks to get it done. It's the reverse of last week with my strikers. Mooney is sucking, so I send in E. Curran.

81': Seriously, we don't have a single update until this point when I'm told Baker is injured. Ugh. I send in Nicky Curran.

86': Now Tierney is injured. McGauley comes in and I flip him with Foley.

90': Curran gets called offsides twice in the span of two minutes.

Final Score: SD Galway 1, Mervue Utd 1

Goals: Astudillo
Assists: Baker
Top Three: Astudillo 7.5 (MOM), Trachimowicz 7.3, Foley 7.3
Worst: Mooney 5.9
Shots: 5-8
On Target: 4-1
Possession: 48%

*Well, we made a good run at 6th after our terrible start. We can definitely be proud of the second half of our season.

*We earn $12.52k for finishing 7th.

*I have three players whose contracts expire at the end of November (Eric Browne, Enda Curran, Nicky Curran). Enda is the only one who I'd consider renewing, but he won't discuss a contract with me. They will still be eligible for the Senior Challenge Cup Final unless they get picked up by another team on Dec. 1st.

*Waterford Utd beat Bray Wanderers in the promotion/relegation playoff so they'll be joining Limerick in the Premier League next year. The other premier team getting demoted is Dundalk.

[larrymcg421]

2012 Irish First Division Final Standings

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="632"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:4388;width:90pt" width="120"> <col style="width:48pt" span="8" width="64"> </colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt;width:90pt" width="120" height="20">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">W</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">D</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">L</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">GF</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">GA</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">GD </td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">Pts</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Limerick FC</td> <td align="right">17</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">56</td> <td align="right">34</td> <td align="right">22</td> <td align="right">55</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Waterford Utd</td> <td align="right">15</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">58</td> <td align="right">41</td> <td align="right">17</td> <td align="right">50</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Finn Harps</td> <td align="right">12</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">44</td> <td align="right">32</td> <td align="right">12</td> <td align="right">43</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Longford</td> <td align="right">13</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">11</td> <td align="right">38</td> <td align="right">37</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">43</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Athlone Town</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="right">25</td> <td align="right">31</td> <td align="right">-6</td> <td align="right">36</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Mervue Utd</td> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">13</td> <td align="right">40</td> <td align="right">47</td> <td align="right">-7</td> <td align="right">35</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">SD Galway</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">14</td> <td align="right">42</td> <td align="right">53</td> <td align="right">-11</td> <td align="right">32</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Wexford</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">16</td> <td align="right">19</td> <td align="right">47</td> <td align="right">-28</td> <td align="right">18</td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Player of the Year: Dominic Foley, Limerick FC
Goalkeeper of the Year: Barry Ryan, Limerick FC
Manager of the Year: Pat Scully, Limerick FC
Bronze Boot: Dominic Foley, Limerick FC (21 goals)
Goal of the Season: Stephen Reilhan, Athlone Town (vs. Waterford Utd)
Most Assists: Connor O' Grady, Limerick FC (11 Assists)

[Grover]

Strong finish to the season. Nice platform for next year!

[larrymcg421]

December 2, 2012

Senior Challenge Cup Final: SD Galway at Sligo Rovers

There's alot of buzz about this match. It's the first time SD Galway has ever been in the final. About 9000 fans are expected to attend. Whereas we caught a break in the season when other clubs were likelyfielding backup squads, Sligo is sure to be plenty rested and able to send out their first team to demolish us.

Browne and N. Curran both left the club immediately when their contract expired, so they are not eligible after all. E. Curran still refuses to renew his deal, but has not left the club. If he does play, it will likely be his last appearance for SD Galway along with Trachminowicz and Astudillo.

Kiely is a new amateur signee who will get thrown into the mix immediately.

GK Holewa
FB Trachminowicz, CD Lyskov, CD Kiely, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Foley
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Astudillo, ST Mooney

5': They're awarded a penalty that seems a bit fishy to me, but it stands and they make the shot easily. 0-1

11': They cross it right in front of Holewa and he has no chance to stop the shot. 0-2

37': Give Holewa credit. He makes back to back brilliant saves. This could be much worse.

Halftime: We are clearly outclassed here, but are at least putting up a fight. I tell the team to take it easy and just try their best.

48': Baker makes a great strip, then sends a great cross into Sibanda who puts it away! 1-2

50': Holewa tries to catch a cross again, but he can't hold on. The ball slips behind him and Sligo put it away. 1-3

75': Sibanda leads the counter, gets it to Mooney, who sends a great pass in to Astudillo, but the shot goes right at the keeper.

Final Score: Sligo Rovers 3, SD Galway 1

Goals: Sibanda
Assists: Baker
Top Three: Sibanda 7.4, McGauley 6.9, Baker 6.9
Worst: Mooney 5.7
Shots: 4-12
On Target: 2-5
Possession: 43%

We made a great run at the cup, knocking off two Premier League clubs along the way. We earn $55.65k for our runner-up performance.

[larrymcg421]

End of Season Review:

It was a rough year, but we had low expectations, so the board is satisfied with the 7th place finish. We were 2-2-10 at the halfway point, but managed to turn things around and post a 7-3-4 record in the second half. The cup run was very profitable and despite the salary issues, we netted the club a $174k profit this year.

Top 5s

Average Rating

Richie Baker - 7.24
Oscar Sibanda - 7.22
Rodrigo Astudillo - 7.09
Calvin Mooney - 7.09
Colm Horgan - 7.04

Goals

Enda Curran - 12
Rodrigo Astudillo - 9
Oscar Sibanda - 8
Calvin Mooney - 7
Alex Williams - 6

Assists

Oscar Sibanda - 12
Robert Porter - 7
Richie Baker - 7
Mike Tierney - 6
Rodrigo Astudillo - 4

Man of Match

Oscar Sibanda - 4
Rodrigo Astudillo - 3
Richie Baker - 2
Calvin Mooney - 2
All others less than 2

Appearances

Danny Holewa - 35
Thomas McGauley - 34
Mike Tierney - 31
Ciaran Foley - 29
Colm Horgan - 26

[larrymcg421]

Offseason Update

*The board is happy enough with my performance that I get a two year contract extension at $300 p/w.

*The board gives me a massive increase in payroll. We can now spend $1.1k p/w which is double what we had last year. We are expected to finish in the middle of the standings. The options for higher expectations did not increase the payroll amount, so I did not select them.

*I also get a transfer budget of $16.29k. I immediately convert this to expanded payroll as I've learned a transfer budget is pretty useless at these lower levels since you can find plenty of suitable players on free transfers. After getting rid of the contracts for Williams, Trachminowicz, Astudillo, and Enda Curran we have an extra $960 p/w to spend in the offseason.

*Outlook: Starters that we'll be losing include Curran, Astudillo, Browne, and Trachimowicz. However, we'll be retaining key guys like Baker, Sibanda, Horgan, and Foley. My focus in the offseason will be to build around these guys.

*4 lower league teams are being added to the First Division this season - Avondale, Rockmount, Cherry Orchard, and Bangor Celtic have all been granted a First Division license and we'll have a 12 team battle. We'll play each other 3 times for a total of 33 games. Note: Not sure why the game is modeled this way, since the lower Irish leagues are not playable, nor are they part of the real world promotion system in Irish football. However, it is not an unrealistic occurrence since technically any team can apply for a First Division license.

*Here are our major signings:

DC Brahim Ait Amer, 21 ($200 p/w) - Has a ton of good attributes I look for in a defender, including Marking (12), Tackling (13), Stamina (12), Heading (11), Positioning (14). He lacks Strength (8) and Bravery (8), but he's way better than last season's best defender Eric Browne. He can also play the fullback spots in a pinch.

ST James Collins, 22 ($200 p/w) - I had to fight for this guy with a premier division side, but finally convinced him with a sizable signing bonus. I love the guy's Work Rate (16). He also has strong Finishing (12), Determination (15), Off the Ball (10), Heading (10). He's also 10+ in every physical attribute.

ST Chris Scannell, 35 ($160 p/w) - He's very old, so I only signed him to a 1 yr deal. Even if he declines, he looks too good to pass up. Work Rate (14), Off the Ball (13), Finishing (11), Teamwork (13), Determination (15).

FB Didier Caro, 27 ($150 p/w) - Very happy to get this guy as he seems to be an all around player. Can lead the counter with his Acceleration (13), Pace (12), and Passing (11), but also a solid defender with Tackling (12) and Marking (11). Also love the Work Rate (14) and Teamwork (14).

GK Aaron McCarey, 21 ($100 p/w) - I hate to drop Holewa because I kinda grew attached to him eventhough he isn't very good. However, this guy is insanely better and I was able to snag him for very little money. He's 10+ in every important GK skill, with particularly impressive Reflexes (13), Aerial Ability (13), Communication (13), and Handling (13). Also has the ability to start a strong counter with Throwing (13) and Kicking (11).

My only other current paid salaries right now are MC/DMC Ciaran Foley ($100 p/w), MC Mike Tierney ($95 p/w), AP Robert Porter ($80 p/w), DC James Whelan ($70 p/w), and my one youth contract DC Jonathan Dunleavy ($8 p/w). I release two guys, Emmet Shaw and Eugene Greaney who were not going to play. This leaves me with $294 p/w, which I will use to try and find another MC or DMC as I don't think Tierney is good enough to be a starter. I also have several amateur contract starters returning, including AP Oscar Sibanda, AP Richie Baker, DC/DMC Thomas McGauley, and FB Colm Horgan.

I also sign several amateur contracts, including MC/DMC/FB Brendan Daly (13 Marking, 12 Tackling, 16 Strength, 16 Flair), MC Philip Duffy (11 Work, 13 Passing, 12 Technique, 12 Pace), ST Thomas Prinz (11 Work, 12 Off the Ball, 12 Finishing, 12 Flair, 11 Pace), and ST Paul Harmon (11 Work, 11 Finishing, 11 Pace, 12 Passing).

The proposed depth chart coming in to 2012:

GK: McCarey, Holewa
FBL: Caro, King, Hume
FBR: Horgan, Daly, Walsh
DC1: Amer, Whelan, (MCGauley)
DC2: Lyskov, Whelan, (McGauley)
DMC: McGauley, (Foley), Daly
MC: Foley, Tierney, Duffy
APL: Sibanda, Porter, King
APR: Baker, (Sibanda), Porter
ST1: Collins, Mooney, Prinz
ST2: Scanell, Mooney, Prinz

I am fine with this except for the midfield spots. The McGauley experiment was a nice stopgap last year, but not good enough to take us to the next level. I'll continue looking for a solid MC so Foley can return to his natural position.

[larrymcg421]

Strong finish to the season. Nice platform for next year!

Thanks! Here's hoping my new signees pay off.

[larrymcg421]

January 29, 2012

Friendly - SD Galway vs. Monaghan United

Not much to write about here. We lose 1-0 against a Premier Division squad. No one was particularly bad or good in the match.


I finally found my Midfielder:

MC Moritz Murawski, 21 ($275 p/w) - Just what I'd been loking for. A guy that can control possession in the midfield and provide strong support to the attack. Work Rate (15), Teamwork (14), Off the Ball (13), Technique (12), Dribbling (12), Pace (12), Determination (12), Decisions (11), Passing (10).

February 5, 2013

Friendly - SD Galway at Galway United

We looked pretty good in this one and pulled off a 3-2 victory. Collins had 2 goals and Scanell had the other. Murawski looked great in the midfield and Baker dominated the right wing. Cause for concern is Amer's 5.3 rating and a lackluster performance from McCarey, who got beat too easily on the near post.

That was our last friendly as we play a two legged series in the 1st round of the All-Ireland Cup which includes teams from Ireland and North Ireland.

[larrymcg421]

February 12, 2013

All-Ireland Cup 1st Round Leg 1: SD Galway vs. Crusaders

Crusaders are a N. Ireland Premier League team. This will be a tough match, but thankfully the board isn't expecting me to advance in this cup.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, CD Lyskov, CD Amer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

3': Baker with a nifty through pass in to Collins, who beats the keeper! 1-0

26': Scannell with a nice interception, sends it in to Collins whose shot misses wide left.

40': Nice long goal kick from McCarey is received by Scanell who passes to Collins. Collins splits two defenders and rifles a shot that is tipped over the bar.

43': Some beautiful teamwork as several short passes inside the box leave Murawski wide open and he puts through the easy shot! 2-0

Halftime: I tell the team to keep it up. Collins, Foley, and Baker were particularly good in the 1st half.

45': They get a break down the left wing when Horgan misses his tackle. The pass is sent in the middle and McCarey doesn't have a chance. 2-1

57': Slow as molasses Lyskov gets beat to a long ball by the striker and McCarey is caught in no man's land. 2-2

63': Scannell has a header going straight for the net, but it is knocked away at the last second.

68': Another break from Crusaders and McCarey is caught in no man's land yet again. 2-3

72': Now they are piling it on. A long goal kick and Amer loses a header challenge. The Crusaders striker then has an easy shot. 2-4

Final Score: Crusaders 4. SD Galway 2

Goals: Murawski, Collins
Assists: Baker, Collins
Top Three: Collins 7.9, Foley 7.3, Murawski 7.2
Worst: Amer 5.6
Shots: 7-13
On Target: 4-5
Possession: 41%

Not the way I wanted to start the season, even if it is a superior squad we faced. The defense just could not cope with the speed of their striker Noble who scored 4 second half goals.

[larrymcg421]

February 19, 2013

All-Ireland Cup 1st Round Leg 2: SD Galway vs. Crusaders

Lyskov's lack of speed killed us last match, so I give Whelan the start. We have to win by 2 to force penalties.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Whelan, DC Amer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

5': Dangerous corner, but McCarey steps in to traffic and catches it.

12': Sibanda starts a counter and sends a cross in to Collins, whose header misses left.

39': They get a free kick near the penalty area and it is headed in. 0-1

Halftime: We are still clearly outmatched and have difficulty getting scoring chances. I try to cheer up the team as best I can.

55': Crusaders get a direct shot, but McCarey makes a great diving save. They attempt to put the rebound back through and McCarey makes another diving save.

65': McCarey rushes out and denies the ball from the Crusaders striker.

84': Scannell is denied on a perfect header into the box that is narrowly knocked aside.

