Author: crusadersafc

4th Division – Whitfield Park

“Rome wasn’t built in a day. And neither is anything worth building—be it a team, a dream, or a legacy. Day by day, brick by brick, we lay the foundations for something greater than ourselves.” – Jonathan Moran – Manager

Channelling Pacino, these words were delivered with emotion by a man, stripped to the waist, proud of his charges’ progress but equally aware of the size of the task as they progress through upcoming fixtures. The message was still ringing around the heads of the squad after a midweek fixture against Park Rangers saw Crusaders succumb to a goal in each half, both of which can be attributed to a rustiness in terms of positioning and surroundings. Disappointing, but still progressive, with a matchday squad of 17 players, a new shirt sponsor deal signed (press conference next week) and the promise of better days this season through regular training and a group membership to the Pioneers.

Team: Paul Lawrence, Andrew Titley, Karl Barnaville (Capt.), John Rockett, Shane Hunt, Walter Power, Patrick Egan, Austin Hanrahan, Paul O’Neill, David Power, Paul Kelly. Subs: Gary Kent, Niall Kelly, Peter O’Byrne, Brendan Byrne, Brian Scott, Mark Kennedy

Star Player: Mark Kennedy rolled back the years with a powerful game, after an early introduction for David Power, who departed after 2 minutes to walk the dog (not a euphemism).

“Me knees are f..$£€..d with that astro” – Austin Hanrahan

Considering that the concept of training midweek was foreign to this team a short few months ago, it’s encouraging to see them progress from the couch to a “handy 5-a-side” and now onto the Whitfield Park training surface from next week. The passing has improved during this time, the scanning of the park in receipt of the ball has been rediscovered, but this team know that they need to be playing, training, stretching, talking to each other whilst on grass as a precursor to delivering results.

“I’m going home to bed” – Niall Kelly

The last time Niall donned the famous blue and red stripes, the Millenium Bug was still only a concept, Fiat Puntos were the best selling cars in Ireland and Dooly’s was still Cunningham’s. As he took to the field in the 46th minute, resplendent in his new haircut (Shades Hair Studio, Ferrybank – ask for the Crusaders Cut!), more nervous than the day he got married, the youngest, smartest and most gorgeous of the three Killotteran Kelly brothers was thinking “don’t let them see the tears”. He put in a performance thereafter which can only bode well for the remainder of his rookie Junior League season, slotting into the inside right channel in a manner that belied his youth. Clearly the after-dinner speech anecdotes referencing Rathgormack 1997 will need to be updated, but one step at a time Niall – keep those new boots cleaned, aired and polished, you’ll get your chance! One for the future, without doubt.

Special mention also to other recent newcomers Shane Hunt, Brendan Byrne, Brian Scott and Paul Kelly who have found their feet quickly and will help bring the team onwards in the coming weeks.

Division 2B – Match Report

Looking to return to winning ways after a disappointing result last time out, the Crusaders 2B team showed up to Whitfield Park on Saturday determined and ready for action. Training in recent weeks has switched from running the slopes of Train Hill to ball work, and Devin was busy an hour before kick off with his new Temu pump to make sure the leather was at regulation pressure.

Gaffer Murphy elected to switch things around this week, opting for Big Joe Barry to lead the line, a testament to his performance last time out. Top scorer Zak O’Connor moved out to the left, a bold move for the manager in his fourth game but one which ultimately would bear fruit.

Stephen Pollard stepped into the goal, the fullbacks were as the previous games this season with Jim Brennan and Dev, and captain Cian O’Neill returned to partner Jordan Wall in the centre. Also returning was Odhran O’Donnell, who anchored the middle alongside Tommy Smyth and Big Sean Halpin, with Luke McCarthy geared to raid down the right.

