Disqus - Latest Comments for DublinerInKentucky

Re: Columbus Crew 1-3 West Ham United: Your Reaction To The Game And Violence

DublinerInKentucky — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:01:52 -0000

Was at the game with my 9 year old son...the slaggings and banter was good from the West ham and Crew sections...didn't see the aggro at half time as we were getting some scran, but I did see the security make the ICF take down a huge flag from the stands behind the goal "ICF 30 Years Undefeated" on it
Bit of aggro in the parking lot as well, but plenty of cops around and just a bit of drunken lads giving it mouth. The one fella who ran off from the cops after the game was being tracked by a police helicopter...seemed a bit much to have that there but I guess the cops were ready for some aggro.
Not a bad game for July to be honest...the speed of play, comfort on the ball, awareness and overall control from the West ham players showed a real gulf between the two leagues.

Re: ESPN Coverage Hits New Low With West Ham vs MLS All-Stars

DublinerInKentucky — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:04:23 -0000

Sad to see ESPN not learn from their superior EURO Coverage. God help us if they do eventually get the Premier league rights.
Does nobody at ESPN ever get the chance to watch SKY or Setanta sports coverage of games?
Analysis of football games does NOT have to involve speaking as fast and as loud as you possibly can!! Take a look at RTE (Ireland) coverage at half time to learn how to talk about a football game that we all have watched...I think ESPN commentators feel like they are explaining the game to the casual channel flicker who has happened to land on one of their channels and they have 10 seconds to cram everything into them...Bollox lads...football fans don't surf during a game because we don't have 50 other games being covered at the same time to flick to!!...its either on FSC or Setanata or ESPN

I was also not too impressed with the camera coverage during the game...yet again letting the game continue while they focus the cameras on an individual player not involved in the game, annoying!!

Re: 2008 Community Shield On Fox Soccer Channel In U.S.

DublinerInKentucky — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:56:04 -0000

will watch the setanta feed pre game and then switch over to watch the FSC on my TV...then back to Setanta for HT analysis

Gaffer...Any news on FSC going HD??

Re: Why Fox Soccer Channel Viewers Need To Subscribe To Setanta Sports

DublinerInKentucky — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:49:07 -0000

Setanta Broadband is top notch....$150 for the season is the best deal out there
I wish I could get it on my cable package also...but will have to wait for that
Can watch games on the road which comes in handy for Champions League matches and you just can't beat the studio analysis...of course, ANYTHING is better than a 30 second highlight reel and that awful music spliced in between Billy Mayshere and his latest as seen on TV dijjeridoo

Re: Warren Barton Joins Fox Soccer Channel

DublinerInKentucky — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:07:28 -0000

Hopefully FSC producers spent the whole summer watching how Setanta, SKY and RTE pundits analyze and talk about the games ahead
Last years show was not that great...very cardboard cutout with the suits and tie...looked like they were presenting the 9 o clock news!!
Give us 15 mins of analysis...don't shout, don't talk like your money is about to run out on the phone and don't try to fit every statistic about every game that day into 2 minutes before you break off for 10 mins of BillyMayshere products

Would love to see Barton lounging around in the chair all relaxed and giving his opinion on the game...It's not bloody Sportscenter lads!

Re: Premier League: August 24, 2008 (Your Running Commentary) | EPL Talk

DublinerInKentucky — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:45:47 -0000

I dunno...Wigan have had their chances. Chelsea are not dominating this game by any stretch.
It was a nice free kick but the keeper should have got something on it to be honest.
Usual sluggish display from the big four after midweek internationals...a good betting angle to look at as we get into WC qualifers

Re: Premier League: August 24, 2008 (Your Running Commentary) | EPL Talk

DublinerInKentucky — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:18:53 -0000

Its been a poor game overall since the goal...Chelsea are just about deserving of the three points...more to do with the lack of any attacking ideas from Wigan than superior play from Chelsea.
Yer man Daniel de Ridder is shite

Re: Premier League: August 24, 2008 (Your Running Commentary) | EPL Talk

DublinerInKentucky — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:21:52 -0000

Wigan have had more goal attempts and shots on target than Chelsea!