Final Score: Crusaders 1, SD Galway 0

Goals: None
Assists: None
Top Three: Amer 7.3, Caro 7.0, Foley 6.9
Worst: Murawski 6.0
Shots: 4-12
On Target: 1-4
Possession: 40%

A better showing tonight as the defense stepped up with a solid effort. Now let's see how well we do in league play.

[larrymcg421]

March 1, 2013

League: SD Galway vs. Bray Wanderers

We open the season at home to the recently relegated Bray Wanderers. We are 7-2 dogs. Their manager Joe Gallen says I'm dreaming if I think I can win this match. Hopefully we can make him eat his words. Horgan has a suspension left over from last season, so amateur Daly gets his first start.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Whelan, DC Amer, FB Daly
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

4': They have an early counterattack and get behind our defense, but the shot is missed to the left.

24': Nice long pass from Daly. Collins beats the defense to it and tries to flip a shot over the keeper, but it narrowly misses to the left.

29': They hit a corner into the box and Amer is whistled for the foul, giving them a penalty shot which they put through. 0-1

42': Sibanda sends a cross in. Scanell's shot bounces off a defender and into the net for an own goal! 1-1

Halftime: We're fortunate to be tied as they've controlled the match so far.

49': Murawski with a great through pass to Scannell, but his shot is blocked by the keeper.

54': Bray's Tyrell beats Daly around the left side and sends in a corner that is headed into the net. 1-2

66': Foley sends a free kick into the box. Scannell tries to head it, but is pulled down. The ref awards us a penalty. Baker knocks it through. 2-2

84': Daly sends a long pass into the right corner. The defender gets there, but Sibanda manages to strip him. He then sends a cross in which the keeper can't catch and Baker is there to put it through! 3-2

89': They send a cross in. McCarey mishandles it and Whelan knocks it in his own goal. Ugh! 3-3

Final Score: SD Galway 3, Bray Wanderers 3

Goals: Baker 2
Assists: Scannell 2, Sibanda
Top Three: Baker 8.8, Scannell 7.4, Daly 7.0
Worst: Whelan 5.9
Shots: 7-14
On Target: 4-2
Possession: 42%

Well starting with a draw against a recently relegated team wouldn't be too bad if it wasn't for the awful way it happened. Whelan will be riding the pine next match. That's for sure.

[larrymcg421]

*We will be losing Amer from March 22-April 5 as he plays for Tunisia's U-20 team in the African U-20 championship.

*Baker is named to the Team of the Week.

March 8, 2013

League: SD Galway (0-1-0, 6th) at Finn Harps (0-0-01, 9th)

Last time we travelled to face Finn Harps they were in 1st place and we beat them 3-2. They never recovered and fell to 3rd. Horgan is back. Lyskov in for Whelan.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Lyskov, DC Amer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

6': Scannell receives a long pass and has a one on one opportunity, but is stripped before he can get the shot off.

19': Horgan with an awful pass back to the keeper. McCarey can't get to it before Finn's striker and it is put through. 0-1

29': McCarey denis Harps in a one on one situation with great reflexes. However, the ensuing corner is headed through easily. 0-2

32': We return the favor when Foley sends a corner in that Scannell heads in. 1-2

35': Murawski sends a great pass into the box for Sibanda who beats the keeper for the equalizer! 2-2

Halftime: I tell the team I'm happy so far. I also tell Horgan to sit down. Daly comes in.

47': Daly steps right in front of a header that looked like it was going in.

53': Caro starts a counter by sending a long ball to Sibanda who is running completely unmarked down the left side. He's able to take his time and place his shot past the keeper. 3-2

71': A perfect corner from Harps is headed in for the equalizer. 3-3

78': Caro is banged up. I send in King.

Final Score: SD Galway 3, Finn Harps 3

Goals: Sibanda 2, Scannell
Assists: Murawski, Foley, Caro
Top Three: Sibanda 8.8 (MOM), Foley 7.7, Scannell 7.3
Worst: Horgan 5.2
Shots: 8-11
On Target: 5-5
Possession: 49%

*Another draw. It doesn't hurt to get one on the road, but that's two straight matches we have a comeback only to let the lead slip away.

*12 total goals in the first 2 matches. Welcome to SD Galway football.

*Caro will miss 8-10 days, which means just the match against Wexford.

[larrymcg421]

Oscar Sibanda

http://img.thezimbabwean.co.uk/310_465_Oscarsibanda

[larrymcg421]

*Oscar Sibanda named to the Team of the Week.

March 13, 2013

League: SD Galway (0-2-0, 7th) vs. Wexford (1-0-1, 5th)

Wexford surprisingly has a win in hand already, but it was against recently promoted Cherry Orchard. If we cannot win this one, I'll be seriously worried about my offseason maneuvers. Amer is in Africa and Caro is injured. Former SD Galway striker Enda Curran is now a backup with Wexford.

GK McCarey
FB King, DC Lyskov, DC Amer, FB Daly
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

5': A cross in the box and our defense is taking a nap. That didn't take long. 0-1

17': sibanda makes a run down the left side and sends the cross in, which Baker runs in to head home! 1-1

22': Scanell gets a pass from Collins and is right in front of the keeper, but fails to get it by him.

26': Collins fights off two defenders to steal a ball in the penalty area and fires it past the keeper. 2-1

28': And they immediately respond with another cross that we can't defend. 2-2

40': Sibanda races in to strip a Wexford defender, passes it to Scannell who puts the shot in the net. 3-2

Halftime: No one playing terribly. McCarey is worst at 6.7. We really need him to be playing better.

65': Collins gets downfield, showing off some great moves, but fires a very weak shot to the keeper.

76': Foley with a corner kick. Scannell is there to head it in! 4-2

McGauley in for Collins. Switch to 5-4-1

81': Crap. Sibanda is injured. Porter comes in.

83': Porter dribbles inside sends a pass to Scannell who fires a shot and beats the keeper! That's a hat trick. 5-2

Final: SD Galway 5, Wexford 2

Goals: Scannell 3, Baker, Collins
Assists: Sibanda 2, Foley, Porter
Top Three: Scannell 9.6, Sibanda 8.1, Baker 8.1
Worst: McCarey 6.9
Shots: 12-9
On Target: 7-3
Possession: 52%

*This is the dominating performance I've been waiting for.

*Sibanda will not miss any time.

*This moves us into 4th place, our highest ever position in the League Table.

*The fans are not pleased with McCarey at all. Neither am I. I don't quite get it as his attributes suggest a much better player.

*We have now scored in 18 straight matches, by far the longest among First Division clubs. Mervue Utd is next with 6.

[larrymcg421]

*Oscar Sibanda, Richie Baker, and Chris Scannell named to the Team of the Week.

March 22, 2013

League: SD Galway (1-2-0, 4th) at Athlone Town (1-0-2, 9th)

We've owned Athlone Town recently, beating them 3-1 and 4-1 last two times out. They're only victory so far is against the recently promoted Cherry Orchard. They lost their other two matches by a combined 6-0. Caro is back and I'm delighted to put him back in the lineup.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Lyskov, DC Whelan, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

6': Caro with a long ball to Scannell. He shakes off a defender, passes to Collins, but the shot is high.

20': Caro is really dominating his spot and keeps getting the ball forward.

25': We have several chances as thematch is being played on their half of the field, but cannot get an on target shot.

Halftime: An atypical match for us. We are playing really well. Just need to capitalize.

50': Caro gets it forward again to Foley, who dribbles around the defense and leaves a pass for Baker. Instead of taking the shot, Baker passes it to a wide open Scannell who puts it away. 1-0

60': Baker takes on the entire Athlone team by himself, but leaves his shot wide. Pretty funny play.

75': Baker beats the defense again and sends in a cross, but the keeper makes a great save on Scanell's attempt to put it in.

Final: SD Galway 1, Athlone Town 0

Goals: Scannell
Assists: Baker
Top Three: Baker 7.6 (MOM), Caro 7.5, Scannell 7.4
Worst: Murawski 6.7
Shots: 9-3
On Target: 4-0
Possession: 55%

*A dominant performance on the road. Murawski is a concern, but he might just have trouble adapting.

*We are still in 4th, but only 2 pts out of a 3 way tie for 1st.

[larrymcg421]

*Oscar Sibanda, Richie Baker, and Chris Scannell named to the Team of the Week.

March 29, 2013

League: SD Galway (2-2-0, 4th) vs. Dundalk (3-1-0, 1st)

Just how good are we? A home win over the other relegated team would make us a strong contender this season.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Lyskov, DC Whelan, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

5': They put pressure on Foley and strip the ball, then work it in the box for an easy score. 0-1

11': A long pass to their striker who splits our defense, but his shot hits the post.

24': We're looking hopeless in this one. They go down the field on the right wing with ease, cross it in and put an easy shot through. 0-2

44': The whole match is being played on our side, and they finally capitalize on a pass to the center of the box for an easy shot and score. 0-3

45': Scanell tries to lift one over the keeper, but the shot is wide left.

Halftime: I yell at the team alot and send McGauley in for Whelan, whose morale is abysmal.

50': Foley with a corner and Scannell heads it in. 1-3

71': Collins has an opportunity, but passes it when he should've taken the shot.

Final: Dundalk 3, SD Galway 1

Goals: Scannell
Assists: Foley
Top Three: Foley 7.4, Scannell 7.4, Murawski 6.8
Worst: Lyskov 5.8
Shots: 7-14
On Target: 3-4
Possession: 51%

*Well that was certainly humbling. One thing is certain. We need some more depth at defense, because we are horrible without Amer. I may have to go overbudget again.

*I ask the board to give me more money and they actually do. I hit the transfer market and find:

Ulrich Taffertshofer, 21 ($300 p/w) - Not only does he have solid Marking (13) and Tackling (13), but his Heading (13) should help us to stop conceding so many goals off corners and crosses. Also has good Bravery (14), Positioning (11), and Work Rate (13).

*This puts me overbudget again, but I terminate the contracts of Whelan and Porter to make up for it. I have amateur guys better than both of them.

*With 6 goals, Scannell currently leads the First Division.

[larrymcg421]

*Oscar Sibanda, Richie Baker, and Chris Scannell named to the Team of the Week.

April 7, 2013

League: SD Galway (2-2-1, 7th) at Cherry Orchard (2-0-3, 9th)

In theory, this should be an easy victory. We are actually 4-6 favorites. Cherry Orchard have conceding 15 goals in 5 matches. However, they just beat 1st place squad Mervue Utd 4-1 so there are no guarantees. I give Sibanda a rest for amateur signee Lamine Medjkane, who has speed and crossing ability.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Lyskov, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Medjkane, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

8: We get several chances off of two corners, but can't put any of them away.

16': On a counter, McCarey looks like he's caught in no man's land, but still manages to block the shot.

24': Medjkane gets it to Scannell inside the box but his shot goes over the crossbar.

37': Caro sends a nice pass into the box, Collins slides and knocks it home! 1-0

42': Caro with another nice pass into the box, finds Scanell who creates space int he middle and fires a nice shot past the keeper. 2-0

Halftime: I tell the boys I'm happy. No one is having a bad game.

54': Caro continues to dominate. Gets it to Medjkane ahead of the defense and he buries the shot! 3-0

65': Scannell is denied on a header that looked like a certainty, but was blocked at the last second.

70': McCarey with a great save on a long shot from outside the box.

73': A Horgan foul inside the box gives them a penalty and they put it through. 3-1

Final: SD Galway 3, Cherry Orchard 1

Goals: Collins, Scannell, Medjkane
Assists: Caro 3
Top Three: Caro 8.8 (MOM), Scannell 7.6, Collins 7.4
Worst: Horgan 6.3
Shots: 17-10
On Target: 5-3
Possession: 45%

*Good showing, but I'm concerned we lost the possession battle here.

*Taffertshofer put up a solid 7.0 in his first match.

*This win moves us into 3rd place, 2 pts behind mervue and 5 behind Dundalk.

[larrymcg421]

*Caro, Medjkane, and Scannell were named to the Team of the Week.

April 12, 2013

League: SD Galway (3-2-1, 3rd) vs. Mervue Utd (4-1-1, 2nd)

Amer is finally back from Africa. Medjkane earned another start. This time I'll sit Baker and start Sibanda on the other side. Mervue narrowly edged us out for 6th last year. Here's hoping we can get some revenge.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Medjkane, AP Sibanda
ST Scannell, ST Collins

2': Scannell starts an early counter, gets it to Medjkane on the wing who sends a cross in the box that Collins heads home! 1-0

13': Dangerous cross right in front of the keeper, but Amer makes a great clearance.

16': Medjkane sends a pass over to Sibanda who is unmarked and buries the shot. 2-0

43': Sibanda scores on a free kick just outside the penalty area. 3-0

Halftime: I tell the players I'm happy and they're all delighted to hear it. Everyone is playing well. No one below a 6.9.

59': They almost score off a corner, but the header this crossbar. The rebound rattles around in the box for far too long, but we eventually clear.

84': Sibanda sends a nice pass to Medjkane, but his shot is pretty weak.

Final: SD Galway 3, Mervue Utd 0

Goals: Sibanda 2, Collins
Assists: Medjkane 2
Top Three: Sibanda 9.3 (MOM), Medjkane 9.0, Collins 7.7
Worst: Scannell 6.9
Shots: 8-7
On Target: 5-1
Possession: 54%

*This moves us into 2nd, 2 points shy of Dundalk but they've played one less.

*5 SD Galway players are in the top 12 in Aerage Rating so far - #2 Sibanda 7.82, #5 Scannell 7.66, #7 Baker 7.43, #10 Foley 7.37, # 12 Caro 7.35

[larrymcg421]

*Caro, Medjkane, and Scannell were named to the Team of the Week.

April 16, 2013

League Cup 1st Round: SD Galway at Finn Harps

We lost in the first round last year. This one is not as big as the Senior Challenge Cup, but I'd still like to improve on last year's 1st round exit.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

11': Scannell with a precise pass to Collins inside the box and he easily beats the keeper. 1-0

35': They start a break down the left side as the winger moves in unmarked, but McCarey makes a great diving save.

Halftime: Pretty boring match, but I'm happy to be ahead.

48': Scannell with another pass for Collins, but he leaves the shot wide right.

