Posts Tagged ‘ Danny Galbraith ’

Wait Is Over As League of Ireland Resumes

LOIAfter a busy off season the League of Ireland makes a highly anticipated return on Friday with many believing this season may well be the most competitive yet. In our second preview ahead of the big kick off Alan Finn highlights the contenders, the pretenders and those who best be ready for a long relegation battle. 

Sligo Rovers

Prediction: Title challenge

Key Player: Lee Lynch

Last Season: Champions

Sligo Rovers should be well capable of putting up a decent defence of their Airtricity League title this season. Jason McGuinness and Mark Quigley are big losses for the champions this year, but Evan McMillan looks to be the ideal replacement for the big centre back while Anthony Elding has arrived from England to take on the goal scoring duties. There will be a number of key players for The Bit O’Red next season, Gavin Peers at the back, Danny Ventre in the middle but I feel anything good attacking wise for the side will involve Lee Lynch who has been a stand out player in Pre-season and I would expect him to build on his impressive 2012 debut season at The Showgrounds. Also keep an eye out for young Liam Martin who has been in flying form in pre-season, with six goals in six games.

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Prediction: Title challenge

Key Player: Chris Forrester

Last Season: 3rd

Having retained the majority of their squad and making a couple of decent acquisitions, Pats should be in for another title challenge this year. Of their new signings, Killian Brennan will certainly be the one to watch this season. Despite coming off the back of a horrid season with Shamrock Rovers, the winger can be the best player in the League on his day and if he gets his head down and works hard, he will prove to be a valuable player for the Saints. Chris Forrester and Jake Carroll, the stand out duo for the club for last season, will also be crucial to any success for Pats this season and you can’t help but feel the best is yet to come from both players.

Shamrock Rovers

Prediction: Title challenge

Key Player: Mark Quigley

Last Season: 4th

As the Shamrock Rovers fans desperately seek to put last season behind them, they certainly look in much better shape to challenge for the title this year. They have been the most active club in the transfer market during the off-season, bringing in players such as James Chambers and PFAI Player of the year nominees  Sean O’Connor, Jason McGuinness and Mark Quigley. Quigley, who won the award in the end, will more than likely be their key player next season, but with so many new players in the Hoops squad, it may take the team time to gel when the League campaign kicks off. Ciaran Kilduff looks set to be Gary Twigg’s replacement up top and he has certainly gotten off to a good start with winning goals against Coleraine and Wexford Youths in the past week.

Derry City

Prediction: Title challenge

Key Player: Rory Patterson

Last Season: 5th

Despite the departure of Stephen McLaughlin to Nottingham Forest, I can see Derry improving on last season’s finish. After finally securing the signature of Mark Griffin following a long, drawn out process, I feel a striking partnership with Rory Patterson has a lot of potential. We saw in last season’s FAI Ford Cup Final what Patterson can do when fully fit and with a promising prospect like Griffin beside him (assuming that is their strike force) then scoring goals should certainly not be a problem for the Candystripes.

Drogheda United

Prediction: Title challenge/European places

Key Player: Eric Foley

Last Season: 2nd

Following a marvellous 2012 campaign, will Drogheda repeat last season’s form? In my opinion, I think they will but with what is likely to be a more competitive League this year, I can’t see them finishing in the top two again. Mick Cooke has done a great job retaining the majority of his squad and has made one stand out signing in the form of Paul O’Conor from UCD. The midfielder will play alongside Eric Foley and if they click together, the Drogs midfield will be a joy to watch in action.

Cork City

Prediction: European places/mid-table

Key Player: Gearoid Morrisey

Last Season: 6th

After a disappointing return to the Premier Division last season, I feel Cork City are another team we will see improvement from this year. Tommy Dunne has been active in the transfer window, bringing in goalscorers such as Daryl Kavanagh and Danny Furlong, an area where they seemed to lack in 2012 but if Kavanagh can link up with Furlong like he did with Danny North and the striker can score goals like he did in the First Division, finding the back of the net shouldn’t be a problem this time around.

Bohemians

Prediction: Mid-table

Key Player: Ryan McEvoy

Last Season: 7th

Despite a very slow start to their last campaign, Bohemians went on to have a decent season in 2012, most notably recording a 4-0 win over Shamrock Rovers before picking up their first ever victory in Tallaght Stadium. Evan McMillan will be the Gypsies biggest loss from last season, but his replacement Stephen Paisley has shown he may just have the same eye for goal as the 26-year-old (in pre-season at least!). Ryan McEvoy caught the eye of many fans around the League last season with impressive performances and outstanding goals and I think he will be Bohs key man this year.