Re: Premier League Wants To Be The NFL

DublinerInKentucky — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:36:16 -0000

Would the Winner of this new league be called the WORLD CHAMPIONS?
A load of ould bollix..will never be allowed to happen...and if it does I might as well start to watch the shoulder pad, kneepad, heemit wearing, pat on the arse throwball meself(yawn)

Re: How to Watch the Best Premier League Game of the Day

DublinerInKentucky — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:31:05 -0000

Great idea....count me in...I'm heading over there to sign up right now...plus I'll send your link to my football forum mates an all..nice one
Dave

Re: Premier League Bets for Week 3: Bolton, Sunderland, Aston Villa

DublinerInKentucky — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:32:16 -0000

I agree Phil...Watched man city on setanta yesterday and they were muck...game went to penos in the rain and they will be feeling sluggish against a Black Cats team that is on a roll...I'd say home win there for sure
The pool have not convinced me so far this season with their 4 Euro and league games...and I was giving them the benefit of the doubt, but with gerrard out I can see them fizzing out at Villa Park to a MON side that will have been given a right kick up the arse after last week.
A good Draw pick for me for a little value is Hull v Wigan....Wigan had a very credible home display against Chelsea and Hull will be up for it at home against a team they will have targeted for points earned when the fixtures came out
Finally I'll add Boro home win over stoke
Boro are looking really good if a little unlucky and I fancy them to have a good run this season with their home form being their catalyst. Stoke had a great win at home aginst Villa, but I don't see them dominating a strong Boro team that will seems to have more options on hand on Saturday to pull them away.
So get yerself a $5 parlay on these 4 for a $149 return
Sunderland
Aston Villa
Boro
Wigan/Hull Draw

Re: How to Watch the Best Premier League Game of the Day

DublinerInKentucky — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:40:54 -0000

Want to add...
The purist in me is shocked that I would agree that something like this is good...after all, I have been telling my American naysayers that some of the best games of football I have watched over the years have been 0-0 or 1-0 games (ie to an american LOW SCORING)
BUT
with 3 kids and coaching games on the weekends...the trouble and strife gives me the evils sometimes when I disappear for the Saturday or Sunday afternoon to watch 3 games and there she is outside in 100 degree weather, 8 months pregnant and mowing the grass....nahhh just kidding...it was only 98 in the shade

Re: Premier League Predictions: Gameweek Three | EPL Talk

DublinerInKentucky — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:12:40 -0000

Here's my take on some value for this weekend.
For those of us in the USA that want to bet on the football Bodoglife.com does a fair enough job as a sportsbook. If you are interested let me send you an invite where you get a bonus on your first deposit and I get 20% of what you deposit as a referral...anyway, hope I haven't pissed off the gaffer with that...gulp, sorry...

Watched man city in UEFA cup on setanta yesterday and they were muck…game went to penos in the rain and they will be feeling sluggish against a Black Cats team that is on a roll…I’d say home win there for sure
The pool have not convinced me so far this season with their 4 Euro and league games…and I was giving them the benefit of the doubt, but with gerrard out I can see them fizzing out at Villa Park to a MON side that will have been given a right kick up the arse after last week.
A good Draw pick for me for a little value is Hull v Wigan….Wigan had a very credible home display against Chelsea and Hull will be up for it at home against a team they will have targeted for points earned when the fixtures came out
Finally I’ll add Boro home win over stoke
Boro are looking really good if a little unlucky and I fancy them to have a good run this season with their home form being their catalyst. Stoke had a great win at home aginst Villa, but I don’t see them dominating a strong Boro team that will seems to have more options on hand on Saturday to pull them away.
So get yerself a $5 parlay on these 4 for a $149 return
Sunderland
Aston Villa
Boro
Wigan/Hull Draw

Re: Premier League Predictions: Gameweek Three | EPL Talk

DublinerInKentucky — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:55:49 -0000

hmmmm...Hull 0 Wigan 5
bloody hell...welcome to the Premier League then lads! Boro squeeze a 2-1 lead
West Ham having it easy against Blackburn 4-1
Pompey easy win at Everton as well 3-0

Re: Dimitar Berbatov Wearing Man United Shirt

DublinerInKentucky — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:30:44 -0000

lol...boardroom picture...not exactly the most flattering of backgrounds
I bet you will change your tune when the pic is of him celebrating a goalwith Old Trafford in the background.
Great piece of business from SAF yet again...well worth the money, he rarely gets them wrong.Or will he be another Gary Birtles
YIKES!!! Remember the days of GB and Peter Davenport!! Ahhh those were the days, the odd FA cup win and a Milk Cup final appearance...LOL

Re: Manchester City Are Going To Be The Biggest Club In The World | EPL Talk

DublinerInKentucky — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:45:25 -0000

Big names don't guarantee big trophies
There is no doubt that Citeh will have some big names enter the frey, but I can't see them being able to keep a huge squad full of top players happy at Eastlands....United have always had big names, but the "supporting cast" was always top notch and came mostly from within and grew up in the ranks...Giggs, Scholesy, Beckham, the Nevilles all played their part alonside stalwarts such as Denis Irwin, Pallister, Bruce,...put that with the bargain Cantona's and Sheringham and Ole et all and then sprinkle in a few mega transfers of Rooney, Ferdinand, Van the man and Tevez and you have your success...Who do Citeh have to compliment their 35 million man other than Elano?
Shaun Wright Phillips?
Stevie Ireland?
Your havin a laugh!