It didn’t take long for the big man up front to make his presence felt, winning a penalty on 4 minutes, and lucky to escape without a serious injury following a last-ditch tackle. Zak duly slotted home from the spot, low to the left. Soon after, the big striker laid off a deft glancing header for Tommy to run onto but his shot was saved. The game was evenly matched for much of the first half after that, with both sides shot-shy and much of the play focused on the flanks. In fact, it took until the 75th minute for the game to really spring into life. As the sun finally made an appearance, Dungarvan equalised courtesy of a fine finish which gave Pollard no chance.

However, the Crusaders were up to the challenge, with Zak getting his second just 3 minutes later, finding space from a Tommy Smyth through ball and burying it into the bottom corner. Four minutes later, the “Zak-trick hat-trick” was complete as he won the ball from just inside the halfway line, beating four players and finishing with a cracker.

Dungarvan did manage a consolation near the end. A spectacular save from Pollard came back off the crossbar and the Dungarvan striker reacted quickest to toe over the line. However, this result was never in doubt, and a well-deserved three points sees the boys sitting in fourth in the table, with an away trip to second placed Kilbarry Rangers next on the cards.

Jordan Daniels, Eoin Daly, Conor Brennan and Alex Cowman came into the game in the final quarter and played their part in re-energising the team. And a special mention goes to Harry Ryan who caused no end of problems for the Dungarvan back line when he came on.

4th Division – Match Report

With high pressure in the south-east promised by Met Eireann for Friday, Manager Moran cancelled training in the run up to Friday night’s trip to Newtown for fear that many older ankles wouldn’t hold up to the scrutinous hard surface at the Orchard. As it turned out, the bigger challenge to his players’ ability to deliver came down to the toss of a coin and the blinding sun which caused League of Ireland poster boy Paul Lawrence to wear his favourite team’s cap in an effort to see the game (#YNWA Lawro).

Rangers sought to capitalise on the sun’s debilitating impact on the Crusaders backline straight from kick off and to good effect, with only their wayward shooting and the Crusaders’ keeper’s cat-like reflexes keeping the score to 1-0 in the first quarter. Speaking afterwards, Lawro exclaimed “I was like Grobelaar out there this evening wasn’t I, awwww, Brucie Brucie Brucie, bang bang bang!”.

However, in a move from the training grounds (8pm Tuesdays, “no pressure, very enjoyable”) Titley’s throw-in on 22 minutes was met by Egan’s forehead and onto Hunt’s trusty right peg to whip the ball across the box for David Power to conjure a majestic finish, lobbing the Rangers keeper, rippling the net and pirouetting with satisfaction. Power has shown huge promise in this, his rookie year at this level, having moved up from last year’s youth setup, bringing an innocence and an enthusiasm which has infected the entire squad.

The second half was a test of fortitude and resilience, and with Elon Musk switching the sun off at half time, was played on a more even setting. Titley and Hanrahan were rock solid at the back, Barney and Rockett gave as good as they got in the middle, Egan and debutant Hunt ran and harried the Rangers defence all game, and the Power brothers (Trevor, Walter and David) were inspirational with their efforts. Having lost centre half Pat Heffernan earlier in the game after he and the Rangers striker had a fit of the giggles, Crusaders were thankful of a large bench as Brian Scott, Deano Dean, Mark Kennedy and Frank Frampton (who got lost en route to Tramore, having last travelled south by train) were able to keep the legs fresh and the momentum forward.

On this occasion however, a rearguard action in the final quarter eventually succumbed to a second Rangers goal, which slipped past Lawrence and his favourite Dudek gloves. A 2-1 defeat by the sea, but one which inspires hope in a squad brimming with talent.

Injuries and niggles haven’t been kind to Crusaders so far this season. Indeed, only before the game the squad were informed that Paul “Duckie” McDonnell isn’t expected to recover from his latest knock for 10-12 years. But with the enigmatic Peter O’Byrne expected to return for next Wednesday’s home fixture, with Paul O’Neill expected to return from Vegas as soon as his bank manager gets in touch, with Noel Slattery due back from a residency in Madison Square Garden in the coming weeks and new signings and former Crusaders Paul and Niall Kelly due to agree on a boot contract with Aldi by Monday, the future looks bright for this team.

