Ma's Last Second Volley Steals Victory.

After last weeks draw with DouglasMortgage and stuck in a run of 4 games with only 2 points picked up Balaga were gagging to get back to winning ways against a Ma Dulleas side in a fixture that is always feisty and memorable battles in the past its a game that almost always brings goals.

This match didn't let the fans down and it was all action as both teams wanted to keep up with the leagues pace setters Racing Club, Temple Inn, QEF and Red Army in what is the tightest league situation seen in seasons.

With Broderick and his bionic arm in cast resting at his recovery clinic in Ovens , Barrett was lined up to partner O'Callaghan in defense. Damo in his most consistent season so far started between the sticks. Webz was joined again by Duggan in midfield after a two week absence and Balagas successful strikeforce of David W and O'Driscoll in behind lining out as Hurley started from the bench after recovering from last weeks calf strain. Dunphy was missing with a Stomach bug and did not pass a morning fitness test.

Balaga were slow in the first half and although they picked it up in the second half the team looked a bit disorganised throughout. David W was working wonders up front and with Damo pumping long balls at him all day the striker was causing trouble to Dulleas back line. Damo was called into action too much as the young keeper made some great athletic saves.

Captain Webz Kennedy picked up two goals in the game and praised his strikers effort...
'1- David W passes it to me in front of the keeper I swivel and put it through his legs.
2- David W Crosses it in and I back heel in to passed the on coming keeper.'

O'Driscoll also praised his strike partner and described the third goal...
'i threw it to the back post and he calmy side footed it back across goal into the bottom right corner.. he was by far the best player on the night for us..'

It wasn't the Balaga goals that will take the plaudits though as in the final milli-second of the game, Dulleas tracksuited front man made a great run to the back post, unmarked by a Balaga defensive setup who appeared to be looking at shadows, and drilled his low volley past Damo to make it 4-3 as the final whistle blew.

Bottles were kicked as Webz appeared irate with his charges coming off the pitch and now rumours are coming out of the club that a meeting as been called to discuss the now 5 game winless run which has seen Balagas early title hopes wither. What can the cucumbers do to get back on track?

Elsewhere in the division there was another Friar Walk-over as they were not present for their Racing Club fixture giving the league leaders a 5-0 result. The resurgent and strong looking Temple Inn Tigers put 5 past DouglasMortgage and QEF pipped Red Army 6-5 to get themselves up the table as the top 5 now looking like they are pulling away.

Next week its QEF and its about time to get back to sexy football! VIVA LA BALAGA!

Mortgage A Sore Point For Balaga

With JD John Duggan once again missing out, and with Hurley out again due to a calf strain. Balaga were down to 8 for the game against well known opposition DouglasMortgage.ie which saw 8 goals and 1 horrible injury.

It turned out that DouglasMortgage were more familiar looking that Balaga would of thought as 'Sweets' and 'Flynny' were turning out for the side still missing the guile of Footy.ie superstar 'Chen.'

Balaga went straight at their opposition hoping to take advantage of the changes in the Douglas ranks and it was David W that kicked of the goalscoring for the cucumbers. A bit of ping-pong in the penalty area, as Webz attempted to strike the ball he bobbles it wide but a lurking David W was present to tap it in from a yard out. 1-0.

The game became a bit hazy as defender Kevin Broderick went up for a defensive header out on the right sideline. With a bumbling Douglas player going into the side of him when he was at his peak, Broderick came down on his wrist like a ton of crap. Brought of by himself and patched up with a sling made out of a hoody by Hurley and Dunphy he watched on as Balaga looked to get back into the title race

The first half came to a close and the cucumbers knew they could take all three. With O'Driscoll dropping back to cover beside O'Callaghan there was nothing too dangerous coming from their opponents.

Into the second half and after some fluffs Balaga were soon 1-1 being caught on the break at times. O'Callaghan then surprisingly put the ball in the net after a short blind dribble found him free just inside the centre of the Douglas half and he let loose a curling effort which flew past the waving keeper. Jubilani 2-1. The second half wore on and hot-shot O'D took his chances as he paced forward picking up the ball on the left he took what seemed to be a tame low shot from about 15yards and as Webz was running onto it he delightfully stepped over it causing the defender and keeper to misjudge and put Balaga up another goal. 3-2. David W then got his second as Dunphy led a breakaway down the left side and squared the ball for David W who tapped it into an empty net for his brace 4-2.