Dundalk

Prediction: Mid-table

Key Player: Kurtis Byrne

Last Season: 11th

New season, new hopes and new expectations for Dundalk. Following a disastrous 2012 campaign, newly appointed manager Stephen Kenny looks like he is already well on his way to changing the Lilywhites fortunes, assembling a decent squad for the year ahead. John Dillon, Kurtis Byrne, Richie Towell, Keith Ward and Mark Rossiter (when fit) could all be fantastic signings for the club if they play to the best of their abilities and Byrne looks like the man they will be relying on for goals up top and he has certainly made a good start to life at Oriel Park as he comes off the back of a decent pre-season.

Limerick

Prediction: Mid-table

Key Player: Rory Gaffney

Last Season: Champions (First Division)

For the first time in almost 20 years, Limerick will be playing in the top flight of Irish football. As they depart their old home of Jackman Park, the newly promoted side begin life in the Premier Division in Thomond Park. Location isn’t the only new change at the club, with ex-Drogheda United man Stuart Taylor stepping into the world of management for the first time, bringing with him some new faces to the club such as Robbie Williams on loan from Plymouth Argyle, Danny Galbraith from Hibernian and Belgian striker Axel Bossekota. Limerick’s progress will be an interesting one to watch, I can see them staying up as they appear destined for a mid table finish.

Bray Wanderers

Prediction: mid-table/relegation zone

Key Player: Kieran Marty Waters

Last Season: 10th

Pat Devlin goes into 2013 with mostly the same squad as last season, but one signing could make all the difference for his side this year – Gary Dempsey. I can see Bray lingering around the bottom half of the table this season, but they should have enough quality about to just keep their heads above water. As well as Dempsey, Jason Byrne, Darren Quigley and Kieran Marty Waters will be vital to Bray’s season.

Shelbourne

Prediction: Relegation zone

Key Player: Philly Hughes

Last Season: 8th

If Pre-season is anything to go by suspensions could be a big worry for Shelbourne this year. Kevin Dawson’s move to Yeovil Town is a major loss for the club and they have failed to fill the gsping hole in their midfield during the off season. I don’t have a lot of hope for Shels this season and I think they are destined for the bottom two, most likely the play-off spot.

UCD

Prediction: Relegation zone

Key Player: Robert Creevy

Last Season: 9th

Since last summer, UCD have lost players of the standard of Paul Corry, Paul O’Conor, Graham Rusk and Ciaran Nangle. Personally, I find it difficult to have any faith in them to escape relegation this season and  unfortunately for the Students they look most likely to suffer the dreaded drop into the First Division.

 

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2013
03/03
CATEGORY
League of Ireland
Sport
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Fenlon Delighted With Transfer Window

Pat-FenlonFor the past month, Hibs boss Pat Fenlon has insisted that his objective for the transfer window was to retain the services of three loan stars, Leigh Griffiths, Ryan McGivern and Jorge Claros for the remainder of the season. That was achieved after considerable negotiations between the clubs, and in an added bonus, a further two midfielders have arrived. Scott Robertson has moved to Easter Road on a two and a half year deal from Blackpool and Hibs also completed a last minute swoop to sign Matt Done on loan from Barnsley. In addition, St Johnstone’s Liam Craig has signed a pre-contract and will join the club in the summer. Read more

2013
02/01
CATEGORY
Hibernian
Sport
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More Injury Problems for Fenlon Ahead of Aberdeen Clash

Pat Fenlon has been dealt another blow in the fight against relegation with the news that influential skipper James McPake missed training with a groin injury which makes him a major doubt for tonight’s crucial fixture against Aberdeen.

Rumours spread throughout the city to the effect that McPake would be out for the rest of the season, but the on-loan Coventry City star was quick to quash the speculation on Twitter where he revealed that although  he is doubtful for the Pittodrie trip, he hopes to be fit for the crucial relegation battle Dunfermline game next Monday.

