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eircom National League First Division

Date	14/02/2002
Score (Blues First)	2 - 0
Venue	RSC, Waterford
Kick Off	7.30pm
Attendance	1,000
Weather	Cool and fine
Referee	D Hancock
Goal Scorers	Hunt, Myler
Cards	Yellow: Flanagan
Pitch	Good surface

A win against Limerick was vital if we were going to push for, first or even second spot in the League. Limerick had been our bogey team last year so a good performance was needed by all players. Team selection was a problem for McGeough as three of our back four were suspended David Breen, John Frost and David Whittle would all have to be replaced, with Big Brendan being the only regular member of the solid back four.

The Blues started with O'Brien, Rea, Leahy and Waters (bit of a surprise), in the flat back four, and as expected it took them nearly 20 minutes to get comfortable with each other. With Flanagan and Dempsey both making runs in the middle of midfield we were being exposed everytime a blues attack broke down. O'Brein and Waters were having to cover a lot of ground but to their credit they coped very well. Drew and Fitzgerald were doing nicely on both flanks, but both are attacking players. Myler in the first period was very quite (thinking of his loved one on Valentine's Night maybe?) and couldn't get into game while Hunt was running and racing all over the pitch. The first half ended with neither team deserving to be leading but it would give Jimmy time to sort out our midfield. Changes were expected at after the break.

The same eleven came out to start the second half, and the game began to slowly slip away from us. Flanagan it must be said was not at the races, while Myler seemed to be in dream land. The loud supporters in block A kept the home fans warm as they tried to spur the blues on, with a few new songs it must be said, but we were either all forward or stuck at the back. Then the introduction of David "Squealer" Walsh, who is a holder in midfield, turned the game on it's head. Dempsey moved our right as Wayne was withdrawn, which left Flanagan to wander forward and not have to struggle back. Our delivery of corners and Free Kicks was dreadful all night, as we failed to beat the first man, but our first arrived when Podge crossed from the right, Rea's shot came back off the crossbar and Hunt hammered home. This was Hunt's 5th in 5 games for the Blues, and it sent the home crowd wild and those in the City enjoying a romantic meal heard the cheers as the Blues closed in on victory and a step nearer the Premier division. At this stage we deserved to be ahead, the only thing that needed improving was our passing which at times was terrible, and put us under unnecessary pressure. Hunt created another chance for himself 10 minutes as he ran over the top received the ball but took too long to shoot, and was tackled by a defender 8 yards out. Myler who had no fired on all cylinders since joining the Blues finally scored his first goal of many (I hope), as he shot home from a tight angle 5 yards out. The game was as good as over then and the Blues eased to the final whistle.

Competition: Do you recognize these feet?Why are the dirty? Answers to owen@tubbritt.net first correct answer out of the hat wins a BTID Fanzine entries before Feb 21st.

This victory puts the Blues 3 points behind Dublin City and 1 point behind Drogheda with 6 games to go. The Blues face a difficult task on Sunday when they travel to Finn Park. Again this is a game we must take something from, Harps will have played Tuesday in the Cup, Friday in the League and again on Sunday, so we must keep the ball and let them chase us down so they will tire in the second half. Other results will be interesting over the weekend, but all we can do is look after ourselves and we will win this league. Come on you Blues.