Douglas weren't finished though and with long throws going up to Sweets up front and the attacking Flynny they were caught out twice one a memorable volley effort from Flynny as Balagas defense struggled to make a challenge.

4-4 it ended and a disappointing result for FC Balaga Tongo. With Temple in putting in a fine performance to take Ma Dulleas 6-2 and Racing Club taking down Red Army 5-2, Balagas position in the table is not as desperate as first assumed but wins are whats needed if they want to get up to the top position come August. QEF also kept up pressure after their shocking start to the season by beating the Friars 5-0.

Balaga Unlucky But Temple Inn Fair Plucky

Balaga went into last wednesdays game confident they could get back to winning ways after a slight mid-season slump saw them drop points in the last two games. But with a spirited comeback against the Friars last week there was promise of a return to victorious ways.

O'Callaghan was back from his trip. But with David W and Tristan out Mickey O'Sullivan was brought in as cover.

First Half:

The game started off pretty even and Balaga were pressing forward to good affect. With Webz, Dickie and Dunphy in the midfield area breaking up any attacks and looking to go forward when they could. But it was a ball over the top to Temple's main man that broke the deadlock, his quick turn and unstoppable shot flew into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

Up step O'Driscoll, the striker has been prolific to say the least in the first half of this campaign for Balaga and he stroked the ball under the oncoming keepers legs after some terrific work from Webz first closing down the Templers defense, later described as 'some sexy ass charging down!!' and then making the square ball to the poised O'Driscoll. 1-1.

This would be the last time that Balaga had the ball in the oppositions net though as strings of chances went by. It wasnt the same for Temple Inn who grabbed 2 more before the break the second a header going wide came off a slow to react O'Callaghan and slipped past Kennedy into the net. 3-1

Second Half:

The second half came and Balaga were even more determined to win a game they thought they should be. But thinking doesnt win you games in the Wednesday Night Footy.ie Division 1 and Balaga had to prove on the astroturf that the deserved it. Pressure upon chances upon oppurtunties went by and it wasn't to be true no lack of effort. Then midway through a horror tackle on Webz on the left wing resulted in a sin binning for the muscular Rory Delap throwalike defender. Temple Inn down to 6 men and Balaga tried and tried again but no cigar and the half ended 0-0 with a final score of 3-1.

Other results saved Balaga's bacon again this week as the league is turning out to be as tight as David W's Wallet. QEF overcame Racing 5-3, Ma Duleas beat DouglasMortgage 6-3 and Red Army got back into form with a 10-1 win over Friars walk. The table:

The next round sees Balaga up against douglasmortgage.ie in what promises to be a great clash!

Friar prayers earn unwelcome Draw

After a disastrous result last week, Balaga had to get back on track and couldn’t have hoped for a better fixture on paper. Frairs Walk Celtic were bottom of the table with only 1 points all season and were expected to be an easy opponent after last week’s table toppers.

Tom O’C was still out in Barcelona, Dumphy was needed to help his Dad out and with Parker and Dave both in London, Dave “Greener” Green was called back to plug last week’s leaky defence, allowing JD to move back into midfield with Phil up front.

Celtic took kick off and began the better side, with good one touch passing and movement from their midfield. They took advantage of Balaga’s slow start and took an early lead through their midfielder with a great effort outside the box, giving Damo no chance in goals. This didn’t inspire Tongo who once more seemed to be elsewhere early on in the game. Webz came off the bench and Tongo started to string a few passes together and a few efforts just off target. But 1 became 2 for Celtic as a another shot from far out deflected off Webz, under Kevs foot and wrong footed Damo to rattle the net.  

GOAL!!! Balaga Tongo 1-2 Frairs Walk Celtic

Balaga finally started to play ball and with the last kick of the first half the ball landed to john Duggan about 15 yards out, who struck it on the volley to see his effort fly into the top left of the Friars net.

HALF TIME FC Balaga Tongo 1-2 Frairs Walk Celtic

A stern talk at half time saw Balaga pile on the pressure on the Celtic goal after the second half kick off. Shot after shot was saved by the keeper, who managed to stand in the same position for most of them and just get a foot or hand to the ball each time. It was getting frustrating for Tongo and Frairs defence was playing some heroic stuff, just clearing the ball long to release some Tongo pressure. One of these clearances landed to the young lad up front who rounded Kev, and buried it past Damo to break Tongo hearts and make it 3-1.

