Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Derry City

The Hoops moved to within three points of league leaders Bohemians with this hard earned win against an impressive Derry side. The Candystripes owned possession of the ball for long periods of the game but Rovers two first half goals proved enough to seal the win. 
Rovers started well and Sean O’Connor (on photo) raised the roof of the stadium when he collected a throw-in on the left and cut in along the edge of the box to fire in an unstoppable shot with his right-foot for a fantastic goal.
The Hoops continued to pressure the away defence with Pat Sullivan, making his debut, drilling a low cross that Purcell couldn’t control but the ball rebounded in front of Gary Twigg but Doherty advanced to claim the ball. 
However Derry began to make inroads into the Rovers half and after 18 minutes a Stewart shot was well blocked by Price and four minutes later a Sives defensive header fell to Deery and Barry Murphy got down well to save. 
The visitors continued to attack and following Rice’s clearance, Sullivan made a good defensive header before McManus met a cross from the right but steered his shot wide.
Rovers countered on 25 minutes and good work by Baker saw him cross for the unmarked Purcell to head home past a stranded Doherty. Derry tried hard to get back into the game and on 33 minutes defender Gray got his head to a corner but Cahill cleared. Murphy then saved a follow-up header from McManus. 
Rovers did enough to keep the visitors scoreless going in at half-time while Twigg had a shout for a penalty when he chased down a Baker cross.
With just 45 seconds of the second-period on the clock O’Connor failed to control the ball and McManus stepped up to fire a shot from 25 yards that zipped past Murphy and into the net. Derry were back in the game.
Rovers responded well and Purcell’s low ball beat Delaney and found Twigg who shot on target but Doherty got down well to make a good one-handed save. Rovers did well up to the hour mark with O’Connor and Baker a threat going forward. 
The visitors were playing good possession football and they gradually began to make chances. Murphy got down well to save Stewarts shot before Sullivan cleared a dangerous cross from McGlynn on 65 minutes. 
Murphy was quick off his line to deny Farren just two minutes later and on 69 minutes Sullivan misjudged a defensive header and Stewart pounced on the loose ball and would have had a chance but Robinson got back for a vital block. 
McManus took a pass from Farren and his fine half-volley caused Murphy some problems but he gathered the ball at the second attempt. Barry Johnston made his competitive debut for Rovers as Michael O’Neill tried to stem the Derry attack. O’Connor’s free-kick was easily taken by Doherty on 77 minutes but the ‘keeper threw the ball to Robinson but the Hoops captain couldn’t direct the ball on target from 25 yards out. 
Johnston cleared a dangerous Ger O’Brien cross on 81 minutes and Aiden Price followed this up with a good defensive header. Steven Gray met a corner a minute later and Murphy was grateful to claim the ball under his crossbar. 
Derry continued to dominate in the closing stages but Nash and McManus were wasteful in good positions and the Hoops survived the four minutes of added-on time to claim this hard fought victory in a very entertaining game.
www.shamrockrovers.ie

Shamrock Rovers - Real Madrid

For Defoe (chat box).

This is the premiere of the new galacticos. 80 000 people came to see Cristiano Ronaldo's unveiling at Bernabeu, tonight only 10 000 will be able to watch the debut. The best eleven are expected on the pitch (confirmed Ronaldo and Kaka will play).

For Shamrock, this will be the most important game in the history (some statement to the press few days ago). And what's the best way to someone hear for you except to score a goal to Real Madrid?! I must check the odds for Gary Twigg to score. Depending from the odds, maybe few bucks on it.

Real play the first game in the preparation for the new season, while Shamrock is in their best shape. I think hosts can score tonight. Real will win, of course, but I think the value lies at over. Over 3.5 is about 1.75, good bet. Maybe the best bet is over 4.5 with a small, gamble bet. Odds around 2.50.

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European qualifications are in front. Will be some analyzes. Stay tuned.

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Cork City - St. Patricks Ath.

Cork City take on St. Patrick’s Athletic at Turner’s Cross in their first home tie of the second half of the League of Ireland Premier Division season. Home side still carries the title hopes, holding the fourth place with five points less than the leaders Bohemians. After six competitive games without a win and three league defeats from four games, lads woke up on the road against solid Galway United. Galway opened game with attacks (some excellent saves by Dan Connor), but as the game went Cork got stronger and first Silagailis found the net and Faz Kuduzovic with excellent strike just sealed the win. Manager Paul Doolin now looks for some consistency that will keep them in pursuit for the league title. Latvian international Robert Mezeckis (defender) and Billy Dennehy (winger) are both still sidelined with Achilles and hamstring injuries, but Shane Duggan (midfielder) will be available following suspension. Denis Behan (forward) picked up a knock to his ankle against Galway but it is hoped that he will recover to feature against Pats

After substantial financial losses in the last year, club announced the decision to revert to part-time football for the 2009 season. After loosing some very good players before the league start, Saints have noticed just six wins from 18 games so far and instead the battle for third place and European qualification, club is expecting the fight for avoiding relegation (just two points from the dangerous zone). They have two defeats in a row. Against Shamrock Rovers (home, 1-2) St Pat's had decent chances, mostly in the first half, but Rovers goalkeeper Barry Murphy did well to make several vital saves. Striker Gary Twigg got two chances, he took them both and made alarms ring at Richmond Park. However, the Saints must cope without leading striker and captain Mark Quigley who is out with a broken jaw sustained in the recent match with Drogheda United (0-1 defeat). Mark Leech (striker), Gary Dempsey (midfielder) and Damien Lynch (defender) are all out. Jamie Harris (defender) is struggling with a neck injury but may be passed fit to play. John Lester (midfielder) is suspended and while Dave Partridge (defender) returns from suspension Darragh Ryan (defender) returns from injury to join the squad. It seems Saints won’t attack too much, with five regular missings and the lack of variety in attacking line. A draw would probably satisfy them.

Paul Doolin probably couldn’t find better rival to establish some consistency in the results. Bookmaker predict small number of goals, offering miserable 1.55 for under. I think Cork will win (Pinnacle 1.62) and also from a lead at the half time and choose excellent 2.80 odd.
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