52': Murawski with a great interception, gets it to Sibands who gets it to Scannell, but the shot is way off the mark.

58': On a counter, they get a good pass into the box. McCarey stops a point blank shot, but Harps grab the rebound and put it through. 1-1

62': Scannell dribbles to the middle, drawing the defense away from Collins. He passes to Collins who buries the easy shot. 2-1

63': Scannell runs in to intercept a pass on the ensuing kickoff. We don't capitalize, but it was still a really cool move.

80': They get a break, but McCarey makes the stop in a one on one opportunity.

89': They send a free kick into the box and it is headed in. 2-2

92': MCCarey with another one on one save.

Extra Time: Medjkane comes in for a winded Sibanda.

100': Murawski picks up a rebound off a corner kick, but his shot is way off the mark.

106': Amer gets his second yellow and is sent off. I bring Lyskov in for Baker.

For the 2nd year in a row, we will go to penalties in the 1st round.

Collins scores. 1-0
Harps miss! 1-0
Keeper dove the right way but Scannell still puts it by him. 2-0
Harps score. 2-1
Murawski scores. 3-1
Harps score. 3-2
Medjkane kicks it straight to the keeper. 3-2
Harps score. 3-3
Amer scores. 4-3
Harps score. 4-4
Caro scores. 5-4
Harps score. 5-5
Horgan misses badly. 5-5
Harps score. 5-6

Final: Finn Harps 2, SD Galway 2 (6-5p)

Goals: Collins 2
Assists: Scannell 2
Top Three: Collins 8.8, Scannell 7.4, Horgan 7.2
Worst: Murawski 6.1
Shots: 14-16
On Target: 4-6
Possession: 47%

*Sucks to lose on penalties like that, but the league cup isn't high on my list of priorities.

[larrymcg421]

April 21, 2013

Senior Challenge Cup 1st Round: SD Galway at Midleton

This is the cup I'm more interested in. Midleton is an amateur club that we should have no trouble with. I rest some starters, including Sibanda, Scannell, Foley, and Taffertshofer. Also, Amer gets to burn off his suspension in this match.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Kiely, DC Davey, FB Horgan
DMC Daly
MC Murawski
AP Medjkane, AP Baker
ST Mooney, ST Collins

12': Baker with a free kick into the box. Caro heads it in. 1-0

25': Medjkane with a corner kick and Mooney heads it in. 2-0

Halftime: We should be up by more against such a poor club.

46': Mooney with a pass to Collins who dribbles around a defender and beats the keeper. 3-0

58': Caro sends a beautiful cross into the box, which Baker controls and puts through. 4-0

61': Collins passes it to the middle and a Midleton defender accidentally knocks it in. 5-0

71': King in for Caro. Tierney in for Murawski.

77': Medjkane hurt. In comes Sibanda.

78': Midleton has another own goal from the same player. Gotta feel bad for the guy. 6-0

Final: SD Galway 6, Midleton 0

Goals: Collins, Caro, Baker, Mooney
Assists: Caro 2, Collins, Baker, Mooney
Top Three: Caro 9.3 (MOM), Baker 9.3, Collins 8.9
Worst: Tierney 6.9
Shots: 9-4
On Target: 5-1
Possession: 50%

[Grover]

Now there's a statement win!

[larrymcg421]

April 26, 2013

SD Galway (4-2-1, 2nd) at Longford (4-1-2, 5th)


GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

2': Off a goal kick , their striker has a one on one chance, but McCarey makes a great save.

23': McCarey with another diving save.

Halftime: We are controlling possession at 55%, btu have no shots on goal to show for it, while Longford have 5.

54': Sibanda gets the ball on the counter and ends up forcing a corner kick. Foley sends it in and Scannell puts it away! 1-0

60': Defense doesn't get back in time on a counter and they make an easy pass to the box. McCarey has no chance. 1-1

Final: SD Galway 1, Longford 1

Goals: Scannell
Assists: Foley
Top Three: Scannell 7.4, Foley 7.3, Taffertshofer 7.3
Worst: McCarey 6.7
Shots: 4-10
On Target: 2-3
Possession: 51%

*We fall back to 3rd place as Finn Harps and Mervue Utd won.

*Scannell has 8 goals in 8 matches.

*The board is pleased with my leading of the team, especially the capture of Didier Caro. They are disappointed that I let Astudillo go. We lost $13k last month, but still have $113k in the bank.

*I finish 3rd in Manager of the Month voting for April.

[larrymcg421]

SD Galway (4-3-1, 4th) at Avondale (1-1-7, 11th)

This is the beginning of a 3 game stretch against the bottom of the league table.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

21': Foley with a corner kick. Scannell's header is just over the bar.

30': Murawski sends a pass through 3 defenders. Scannell gets it and scores. 1-0

41': Good teamwork gives us another chance inside the box, but Collins header is grabbed by the keeper.

Halftime: With 72% possession, we should be winning by much more.

47': A Foley corner kick is headed in by Scannell for his 10th of the season. 2-0

49': Caro with a deep ball for Scannell who gathers it and passes to Baker in the middle. Baker puts it away. 3-0

70': Scannell gets it to Collins who has a good run, but misses the shot to the left.

87': Horgan sends in a nice pass to Collins, but his header is blocked.

Final: SD Galway 3, Avondale 0

Goals: Scannell 2, Baker
Assists: Scannell, Foley, Murawski
Top Three: Scannell 9.3, Foley 8.2, Baker 8.1
Worst: Collins 6.9
Shots: 11-2
On Target: 5-1
Possession: 62%

[larrymcg421]

*Horgan, Amer, Baker, and Scannell were named to the Team of the Week.

May 8, 2013

SD Galway (5-3-1, 3rd) at Rockmount (0-3-6, 12th)

Should be another easy win. Baker is winded so Medjkane starts.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Medjkane, AP Sibanda
ST Scannell, ST Collins

4': Scannell scores again on a Foley corner kick. 1-0

24': McCarey with a nice point blank stop on a header.

45': Collins beats a defender to the ball, crosses it in to Murawski who misses the shot wide left.

Halftime: Once again, we should be up by more.

48': Foley corner and Scannell puts it in. Becoming very routine. 2-0

66': Scannell splits two defenders, sends a pass forward to Collins, but he misses.

82': And Scannell earns a hat trick, scoring the exact same way all three times, off of Foley corners. 3-0

91': Sibanda with a pass to the right for Collins. He dribbles past his man and beats the keeper on the near post. 4-0

Final: SD Galway 4, Rockmount 0

Goals: Scannell 3, Collins
Assists: Foley 3, Sibanda
Top Three: Scannell 9.6, Foley 8.9, Collins 8.1
Worst: Medjkane 6.9
Shots: 9-6
On Target: 5-1
Possession: 62%

*I've never seen a hat trick like that before.
*This moves us back into 2nd.

[larrymcg421]

The challenge that we're facing. Here are the current annual team salaries in the First Division:

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="251"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:6838;width:140pt" width="187"> <col style="width:48pt" width="64"> </colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt;width:140pt" height="20" width="187">Dundalk</td> <td style="width:48pt" width="64">$628k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Longford</td> <td>$237k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Finn Harps</td> <td>$205k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Bray Wanderers</td> <td>$187k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Mervue Utd</td> <td>$152k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Bangor Celtic</td> <td>$107k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Rockmount</td> <td>$104k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">SD Galway</td> <td>$83.11k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Avondale</td> <td>$83.03k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Cherry Orchard</td> <td>$46.17k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Wexford</td> <td>$4.57k</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Athlone Town</td> <td>$3.32k</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

[larrymcg421]

May 12, 2013

SD Galway (6-3-1, 2nd) at Bangor Celtic (2-1-7, 10th)

Continuing our run through the bottom of the standings, A win here puts us within 3 pts of 1st place Dundalk.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

7': Yep, it happened again. Foley connects with Scannell on a corner and he heads it through. 1-0

22': Scannell continues to dominate. Off a throw in, Baker dribbles down the right line, sends a pass in to Scannell who has found space int he middle yet again and heads it home. 2-0

28': Baker with a run down the right side , crosses it in. This time it's low so Scannell doesn't head it in, but gathers it with his feet and puts it away. Back to back hat tricks! 3-0

Halftime: They're actually narrowly winning possession but haven't fired a single shot on goal.

55': Murawski sends a nice through pass in for Collins, but the shot is way off target.

57': Murawski almost scores on another corner, but it goes right at the keeper.

73': Caro lets his man get inside and the shot gets by McCarey. 3-1

Final: SD Galway 3, Bangor Celtic 1

Goals: Scannell 3,
Assists: Baker 2, Foley
Top Three: Scannell 9.5, Baker 8.1, Foley 7.9
Worst: Murawski 6.8
Shots: 10-4
On Target: 6-4
Possession: 52%

*We are now within 3 pts of 1st place Dundalk.

*Scannell now has 16 goals in 11 matches. Next highest in the First Division is 7.

[larrymcg421]

May 17, 2013

SD Galway (7-3-1, 2nd) at Bray Wanderers (5-2-5, 6th)

That was a good run through the cellar. Now time to see if we can keep it going against better competition.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

12': Defense looking shaky early. They fall asleep on a long pass and let Bray's striker get a one on one, but McCarey makes the stop.

25': Sibanda is pulled down viciously and a Bray player is given a red card. We will be a man up.

30': A Foley corner and a Scannell goal. 1-0

34': On a counter, Baker beats his man down the right side and sends a cross into the box, which Scannell puts away. 2-0

40'': Sibanda on the run down the left side, sends a cross in. Murawski's header is deflected, but it goes straight to Collins who puts it through. 3-0

Halftime: We rock.

72': A Foley corner. Scannell's header is denied, but he gets the rebound and knocks it in. That's three straight hat tricks. Amazing! 4-0

Final: SD Galway 4, Bray Wanderers 0

Goals: Scannell 3, Collins
Assists: Foley 2, Foley, Murawski
Top Three: Scannell 9.6, Foley 9.0, Collins 8.1
Worst: McCarey 6.9
Shots: 13-5
On Target: 5-2
Possession: 54%

*I've never seen someone get three consecutive hat tricks before. Scannell now has 19 goals in 12 matches. Too bad he's 35 years old.

*SD Galway players occupy the top four spots in average Rating: Scannell 8.25, Foley 7.74, Baker 7.56, Sibanda 7.49

*Dundalk lost on the road at Athlone Town. This means we are now in 1st! What a turnaround from last year.

[larrymcg421]

Current League Table with 21 matches remaining:

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="632"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:4388;width:90pt" width="120"> <col style="width:48pt" span="8" width="64"> </colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt;width:90pt" height="20" width="120">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">W</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">D</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">L</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">GF</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">GA</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">GD </td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">Pts</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">SD Galway</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">34</td> <td align="right">14</td> <td align="right">20</td> <td align="right">27</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Dundalk</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">22</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">18</td> <td align="right">27</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Mervue Utd</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">19</td> <td align="right">14</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">22</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Finn Harps</td> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">23</td> <td align="right">12</td> <td align="right">11</td> <td align="right">21</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Longford</td> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">18</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="right">21</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Bray Wanderers</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">17</td> <td align="right">16</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">17</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Athlone Town</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">12</td> <td align="right">-4</td> <td align="right">16</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Cherry Orchard</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">0</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">17</td> <td align="right">26</td> <td align="right">-9</td> <td align="right">15</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Wexford</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">15</td> <td align="right">16</td> <td align="right">-1</td> <td align="right">14</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Rockmount</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="right">28</td> <td align="right">-18</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Bangor Celtic</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="right">28</td> <td align="right">-18</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Avondale</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">23</td> <td align="right">-15</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

[larrymcg421]

May 21, 2013

SD Galway (8-3-1, 1st) vs. Finn Harps (6-3-3, 4th)

Horgan is at 89%, so I rest him and start Daly.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Daly
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Sibanda, AP Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

14': Baker has a slight injury. I decide not to test it and bring Medjkane in.

28': Scannell with a nice through pass to Collins, but the shot is wide right.

34': Harps keeper makes a great save to deny a Scannell header.

35': Collins denied again in one on one situation.

Halftime: they are bringing it to us pretty good. The defense has been solid or we'd definitely be losing right now.

50': McCarey with a great one on one save.

65': Amer slides to deny a through pass that certainly would've been a score.

73': Daly falls asleep and lets a man run unmarked in front of the goal. The pass comes in and they score easily. 0-1

Horgan in for Daly.

79': Medjkane makes a run and it leads to several chances off of deflections. A Scannell header is denied on a great save by the keeper.

81': We are really pressuring Harps now, but can't get the ball through.

Final: Finn Harps 1, SD Galway 0

Goals: None
Assists: None
Top Three: Caro 8.4, Foley 7.2, Murawski 6.9
Worst: Collins 6.4
Shots: 5-8
On Target: 3-3
Possession: 46%

*This ends our streak of 25 straight games scoring a goal.

*Baker is out for 2 weeks.

[Grover]

I would say you've successfully built upon the end of last season's results. Nice start!

[larrymcg421]

May 24, 2013

Senior Challenge Cup 2nd Round: SD Galway vs. Shelbourne

We get a very tough 2nd round draw against Premier League side Shelbourne. With only 2 days off, we are pretty tired. Caro takes a beather and King starts.

GK McCarey
FB King, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Medjkane, AP Sibanda
ST Scannell, ST Collins

13': Our defense is playing well, but the match is being played on our side of the field.

18': McCarey rushes out and beats a striker to the ball.

25': Beautiful through pass from Scannell to Collins, but he blows the shot badly.

30': Another Foley corner and another Scannell header goes in! 1-0

Halftime: Good to be up, but we are gasping for air. Horgan is at 57%, but I'm scared to bring in Daly.

46': McCarey with a brilliant one on one save.

49': Collins with a great pass to Medjkane on the other side of the field. Medjkane takes the shot from the left side and buries it! 2-0

64': Scannell gets it to Medjkane who is once again unmarked on the left and he beats the keeper on the near post. 3-0

Daly in for Horgan. Caro in for King.

66': Shelbourne striker gets it right in front of McCarey, but can't put it past him.

77': Collins has a one on one shot, but is patient and finds Medjkane running in from the left who scores an easy goal for his first career hat trick! 4-0

Tierney in for Foley.