GOAL!!! Balaga Tongo 2-3 Frairs Walk Celtic

All seemed lost but not long afterwards Balaga were back in it thanks to a calm head from Phil O’D. He collect the ball outside the Frairs box, turned one guy.. then dummied the shot with his right onto his left side and smacked it with outside of right boot into bottom left!!

Tempers heated and more Tongo pressure was starting to find cracks in the Frairs defence, but Damo was called into 2 top class saves late on to keep Tongo in it. Corner followed by corner followed by throw from both wings ended in shots rained down on the Friars goals but Keeper and defender line clearances meant Celtic were hanging on.

GOAL!!! Balaga Tongo 3-3 Frairs Walk Celtic

It was a throw in on Balaga right wing just outside the Frairs box. JD lined it up while Webz hassled the Celtic defender and was pulled down in the box, Phil turned to the ref and shouted "YOU SAW THAT REF" to which the ref shouted "JOHN” and warned the player to cut it out. The ball ended up with a throw out the left and once more where Greener threw it to Phil, who controlled it and hit a shot on goal, meanwhile Webz was again HAULED to the ground, and without warning pointed to the spot!!

After a lot of arguing from the Celtic players Phil stepped up.. slightly nervy..

Phil O’D – “once I hit I instantly thought "SHIT, MISSED" but it pinged into the top corner.. actually couldn’t have been any more into the top corner if i picked it up and placed it there..

A lot of player hand bag issues began to crop into the game and the ref decided to blow it up early, much to the annoyance of the Tongo side, who all in all felt it more like a loss than a draw, but other results went their way and the title is still on.

CAPTIANS VIEW

We were muck in tom's absence. Struggled defensively against racing. Couldn't finish our dinner last night. my biggest concern is people's attitude and hunger to win. This needs to be addressed. Next week we will have a team meeting before the match and if I don't feel that hunger from anyone they won't start. People need to get their heads in the fucking game. Everyone thought we were going to walk all over the ba's last night and that's what really fucked us. Damo said last night that this lot beat us the season before last and they could do it again...but of coarse no one listened. We had players talking about how many goals they were going to score, players who would only move if the ball was within 2 feet of them and players who tried to see how many times they could touch the ball before they got tackled. We lost every 50 50 ball. The ball would break in the midfield and it was like don't worry about it someone else will get it. The attitude only changed when we were in trouble and even then not enough. This doesn't go for everyone playing but most. That game last night could easily be the game that could cost us dearly.

As for our title ambitions.... at present not a chance in hell. We are very lucky that other results went our way. If the lot of us don't cop on we will be lucky to finish above friar's. And you can print that.....

Balaga lose race to table topping RC

With a Superb start to the season, Balaga Tongo faced they 4th tough game in GW 4. Table toppers Racing Club stood in the way and with Tom O'C out travelling Latino style, it wasnt gonna be easy. the starting 7 -

Balaga moved JD into defence, to cover Tom, but in doing so lost the midfield battle and especially kick-outs. Moving Dave W to centre mid for the kick outs was a step too last as RC had scored about 3 at that stage. All in all it was a nightmare and a final score of 8-1 makes it a night to completely forget. The only plus of the evening was Tristans goal for Tongo.

The table -   

Jun 09 2010	Red Army	5	douglasmortgage.ie	2
Jun 09 2010	Ma Duleas	12	Friars Walk Celtic	2
Jun 09 2010	FC Balaga Tongo	1	Racing Club	8
Jun 09 2010	QEF Global	4	Temple Inn Tigers	3

Red ref cant help Army overpower Balaga

After last week’s terrific victory over QEF, Balaga faced another tough challenge in table toppers Red Army. Both Webz and Damo were out due to a personal issues so Tongo had to do without their captain and number 1. New signing John Dumphy stepped into goals which allowed Tom O’C and Kevin B to continue their central defensive partnership. The team was:

It was a piping hot 7 o’clock evening kick-off and this caused a slow start to the match, with both defenders guilty of some slack defending at the beginning. Only for JD, Balaga could have found themselves behind early on. The CIT international was playing out of his skin and made sure the back two and midfield were up for the task. With Stevie P back as cover, and Tristan down the other wing, quick breaks were always a problem for Red Army, but some quick passing by Army saw Dumphy make a few vital saves early on.