Fenlon is also sweating on the fitness of top goal-scorer Garry O’Connor who missed Sunday’s defeat at St Mirren through illness. The Scotland international striker has scored 15 times since his summer move from Birmingham City, and his presence would be a major boost for the club who have seen their seven point lead over Dunfermline evaporate to three in the past fortnight.

Speaking on Hibs TV ahead of the Aberdeen fixture, Fenlon said: “Garry had been sick for a couple of days but I do not know if he will be ready for Wednesday. We could do with him being fit. We’ll check on him today but we’ll have to wait and see. James McPake didn’t do too much today due to a groin problem. So again we will see how he is tomorrow.

“Danny Galbraith is out for the rest of the season and will undergo an exploratory operation later this week and Lewis Stevenson is suspended.

“But everyone else is fit and available for the match. One or two players will get an opportunity to play and it’s like with everything they will need to take that chance.

“There are a lot of big games left to play and they’ve got to try to get into the team. We need to be more clinical in front of goal and also better defensively. It’s sometimes difficult after losing a game to retain your belief, but there were a lot of positives we can take from both the Kilmarnock and St Mirren games.

We’ve got to make sure we go to Pittodrie and win the game. We’ve played Aberdeen three times since I’ve been here and there has been very little in all of those games. We need to be as good as we were and also get the rub of the green.

“I was disappointed with the result against St Mirren, but pleased with the performance, I thought we did enough to win the game, it was a bit like last week, our goalkeeper didn’t have a save to make.”

Pars boss Jim Jeffries claims that Hibs are favourites to beat the drop despite recent form, which saw his team come back from 4-2 down to snatch a late point against St Mirren then comprehensively beat Aberdeen to give the fans their first home victory of the season. Dunfermline take on Inverness Caledonian at the Tullochs Caledonian Stadium tonight, but whatever the result is up north, the stage is set for a massive game between the relegation candidates at Easter Road next Monday which could decide the fate of both clubs for next season.

Meanwhile, a young Hibs team won the East of Scotland Shield after defeating Hearts on penalties.

2012
05/02
CATEGORY
Hibernian
Sport
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Fenlon slams ludicrous SPL post-split fixture shambles

Pat Fenlon has hit out at the “ludicrous” SPL post-split fixtures, which will see Hibs play their five games on four different days of the week. The team initially face two Sunday matches before playing on a Monday, Wednesday and Saturday in May. The supporters also face a 250-mile round trip on a Wednesday evening to play Aberdeen.

The former Bohs manager told Hibs TV: “It’s peculiar. I don’t know who has sat down and worked them out, but it’s crazy. It’s ludicrous, but you have to get on with it. We can only approach the games properly and make sure at the end of it we are still in the league.

“Saturday afternoon is football day in most people’s eyes but you’ve now got four different days and however many different kick-off times.”

Meanwhile Chairman Rod Petrie has issued a rallying call to the fans as the club announced an extension to the ‘Early Bird’ season ticket offer.

In an open message to supporters on the club’s official website, he said: “Your team needs you – it’s as simple as that.

“If we do not rally to the cause no-one else will. Supporters will help determine how good an end to the season we have and the shape of the team for next season. We had a catastrophic 2011 to add to the problems in 2010. We made mistakes, I made mistakes. I am sorry. We have paid for these mistakes. That was then, this is 2012.

“We face the business end of the season with a stronger management team and a stronger playing squad than we had on the opening day.”

“This is not the league campaign we wanted. However, a semi-final tie against Aberdeen on 14 April has the potential to take us to a Scottish Cup final for the first time since 2001. This could yet be the season that all Hibernian supporters talk about for years to come. How can we make it happen? Support the team.

“There are some who want to talk us into looking down not up, even trading failure in the league for success in the cup. Now is the time for clear heads and calm nerves. We can succeed in both.”

Earlier this week, Hibs announced the departure of director Fife Hyland at the end of the season, which has prompted another reshuffle, with executive director Scott Lindsay incorporating responsibility for Hyland’s commercial and communications operations. Lifelong supporter and season ticket holder Brian Houston has been appointed as a non-executive director, in a popular move with the fans who have criticised the club for a lack of genuine Hibs supporters on the board.

Houston said: “Since my debut on the East Terracing in 1954 and my first cup final in 1958 this club has been part of me and I am delighted and honoured to have chance to contribute what I can of my experience to the on-going development of Hibernian.”

