Elm Mount FC (0) vs Glasnevin FC (1)
Venue: Alsaa
Date: 23rd January 2010

The AFL got back into action later than expected after the country was iced out for the first few weeks of the year. Conditions weren’t much better on Saturday with temperatures near zero and a dense fog over the pitch.
Preparations for the match where hit when the diggers where down two men before even leaving the dressing room. James Lynch and Jake Warren failed to show, leaving Dan Daly to make a few last minute changes to the line up. Daryl Slein came into the centre of defence alongside Colin Daly. Mark McCauley moved out to right back and Eddie Riley back to his left midfield position.
The game took some time to get into gear, understandably with both teams trying to adapt to the muggy condition of the pitch. Glasnevin found they’re feet after 15 minutes and started exposing the Elm Mount lack of pace at the back. Brian Blood fed a couple of sweet through balls behind the defence for Riley to run onto. However the crosses into the box where swept up by the home keeper.
Elm Mount where struggling to find they’re passes and it resulted in a series of long balls over the top which found they’re way straight to Paddy Byrne in goals. They did force a number of corners without taking advantage of them. A tight first half without any goals or real goal scoring opportunities drew to an end.
After a minutes silence, the second half got under way. The diggers used the advantage of playing downhill straight away and attacked the Elm Mount defence at every opportunity. The left wing was seeing plenty of the ball and some neat interchanges between Blood, Riley and Hearns created a few half chances for Eddie Riley. The best of them saw him put through on goal but his shot was parried by the keeper and the defence managed to eventually get the ball to safety. The diggers kept up the pressure and created a number of good chances. Brian Blood was very unlucky not to get his name on the score sheet when the Elm Mount keeper made a splendid save, diving to his right keep out Blood’s drive.
Glasnevin had one or scares when 2 through balls where spilled by keeper Paddy Byrne but he managed to retrieve the ball on each occasion.
The breakthrough came with around 15 minutes left on the clock. Keith Kearns found himself on the left wing and his cross across the 6 yard box found Karl Hearns unmarked to riffle home a deserved goal.
The diggers could have added to that goal with a few long range shots from Blood, Hearns, Kearns and Riley. The home keeper did well to tip over a dipping Blood shot as well.
The only yellow card of the game when Willie Byrne was kicked on the floor after a strong challenge. Overall though, the ref did well to keep the game flowing without much incident.
With 8 minutes to go, Glasnevin made they’re only available substitution with Sean Johnston coming on for Eddie Riley who was suffering from cramp.
Elm Mount finished the game strong and they did they’re best to attack without ever really penetrating through a resolute diggers defence.
The diggers held firm to record a good win over they’re table propping neighbours. Next up is a home match against the in form Columbus Rovers.
Team:

Paddy Byrne (GK)

Padraig Tansey (LB)
Colin Daly (CB)
Daryl Slein (CB)
Mark McCauley (RB)

Eddie Riley (LM)
Willie Byrne (Mid)
Karl Hearns (Mid)
Keith Kearns (RM)

Kenny McLoughlin (FW)
Brian Blood (FW)

Substitutes:
Sean Johnston (for Riley on 82mins)