TUBBRITT.NET

November 10, 2002

Season 2002

eircom National League First Division

Limerick

Waterford United

Date	10/11/2002
Score (Blues First)	3 - 1
Venue	Jackman park, Limerick
Kick Off	2.00pm
Attendance	580
Weather	Showery
Referee	T Kelly, Athlone
Goal Scorers	Murphy, Cosgrove Ross, O'Sullivan
Cards	Yellow: Fitzgerald, Breen
Pitch	Soft with long grass

Player	Rating	Comment
Russell	7	Made a couple of saves near the end
Leahy	8	Excellent again today
Frost	6	Wasn't his best display
Byrne	7	Played well beside Breen
Breen	7	Steady game
Cosgrove R	7	Worked very hard and took goal well
Fitzgerald	7	Nice to see Wayne back in the team
Di Lella	8	Covered a lot of ground, passing was superb
Waters	8	Tricky ball skills had lims defender in a spin all day
Longo	7	Controlled the ball well
Murphy	6	Missed a lot of chances needs to use himself more
SUBS
O'Sullivan	8	Movement was brilliant and his touch is super
Watson	7	Only got caught offside once and set over great cross for Vinny to score
Cosgrove A	6	Did well for last few minutes

Again over the weekend the results went our way with Harps only drawing, Cobh losing in Galway and Dundalk sharing a 1 all scoreline with Town. In Limerick where our record is not great we had a great chance to take a three point lead at the top of the National League First Division, going into the second round of games.

Kevin was suspended so Wayne Fitzgerald made a welcome return to first team action, while Vinny for some reason was left on the bench and Mario was to play up front with Darryl as Dixon had eturned home to the USA. We started at a great pace and took the game to Limerick from the kick off. We were getting the ball into the box early, giving the strikers every chance and the midfielders were having shots at the target every few minutes. Limerick were hardly in our half and the loss of 4 regulars was hiting them hard. with this said we just coundn't find the net, Darryl wasn't physical enough and didn't really look interested in his first start of the league campaign. Near the end of the half we scored the slowest goal you will ever see. Ross shot from 8 yards deflected off Darryl and teh ball trickled into the net. A lead at half time was deserved though.

After the break we again controlled the game and the introduction of Vinny for Mario made one hell of a difference mid way through the half. Limerick were causing us problems with any ball they flung into the box. The home teams number 4 Pat Purcell was getting on the end of every corner and free kick and we seemed unable to stop him which was unlike our defence all season. The Blues second goal came from the left boot of Ross as he received a through ball and shot the ball passed the on rushing keeper. This goal saw the home team heads drop and our third was a wonderful passing move started and finished by Vinny. Vinny to Gus, Gus to Watson a super cross from Watson to the head of Vinny and Goal. a little bit of gloss was taken off the result when Purcell finally directed one of his headers on target and the ball looped over Russell's reach and into the net. Interesting to read in the Sunday People that Wayne wants a longer contract with Blues, or if anothr club come in for him he will move on. At least the People give the league some coverage unlike the Ireland on Sunday who in their Title section never mention the eircom National League anymore, Irish paper?????

the Blues now half way through the season are top of the table by 3 points from Cobh and 5 ahead of Galway. Next week we travel to Athlone Town on friday night wher we must avenge that 2-2 draw in the RSC in our opening game.The following friday night we host Sligo Rovers in the RSC. Pemier Division is getting a lot closer.