A throw in from JD out the left to the on running Kev out of defence, saw the defender hit a left foot volley which was goal bound only for it to strike off a helpless Dave on way to goal. Not long after this another JD throw, once more to Kev, was left by the defender for a red hot Phil O’D who controlled it with his left knee, while back to goal. He swivel volley and hit it past the Army keeper for 1-0!!!

The Cucumbers held out for about 5 or 6 minutes before Red Army got the equalizer, through a penalty. A quick attack left Tristan with no option but to slide in to block a shot. The ref had no hesitation in giving the peno, as he had no hesitation giving Army most decisions all night. They buried it and the score stayed at 1-1 till half time.

The second half ebbed too and fro with both sides coming close if not for some good defending by Balaga, (with Dickie and JD contributing to some great interceptions) or some over the top tackling by Red Army. Balaga refused to let the one sided ref to get them down though and with 2 minutes remaining, Phil the goal machine O’Driscoll collected the ball out the Tongo left, controlled it, looked up and hit an unstoppable effort into Army’s near post to leave it 2-1!!!!

The remaining 2 minutes turned into at least 5 or 6 and despite all the effort to allow Army back into it by the ref, Tongo held out to claim their 2^nd victory of the season and moved to 2^nd in the table on goal difference, after douglasmortage.ie held Racing Club to a 3-3 draw. In other results, QEF picked up their first points of the season with a 2-1 victory over MaDuleas.

Balaga Bomb Reigning Global

Straight off the back of the exciting draw with Ma Duleas last week Balaga Tongo went into Wednesdays game determined to get their first 3 points of the season and first 3 points ever against reigning champions QEF Global.

With news breaking during the week that Dunphy had been signed to replace outgoing Parker and with both David W and Hurley available again after being shafted by the man last week it meant Balaga had a very strong squad for the game.

Pressure was put straight on QEF from the start with David W putting in a lot of hard work and reaping rewards as he created plenty of chances. There was to be no breakthrough though until O'Driscoll came on. A long attacking throw from O'Callaghan into area caused some difficulties for the defenders as Duggan and O'Driscoll challenged for the ball and a confused Global defender handled it in his own 6 yard box. Up stepped O'Driscoll to slot a beauty of a penalty into the bottom right as the goalkeeper went the other way.

At this stage Hurley was on and combined with O'Driscoll for Tongo's 2nd of the night. A one two saw Hurley through on goal and he fired a sweet shot high and right into net. 2-0 to Balaga.

It was O'Driscoll again to make it 3. Combining again in attack but this time with Duggan his flicked on ball put Duggan in a tough position, but the ball came off the defenders tackle back into the path of O'Driscoll on the right, who obliged with a wonderful strike from the outside of his boot across the goal and in.

Balaga were keeping QEF's attacks to minimum as Webz, Barrett, and Dunphy working hard and giving little space in midfield to their creative players while Broderick and O'Callaghan kept tabs on their plucky forward. Damo was called into action on a few occasions and was willing to come out to make clearances when QEF tried to put balls behind Balagas defensive line.

Half time came and David W was back on hungry for a goal after missing last weeks fixture and not getting on the score sheet in the first half he used his strength to hold off the defender and take down Webz's overhead ball, which came from in his own half, and fired it past the keeper to make it 4.

Another counter attack goal saw Balagas 5th of the evening and O'Driscoll's hat-trick. Taking the ball from a clearance he moved forward with his usual elegance on his favoured right wing before shooting a great effort in at the near post.

After a small uprising from QEF who never threw in the towel and managed to get 2 goals back Balaga finished the game through captain Webz. The ball was ping-ponging about in the box and as it came back out from the keeper the right man was in the right place as the prolific midfielder poked it in for Balaga's 6th of the night.

No goals from new boys Barrett and Dunphy, but fans will be very pleased with both players performances and quick integration with the existing players.

Captain Eoghan 'Webz' Kennedy spoke to our reporter after the game:

Webz a great win for your side last night, Congrats, What do you think was the difference between last night and the two games last season?