87': Scannell launches a rocket shot from inside the box, but it is tipped over the bar.

Final: SD Galway 4, Shelbourne 0

Goals: Medjkane 3, Scannell
Assists: Collins 2, Scannell, Foley
Top Three: Medjkane 9.6, Scannell 9.1, Collins 8.3
Worst: Daly 6.9
Shots: 9-8
On Target: 7-3
Possession: 48%

[larrymcg421]

SD Galway (8-3-2, 2nd) at Wexford (3-5-5, 8th)

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Medjkane, AP Sibanda
ST Scannell, ST Collins

10': Sibanda sends a free kick into the box. Taffertshofer is there, but his header misses.

28': Scannell beats the defense down the middle, sends a pass to Medjkane who misses.

33': Collins gets the ball and misses a one on one shot as usual.

Halftime: I tell the team we can play better.

59': Medjkane run down the left, sends it in for Sibanda who heads it in. 1-0

65': McCarey saves lead with point blank stop.

76': Horgan with a nice long ball for Collins who gets it to Sibanda on the inside. sibanda finds Scannell wide open for the easy goal. 2-0

Final Score: SD Galway 2, Wexford 0

Goals: Sibanda, Scannell
Assists: Medjkane, Sibanda
Top Three: Sibanda 8.7, Horgan 7.5, Scannell 7.4
Worst: Murawski 6.9
Shots: 9-4
On Target: 3-2
Possession: 65%

*Should've won this one by more. Gotta figure out what to do about Collins.

*McCarey and Horgan have been called up for the Ireland U-21 team, so they will miss the next game.

[larrymcg421]

SD Galway (9-3-2, 2nd) vs. Athlone Town (5-2-7, 7th)

With McCarey and Horgan are away on international duty, Holewa and Daly start.

GK Holewa
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Daly
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AP Medjkane, AP Sibanda
ST Scannell, ST Collins

8': Sibanda with a dangerous cross, but Athone's keeper comes out to catch it.

23': Scannell header denied on back to back corners.

37': Scannell gets the ball and splits two defenders, but the shot is wide left.

Halftime: We're dominating (62% possession), but squandering chances. Need to put it away.

48': Scannell gets it ahead to Collins who misses.

85': Collins has a clear cut chance for a game winner, but hits the crossbar.

Final: SD Galway 0, Athlone Town 0

Goals: None
Assists: None
Top Three: Taffertshofer 7.4, Daly 7.2, Amer 7.1
Worst: Collins 6.5
Shots: 7-2
On Target: 1-1
Possession: 58%

*Very frustrating draw. We can't keep throwing 2 pts away in situations like that if we want to promot.

*Horgan will be out for a month as he got injured during his U-19 match.

*I have a private chat with Collins and tell him he squandered too many chances and needs to get it together if he wants to remain in the first team. He takes it well and says things will definitely improve.

[larrymcg421]

SD Galway (9-4-2, 3rd) vs Cherry Orchard (5-1-9, 9th)

Baker is back from his injurt. We're in 3rd, but only 2 pts behind 1st place Dundalk.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Daly
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Sibanda, AMR Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

2': Scannell gets it in the box, dribbles around his man. His shot is blocked, but the deflection goes to Collins and he puts it away. 1-0

10': Long pass from Caro to Scannell ahead of the defense, but misses badly.

30': Caro crosses it in. The keeper and Collins battle for the ball, Collins wins and knocks it in! 2-0

40': Off a throw in, Scannell heads it over to Sibanda all alone on the left side of the box. He sends a cross in front of the goal and Collins slides to knock it through! Hat trick! Looks like my private chat worked. 3-0

Halftime: I praise the team and Collins individually.

52': Baker makes a run down the right side, gets it in to Collins who waits for two defenders to come at him and sends a pass to the wide open Scanell who puts it away. 4-0

57': Amer and Foley both fail to clear a cross properly. Ball rattles around and they score. 4-1

66': They almost get one on another cross, but the header hits the post.

87': Sibanda makes a nice move to fake out his defender and runs unopposed down the left side. He sends a cross in. Collins goes up to win a header battle against his man and knocks it in! 5-1

Final: SD Galway 5, Cherry Orchard 1

Goals: Collins 4, Scannell
Assists: Sibanda 3, Collins, Scannell
Top Three: Collins 9.7 (MOM), Sibanda 9.2, Scannell 8.4
Shots: 7-9
On Target: 6-1
Possession: 56%

*Still in 3rd as both Dundalk and Mervue won.

[larrymcg421]

The 4 goal explosion from Collins

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ju_oalfyeo4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[larrymcg421]

*Daly, Caro, Taffertshofer, Sibanda, and Collins made team of week.

SD Galway (10-4-2, 3rd) at Dundalk (11-3-2, 1st)

The biggest match of the season so far. They beat us pretty bad last time out for one of our only two losses. A win against them is vital if we want to autopromote.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Daly
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Sibanda, AMR Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

10': Off a free kick, they head one toward the box, but McCarey gets to it.

19': Foley corner and Scannell goal. 1-0

38': Caro steps in front of a dangerous cross to head it back out.

40': Caro booked.

Halftime: Daly is struggling. We really need Horgan back.

65': Dundalk beat us downfield and send a cross in, but they have a header go over the bar.

74': Foley strips his man, sends a pass over to Sibanda who runs down the left side, sends a cross in that Baker gathers and knocks home! 2-0

80': McCarey booked when the ball touches his arm outside the box. They get a free kick and put it past him. 2-1

Final: SD Galway 2, Dundalk 1

Goals: Scannell, Baker
Assists: Foley, Sibanda
Top Three: Foley 7.8 (MOM), Baker 7.5, Scannell 7.4
Worst: Collins 6.8
Shots: 3-10
On Target: 2-2
Possession: 63%

*Definitely the biggest SD Galway victory to date.

*This puts us back in 1st as Mervue drew their match.

[larrymcg421]

Chris Scannell

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/49928000/jpg/_49928958_chris766.jpg

[larrymcg421]

June 28, 2013

SD Galway (11-4-2, 1st) at Mervue Utd (11-3-3, 3rd)

Our rivals for 6th last year are now our rivals for 1st. Both clubs are remarkably improved from a season ago.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Daly
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Sibanda, AMR Baker
ST Scannell, ST Collins

12': Taffertshofer with a great defensive play to clear one off the line.

33': Caro booked.

43': Sibanda finds space on the left side to send a cross in. Collins once again outjumps his defenders and heads one in. 1-0

Halftime: Very happy to be ahead. The players are delighted to hear it.

47': I shit on Daly alot, but here he makes a great play to get in front of a header that looked like it was certainly going in.

49': On a long pass, their striker beats our defense down the middle and puts it past McCarey. 1-1

58': Foley booked.

60': Looks like we had one as Sibanda crossed it in for an easy finish by Baker, but he was called offsides.

63': Murawski booked.

81': Sibanda gets tripped inside the box and we are awarded a penalty. Baker puts it away! 2-1

84': They get downfield pretty quick and their striker has it in the penalty area, but is trapped on the right side of the goal. He makes a great pass back to a midfielder who fires a shot from 20 yards out and scores. 2-2

91': Foley booked again and is sent off. Medjkane in for Sibanda.

Final: SD Galway 2, Mervue 2

Goals: Baker, Collins
Assists: Sibanda 2
Top Three: Sibanda 7.6, Collins 7.3, Amer 6.9
Worst: Scannell 6.6
Shots: 6-13
On Target: 4-4
Possession: 54%

*We hold on to 1st as Dundalk shockingly could only manage a draw at home against Avondale.

*This concludes back to back away matches against our two biggest rivals for the league title. Surviving it with a lead is a big success.

[larrymcg421]

The board offers me more money if I increase the expectations. I go ahead and claim I can win the league title. My first signing is ST/AMR Yohan Guichard ($230 p/w) who had solid skills in both of the positions and thus will earn alot of rotation time. Acceleration (13), Pace (13), Crossing (11), Finishing (11), Technique (13), Composure (13).

[larrymcg421]

July 5, 2013

SD Galway (11-5-2, 1st) vs. Rockmount (18-4-4, 10th)

This should be easy, so I'm gonna give Yohan an immediate shot to show what he can do. Sibanda is getting jaded and needs a rest. Foley is suspended, so I bump Taffertshofer up to Anchor and give amateur signee Weiersbach a starting shot.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Weiersbach, FB Daly
DMC Taffertshofer
MC Murawski
AML Medjkane, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins


2': Collins denied in one on one situation.

8': Amer called for foul in the box. They're awarded a penalty,but McCarey made the stop!

15': Foley isn't playing so it's Medjkane hitting the corner that Scannell heads in. 1-0

30': Murawski with a great header to Collins. He's denied again, but Scannell gets the rebound and puts it through. 2-0

45'+2: Daly booked.

Halftime: I'm pleased.

50': Murawski gets it ahead to Scannell who has a one on one, but misses to the right.

69': Collins with a great through pass ahead to Scannell who beats the keeper for yet another hat trick! 3-0

80': One of the few times they threaten. They work the ball up the middle of the field and their sttiker gets through our defense, but he can't beat McCarey.

Final: SD Galway 3, Rockmount 0

Goals: Scannell 3
Assists: Collins 2, Medjkane
Top Three: Scannell 9.6, Medjkane 8.1, Amer 7.9
Shots: 11-7
On Target: 8-4
Possession: 59%

*Weiersbach and Guichard had good debuts with 7.1 and 7.0 respectively.

*Mervue lost to Longford so we are 4 pts clear of them now. Dundalk won and are 1 pt back.

[larrymcg421]

*Caro, Amer, and Scannell named to Team of the Week.

July 12, 2013

SD Galway (12-5-2, 1st) vs. Longford (9-5-5, 6th)

Gonna try Guichard at striker. Foley is back.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Daly
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Medjkane, AMR Sibanda
ST Scannell, ST Guichard

5': Foley to Scannell. 1-0

10': Taffertshofer comes flying in to block a sure goal.

21': Guichard makes a great run and looks like he has an easy chance, but the defender makes a great play to hassle him into a bad shot.

31': They send a free kick into the box and we cannot stop the header. 1-1

Halftime: I tell them to keep trying and we can still win.

54': Murawski with a nice pass to Scannell on the left side of the box. He dribbles around two defenders and beats the keeper on the near post. Fantastic goal. 2-1

67': Daly booked.

69': Guichard denied in one on one.

72': They make a run down the left side. We fail to mark a man in the box and puts the cross in the goal easily. 2-2

86': Foley to Scannell. 3-2

Switch to 5-4-1. Weiersbach in for Guichard.

Final: SD Galway 3, Longford 2

Goals: Scannell 3
Assists: Foley 2, Murawski
Top Three: Scannell 9.5, Foley 8.7, Taffertshofer 7.4
Shots: 5-8
On Target: 4-5
Possession: 58%

*Closer than I would've liked. It's a good thing no one can stop Scannell on those corners. He now has 25 goals in 19 appearances.

*Dundalk and Mervue keep pace.

[larrymcg421]

July 21, 2013

*Dundalk has played an extra game so technically we are now in 2nd.

*Scannell named to Team of the Week.

*Teams started showing interest in Horgan who was still on an amateur contract. I sign him to a two year deal at $210 p/w. Also, he's back from injury today.

SD Galway (13-5-2, 2nd) at Avondale (2-2-16, 12th)

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Sibanda, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

22': Sibanda's free kick is headed right back to him. He heads it to the right and Caro strikes it before it hits the ground right into the goal. Terrific goal! 1-0

27': Guichard fakes out a defender, runs down the left side and sends a cross in. Sibanda is there, but his shot is blocked.

35': Collins misses in one on one again.

Halftime: I tell Collins I'm not happy with his performance. He looks fired up.

52': Foley-Scannell. 2-0

60': Guichard with a nice pass to Collins who misses again.

66': Collins with a nice pass to a wide open Sibanda on the right. Sibanda sends it back in and Scannell slides to knock it in. 3-0

75': They have a free kick. It is crossed in. We head it back out, but they grab it and fire a long range shot that scores. 3-1

90': Murawski booked.

Final: SD Galway 3, Avondale 1

Goals: Scannell 2, Caro
Assists: Sibanda 2, Foley
Top Three: Caro 9.0 (MOM), Scannell 8.8, Foley 7.8
Shots: 12-4
On Target: 4-1
Possession: 61%

*We move 1 pt ahead of idle Dundalk. Mervue had an awful draw to 12th place Bangor Celtic so we are now 6 pts clear of them.

[larrymcg421]

July 28, 2013

*Caro, Sibanda, Scannell named to Team of the Week

SD Galway (14-5-2, 1st) at Bangor Celtic (2-3-16, 12th)

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Sibanda, AMR Baker
ST Scannell, ST Guichard

12': Guichard comes in from the right in a great spot, but the keeper blocks his shot.

23': Murawski booked.

39': Horgan booked.

44': Murawski with a pass to Guichard, who moves inside two defenders and beats the keeper for his first SD Galway goal. 1-0

45'+1: They come back immediately on a run down the right side. Cross is sent in the box and they head it past McCarey. 1-1

Halftime: We should not be even with a 12th place team at home. I tell the team as much.

61': Guichard sends a cross in, but Scannell can't get to it.

82': Sibanda with a nice pass to Caro who is alone on the left. He sends a cross in. It's deflected, but Scannell picks up the deflection and fires a great shot. 2-1

84': Once again we fall asleep after scoring a goal and get beat on a cross into the box. 2-2

88': Bangor keeper tries a long goal kick. Murawski wins a header battle at midfield and the ball goes forward. Guichard beats the defense to the ball, pases to Scannell and he puts it away! 3-2

Final: SD Galway 3, Bangor Celtic 2

Goals: Scannell 2, Guichard
Assists: Caro, Murawski, Guichard.
Top Three: Scannell 8.8, Guichard 8.0, Foley 7.2
Worst: Baker 6.6
Shots: 9-5
On Target: 7-2
Possession: 65%

*That was a wild game. We played poorly and almost left 2 pts on the table, but thankfully came through in crunch time.

*I tell the team it was bit of let off. It fires them up.

