Molly Malone’s Soccer Team Makes a Comeback
(Pictures)

St. Matthews, Ky. – Molly Malone’s soccer team, Molly Malone’s F.C. (Football Club), put their mediocore start to the summer season behind them when they beat a gallant Ligers 6-1 at Mockingbird Soccer Club on Sept. 13. The division “D” team put in a disciplined performance building from the back and eventually controlling midfield where Conor Murphy and Justin Curran dominated throughout, each of them grabbing a brace of goals putting the gloss on two great performances.

Molly’s plan were thrown into chaos earlier in the day when influential player/coach Paul Shanley had to withdraw from the side due to a mystery illness he picked up from something he ate or drank that rendered him incapable of playing. He still showed up in the grandstand to support his team-mates despite the obvious signs of the medication he was taking for his mystery virus.

Brendan McCartan was in flying form, assisting in three goals and taking one for himself. Brendan was obviously working twice as hard in an effort to fill in for his comrade behind the bar at Molly Malone’s and his neighbour from the West of Ireland, Shanley.

Assistant coaches, the husband and wife pairing of Sarah and Sean Byrne made light of being thrown into the limelight in the absence of their leader by paying tribute to Shanley. “We are dedicating this victory to Paul. We just told the players to continue as if Paul were in charge. We tightened up a little at the back and became more adventurous as the Ligers tired. We’ll take this win now, assess the injury situation in the morning and look forward to next week’s game,” said a jubilant Sarah afterwards at Molly Malone’s where the celebrations were in full swing.

Player of the season so far, goalkeeper Don Eckard, did well when called upon but did not have much to do because of a resolute defense in front of him comprising of Dave Scott, Will Nefzger, Russel King and horse trainer Niall O’Callaghan. The back four rotated their formation to great effect leaving the opposition helpless and totally out of ideas. They were well capable of coping with the huge blow of losing the talisman centre back and team sponsor from the Bluegrass Brewing Company, Scott Roussell, who succumbed to a serious-looking groin injury early in the game.

Up front, the rotation policy (also used effectively by English Premiership champions, Chelsea) seemed to work wonders. Stephen O’Callaghan, Brad Woods and Sean Cantley came in and out, held up the ball well, and each interchanged neat little passes with the midfield. Cantley did not show any signs of the fatigue he must have been feeling after the birth of his first son only a mere three weeks earlier. When asked if he required paternity leave from the team, he replied “Are you kidding? We have a football game to win.” Further evidence of the bond that exists between this remarkable group of men at Molly Malone’s F.C.