Date: 5 August, 2020
Competition: Leinster Senior League, Sunday Senior Division
Result: Maynooth University Town 1, Malahide United 1
Tickets: No entry fee.
Attendance: circa 70
The game: A defence vs counter-attack contest in the main after Malahide United had a man sent off for a fairly vicious late slide tackle in midfield midway through the first half. Malahide United took the lead totally against the run of play with 70 minutes on the clock, after Maynooth pressure left them short at the back and Malahide took advantage on the break. Maynooth equalised with a cross/ shot from their right back that flew in from about 40 yards – I’m not sure he meant it – about five minutes later.
These two are first and fourth in the LSL Sunday Senior, which is historically high for both of them. Judging on the one game alone – always dangerous – Malahide are an extremely solid defensive unit and look really difficult to break down, while Maynooth pass the ball out nicely from the back but lack a bit of cutting edge (something to do with that Malahide defence, perhaps). That Malahide have conceded only 17 in 20 games seems to back this up. I’d expect both to finish below where they are now, as there are a huge number of games in hand for some sides below them, with St Mochta’s, currently in second, looking heavy odds on to take the title.
The ground: A nice open field with a couple of pitches next to the main road between Dublin and Galway (you’ll have to go round the houses a little to get there – it’s not next to one of the junctions). Very much a ‘stand around the pitch’ job, with a metal barrier and no stands; both ends are not really suited to spectators.
Nice, chilled atmosphere, not the most passionate of crowds but a fun, relaxed place to watch a game.
Extras: There’s a nice looking little ‘hole in the wall’ shop, though it was entirely closed on the day – probably corona related.
Assorted asides: Another ground without enough parking. Plenty of room for little ones to play their own games beside the pitch, though.
My totals for the year so far:
Games: 4. Home wins: 1. Draws: 3.
Goals: 13. Home goals: 7. Away goals: 6. Goals per game: 3.25
A few pics:
