It’s not just that City is back in the top league. It’s that I was back in Cork for a couple of days. It’s that I was finally out and about after a minor surgery—still, surgery is surgery. Since the end of January, I had been mostly confined to home, if not to bed. It’s also that I managed to bring the missus along. She’s not into football, but since it was my birthday (and despite being Valentine’s Day), she was willing to join me.
FRIDAY NIGHT FEVER
We are so back. I am over the moon with 2025, with Friday night fever and everything that comes with it. I’ve checked the fixtures, and the Leesiders will be playing in Dublin every month. So many away days in the pipeline! If everything goes well with a couple of arts and cultural activities, I’ll be in the Rebel County this summer. Not that I’d ever need an excuse to visit Turners Cross.
THE ATTACK, COUTO & CO.
The squad has changed substantially, especially at the back. I have mixed feelings about it. I reckon Brad was brilliant—a key piece in the flawless 2024 season. Big shoes for Troost to fill.
While I have concerns about the keeper change, I’m happy to see the defense being refreshed. I never was a fan of Cian Coleman. He wasn’t up to the standards of a captain, let alone a leader in that part of the pitch.
There’s a Portuguese mate among the defenders: Couto. As a Portuguese man myself, I’ll have to find out more about him. All I can say is that his name reminds me of a legend who played for my FC Porto and later shined in Italy: Fernando Couto. Exactly the kind of defender you want—a wall, with just the right level of aggressiveness.
FIRST HALF: HOW IT STARTED VS. HOW IT ENDED
We could have started the game (and the year) with a goal. The post denied it. That would have changed the whole morale of the match. Seeing the ball hit the net at that stage turns the game into a different one.
And the same goes for goals conceded at crucial moments. If you watched the game, you know where I’m going with this. Galway scored right before halftime—the worst possible time. And to be fair, they barely did anything to justify it. I don’t think I’m being biased when I say Cork dominated the entire first half.
I almost missed the goal because I was busy recording the previous moment in the game. I only realized Galway had scored when I saw the crowd react—including the missus! Dijksteel made it happen. He’s the kind of player who makes the difference.
GALWAY IS PHYSICAL, CITY IS PASSION
Galway relied on physicality. No surprise there—it’s their strength, and it kept them among the top teams last year. As a result of that last-minute first-half goal, the visitors naturally started the second half with momentum. In fairness, they could have scored early on. But the post (if I’m not mistaken, the same one that denied us) had different plans.
Not only was that post making an impact, but so was Bolger. He was everywhere. A beast. Eventually, he put us back in front with a beautiful goal. Bolger is like fine wine—aging only makes him better.
City felt the pressure. Unsurprisingly, Galway equalized. We became too defensive too soon. City fuels on passion, which is a strength, but it needs to be refined.
Congrats to both teams. They gave the fans a good—at the very least, an entertaining—game. The officials, on the other hand, didn’t match the players’ performance. Let the ball roll, tell the lads to get up and go after it. Too many yellow cards.
THE GREAT RETURN
The great return ended in a draw. Just like my first time at Turners Cross—again, with Galway as the opponents. Another coincidence: my first away game was also in Tallaght, which happens to be our next fixture.
Hopefully, City will look the Rovers in the eye, just like they did in that memorable 4-4 match. Just don’t let them equalize again and leave us feeling like we lost two points instead of gaining one.
Super work Vitor!