So bright in fact, Lawrence says he’ll need his Jamie Redknapp Ray-Bans for Wednesday.

Ballyduff AFC 0 – 0 Crusaders AFC

Last Saturday evening saw our over 35s 4th division squad travel the short journey to Ballyduff. Manager Moran was facing a selection dilemma for the first time this season, with the threat of running out of jerseys (and Deep Heat) a possibility.

Despite the lack of goals, this was a great game for the spectator. Crusaders were the stronger side in the first half down the hill, as conditions played their part. The Ballyduff keeper kept out several chances from Crusaders in the first 30 minutes, and with the game played at a frantic pace, half time was welcomed by both teams.

The second half saw the home side up the pressure, with Crusaders defending stoutly. Keeper Paul Lawrence was on fine form second half, putting it all on the line on several occasions to keep the home side scoreless. Up front, David Power tormented the Ballyduff defence all game, bringing the midfield into the game and staking a claim for a regular start up top.

Pat Heffernan and Brendan Byrne impressed on their debuts, and will undoubtedly provide much needed competition in key positions as the summer arrives. Regulars such as Peter O’Byrne, Karl Barnaville, Trevor Power, Andrew Titley, Paul O’Neill, Mark Kennedy and Austin Hanrahan once again proved to be the epitome of consistency. Worthy of a special mention is the telepathic link up play between John Rockett and Patrick Egan which was a highlight.

With no fixture next weekend, there are several quads, hamstrings and knees that need time to recover before we get another chance to impress. A gentle training session is planned for Tuesday @ 7pm.

Starting XI: Paul Lawrence, Andrew Titley, Trevor Power, Paul O’Neill, Karl Barnaville (C), John Rockett, Austin Hanrahan, Patrick Egan, Peter O’Byrne, David Power, Patrick Heffernan. Subs: Brendan Byrne, Mark Kennedy

Dungarvan Celtic 3 – 1 Crusaders AFC

On Saturday last, our 2B team came up against a well-oiled Dungarvan Celtic side in Lawnfield Park and, despite a strong performance on the day, came away empty handed. Absent a few key players on the day through injury and other commitments, Crusaders still put a strong side on the field, the benefits of a large, able squad allowing a full panel of 20 to be named. Manager Murphy had sleep-depriving problems the night before in terms of selection and approach, but a clear and concise message was delivered to the team beforehand – the graphics department had been comprehensive in terms of positional play and tactics, and the scouting team were up to speed on the opponents, expecting a strong team playing a game very much suited to their home ground.

Celtic took the lead on 14 minutes, firing past an impressive Joe Barry after some confusion in defence. However, the backline of Jim, Jordan, Devin and impressive debutant Andrew Richards grew into the game and never looked under pressure for the remainder of the half. In fact, it was Crusaders who looked most likely to score thereafter up until the break, with the Celtic keeper on fine form. The equaliser eventually came on the stroke of half time, when Ben Brophy calmly slotted home a penalty.

Playing up the imposing hill in the second half, Crusaders needed to lift their game and came out guns blazing. Zak once again was unselfish in his running up front against a tough tackling Celtic back line, and very nearly managed to score what would have been a spectacular goal, running from the halfway line and holding off three defenders only to shoot narrowly wide.

The home side scored twice more however, taking advantage of the conditions and the diminutive pitch as a home side should. Crusaders probably deserved more in what was a close fought encounter, won out by a fine side who know and play to their strengths.

Starting XI: Joe Barry, Jim Brennan, Devin Enright, Jordan Wall, Andrew Richards, Sean Halpin (C), Zak O’Connor, Ben Brophy, Conor Brennan, Eoin Daly, Tommy Smyth. Subs: Alex Cowman, Alex Kavanagh (86’), Daniel Brennan (75’), Padraig Brennan, Luke McCarthy, Jordan Daniels (86’), Cian O’Murchu, David Glynn (45’)