*Shocking news from my assistant. Didier Caro is showing signs of decline. I go to check his attributes log and he's lost a full point across the board. He's only 27, so I'm not sure what caused this.

[larrymcg421]

*Caro's volley against Avondale is the Goal of the Month.

August 2, 2013

SD Galway (15-5-2, 1st) at Bray Wanderers (12-4-6, 5th)

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Sibanda, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

1': We move it forward right away. Collins is fouled in the box. We get a penalty and Amer puts it through. 1-0

17': Guichard with a great pass to Scannell, but the keeper makes a great save.

21': Collins gets it deep, but he must be blind because his shot is closer to the corner of the field than the goal.

25': Sibanda hurt. Medjkane comes in.

32': Foley to Scannell. 2-0

Halftime: Murawski is in danger of losing discipline. I try to cheer him up.

50': They almost get one back on a cross to the box, but they blow the shot.

53': Horgan booked for a foul in the box and theyre awarded a penalty, but McCarey blocks the shot.

55': They pull one back by heading in their own corner kick. 2-1

66': But they're no match for our own great combo. Foley to Scannell. 3-1

85': Caro booked.

Final Score: SD Galway 3, Bray Wanderers 1

Goals: Scannell 2, Amer
Assists: Foley 2
Top Three: Foley 8.8 (MOM), Scannell 8.8, Amer 7.6
Worst: Sibanda 6.7
Shots: 10-10
On Target: 5-3
Possession: 55%

*Dundalk is sticking close at 3 pts back. Mervue has drawn three straight matches and are now 10 pts back.

*Scannell now has 12 goals in his last 5 matches and 34 goals in 23 appearances this season. Second place in the First Division is Alan Murphy of Mervue with 18.

[larrymcg421]

*Needed a backup midfielder and I picked up Sebastian Lletget ($275 p/w). He's actually better than Murawski in many ways - Technique (14), Flair (13), Creativity (12), but the big drawback is his Stamina (7).

August 16, 2013

SD Galway (16-5-2, 1st) at Finn Harps (12-5-6, 5th)

Sibanda is out for 2 weeks. It's a good thing winger is one of the few deep positions on my team. Horgan is a bit tired from the last match, so I move Amer over and give Weiersbach another start.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Medjkane, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

9': They work the ball down with some crisp short passes and our defense leaves a big opening for their striker to try a long range shot, which beats McCarey. 0-1

12': They almost immediately come back down and McCarey has to make a brilliant diving stop on a hard shot to prevent us from going down 2 early.

29': Foley to Scannell. Yep, they keep doing it. 1-1

32': Another diving stop from McCarey. They are really bringing it to us.

36': They send a through pass in for their striker. McCarey rushes out to get it, but the striker beats him and puts it away. 1-2

41': Guichard sends it to Murawski who fires a hard shot from the top of the box, but the Harps keeper knocks it away.

43': Their short passing game has been giving us fits, but Foley finally intercepts one. He sends it to Collins, who spins around and sends a through pass for Guchard on the wing. Guichard sends it back to Collins, who rushed in right after the pass to be in perfect position. The keeper actually blocks the shot, but Collins picks up the deflection and puts it away. 2-2

Halftime: We have several guys not playing well. Murawski's morale has plummeted and he's in danger of being booked. Medjkane is exhausted. Taffertshofer and Weiersbach are both below 6.0. I replace Murawski with Lletget.

56': Caro sends a beautiful long range cross into the box, which Guichard perfectly heads into the net. 3-2

63': Medjkane is running low on fumes, but still manages to make a nice run down the left side, then sends a low cross to Scannell who the Harps defense just let run right in front of the goal for the easy put away. 4-2

70': Caro booked.

88': Scannell gets a great chance on a counterattack, but sends it high over the bar.

90'+3: Amer booked.

Final Score: SD Galway 4, Finn Harps 2

Goals: Scannell 2, Collins, Guichard
Assists: Caro, Foley, Medjkane
Top Three: Scannell 8.8, Foley 8.2, Amer 8.0
Worst: Murawski 6.7
Shots: 10-11
On Target: 6-5
Possession: 46%

*That was a much different second half. Lletget was decent in his first appearance and may get a start if Murawski doesn't get his head out of his ass.

*That is now 6 straight games where Scannell has multiple goals.

*Caro has reached the yellow card limit and will miss the Senior Challenge cup match against Dundalk.

*Dundalk keep pace by beating Rockmount, but Mervue draw yet again and are 12 pts behind with 9 matches remaining.

[larrymcg421]

*McCarey, Guichard, and Scannell were named to the Team of the Week. I think that's the first time for McCarey.

August 23, 2013

Senior Challenge Cup 3rd Round: Dundalk at SD Galway

Murawski still has his panties in a twist for whatever reason, so Lletget gets his first start.

GK McCarey
FB King, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Lletget
AML Medjkane, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

3': Amer booked. McCarey leaps to block the ensuing free kick.

4': Foley booked.

9': Collins gets it to Medjkane on the wing. He sends a cross into the box and it's headed in by Guichard. 1-0

17': Guichard booked.

19': Medjkane booked.

22': Horgan booked.

Halftime: Boring match, but I'm happy to be ahead. Referee isn't shy with the whistle today.

52': Scannell perfectly heads another corner, but the keeper's diving attempt blocks it long enough for them to clear.

53': King booked.

54': They work it in the box, but Taffertshofer makes a great tackle to disrupt the chance.

74': On a Foley corner, Scannell's header is blocked, but they fail to make the clearance. The ball rattles around the box until Scannell finally gets hold of it and puts it through. 2-0

78': Taffertshofer makes a great play to deny a header, but the rebound is won by Dundalk who head it back into the box. McCarey tries to come out and get it, but the striker beats him there and puts it through, although he definitely looked offsides. 2-1

87': They get a good breakaway on a counterattack, but miss the shot to the right.

Final: SD Galway 2, Dundalk 1

Goals: Guichard, Scannell
Assists: Medjkane
Top Three: Guichard 7.5 (MOM), Scannell 7.4, Horgan 7.2
Worst: Collins 6.8
Shots: 8-6
On Target: 5-2
Possession: 58%

*Scannell's run of multiple goal games has ended.

*Horgan has reached the yellow card limit and will miss our next match.

*It has now been 3 months since we lost back on May 21st to Finn Harps. Including cup matches, we are 11-2-0 since that point.

[larrymcg421]

August 28, 2013

Wexford (7-7-10, 8th) at SD Galway (17-5-2, 1st)

I have a private chat with Murawski and he's cheered up a bit, so he's back in the lineup. Guichard gets another shot at striker so I can bring Baker in.

GK McCarey
FB King, DC Amer, DC Taffertshofer, FB Daly
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Medjkane, AMR Baker
ST Scannell, ST Guichard

3': Murawski with a great long pass to Guichard. Wexford keeper is caught in no man's land and Guichard beats him. 1-0

18': They send a free kick into the box. It is headed down to the corner of the net and somehow McCarey gets to it. Brilliant save.

23': Medjkane throws it in to Scannell who sends it right back. Medjkane immediately sends a cross into the box. Guichard wins a battle with two defenders and knocks it through. 2-0

31': Murawski booked.

36': Medjkane sends a long pass that's a bit too long and the defender gets to it first. However, Scannell doesn't give up and manages to strip the defender and then beat the keeper. 3-0

45'+1: Baker hurt. Mulcahy comes in.

Halftime: Terrific performance so far. Murawski has turned things around with a 7.1 first half.

52': McCarey looks like he's caught in no man's land, but still manages to block the shot.

55': Foley booked.

86': Scannell with a free kick into the box. It's deflected to Mulcahy, who passes to Taffertshofer. He has it right in front of goal but doesn't shoot for some reason and sends it right back to Mulcahy. However, Mulcahy dribbles around a man and fires a precise shot into the net. 4-0

90'+1: Caro booked.

90'+2: They send a free kick into the box and it's headed in to deny McCarey what would've been a well earned clean sheet. 4-1

Final: SD Galway 4, Wexford 1

Goals: Guichard 2, Scannell, Mulcahy
Assists: Murawski, Taffertshofer
Top Three: Guichard 8.8, Scannell 7.9, Murawski 7.7
Shots: 11-9
On Target: 6-5
Possession: 55%

*Dundalk win to keep pace. Mervue with 5 straight draws and are now 14 pts back.

*Foley has reached the yellow card limit and will miss the next match.

*I am named manager of the month.

*McCarey and Horgan will miss our next match due to international duty.

[larrymcg421]

September 6, 2013

SD Galway (18-5-2, 1st) at Athlone Town (9-6-10, 7th)

Athlone Town isn't having a great season, byut they've been pretty tough against us. we narrowly beat them 1-0 at their place and then they shut us out for a 0-0 draw at home. This will be difficult as we are without three starters due to McCarey and Horgan's international duty and Foley's suspension.

GK Holewa
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Weiersbach, FB Daly
DMC Taffertshofer
MC Murawski
AML Medjkane, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

15': Amer booked.

20': It is a very ugly game in awful weather conditions. Not much worth reporting in the highlights so far.

43': Murawski plays anice through ball for Scannell, but he misses to the left.

45'+1: Medjkane booked twice in two minutes and is sent off. So stupid.

Halftime: I'm not happy with the sloppy first half and I let the team know it.

51': They send a cross into the box, but the header hits the crossbar.

58': Murawski sending crosses in instead of Foley and he's not nearly as good at it. Scannell takes a low corner, but has trouble controlling it and misses the shot.

71': Scannell booked

85': Scannell gets it in the corner on a throw in and immediately sends a cross to Collins who is unmarked right in front of the goal. Collins knocks it through without letting the ball hit the ground. 1-0

86': Daly booked.

90'+5: They send a long throw in to a man in the box who immediately crosses it in front of goal. Their striker is unmarked and puts it through. This play made me want to throw something. Ugh! 1-1

Final Score: SD Galway 1, Athlone Town 1
Goals: Collins
Assists: Scannell
Top Three: Collins 7.3, Amer 7.2, Caro 7.1
Worst: Medjkane 6.2
Shots: 7-9
On Target: 2-1
Possession: 57%

*Ugh, what a punch to the gut at the end there. The ref really waited a long time before blowing the whistle.

*Thankfully, Dundalk drew their match against Mervue so they are still 3 pts back, but we blew a chance to increase our lead.

[larrymcg421]

*I sign two more players, AMR Lewis Young (Amateur) and AML Jordan Hughes ($70 p/w) as I was worried at Sibanda's stunning drop in skill after return from his injury. Young has shocking speed for this level (15 Pace, 15 Acceleration) but some incredibly low intangible skills. Hughes is the more all around player.

*After an impressive 2-0 win over Germany, Ireland currently lead their World Cup Qualifying group by 2 pts with two matches left to play.

*Here's where things stand right now. Mervue's 6 straight draws have pushed them back to 5th place. Bray now occupies 3rd, but are 13 pts back. We are in 1st place with a 3 pt lead on Dundalk. That brings us to the biggest match of the season:

September 13, 2013

Dundalk (17-6-3, 2nd) at SD Galway (18-6-2, 1st)

A win here would put us in control as we'd have a 6 pt lead with 6 matches to play. A loss would make things very scary down the stretch. I'm gonna give Sibanda the start, but I'll have Hughes ready to come in if he shits the bed. Murawski is depressed again and at possibly the worst time of the season. I try to talk him up, but the best I can do is improve his morale to "Fairly Poor". i'll be watching him.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Sibanda, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

8': Sibanda with a free kick from just outside the box, sends it into the English Channel. Oof.

12': Foley with a free kick from just outside the left edge of the box, sends it directly in to Scannell who puts it through! 1-0

30': Murawski gets stripped and they go on the attack, eventually forcing a corner which they put through on a header from the far post. 1-1

Murawski out. Lletget in.

45'+1: On a long pass down the middle, it look slike they've got an easy one on one situation, but Taffertshofer and Caro close really fast to disrupt the play.

Halftime: We have several guys not playing well. Amer, Taffertshofer, and Horgan are all 6.2 or lower. I tell the team I am not pleased at all, and then rip into my defenders individually. Sibanda is a non-factor, so I send in Hughes.

50': Guichard strips a defender and fires a pass into the box for Scannell, but the shot is a really weak effort that the keeper easily grabs.

53': Guichard makes a great play outrunning several defenders to force a corner. We fail to capitalize, but he's clearly the guy playing with the most heart right now.

65': Foley with a corner kick. Scannell can't get to it, but Dundalk's defender Furlong accidentally knocks it into his own goal! we'll take it. 2-1

68': On a counterattack, Collins makes a great play by dribbling around two guys to the right and firing a shot to the left, but it just barely misses.

73': Lletgets with a through ball creates a clear cut chance for Scannell but he can't put it by the keeper.

81': Taffertshofer booked.

82': Guichard leads a counter by getting the ball and making a fantastic run down the right side. He gets pulled down, earning a free kick just outside the penalty area. Foley sends the free kick to Scannell and he puts it away! 3-1

90'+2: McCarey with a diving stop, but they earn a corner and score again from the far post. 3-2

Final: SD Galway 3, Dundalk 2

Goals: Scannell 2
Assists: Foley 2, Scannell
Top Three: Scannell 9.2, Foley 8.5, Horgan 6.9
Worst: Crybaby Murawski 6.3
Shots: 11-13
On Target: 7-3
Possession: 55%

*The biggest SD Galway victory to date. We are now in the driver's seat with a 6 pt lead with 6 games to go. Also, we effectively have a 7 pt lead since we have a +41 GD compared to their +28.

*I'm tired of Murawski's crap. He's earned himself a way on to the bench and will stay there until Lletget falters.

*I hate to say it, but I think Sibanda is done. He's a guy that's always played well above what his ratings say and has had a fantastic season (5 Goals, 13 Assists, 7.41), but I think his ratings have just dropped way too low for that to continue to happen.

[larrymcg421]

*We get our new intake of youth recruits. only one of them has any potential, ST Greg Brosnan and he's the only one I offer a youth contract ($8 p/w).

September 27, 2013

Senior Challenge Cup Quarterfinal: Mervue Utd at SD Galway

We've had two weeks off and are fully rested for this.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Weiersbach, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Lletget
AML Hughes, AMR Baker
ST Scannell, ST Guichard

24': Sloppy defensive works allows their winger run right up to the box unchallenged, but he misses the shot badly.

