Malahide United v Ringsend Rovers 5:0
A Malahiding!
It doesn’t get any bigger than this for Ringsend Rovers as they venture into the FAI Cup 4th round against a team a league higher.

Rovers were on a massive high after their third round triumph over Dublin Bus where they were tagged no-hopers but it was Rovers who stopped the wheels on the bus going round and round as Rovers took a major scalp out of the cup!

From there the 4th round gave them Malahide United away. A depleted Rovers side travelled to a ground where, under fire, Steve Staunton trains his troops.

Conditions were perfect, pitch was outstanding, weather amazing, but one thing that annoyed me was the attitude of the referee before the game. He had a dictatorial attitude, everything had to be perfect, which is fair enough, but everything was, bar his contribution. He was shocking.

As early as the first minute the visitors knew what they were up against as the twelfth man did not award the visitors a blatant penalty that set the pace from there on. Any half challenge from Rovers resulted in a free-kick for their below-par opposition. I say below-par simply because they created five chances and scored five goals.

Now don’t get me wrong– it’s all about goals scored and not missed opportunities but the twelfth man did his best to make sure no matter what, Rovers were doomed to failure.
Even though Vincent McQuarrie and Barry Young were ready for battle, the twelth man refused to acknowledge the rules of football as their trademark runs were ignored by the ‘happy blowing whistle man’.

Ringsend Rovers were 1:0 down at the break. Noel McDonnel’s lads fancied their chances. A long story short– Rovers huffed and puffed but just couldn’t score.

Malahide, bottom line, took their chances, final score 5:0 and to be honest Rovers will learn one thing from this and that is that it’s not always the better team that wins!

Credit to Eddie Weafer in defence, Carl Murphy and Niall Goade in the middle and Mr Quality, Vincent McQuarrie, up front.

And finally a tip to the Manager. Leave quick-feet Barry Young up front unless you’re two or three up and then stick him in as centre half!!!

Still pulling the strings
I have to say what a pleasure it was to interview a highly respected individual, a chap who gave 28 years service to Ringsend Rovers and is still pulling the strings.

His full name is James White known locally as Jasper. He is currently the director of football for Ringsend Rovers and what a servant through the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Looking back as a highlight for James was a 3:2 win against Ashtown Villa in the 4th round of the FAI Junior Cup. Villa were big-time material and the result for Rovers was the start of things to come, and putting them on the map.

Jasper’s preferred football teams at Premiership, Scottish and European level are Manchester United, Celtic and Barcelona respectively. When he is not watching football his favourite TV programme is Only Fools and Horses and the soap he likes best is Coronation Street. Jasper enjoys a Chinese from the Canton House but his favourite food is steak, spuds and onions.
When I asked who the best current player was for Rovers, he was reluctant to pick any one man but eventually said Vincent McQuarrie. The player he would want to play for Rovers is Sean O’Sullivan.

He selected Anto Nangle as the best player from Ringsend. The best goal by Rovers in Jasper’s opinion was scored by Karl Murphy. The best manager Jasper ever played for was Ritchie Kiernan. Jasper’s favourite team apart from Ringsend Rovers is St Pat’s CY.
Friends of Jasper have commented as follows:

Simply the heart of the Club, 100% dedicated. (Current Manager Ringsend Rovers, Noel McDonnell).

A left foot better than Liam Brady. Quality vision– what a companion. (Eugene Leahy)
I’ll never forget our misunderstanding, both of us red-carded and still best mates. (Ritchie Kiernan).

One of the best friends you could have but never gamble with him as you’ll end up naked! (Robert Cummins).

If there’s a draw to be done, no better man– Jasper who’s number one! A heart of gold and a pillar of Ringsend society. No better man for a Gilbert and Sullivan Song. (Mick Barnes)
He took the reins from Willie Morrissey and Mickey Duffy– without him the club wouldnít be where they are now. What an engine! (Andy Boland).