Re: Manchester City Are Going To Be The Biggest Club In The World | EPL Talk

DublinerInKentucky — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:46:42 -0000

of course...I could be wrong

Gulp!

Re: Manchester City Is The New Chelsea Of Premier League | EPL Talk

DublinerInKentucky — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:10:40 -0000

Big names don’t guarantee big trophies
There is no doubt that Citeh will have some big names enter the frey, but I can’t see them being able to keep a huge squad full of top players happy at Eastlands….United have always had big names, but the “supporting cast” was always top notch and came mostly from within and grew up in the ranks…Giggs, Scholesy, Beckham, the Nevilles all played their part alonside stalwarts such as Denis Irwin, Pallister, Bruce,…put that with the bargain Cantona’s and Sheringham and Ole et all and then sprinkle in a few mega transfers of Rooney, Ferdinand, Van the man and Tevez and you have your success…Who do Citeh have to compliment their 35 million man other than Elano?
Shaun Wright Phillips?
Stevie Ireland?
Your havin a laugh!

Re: Fox Soccer Channel Pays $7.5 Million For Nielsen Ratings | EPL Talk

DublinerInKentucky — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:11:39 -0000

I would be concerned that the average US Joe just isn't watching FSC at ANY time during the day...
I mean, are they going to be handing out Nielson sign up cards at soccer clubs/tournaments? Coz those are where their viewers are....bit of a pissing in the wind thing if they expect the viewers of Greys Anatomy and House and late night talk shows to also throw on there that in between ads they watched the thrilling 0-0 between Liverpool and Aston Villa
Perhaps we need to start a petition to get people in the soccer community together to sign up for Nielson so that FSC can have some hits on there...ER my arse...FANZONE becomes #1 rated show ever on THURSDAY nights
;)

Re: Fox Soccer Channel Pays $7.5 Million For Nielsen Ratings | EPL Talk

DublinerInKentucky — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:18:45 -0000

or that it was broken
lol
:)

Re: Joe Cole Can’t Save England Blushes

DublinerInKentucky — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:03:52 -0000

agree....I was lucky that I found the game on there....but another question is why they didn't show the Ireland game on PPV/Broadband as well?
I was watching the game on justintv.com which had Setanta and RTE coverage of the game

Re: Fox Soccer Snooze Day

DublinerInKentucky — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:43:58 -0000

sloppy post there Gaffer...Can hardly blame FSC for having 4 0-0 games?
The games listed were interesting enough pre game for me...the fact that they ended up 0-0 didn't bother me too much as I felt that they were good enough games to watch...and WHO DOESN'T LOVE a Dec/Jan FA CUP match from the lower divisions?

So let's lay off FSC on this occasion...Been a good enough Gooner/Chelski game today and the Inter Milan game eariler had some class finishes
At least they are showing games and using proper commentators

BTW what about ESPN360 of late....fair play to them showing Championship games and 3 or 4 Champions league games midweek live online..Top Notch Stuff

Re: ESPN Insider Confirms UK Premier League TV Bid

DublinerInKentucky — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:23:25 -0000

I will lament losing our independence from ESPN if all of a sudden FSC and Setanta lose the rights or part of the package.
It is a badge of honor that us real football fans have our own channel that we know shows proper football and even though its not perfect, we can feel at home at....
but to now be sandwiched on ESPN's schedule would be a disaster for football in this country...can you see events like this happening
It's monday afternoon at 4:30 ET....15 mins to go of the monday night game...Newcastle 2 Liverpool 2 ....cracking game, packed house, fully committed teams....meanwhile...
Brett Farve is holding a press conference to announce that he is going to shave

WHAT WILL ESPN DO?

EXACTLY!

Re: FA Cup Fifth Round Draw Announced

DublinerInKentucky — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:23:29 -0000

ahh yesss...memories of watching the draw on tele as a kid...today my 9 1/2year old son got to watch it on SelloTanta Sports and since I had to go out I had him watch it for me.
When I got back he had it all written down on a notepad and was excited to share the ties with me...Watford upset he is calling and hoping for a cracking Derby/Man Utd game...
a memory to treasure I can tell yiz...
BTW this is a 9 1/2 year old Man United/real Football mad kid in kentucky, who around this time last year was asked by his schoolmates "did he watch the superbowl last night?" his response...I kid you not, was...."what's the superbowl?"

brought a tear to my eye ;)

Re: Snow Wreaks Havoc on Transfer Deadline, and FA Cup

DublinerInKentucky — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:38:00 -0000

Gaffer!!...any news on ESPN getting any package of EPL rights???
I heard that they might be announcing something by midday?