Halftime: That was literally the only highlight worth writing about in a very ugly game.

48': They work it in the box for a clear cut chance, but once again a bad shot saves us.

50': McCarey with a diving save.

65': It was going to happen sooner or later. Foley to Scannell. 1-0

78': They have a free kick from just outside the penalty area. It's perfectly sent to the top left corner of the net, but McCarey comes over from the right to dive and make a brilliant save.

86': Scannell wide right.

Final: SD Galway 1, Mervue Utd 0

Goals: Scannell
Assists: Foley
Top Three: Foley 7.8 (MOM), Taffertshofer 7.5, Scannell 7.4
Worst: Guichard 6.7
Shots: 4-14
On Target: 1-3
Possession: 50%

*We earn $27.82k for this victory.

*McCarey is on a great run of form lately, posting a 7 or higher in 4 of his last 5 matches after only doing it once in the previous 14.

[larrymcg421]

*We get our new intake of youth recruits. only one of them has any potential, ST Greg Brosnan and he's the only one I offer a youth contract ($8 p/w).

September 30, 2013

SD Galway (19-6-2, 1st) at Cherry Orchard (6-4-17, 10th)

The pressure is on as Dundalk won their game earlier in the week. We are playing on short rest, but there's no excuse for losing to Cherry Orchard. I've rested all starters below 90%

GK McCarey
FB King, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Daly
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Sibanda, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

10': Foley with a precise pass to Collins just outside the box. He enacts a give and go routine with Guichard and beats the keeper. 1-0

18': Daly wins a header battle and sends it forward to Guichard who starts a break. He gets it in to Collins who beats the keeper! 2-0

23': Foley tries a long shot from about 20 yards out. The keeper manages to block it but Guichard comes racing in to grab the deflection and put it away. 3-0

27': King booked.

30': Awful pass by King ends up getting intercepted and giving them a clear cut opportunity, but McCarey makes the stop.

35': Guichard booked.

37': Foley corner kick gets it in to Scannell as usual. He's initially denied, then Taffertshofer comes in with a diving header, but he's also denied. However, they still fail to clear and Scannell finally puts away the last deflection. 4-0

Halftime: I'm very pleased and decide to give raw amateur signee Lewis Young a chance to play in the second half. He comes in for Sibanda.

60': They send a cross into the box. King loses out on a header battle and they knock it in to get one back. 4-1

80': Foley to Scannell. 5-1

Final: SD Galway 5, Cherry Orchard 1

Goals: Collins 2, Scannell 2, Guichard
Assists: Guichard 2, Foley 2
Top Three: Collins 9.1 (MOM), Guichard 9.1, Scannell 8.7
Worst: Young 6.8
Shots: 10-6
On Target: 8-2
Possession: 57%

*One more win clinches us a minimum of the promotion/relegation playoff match. Three more wins clinches the league title and we have remaining games against Rockmount (9th), Bangor Celtic (10th), and Avondale (12th).

*Scannell has turned 36 and is now in a rapid decline. Here's hoping he can hold on til the end of the season.

[larrymcg421]

*Scannell, Guichard, Collins, McCarey, and Taffertshofer were all named to the Team of the Week.

*The board is very pleased with my leadership of the team, especially my signing of Yohan Guichard. They are disappointed I let James Whelan go, which is weird since he was the biggest goat of the season and we've played much better since his departure. We made a $7.56k profit last week.

*Caro continues to crash and has now lost almos two full points in some attributes. I'm not sure what's causing this. I've tried different training schedules, but nothing is working. He will have to go at the end of the season, especially if we promote.

October 4, 2013

Mervue Utd (13-11-4, 3rd) at SD Galway (20-6-2, 1st)

Mervue is already mathematically eliminated from the league title race, but this is still a huge match as a loss here and a Dundalk win would also eliminate themselves from 2nd place and the promotion/relegation playoff.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Lletget
AML Sibanda, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

1': Caro booked.

4': Lletget continuing to earn his spot in the lineup by sending a beautiful through pass in to Scannell, who easily beats the keeper. 1-0

7': Caro with a nice cross into the box. Collins gets hold of it, but sends it right to the keeper. It's deflected to Scannell, who immediately fires a hard followup shot, but that one is also deflected. Guichard gets to this one but kicks it wide left.

17': A Foley corner kick that Scannell doesn't get to, but a Mervue defender knocks it into his own goal. 2-0

23': Lletget booked.

33': Foley to Scannell. 3-0

Halftime: We're rolling. I'm happy except for Collins and Guichard who are having subpar games. I tellt hem as much and they get fired up.

56': They get a break and fire a long range shot from about 25 yards out. It looks like it's going in, but McCarey leaps to tip it over the crossbar.

80': Scannell denied on a corner kick. Taffertshofer picks up the deflection and puts it through. 4-0

Final: SD Galway 4, Mervue Utd 0

Goals: Scannell 2, Taffertshofer
Assists: Foley 2, Lletget
Top Three: Scannell 8.9, Foley 8.8, Taffertshofer 8.1
Worst: Hughes 6.9
Shots: 9-8
On Target: 6-2
Possession: 54%

*We have clinched a minimum of 2nd place. Dundalk won so they kept pace with us.

[larrymcg421]

*I have been offered the head coach position for Independiente, a First Division Argentina team. That's pretty awesome, but I'm not leaving Ireland until I take SD Galway to the top. I do get a raise out of the situation and now make $400 p/w (compared to the $4.2k p/w I was offered).

*With wins over Faroe Islands and Sweden, Ireland won their qualifying group and are headed to the World Cup!

*While we were idle, Bray Wanderers lost to Athlone Town 2-0 and Dundalk beat Bangor Celtic 4-0. This clinches a minimum of 2nd place for Dundalk. The First Division is now a two team race.

October 20, 2013

Rockmount (8-5-16, 9th) at SD Galway (21-6-2, 1st)

We need to win two more matches to take the league title and we have matches against the 9th, 11th, and 12th place teams. If we can't take two of those, then we don't deserve to promote.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Lletget
AML Sibanda, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

1': Collins gets the ball and starts a break right away, beating the defense and firing a strong shot that the Rockmount keeper has to dive to stop.

10': Lletget with a nice pass down the middle to Scannel, but the keeper makes another great save.

35': The entire match is being played ont heir half of the field, but we just can't convert our chances.

Halftime: The team looking uninspired right now. Lots of low ratings (Collins 6.2, Scannell 6.6, Amer 6.6). I move Guichard to ST in place of Collins and bring in Baker. I rip into the team to try and fire them up.

46': Hughes booked.

52': Caro booked.

56': Baker tries a shot, but misses to the left.

59': We almost go down when they cross one into the box, but McCarey has perfect positioning on the header and catches it.

66': We continue to fail at successfully converting our chances. I bring Sibanda in for Hughes.

72': Guichard booked.

73': Lletget with an incredibly careless pass almost costs us the match, but Horgan bails him out with an aggressive challenge.

78': Lletget gets it to Baker who immediiately passes it to Scannell in the middle. He's doubled so passes to a charging Guichard. They close fast on him, but he has enough space to beat the keeper on the near post! 1-0

81': Horgan booked.

87': After a long pass, they charge in from the right side and have a clear cut chance, but McCarey's quick reflexes knock it away.

Final: SD Galway 1, Rockmount 0

Goals: Guichard
Assists: Scannell
Top Three: Guichard 7.4 (MOM), Horgan 7.3, Foley 7.3
Worst: Collins 6.2
Shots: 15-7
On Target: 3-3
Possession: 59%

*We managed to pull it out, but I let the team know I was not pleased with their performance,

*Caro has reached the yellow card limit and will miss the Senior Challenge Cup semifinal.

[larrymcg421]

October 25, 2013

Senior Challenge Cup Semifinal: SD Galway at St. Pat's Athletic

We were in the final last year and we face a Premier division side to get there again. Hughes has been unimpressive. I don't have much choice at the left wing these days, so I give Sibanda his starting job back due to experience.

GK McCarey
FB King, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Sibanda, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

12': Sibanda booked.

14': Collins intercepts a pass and sends the ball forward for Guichard, but he can't beat the keeper.

16': Foley to Scannell. 1-0

25': Amer leaps to disrupt a long pass and heads it forward to Collins. He dribbles around two defenders to the left and beats the keeper on the near post. 2-0

Halftime: Things are going well, but Alan King is completely winded. My only other option is the awful Hugh Davey, so I stick with King for now.

48': Sibanda is hurt and that may be the end of his SD Galway career. Hughes comes in.

58': Collins shows off his athleticism as he leads an attack, getting it to Scannell who fakes out a defender and fires a shot that beats the keeper. 3-0

62': They get their first real chance of the game when their striker beats our defense down the middle, but his shot isn't even close.

64': King booked.

66': A rare horrendous miss from Scannell. Foley left a pass for him right in the penalty area and his shot is several feet to the left.

72': McCarey with a terrific free kick gets it all the way to Collins on the run. The defense can't keep up with him and he puts it past the keeper. 4-0

86': Davey in for a limping King.

Final: SD Galway 4, St. Pat's Athletic 0

Goals: Collins 2, Scannell 2
Assists: Collins, Foley, Amer, McCarey!
Top Three: Collins 9.4, Scannell 9.2, Foley 8.6
Worst: Hughes 6.9
Shots: 14-2
On Target: 8-1
Possession: 62%

*That's a pretty convincing win against a Premier side, but they were resting many starters.

*We earn $41.75k for the win.

*Dundalk drew their match, so it's pretty simple. We win any of our next three matches or draw two of them and we are league champions.

*McCarey with the rare GK assist and another clean sheet. He's now gone 299 minutes without allowing a goal, although he wasn't really tested today.

[larrymcg421]

October 30, 2013

SD Galway (22-6-2, 1st) at Longford (20-7-4, 3rd)

It's pretty simple. Win and we are champions. Medjkane is finally back to full health, which is a big relief for the left wing spot.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Medjkane, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

16': Collins outrunning everyone on Longford, then sends a nice pass to Scannell in the penalty area. Scannell is denied, but the rebound comes to Collins and he puts it away. 1-0

35': Collins shows off his speed and breaks away again, but fires a very weak shot to the keeper.

41': Amer booked.

Halftime: We are 45 minutes from a league title and a spot in the Premier Division! I tell them not to get complacent. Most respond well, but Medjkane and Caro are pissed.

49': Collins booked.

53': Taffertshofer comes forward to head a dangerous corner that was headed to the box.

65': Murawski booked.

77': A corner is headed right for the goal, but McCarey makes a great play to tip it over.

88': Collins on the attack again as they simply cannot keep up with him. He sends a beautiful cross into the box, but Medjkane's header hits the left post.

The whistle blows and we are First Division Champions!

Final: SD Galway 1, Longford 0

Goals: Collins
Assists: Scannell
Top Three: Horgan 8.0 (MOM), Collins 7.4, Caro 7..3
Worst: Hughes 6.9
Shots: 13-6
On Target: 9-2
Possession: 53%

*With the league title, we will autopromote. Dundalk will have to play a playoff match against the #11 Premier side.

*Shamrock Rovers beat Finn Harps in the other Senior Challenge Cup semifinal. They are the current Premier champions and will be fully rested for the match, so it will be incredibly difficult for us.

*I am named Manager of the Month.

*The board is now "delighted with the leadership qualities you are demonstrating". We made $53.45k last month and currently have $157k in the till.

[larrymcg421]

November 8, 2013

Avondale (2-4-25, 12th) at SD Galway (23-6-2, 1st)

Avondale is trying to avoid relegation. They are currently 4 pts out of 11th with 2 matches remaining, so they have to beat us for that to happen.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Lletget
AML Medjkane, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

1': Caro hits a cross from his fullback spot. It's a little too far as it curves ahead of Scannell and Collins, but it goes into the net for a total fluke goal. 1-0

15': Guichard's man leaves him completely unmarked. Collins gets the ball to him and he fires a great shot from the left side. 2-0

27': Foley to Scannell. 3-0

Halftime: We are dominating. 69% possession.

53': Foley to Scannell. 4-0

61': Foley booked.

We get several more chances in the match, but are called offsides twice.

Final: SD Galway 4, Avondale 0

Goals: Scannell 2, Guichard, Caro
Assists: Foley 2, Medjkane, Collins
Top Three: Scannell 8.9, Foley 8.8, Caro 8.4
Worst: McCarey 6.9
Shots: 12-1
On Target: 4-0
Possession: 67%

*We are now up to 23 games without a loss and McCarey hasn't allowed a goal in 479 minutes.

*No goals in the last 5 matches finally unlocks that Steam Achivement for me. I've now unlocked 44 of 91.

*McCarey, Caro, Medjkane, Lletget, and Scannell were named to the Team of the Week.

*Avondale has guaranteed relegation and fired their manager.

[larrymcg421]

November 17, 2013

SD Galway (24-6-2, 1st) at Bangor Celtic (3-5-24, 11th)

For sentimental reasons, I give starts to Sibanda, Holewa, McGauley, and Tierney, who along with Foley and Horgan are the only original SD Galway players left on the team. Foley is out with the yellow card limit.

GK Holewa
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC McGauley
MC Tierney
AML Sibanda, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

2': Sibanda taking corners with Foley out. They actually mark Scannell well, but accidentally deflect the ball into their own goal. 1-0

43': Tierney with a nice interception. He gets it ahead to Scannell, but the shot is blocked.

62': Sibanda corner. Scannell's header is blocked, but Taffertshofer gets the deflection and puts it through. 2-0

Final: SD Galway 2, Bangor Celtic 0

Goals: Taffertshofer
Assists: Scannell 2
Top Three: Scannell 8.5, Caro 7.7, Taffertshofer 7.5
Worst: Collins 6.8
Shots: 11-7
On Target: 2-2
Possession: 54%

[larrymcg421]

December 1, 2013

Senior Challenge Cup Final: SD Galway at Shamrock Rovers

Rovers are pretty much the Manchester United of Ireland. They have won the Premier Division 19 times and the Senior Challenge Cup 24 times. They will be at full strength, so we are clearly overmatched in talent. It will take some luck to pull off this upset.