Well the first game last year we were muck. The wee fella had the run of the park and we couldn't score in a brothel with 50 sheets hanging out our fly. This time around the Punisher (Tom) and The Enforcer (Kev) absolutely battered the wee fella to the extent I thought he was going to cry. It was also handy to have a goal keeper this time.

With 10 players at the game last night, its tough competition for places at Balaga these days, O'Driscoll looked untouchable at times but it would have to be said great performances across the team.

 Competition is was tough only our rearguard played a full match but in that heat I think it worked to our advantage. Phil had an absolute stormer and probably got man of the match from footy. I would have given him it too had our 2 centre halves not been as awesome as they were. For me they were the man of the match as they were the one entity.

Its early days of course and this league is looking tighter than a nuns arse, I know Balaga always aim for the top spot but who do you think will be the main competitors after the first two rounds?

4 points against the teams that finished above us last year cant complain really. Tough game next week and after that one I'll give you my opinion on whether we can win it or not.

Other results on the night saw last seasons Thursday Division 1 champions Red Army take down Ma Duleas 4-3 in a heated battle. Racing Club do Termple Inn in 3-1 and DouglasMortgage draw with Friars Walk 4-4. This sees Racing and Red go top with 2 wins from 2 as Balaga sit 2 points behind. The biggest surprise so far being that QEF are rooted to the bottom on 0 points.

Next Wednesday sees the challenge of Red Army for FC Balaga Tongo with the air around the Cucumbers camp reported to be of confidence.

VIVA LA BALAGA

Dunphy Signs on as Parker Moves on

John Dunphy this week signed for FC Balaga Tongo on a summer season contract. The player who trained with the squad in pre-season has been taken on as a direct replacement for outgoing Balaga legend Stephen Parker. Webz sealed the transfer not long after last weeks draw with Ma Duleas and with his vast Crosshaven international experience the clubs management are sure he is the right man to fill Parker's big boots. Dunphy will make his debut in tomorrows vital clash with last seasons champions QEF Global.

Parker cemented his name on the Balaga history books playing in 4 seasons of footy.ie football since joining the club in January 2009, putting in terrific performances week after week as well as scoring many memorable goals. He is now rumored to be going on trial at a number of clubs with the midfielder being courted by representatives from Bali Persegi FC, Melbourne Heart FC and Gold Coast Utd.

VIVA LA BALAGA.

Summer Calendar released.

Balaga and Duleas serve up a treat but share the points...

It was May the 19th 2010, and the biggest news of the day was not the closure of a Pfizer plant in Cork. It also wasn’t the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico reaching day 30. 

No, the biggest news of the day was the kick off of footie.ie’s summer season and the unveiling of new signing Dickie Barrett for FC Balaga Tongo. It was also a big day for new club captain, Eoghan “Webz” Kennedy. The new captain aims to do what both Tom O’C and Kevin B failed to do before him, and win a league title with Balaga. After a busy break from the league recruiting it was time to pick his first side and here it is -

Ma Duleas turned up in a new strip of red and with a new ringer up front this would prove to be just as tough a match as the previous seasons. Unlike the two matches last season, this time it was the Ma’s who took the lead. Balaga are traditionally slow starters in the league but that extra belief and will to win which they’ve developed over the last 2 season’s was once again evident as proceeded to piled on the pressure on the Duleas goal.

Corner after throw after corner were rained down on the Ma’s goal and only for a deacent keeper, Tongo would have draw level straight away as a high ball cleared by Ma’s dropped to a waiting Broderick outside the box, who lined up and smacked a well place volley which was heading into the right hand corner only for a defender and Parker to deflect it back out for a throw. More and more pressure was applied and after Dickie made way for Webz, Balaga’s all time top scorer eventually got the break through.

The ball was once more lamped into the Ma’s box and deflected back out where it bounced into Webzes path who just swung a boot on the half volley and connected with the ball which flew past the handy Duleas keeper. Balaga kept the foot on the gas and soon afterwards made it 2-1! With new signing Dickie more accustomed to staying back, both Tom and Kev got more freedom to go forward, and the second goal was a direct result of this.

