Team Chat:

Report on 2006/2007 Season

While the 4ths did very well to avoid relegation in the last weeks of the 05/06 season, they were not so lucky this season. A poor start saw the side struggle for points early in the season, in fact it was not until 2007 that they experienced their first vistory. A tremendous run of results was not enough to avoid relegation however, and the management team will now need to regroup and ensure that the side is ready to face the new challanges ahead next season They can take comfort from the fact that the only other team to be relegated in LSL (the seconds) went on to win the league 2 seasons later.

Sat 5th Nov

Cashelvilla 0 Malahide 0

This game was played on a pitch with grass about a foot tall. This did little to help Malahide play their normal passing game. However we did start very strongly and after 15 minutes the Wizard of Ozzy was fouled in the box following some tricky play. The Wizard himself stepped up to take the kick. The fact that it was hard to even see the ball in the long grass did little to help him. However while he took a quality peno it was well saved by the opposing keeper. This set the tone for the game as the keeper made a string of fabulous saves to keep the game scoreless. Lar Laffin had 2 headers from close range stopped and Damian Burke collected a ball on the line, cut inside and hit a super curler just inside the far post, only to see the keeper make another fine stop.

However the second half proved to be a non-event with little falling to either side. Possibly the only highlights in the second half were the fighting qualities of the centre midfield, with Lar receiving the close attention of the refereee and Suttsy once again showing how his prowess in the tackle. While manager John Cole (just home from his world tour) will be happy to have stopped the losing steak, he will see this game as 2 points lost rather than a point gained.

Team: David Logan,, Niall McDermott, Greg Diem, Darragh Halpin, Glen Corbett, Damian Burke, David Sutton, Lar Laffin, Paul Kavanagh, Ozzy Osbourne, Peter Shevlin

Subs: Mark Kane for Laffin, , Rory Gallagher for Burke and Mark Lynch for Kavanagh

Not used: David Horgan, Michael Byrne and Stephen Maher

Sat 29th October

Malahide 3 Rafters Celtic 3 (Rafters win 5-3 on penalties)

This game was played in atrocious conditions with the wind and rain incessant. The game began with Malahide playing into a gale force wind. After withstanding an opening 20 minutes of pressure they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Andrew (Ozzy) Osbourne. However the spot kick from Ivan Sherlock narrowly passed the upright. Things quickly went from bad to worse when Rafters went ahead with 10 minutes remaining in the half. The 4ths held out for the remainder of the half and were reasonably pleased to turn at helf time with just a goal between the sides. However this enthusiasm was quickly dampened when Rafters scored a second following a mix up between keeper Stephen Kirby and Brian McMahon which allowed Rafters in to score a second. Undaunted they continued to press until Ozzy broke free in the box and converted to bring the score to 1-2. However defensive frailities again allowed Rafters to regain their 2 goal lead with 25 minutes remaining. At this stage manager Brendan Harte played his last card and made 2 substitutions and changed the formation from a 4 4 2 to a 3 5 2. This proved the instument for a revival and goals quickly followed from Ozzy and Paul Kavanagh. Having restored parity they then pressed for the winner which failed to materialise. There then followed 2 periods of extra time which failed to devide the sides. Lastly (for the 3rd time in a week for Malahide senior side) came the dreaded penalty shootout. Spot kicks were converted by Ozzy, Niall and Brian however 1 unconverted penalty by Peter Shevlin, along with Rafters converting all 5 meant that the tie was over and the 4ths must look again to the league for honours this season.

Team: Stephen Kirby, Rory Gallagher, Stephen Maher, Brian McMahon, Niall McDermott, Mark Kane, Glen Corbett, Damian Burke, Mark Lynch, Ozzy Osbourne, Ivan Sherlock

Subs: Daniel Goslin for Sherlock, Paul Kavanagh for Burke and Peter Shevlin for Maher.

Not used: David Horgan & Michael Byrne

October update

As expected the fourth team are finding life in Premier Saturday difficult. However they have settled well and have turned defeats into draws. The fact that they have tightened up the defence (having only conceded 6 goals to date) gives them a platform to begin a rise up the table. Special credit is due to the fourth team squad, with a panel of 20 odd players and given the fact that they have players dropping from the third team, they often end up training and not even receiving a jersey come Saturday. While this can be frustrating, they should know that no club can hope to achieve success without this type of dedication and committment.