15.5.11
Pioneers 2 Spartak 1
Spartak had to arrange this one themselves to complete the league programme. With promotion already sealed, there was for once nothing at stake in terms of league or cup.
Peter O’Toole dropped an early cross and when Paul Kinsella and Glen Burke could not clear, Pioneers shot wide from close in. Glen Burke was repeatedly caught in possesion each time the play was switched out to him and put paid to a few attacks.
Tom Flanagan and Seamus McCahill started brightly enough, although Seamus faded later on, but the front two of Ger Byrne and Graham Breen were still suffereing a cup final hangover, with both in listless form.
A long ball on 43 minutes caught out Burke and O’Toole, with forward alllowed two chances to finish, which he duly did.
On 51 minutes a blind back pass by Fintan Grace gifted number two to the home side, and it was only after this that the Sky Blues reacted and began to play ball. Substitute Keith Kelly, making a near miraculous recovery from the injury which ruined his cup final, added some energy to proceedings.
Tom Flanagan converted Breen’s low cross to reduce arrears, and Glen Burke volleyed against the post as Spartk came back strongly. Some eccentric clearances by Dave Browne gave Pioneers a few chances on the break, and they hit the bar with one effort.
In the last minute, with pressure mounting and Pioneers short of cover, Byrne conceded a free in the six yard box, and the home side survived.
Form Report
Peter O’Toole 5 Paul Kinsella 6 Fintan Grace 5 Steve Grier 6 Dave Browne 4 Tom Flanagan 7 Seamus McCahill 5 Glen Burke 4 Stuart Love 5 Graham Breen 5 Ger Byrne 5
Subs Neil McGowan 5 Keith Kelly 6 Niall Tilley Thom O’Driscoll Anto Doyle no show
May 18th, 2011 at 10:16 am
I take offence to the no show bit – I distinctly recall telling you in 3 rock after cup final I wouldn’t be at Pioneers game.
May 18th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
NO Shame lads:
League of Ireland team back in 1926, Paul probably remembers their whole team…
Final classificationPos Club Pts W D L GF GA GD
1 Shelbourne F.C. 31 14 3 1 65 23 +42
2 Shamrock Rovers F.C. 29 13 3 2 62 21 +41
3 Fordsons F.C.* 27 12 1 5 58 31 +27
4 Bohemian F.C.* 20 10 2 6 50 28 +22
5 Jacobs F.C. 18 7 4 7 40 48 -8
6 Brideville FC 16 6 4 8 36 53 -17
7 Athlone Town A.F.C. 15 7 1 10 46 56 -10
8 St James’s Gate F.C. 11 4 3 11 33 48 -15
9 Bray Unknowns F.C. 11 4 3 11 34 55 -21
10 Pioneers F.C.** 2 1 0 17 21 82 -61
‘*’Bohemian F.C. were ‘fined’ 2 points which were awarded to Fordsons F.C..
‘**’Pioneers F.C. were not re-elected to the league for next season.
Dundalk F.C. were elected to the league for next season.
May 19th, 2011 at 10:07 am
I actually knew the man wh
o played in goal for that Bray Unknowns team!Tim Cahill (not the Everton one!)