GK McCarey
FB Caro, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Horgan
DMC Foley
MC Murawski
AML Medjkane, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Collins

1': We surprisingly get an early attack with some nice passing and Guichard gets it inside the right edge of the box, but his shot his deflected out.

2': Foley to Scannell. They did it again! 1-0

11': Collins booked.

19': Off a throw in, Collins gets the ball in the corner and sends a pass into the middle of the penalty area. Scannell fights off two defenders and puts it away. Amazing! 2-0

22': Rovers catch us celebrating a bit too early and they have a clear cut chance from the left wing, but the shot is over the bar.

35': After a throw in, they get it to McCormack just outside the box. He takes a shot before the defense can react and puts it away. 2-1

36': And they immediately get back down field on a long pass. McCarey rushes out but hesitates and is caught in no man's land. The shot hits the post, but they grab the deflection and put it through. 2-2

Halftime: Sucks to lose a 2 goal lead in the span of 2 minutes, but I can't be too mad at my team. I give them an encouraging speech.

59': On a counterattack, Collins gets it to Scannell and he has a break but the quick Rovers defender disrupts his shot and forces it wide right.

71': They send a free kick into the penalty area and they easily head it home. 2-3

78': Foley with a free kick, sends it in to Scannell and he heads it home! 3-3

83': After a poor through pass from Collins, Rovers go on the attack and have a great chance on a cross that is right in front of goal, but their guys can't get to it in time.

89': Collins with a terrific athletic play when he outruns a Rovers defender to a ball that was played too far ahead. He takes ont he keeper, but it is tipped wide to the left. However, that forces the corner and the Foley to Scannell combo come through one more time! 4-3

90'+3: Murawski booked.

90'+4: Referee is slow on the whistle. They win a corner, but Taffertshofer wins the battle in the box and sends the ball as far down field as it will go. Before Rovers can get to it, the whistle is blown. We've done it!

Final: SD Galway 4, Shamrock Rovers 3

Goals: Scannell 4
Assists: Foley 3
Top Three: Scannell 9.8, Foley 9.0, Taffertshofer 7.0
Worst: Amer 6.5
Shots: 11-13
On Target: 7-4
Possession: 52%

*Not only do we get a nice check for $83.47k, but this victory qualifies us for the EURO Champions Cup 2nd Qualifying round.

*Scannell finished the season with 54 goals and 13 assists in 41 total appearances (33 league, 8 cup). Those are just unreal numbers.

[larrymcg421]

Final League Standings:

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="577"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:4717;width:97pt" width="129"> <col style="width:48pt" span="7" width="64"> </colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt;width:97pt" width="129" height="20">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">W</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">D</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">L</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">GF</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">GA</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">Pts</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">SD Galway</td> <td align="right">25</td> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">89</td> <td align="right">32</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">81</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Dundalk </td> <td align="right">21</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">62</td> <td align="right">26</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">70</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Finn Harps</td> <td align="right">18</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">57</td> <td align="right">27</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">61</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Longford</td> <td align="right">18</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">61</td> <td align="right">33</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">61</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Bray Wanderers</td> <td align="right">18</td> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">47</td> <td align="right">28</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">60</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Mervue Utd</td> <td align="right">15</td> <td align="right">11</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">61</td> <td align="right">42</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">56</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Athlone Town</td> <td align="right">12</td> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="right">11</td> <td align="right">42</td> <td align="right">38</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">46</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Wexford</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">16</td> <td align="right">32</td> <td align="right">55</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">33</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Rockmount</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="right">18</td> <td align="right">32</td> <td align="right">66</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">33</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Cherry Orchard</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">21</td> <td align="right">41</td> <td align="right">75</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">28</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Bangor Celtic</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">25</td> <td align="right">18</td> <td align="right">67</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">14</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Avondale</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">27</td> <td align="right">20</td> <td align="right">73</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">10</td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Promotion/Relegation Playoff: Drogheda United 2, Dundalk 1
Player of the Year: Chris Scannell, SD Galway
Keeper of the Year: Peter Cherrie, Dundalk
Young Player of the Year: Jason Collins, SD Galway
Manager of the Year: Larry McGillicuddy, SD Galway
Bronze Boot: Chris Scannell, SD Galway (45 Goals)
Most Assists: Ciaran Foley, SD Galway (26 Assists)

[Grover]

Champions League football! Nice!

[larrymcg421]

SD Galway players that made the top 10 in statistical categories:

Goals

1. Chris Scannell - 45
4. Jason Collins - 15

Assists

1. Ciaran Foley - 26
3. Oscar Sibanda - 13
5. Chris Scannell - 10

Average Rating

1. Chris Scannell - 8.16
2. Ciaran Foley - 7.77
4. Didier Caro - 7.42
5. Oscar Sibanda - 7.36
6. Richie Baker - 7.25
8. James Collins - 7.22

Yellow Cards

2. Didier Caro - 11
3. Ciaran Foley - 10
7. Moritz Murawski - 8

Man of Match

1. Chris Scannell - 13

Pass Completion

8. Yohan Guichard - 82%
10. Ciaran Foley - 82%

Tackles/Game

1. Didier Caro - 5.47
2. Ciaran Foley - 5.40
3. Colm Horgan - 4.88

Dribbles/Game

1. Lamine Medjkane - 3.61
3. Yohan Guichard - 2.27
6. Richie Baker - 2.10

Shots on Target

2. Chris Scannell - 58%
9. James Collins - 45%

Distance Covered

4. Didier Caro - 326.4km

Average Minutes Per Goal

1. Alan Mulcahy - 45.00
3. Chris Scannell - 66.00

Shutouts

4. Aaron McCarey - 11

Offside

4. James Collins - 32

Cross Completion Ratio

8. Ciaran Foley - 44%

Key Passes

1. Ciaran Foley - 40
2. Moritz Murawski - 27
3. Chris Scannell - 26
5. Didier Caro - 24
10. Oscar Sibanda - 19

Key Tackles

6. Brahim Ait Amer - 11

Key Headers

2. Chris Scannell - 53

Interceptions Made

6. Didier Caro - 204


Where SD Galway finished in the different team stats:

Avg. Attendance - 134 (7th)
Average Attendance by Capacity % - 2.07 (12th)
Goals - 89 (1st)
Goals Allowed - 32 (4th)
Goals From Corners - 30 (1st)
Goals From IFK's - 6 (3rd)
Yellow Cards - 72 (1st)
Red Cards - 2 (6th)
Salary Per Year - $127k (10th)

[larrymcg421]

We had three players named to the First Division Team of the Year:

*Irish First Division Team of the Year - 2013

GK Peter Cherrie, Dundalk
DL Didier Caro, SD Galway
DC Liam Burns, Dundalk
DC Packie Mailey, Bray Wanderers
DR Gareth Porter, Finn Harps
ML Oscar Sibanda, SD Galway
MC Alan Kirby, Longford
MC Conor O'Grady, Finn Harps
MR Alex Lee, Mervue Utd
ST Chris Scannell, SD Galway
ST Alan Murphy, Mervue Utd

I have no idea how Ciaran Foley did not get picked for this list, especially considering he was 2nd in the Player of the Year voting.

[larrymcg421]

An overview of our players and stats from 2013:

Strikers

Chris Scannell - 41 Apps, 54 Goals, 13 Assists, 14 MOM, 9 Yellow, 0 Red, 8.11
James Collins - 38 Apps, 21 Goals, 10 Assists, 3 MOM, 8 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.38

The only other player that appeared as a striker was winger Yohan Guichard. I heavily relied on these two because I had no bench here. Scannell was incredible all year long. I was hard on Collins because of his inconsistency and many easy misses, but he had a solid season overall. Both will be back next year, but it remains to be seen if they will be starters.

Left Wing

Oscar Sibanda - 30 Apps, 5 Goals, 13 Assists, 3 MOM, 2 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.24
Lamine Medjkane - 20 Apps, 4 Goals, 8 Assists, 1 MOM, 5 Yellow, 1 Red, 7.40
Alan King - 7 Apps, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 5 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.08
Jordan Hughes - 5 Apps, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 1 Yellow, 0 Red, 6.82
Alan Mulcahy - 1 Apps, 1 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 0 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.30

None of these players will be back except for Medjkane who might be a decent backup at the next lebel. Sibanda was one of my favorit eplayers for the first two seasons, but he's just not good enough for Premier Division football.

Central Midfielder

Moritz Murawski - 36 Apps, 1 Goal, 6 Assists, 0 MOM, 10 Yellow, 0 Red, 6.95
Sebastian Lletget - 7 Apps, 0 Goals, 1 Assist, 1 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.00
Mike Tierney - 3 Apps, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 0 Yellow, 0 Red, 6.90

Murawski had serious morale issues and his hissyfits almost cost us an important match late in the season, causing him to get benched. Both him and Lletget will be kept, but I'll be looking to make them backups.

Right Wing

Richie Baker - 23 Apps, 7 Goals, 6 Assists, 1 MOM, 5 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.28
Yohan Guichard - 19 Apps, 8 Goals, 3 Assists, 3 MOM, 3 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.33
Lewis Young - 1 App, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 0 Yellow, 0 Red, 6.80

Guichard was a solid player who was key for us down the stretch and will likely be a starter next year. Baker may be kept as a backup.

Anchorman

Ciaran Foley - 38 Apps, 0 Goals, 32 Assists, 3 MOM, 11 Yellow, 1 Red, 7.76
Thomas McGauley - 3 Apps, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 1 Yellow, 0 Red, 6.65

Foley was the man this year, unstoppable on corner kicks and a solid presence in the midfield. He'll be back for sure.

Left Fullback

Didier Caro - 38 Apps, 3 Goals, 8 Assists, 4 MOM, 12 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.36
Alan King - 7 Apps, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 5 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.08
Hugh Davey - 2 Apps, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 0 Yellow, 0 Red, 8.00

Caro had a terrific year, but his skills have had a disastrous decline and he cannot play at the next level anymore. I need to address this spot on the transfer market.

Central Defenders

Brahim Ait Amer - 37 Apps, 1 Goal, 1 Assist, 0 MOM, 8 Yellow, 1 Red, 7.12
Ulrich Taffertshofer - 34 Apps, 2 Goals, 1 Assist, 0 MOM, 2 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.22
Nicholas Lyskov - 7 Apps, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 1 Yellow, 0 Red, 6.40
Julian Weiersbach - 4 Apps, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 0 Yellow, 0 Red, 6.93
Ken Kiely - 1 App, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 1 Yellow, 0 Red

Amer and Tattertshofer were very solid performers in the middle and are both good enough to play in the Premier league.

Right Fullback

Colm Horgan - 31 Apps, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 1 MOM, 9 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.12
Brendan Daly - 14 Apps, 0 Goals, 0 Assists, 0 MOM, 3 Yellow, 0 Red, 7.08

Horgan has been solid for us for the last two seasons, but I'm not convinced he's talented enough to play at the next level so I'll be looking to make him a backup.

Goalkeeper

Aaron McCarey - 39 Apps, 42 Conceded, 15 Clean Sheets, 1 Assist, 1 Yellow, 6.87
Danny Holewa - 3 Apps, 1 Conceded, 2 Clean Sheets, 6.80

I won't rule out going for someone better than McCarey, but he's good enough to keep his job next year. He played his best soccer at the end and appears to be improving.

[larrymcg421]

Offseason Update:

*Thomas McGauley is the only retirement. He wasn't a very good player, but did have his moments during our late season turnaround in 2012. He does have some good coaching attributes and I hire him to fill one of my new openings.

*The only player whose contract is expiring is Yohan Guichard and he's well worth the renewal. I extend him for two more years at $300 p/w.

*I release most players under amateur contracts, keeping just a handful to be backups - AMR Richie Baker, DC Desmond Sturing, AML Lamine Medjkane, GK Danny Holewa, DC Julian Weiersbach, and prospects ST Jason Lyons and ST Thomas Prinz. I also terminate the contract of MC Mike Tierney.

*The SD Galway fans voted Chris Scannell their player of the year. No surprise.

*Both Collins and Scannell had promotion clauses in their contracts, so Collins increases to $250 p/w, while Scannell increases to $210 p/w.

*We earn $41.73k for TV rights this season.

*The Premier division title odds put us at 2000-1. Shamrock Rovers are the favorites at even odds to repeat.

*I tell the board I can achieve a minimum of a mid-standing finish. This gives me a transfer budget of $31.63k and a payroll of $11k p/w. We currently have a payroll of $2.4k p/w, so this is a massive increase.

*This leaves us with the following contracts, all (except for Guichard) expiring in December 2014:

DC Ulrich Tatertshofer - $300 p/w
AMR Yohan Guichard - $300 p/w
MC Moritz Murawski - $275 p/w
MC Sebastian Lletget - $275 p/w
DR Colm Horgan - $210 p/w
DC Brahim Ait Amer - $200 p/w
ST James Collins - $250 p/w
ST Chris Scannell - $210 p/w
DL Didier Caro - $150 p/w
DMC Ciaran Foley - $100 p/w
GK Aaron McCarey - $100 p/w
AMR Jordan Hughes - $70 p/w

I'll wait to see how these guys do at the Premier level before deciding on renewals.

*Shamrock Rovers make an offer worth $28k for James Collins. While I've had issues with Collins consistency, he's still a young, athletic player and I'm certainly not letting him go to a rival club.

*Shamrock Rovers also make an offer for Amer, but this one they don't even offer any money, just the incentive of 25% of next sale. I have no interest in selling a player to them, certainly not for such a shitty offer.

Here are my offseason signings:

MC Jonathan Steele, 28 ($800 p/w) - This is the key signing of my offseason as the MC spot was inconsistent and problematic last year. The first thing that jumps out is his amazing Passing (17), but he's an all-around solid player with Technique (13), Work Rate (14), Teamwork (13), Agility (13), Decision (12), and Creativity (12).

ST Cephas Melele, 20 ($550 p/w) - A fast and skilled striker who will fit perfectly into my system. Teamwork (16), Acceleration (14), Pace (14), Dribbling (13), Finishing (13), Technique (13), Work Rate (12). The only drawback is relatively low Stamina (9).