Re: An Interview with Steven Wells

DublinerInKentucky — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:22:34 -0000

originally from Ireland...been living in the states (kentucky) for nearly 20 years...came over on a soccer scholarship, played in college, coached in college, coached high school and club and now am a technical director at a large club in Kentucky...and i can tell you that there are a few major problems with the game here that make it nearly impossible for it to grow to a scale that most of us want it to get to and were discussed in this very good article
1. Too few teams in a geographic area...this applies to most cities in the US (i am sure that there are a few exceptions but I have not seen it in the Midwest Region we are part of)...back in Dublin I played U10 through U18 in the Dublin District Schoolboys leagues and each age group had a division of 14 or more teams and those divisions went from Div A to Div E or even F....so you had 14+ teams times 6 or seven different divisions in each age group!! All within easy driving distance...
2. At EVERY level in youth soccer in the US the kids play too many games in a short timeframe
CLUB TEAMS play their seasons in our area March- May and will play between 25-30 games usually and play at LEAST 3 weekend games (if in a tournament that number can go to 5 games) they normally play at 8-10am....then again between 2-4pm
Then they will play another game on Sunday at 10am and possibly at 3pm
Now you can Imagine what kind of product these players are able to put on the table by the time they are playing their 4th (80 minute) game in 48 hours!!
Injuries and burnout (especially with female players) are rife in the club game by the time these kids reach 13/14 years of age (high school playing days)
HIGH SCHOOL teams play August-October and usually spend mid July -early August in Preseason which usually means running and fitness work...then proceed to play 20 regular season games in a 9 week window...then up to 8 more in a three week playoff schedule...
All the while Practicing pretty much every day after school from Aug-October...(the better players then will link up with their Club teams who have a winter season which would comprise of a couple of tournaments in Florida or any warmer confines in the South USA. from NOV-DEC
The general level of coaching in the High Schools and the general level of play is quite poor although there are exceptions to that in each major city....High School soccer is not for the purist fan of the game...
But lets take a step back here...the AVERAGE american soccer player has now just completed his/her club season and high school season from March-October with one month (mid June to mid July) off and has played a total average of between 45 and 60 games in 7 months!
NOW they will go from November to March and have little or NO games! They will play indoor and blast the ball off a wall until its time for the season to start up again.
When they get to College its the same...Seasons crammed into Aug-October and then they are NOT ALLOWED by the NCAA to play again until a short window of friendlies in the spring March/April and then nothing but fitness workouts before they come back in for preseason in July!!
ON TOP of all this...american soccer players in general
1. Don't Watch soccer on tv
2. Don't read about it in any local newspapers
3. Don't Hear about it on the news
4. Don't PLAY in their neighbourhoods
5. Don't have any heroes in the sport
6. Don't play soccer by themselves in the backyard

But they DO...
1. Bounce a soccerball like a basketball when standing on a floor
2. Watch College American Football and College Basketball
3. Play pickup basketball/throwball games a lot in the summer
4. Get their heroes from number 2 above
5. Read all about these sports and hear all about these sports every day
6 WILL throw a basketball at a net 12 feet above them for 45 mins to pass the time
but will not dribble or kick a ball at a goal 12 feet away from them for 45 mins

There are a lot of great things about US soccer and it DOES continue to grow...there are some amazing players at the youth level that I believe are as good if not better than european players their age and level....BUT....what I have outlined above are ,I BELIEVE, some of the major reasons why American kids do not have the same PASSION for the game that will turn them into PROFESSIONALS of the SPORT...You can have all the talent you want...but if you dont have the PASSION then you will not make it in ANY PROFESSION
The odds are stacked against them BUT as they grow up and raise families THEY will put soccer in the spotlight and THEIR kids will find ways to be passionate about the sport
My son is 10 next month...and because I have no interest in american sports he only watches football....he checks BBC Sport/101 Goals/EPL talk every day for football news
he watches and DVRs FSC and Setanta games from England Italy and Argentina
He supports Man Utd (I went thru the 70/80's when we were crap so he doesnt know how lucky he is) Inter milan and Boca Jnrs...He idolizes Ronaldo, Messi, Ibrahimovic, Sir Alex, Jose and Georgie Best. He is a fan of the game because thats what his dad is...we don't slag on American sports, we just have no interest in them....but we love football and we live in big basketball country...but we have to work hard to find our football...I look forward to the day when it is a lot easier to find....but its a hell of a lot better than it was in 1990 when I arrived here.
Football in the US will grow, but I see it growing slowly and can see the USA becoming a stronger nation at this game by 2018 World Cup...it is going to take 2 more World Cup rotations to make up the gaps they have right now with the world powers at the game.