Phil did some great running down the wing with Webz waiting for the cross. Tongo’s O’D (the self proclaimed most unselfish player in the squad!?)rounded the keeper and squared it to Webz. It missed the captain and landed at Tom O’C, who proceeded to smash the ball towards goal. Webz said after that he tried his best to get out of the way but it struck his chest and fell to the ground with his back to goal about 2cm out. He turned and knocked it in for his and Balaga’s second.

2 became 3 when Phil smashed it an effort from the right hand side of the box after some neat play by Balaga. The Cucumber’s were playing with real confidence. Tom and Kev looked comfortable on the ball with cover from a dogged Dickie who was there to break up the play and set up moves. JD was a bit worse from ware after the mid season break as his fitness began to fade near the half time whistle but he still caused problems for the Ma’s, and was always a great option to win a header or two in midfield along with Stevie P, who hounded and dribbled his way up the pitch every chance he got. But for all this, Ma’s were still dangerous and with all the players able to play ball this would still be a tough battle, and so it proved, as just before half-time they got one back from the small fellah up front. A great individual effort giving Damo no chance in goals. A roasting summer evening was taking its toll and half time was welcomed!!

The second half kicked off and just like the beginning of the first, Duleas started the better and a lacklustre Balaga soon found the scores level. Balaga used the subs wisely though and slowly got themselves back up to speed.

But despite all the Duleas attacks, they couldn’t break down the Balaga defence, with Tom and Kev’s plan at half time working and Ma’s danger man and team captain, “Joe” tightly monitored. Balaga’s 4^th of the evening came from a throw-in on the right, deep in Duleas half, which Kev decided to go up for. He targeted the back post as his best option to run to and Parker spotted him. Steve lobbed a great throw into the box which the keeper missed. The fumble by the Ma’s stopper  seemed to obstruct Kev’s view, and the defender missed it from 2 feet out with no one to beat, but, luckily for him, it went past him and deflected off the post and back out. A Duleas defender who was tracking back, was unfortunate enough  to get in the way and deflect the ball back into his own net!!!!!! YES BAI! 4-3.

With the one goal advantage back on, Tongo tightened up which allowed Ma’s to attack more and more. Joe appeared to lose the head for the Duleas, and at one point decided to kick the legs from under Phil, leaving the big man flattened on the sandy astro surface. The ref didn’t appear to think it was that bad though and allow him to stay, just awarding Tongo a free kick which didn’t materialise to anything. The fiery Duleas captain followed this by another “tackle” which the ref once more ignored, and allowed play to continue. This was the norm for the next 5 minutes as Balag didn’t get one call and Duleas got everything, it seemed to this reporter anyway! The free kick which lead to the equalizer was a good call though and from the resulting free kick the Ma’s managed to fire a shot under John’s foot and over Kevs attempted clearance into the goal. 4-4 with 2 minutes to go.

Balaga did have 1 final attack where they broke with 3 on 1. Parker had the ball out the right with Kev running through the centre, and JD free out the left. Steve squared it to John but he was one step ahead of himself and miscontrolled it leaving the ball to trickle out for a throw. With this the ref blew for time for all in all, probably a fair result.

The tough league saw last season’s champions QEF, lose to a fancied Red Army. Racing Club walloped a poor Fairs side and with possibly a few new faces, Temple Inn destroyed a douglasmortage side without the services of Chen who rejoined Racing Club. Here’s the first week table:  

After the match Tom O'C got some Q&A time with Webz over his thought's on the match...

Your first game as captain last night and although im sure disapointing at the time, surely it was a solid result, how do you think it went?

We could have lost that game. We could also have hammered them. A draw was a fair result. Duleas are a good side they finished above us last. Better than QEF in my opinion. Duleas wanted it more in the end as you could see they were winning every 50 50 ball in the last 10 minutes. We squandered chances and so did they. I don't want to make excuse but the ref gave a lot to them in leading up to the equaliser although the set piece they eventually scored from was a stone wall free kick. I was all over your man.

Dickie made his competitive debut last night and was a great asset, I hear there maybe some more new faces in the pipeline. Can you confirm anything?

Happy with dickies performance last night. I think the pace of the game surprised him but settled in well and should be an asset in the future. I did take him off in the last couple of minutes as he looked shattered. Fair play though. Yes soon after the match last night I was able to clinch the signing of John Dunphy quite happy with that although I may have jumped the gun as Tristan still has 6 weeks and Dave has left me in limbo over whether he is gonna play are what.