Ahead of this week’s home game against Motherwell, the last fixture before the split, manager Fenlon has praised striker Garry O’Connor’s contribution against Inverness Caley on Sunday. He said: “We took Garry out of the equation for the past two or three weeks to get him a little bit fitter.

“He has worked on that himself and we’re hoping that from now until the end of the season he’ll be able to pick up a few goals for us. We’re at the stage of the season where we need him fit and scoring goals. Hopefully he can help us climb the table.”

Thankfully for Fenlon, the injury to winger Ivan Sproule who was carried off against Inverness is not as serious as initially thought.

“The good news is that Ivan’s injury is not as bad as we first feared it might be. He was obviously in a lot of pain when he came off the pitch, but fortunately the injury has responded to treatment and he could be back in training sooner rather than later.”

One player desperate to help the club avoid relegation is club captain Ian Murray, who was delighted to get 60 minutes in a 3-1 victory against St Mirren in a bounce game at East Mains Training Ground on Wednesday. The long term injury victim said “It was my first game since the Hearts match at the start of January and overall I’ve only played two games since November, So I’m happy to be back and I think it went OK. I felt a bit sluggish at times but it went well. I played for an hour and it is a start and a step forward.”

Former Manchester United winger Danny Galbraith also featured in the game which Hibs won with goals from David Wotherspoon, Sean O’Hanlon and Roy O’Donovan.

2012
04/05
CATEGORY
Hibernian
Sport
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Fenlon Wields The Axe As Hibs Travel To The Highlands

Hibs have told Martin ‘Jimmy’ Scott that he will not feature in the first team again this season and alerted other clubs that he is available on loan.

Manager Pat Fenlon has been unhappy about the discipline amongst certain players and Scott was recently suspended for seven days following his failure to turn up for training after the victory against Ayr United in the Scottish Cup.

Fenlon had decided that all members of the squad who had not featured in the cup game should report for training the following day. A message was went by text to the players concerned, however Scott claimed to have changed his mobile number and therefore did not received the message. He was adamant that he was not to blame; however, Fenlon did not accept his explanation and fined the former Ross County star the maximum two weeks wages.

The Livingston born midfielder has rarely featured in the first team following an altercation with team mate Sean Welsh during pre-season training, which resulted in the youngster receiving a fractured cheekbone.

He cost a reported £80k from Ross County and is under contract until 2014. Former Hibs assistant manager Derek Adams is likely to be interested in the player who scored winning goals against Hibs and Celtic in the club’s glorious Scottish Cup run two years ago when they reached the final. County currently sit on top of the First Division and are clear favourites for promotion.

Meanwhile the team are preparing for Sunday’s crunch game against Terry Butcher’s Inverness who defeated Aberdeen at Pittodrie last Saturday before losing at home to St Johnstone in midweek.

On loan Norwich right back George Francomb recognises the importance of the game which will be played 24 hours after fellow strugglers Dunfermline face on-form Dundee United. He told The Scotsman: “I suppose it would be good to see Dunfermline’s result but at the end of the day we have to win on Sunday. We shouldn’t need any greater incentive than the three points from our match. First and foremost, we want to pull ourselves away from Dunfermline.

“If we can beat Inverness and Dunfermline fail to pick up points then we’ll have stretched the gap at the bottom a bit and closed in a little on Caley with another game to come against them in a few weeks’ time.”

Francomb accepts the criticism that followed last week’s encounter, but is keen to remind supporters of the quality of their opponents.

He said: “I think some people perhaps forgot that United are the form team in the SPL at the moment, they are on a great run and had just beaten Rangers.

“But that’s what happens when you are a football player. You have to take the criticism when you are losing. We’d put together three matches unbeaten before the Hearts game when everyone loved us then all of a sudden everyone is criticising us. You just have to take it on the chin and work harder for good results.

“We had quite a lot of possession in the first half, we kept the ball and were able to play high up the pitch but we didn’t keep it in the second half and when that happens, you find yourself penned in, as we were.”

Earlier this season Hibs recorded their first ever victory in Inverness thanks to an injury time goal by Garry O’Connor. A repeat of that result would ease a few worries around Easter Road. Skipper James McPake, Ian Murray and Danny Galbraith have all resumed full training following injuries, and the on-loan Coventry City defender is expected to start this weekend.

2012
03/31
CATEGORY
Hibernian
Sport
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