DR Stefano Marzo, 22 ($475 p/w) - Has lower stamina (8) than I like for a defender, but is skilled enough in other areas to make up for it. Marking (12), Tackling (15), Teamwork (16), Positioning (11), Decisions (11).

AML Ileyes Meslem, 21 ($450 p/w) - What I look for in my Attacking Midfielders is the ability to dribble quickly down the line and send crosses in. This guy qualifies with Work Rate (13), Teamwork (15), Acceleration (12), Pace (12), Crossing (12), Dribbling (12).

DMC Loick Diaz, 22 ($425 p/w) - Here's the guy that will unseat Ciaran Foley. I hate to do it, but Diaz is better in just about every single way. Teamwork (17), Work Rate (13), Anticipation (12), Bravery (15), Decisions (12), Tackling (12), Marking (11).

ST Junior Torunarigha, 23 ($350 p/w) - Another fast and skilled striker. He also has some great height (6'3") and Jumping/Heading (13 in both) ability to inherit the corner target man spot from Scannell. Teamwork (15), Work Rate (13), Finishing (12), First Touch (12), Pace (13), Off the Ball (12), Flair (11), Composure (11).

DC Richard Bryan, 20 ($300 p/w) - A solid defender who can fit into the rotation. Has pretty much everything I look for in a defender - Marking (12), Tackling (13), Stamina (12), along with Anticipation (12), Bravery (10), and Positioning (11).

DL Mathieu Cave, 23 ($275 p/w) - Another fullback with less than ideal stamina (8), but really good everywhere else. Marking (12), Tackling (11), Positioning (11), Bravery (11). Plus he has the speed to chase down wingers on the edge - Acceleration (13), Pace 13).

AML Gary McCabe, 25 ($220 p/w) - Will make a good backup at the Attacking Midfield position because he can play both sides of the field. Acceleration (12), Pace (13), Dribbling (14), Crossing (12), Work Rate (13).

DL Shane Grimes, 26 ($190 p/w) - Will challenge Cave for the starting job. He's a better offensive threat at the spot with Crossing (12) and Dribbling (11) and still has the defensive skills with Tackling (13) and Marking (11).

AMR Daryl Horgan, 21 ($170 p/w) - Needed a better backup option than Richie Baker on the right side. Horgan has low stamina (6). we'll work on that, but he's good enough for spot starts. Acceleration (11), Pace (12), Crossing (12).

DC Kevin Murray, 30 ($170 p/w) - A tall (6'4") defender with good Heading (14) could be very valuable in defending corner kicks and crosses. Will start the season as backup, but get his chances to start. Marking (11), Tackling (14).

Even after all these signings, I still have $4,000 p/w in excess payroll. Part of the problem is we're still too low profile, so guys that cost more don't want to play for us. I'll hold on to the money and maybe we'll get a chance at a superstar later in the season. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the guys I was able to get.

Our rotation will be very important this year as we will be competing in 4 extra tournaments throughout the season. In addition to our Premier Division matches, we have the All-Ireland cup, the League Cup, the Senior Challenge Cup, and the Champions League. Our 2nd team players will be getting plenty of chances to play this year.

[larrymcg421]

Friendlies

SD Galway 2, Waterford Utd 1

We dominate this match against a new Premier Division Rival, but it takes an injury time goal from Toranaghira to win it. Yohan Guichard had our other goal.

Sligo Rovers 3, SD Galway 1

The only goal we score in this one is an opponent's own goal. Some really bad performances in this one, including a 5.7 from McCarey and Murray.

SD Galway 3, Derry City 1

Collins has 2 goals and Guichard gets the other. Solid performances all around except for the continually declining Didier Caro.

SD Galway 3, Galway Utd 0

Malele, Guichard, and Amer score in a rather sluggish affair against amateur team Galway Utd. Everyone played well, but we should've won by more given the competition.

[larrymcg421]

Here's what the depth chart will look like as we begin the new season.

GK: McCarey, Holewa
DL: Grimes, Cave, Caro
DC1: Taffertshofer, Bryan, Murray, Weiersbach
DC2: Amer, Bryan, Murray, Weiersbach
DR: Marzo, Horgan, (Amer)
DMC: Diaz, Foley, (Taffertshofer)
MC: Steele, Murawski, Lletget
AML: Meslem, McCabe, Medjkane
AMR: Guichard, Horgan, McCabe
ST1: Scannell, Torunarigha, Collins
ST2: Malele, Torunarigha, Collins

Scannell is still listed as starter, but I doubt he will remain there for the whole season due to the 36 yr old's continual decline. He is one of 4 starters who kept their spot from last year.

[larrymcg421]

February 28, 2014

SD Galway at St. Pat's Athletic

It's finally time for our first Premier Division game. We will be without Shane Grimes as he is carrying over a 2 game suspension from last season. The St. Pat's coach says we are destined for relegation as long as I am manager of the team. What a dick. Here's hoping I can make him eat his words.

GK McCarey
FB Cave, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Marzo
DMC Diaz
MC Steele
AML Meslem, AMR Guichard
ST Scannell, ST Malele

4': Marzo booked.

8': 8 minutes into the new season and we already have an injury. Meslem comes out and McCabe goes in.

21': On a counter, they send a cross into the box and it's headed perfectly, but McCarey makes a great play to block it.

24': St. Pat's send a free kick into the box. McCarey makes a diving stop, but they grab the rebound and put it through. 0-1

26': Scannel gets it ahead to Malele who beats his man, but Malele can't beat the keeper.

33': McCarey makes yet another brilliant stop by tipping a powerful long range shot over the bar.

37': Malele gets it in great position again on a great pass from McCabe, but once again fails to beat the keeper.

40': Marzo hurt. Awesome to have 2 injuries so early in the season. I bring in Bryan and move Amer over to right back.

41': Malele booked.

45'+2: Scannell booked.

Halftime: We've had our chances, but just haven't been able to finish them. Scannell is having a dreadful game, so I bring in Torunarigha. That's risky as it will be my last sub.

46': This is what I've been waiting for. Our superstar signee Steele makes an interception, then lifts a pass beyond the defensive line to a streaking Malele, who finally puts it away. 1-1

59': An interception from Taffertshofer leads a counter and Torunarigha gets the ball ona clear cut chance, but the keeper makes the stop.

72': Cave booked.

81': Guichard sends a corner kick in and 6'4" Torunarigha is there to head it home! 2-1

85': On a throw in, they get it in the corner and send the ball into the penalty area. Their striker slides to knock it through before our defense can clear. 2-2

Final: SD Galway 2, St. Path's Athletic 2

Goals: Malele, Torunarigha
Assists: Steele, Guichard
Top Three: Malele 7.6, Torunarigha 7.4, Taffertshofer 7.2
Worst: Scannell 6.2
Shots: 10-12
On Target: 9-5
Possession: 44%


*We did not look good in the first half, especially Scannell and our defenders. The second half went very well despite the late equalizer and we can be happy to draw our first road match in the Premier Division.

*I really liked how Torunarigha looked out there, so he will likely get the next start. Scannell may have dropped just a bit too much.

*Marzo is okay. Meslem will miss 5-6 days.

*We have now gone 26 straight competitive matches without losing. 4 more and I finally unlock a very elusive Steam Achievement.

[larrymcg421]

*Malele named to the Team of the Week

March 8, 2014

Shelbourne (0-0-1, 11th) at SD Galway (0-1-0, 6th)

Collins gets a chance to earn his starting job back today.

GK McCarey
FB Cave, DC Amer, DC Tattertshofer, FB Marzo
DMC Diaz
MC Steele
AML McCabe, AMR Guichard
ST Torunarigha, ST Collins

21': Collins booked.

24': Collins gets it on the wing and sends a nice pass in to Torunarigha who puts it away easily! 1-0

31': Marzo booked.

33': Steele booked.

40': Diaz booked.

41': Cave booked.

Halftime: Lots of bookings. Not much action. It's good to be ahead and I encourage the team. Horgan in for a winded Marzo.

47': Guichard has a free kick from just outside the penalty area. He lifts a pass up high into the center of the penalty area and Torunarigha rushes in to head it through. 2-0

53': Amer booked.

57': Shelbourne with a corner kick. Cave mistimes his challenge and they head it in to the net. 2-1

60': Off a throw in, Torunarigha gets the ball and sends it into the penalty area. Shelbourne head it back out, but Guichard gets the deflection and quickly fires a shot that beats the keeper. 3-1

72': McCarey booked.

79': Diaz hurt. Taffertshofer moves to DMC and Bryan comes in.

89': Torunarigha booked.

Final: SD Galway 3, Shelbourne 1

Goals: Torunarigha 2, Guichard
Assists: Guichard, Collins
Top Three: Torunarigha 8.8 (MOM), Guichard 8.3, McCarey 7.2
Worst: Steele 6.8
Shots: 9-5
On Target: 4-2
Possession: 54%

*Yay, we get out first Premier Division victory and extend our unbeaten streak to 27 games.

*An insane amount of bookings. We led the league in Yellow cards last season, but we can't continue at this rate or we'll be wrecked with suspensions.

*Diaz will be out for 2 weeks.

[larrymcg421]

Gonna switch to a new format for these so I can sim a little faster...

March 2014 Update

March 8

League: SD Galway 3, Shelbourne 1

This game is notable for the severe amount of yellow cards handed down to us. We have 8 players booked. Despite that, we pretty much control the match and go ahead on two goals from Torunarigha in his first start. They pull one back in the 57th minute on a corner kick, but Guichard makes a great play off a deflection to score the backbreaking goal.

Man of Match: Junior Torunarigha
Goals: Torunarigha 2, Guichard
Assists: Guichard, Collins
Top Three: Torunarigha 8.8, Guichard 8.3, McCarey 7.2
Worst: Steele 6.8
Notes: DMC Loick Diaz was hurt and will be out for 2 weeks.

March 11

All-Ireland Cup Quarterfinal Leg 1: SD Galway 3, Shelbourne 1

We have to rest several starters due to the short break. This means both Foley and Scannell start and they amazingly connect once again on a corner kick. Scannell has one other goal and we are cruising until Murray scores an own goal. However, they never really threaten and McCabe scores an insurance goal in the 89th minute by knocking in a cross from Malele.

Man of Match: Chris Scannell
Goals: Scannell 2, McCabe
Assists: Foley, Meslem, Malele
Top Three: Scannell 8.8, Foley 8.0, Murray 7.7
Worst: Grimes 6.8

March 14

League: SD Galway 4, Waterford Utd 1

We score twice in the first 13 minutes on the road and seem in control until they pull one back in the 27th minute on a corner. Collins follows up a play and scores on a deflection to give us some insurance just before the half. They have an own goal in the 2nd half to make it an even bigger margin. We're really rolling in the Premier Division now!

Man of Match: Junior Torunarigha
Goals: Torunarigha, Collins, McCabe
Assists: Torunarigha 3, Steele
Top Three: Torunarigha 9.3, McCabe 7.9, Collins 7.7
Worst: McCarey 6.9

March 18

All-Ireland Cup Quarterfinal Leg 2: SD Galway 1, Sligo Rovers 1

With a 3-1 lead in the first leg, we only need to avoid losing by 2 goals. It's a pretty boring affair until Guichard scores right before the half. With a defensive, counterattack strategy the rest of the match, we manage to hold down the lead until Sligo pulls one back at the 82nd minute. But that's too little, too late and we advance to the next round.

Man of Match: Yohan Guichard
Goals: Guichard
Assists: Torunarigha
Top Three: Guichard 7.6, Tattertshofer 7.1, McCabe 6.9
Worst: Marzo 6.4
Notes: This makes 30 games unbeaten, finally unlocking the Steam Achievement.

March 21

League: SD Galway 1, Sligo Rovers 1

We play Sligo for the 3rd time 10 days and they put our 30 game unbeaten streak in jeapordy when they score on a corner in the 81st minute. We go to a desperate all out attack and it pays off when Collins has a deflected shot go right to 3rd string midfielder Sebastian Lletget, who fires a shot into the corner of the net for a dramatic equalizer.

Man of Match: Jamie Adams, Sligo Rovers
Goals: Lletget
Assists: Guichard
Top Three: Lletget 7.3, Bryan 7.0, Meslem 6.9
Worst: Scannell 6.5

March 28

League: SD Galway 2, Derry City 2

We fall behind again when Derry City striker gets a perfect pass and splits our defenders for a solid finish. We manage another comeback when Torunarigha scores a nice curling shot in the 68th minute. Steele picks up a deflection and knocks it through to give us a 78th minute lead. Sadly, we could not withstand their relentless pressure and they put away a corner kick in the 87th minute.

Man of Match: Paddy McEleney, Derry City
Goals: Torunarigha, Steele
Assists: Guichard, McCabe
Top Three: Torunarigha 7.3, Steele 7.3, Diaz 7.1
Worst: Marzo 6.8

End of Month News:

We sign DC Jonathan Dunleavy ($675 p/w). Despite being deep at the spot, we have plenty of money to spend and he was too good to pass up, with solid Marking (12), Tackling (13), Jumping (13), Stamina (11). His Positioning (6) is a concern.

I finish 3rd in Manager of the Month voting.

League Standings:

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="577"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-source:userset;mso-width-alt:4717;width:97pt" width="129"> <col style="width:48pt" span="7" width="64"> </colgroup><tbody><tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt;width:97pt" width="129" height="20">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">W</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">D</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">L</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">GF</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">GA</td> <td class="xl65" style="width:48pt" width="64">Pts</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Sligo Rovers</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">0</td> <td align="right">13</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">11</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Derry City</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">10</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">10</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Drogheda United</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">10</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">SD Galway</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">0</td> <td align="right">12</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">9</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Bohemians</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">0</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">9</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Shamrock Rovers</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">7</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">St. Pat's Athletic</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">6</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Shelbourne</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">0</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">6</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">6</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">U.C.D.</td> <td align="right">2</td> <td align="right">0</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">5</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">6</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Cork City</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">7</td> <td align="right">8</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">4</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Limerick FC</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">9</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">4</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr style="height:15.0pt" height="20"> <td style="height:15.0pt" height="20">Waterford Utd</td> <td align="right">0</td> <td align="right">1</td> <td align="right">4</td> <td align="right">3</td> <td align="right">12</td> <td class="xl66" align="right">1</td> <td>
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>