Two goals looks like you started as you finished last season, can you talk us through the two neat finishes?

First goal it was bouncing around there box and I just swung a boot at the half volley and it beat a better than usual goalie.

The second one I'm rather embarrassed about. Phil did some great running down the wing and i was waiting for the cross, he rounded the keeper and squared it. It was behind me but tom was there to smash the ball towards goal. I did my best to get out of the way but it struck my chest and fell to the ground. I had to put it in then.

Looking forward to next week and the arrival of dunphy and the return of Tristan and Dave.

SUMMER 2010 PREVIEW

The summer season of footy.ie is upon us and kicks off at 7pm on Wednesday against old foes Ma Dulleas. The season will bring many changes to FC Balaga Tongo as some players will leave and others join.

Stephen Parker and Tristan Hurley are certain to leave in June but will be playing their last games for the club at the start of a campaign Balaga will be hoping to win.

Eoghan Webz Kennedy will be taking over the reigns from O'Callaghan as Team Captain and the outgoing man is surely frustrated with the lack of silverware won during his captaincy over the past 4 seasons as the team grew from strength to strength to crapish to strength. But with Balaga a now steadier machine fans are sure Webz will be the on the field leader Balaga needs to bring the cucumbers to the next level and take championships in the coming seasons.

Webz made his first mark on the club with the signing of Richard Dickie Barrett to the side on a full-time contract.

With Barrett making his club debut in a pre-season friendly against the Expats(9-5 loss), scoring a superb long range effort from midfield, and then making his second appearance in the 'Green Giants V Black Cocks' Balaga Challenge Match won by Webz Green outfit, again showing his athleticism on the park. Fans are sure that he is the perfect fit for the club.


Hopefully Barrett and the rest of the team can step up to the challenge as the league fixtures were released this weekend and it is looking more competitive than ever before.

VIVA LA BALAGA

Balaga find out Its a game of two halves against Connects

With nothing to play for in the final game of the season…. (well besides 2^nd spot, but that’s just as bad as 3^rd) FC Balaga Tongo decided to start with Damo out of goals. Old skool bit part player Skinty kid came into the side and started in goals!

  

Balaga got out of the blocks the fastest as Abtran were 1 if not 2 men down. In fairness the game could have been over before there levelled up the sides but Balaga just tried some street footie flair and lost the opportunity, although they did score 2 in those opening 5 minutes or so.

GOAL!!!!!!!

The first of the game came from Webz. A good move by Balaga which involved Parker, Kev and then Webz out on the right wing. He steadied himself and took a low shot which megged the keeper for 1-0.

GOAL!!!!!!!

Number 2 came from a throw in taken by Kev, who found a run by Parker into the box. The midfielder hit a nice right footed shot past the Abtran keeper… 2-0.

GOAL!!!!!!!

John D made it 3-0 when he picked up the ball and charged through the mid-field before letting fire a rocket which wizzed past the keeper and crashed it into the net.

In between Balaga’s next 2 Abtran may have got 1 or possible 2 back.

GOAL!!!!!!!

Balaga #1 Damo kid Kennedy sprang off the bench and sprang straight into action. He showed the strikers how to do it with nearly his first touch as the ball broke free in the Abtran box where Damo blasted in a Alan Shearer special from two yards out.

GOAL!!!!!!!

Soon afterwards 4 became 5 as once more Damo got the final touch - He took the ball with his back to goal with 2 defenders between him and the onion net! With the passaz of a ballet dancer driving a number 10 bus he turned and dribbled 2 or 3 feet, somehow leaving the defenders behind him and the goal in front of him. He smashed it in the keepers near side to make it 5-2 to Balaga at half time.

Half-Time

The second half was a bit of a disaster for Balaga as they were over confident and didn’t turn up. They scored zero in the half and conceded 3 from that Scottish fella living in Cork with a Mayo top? Although his sence of patriotism is questionable his first touch or eye for goal wasn’t. 5 goals in the game for the Scot put gave him the golden boot for the league.

A great season all in all for Balaga. The title was theirs only for a BoB Deep major fook up by Damo and a loss to the QEF’s fella’s handed it to the hoors. Each player did their part with everyone from Damo to Phil O’D playing out of their skins.

NEXT YEAR WILL BE OUR YEAR!!