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Intriguing mix of Aussie Soap and LOI Fare! JJ Devaney (Published in the Sligo Weekender, April 17th, 2012)

Intriguing mix of Aussie Soap and LOI Fare!


JJ Devaney 

Wow. What a start to the game! Liam is worried because he has gotten someone pregnant and during a robbery some guy has been knocked unconscious. Then before you know it BOOM! we go live to Pat Dolan! Its amazing how ‘Home and Away’ and RTE’s coverage of the Airtricty league seamlessly came together. No time for pre-match analysis when some Australian lad has just been bashed over the head. I wasn’t sure where ‘Home and Away’ ended and Sligo Rovers v Derry started. RTE didn’t give me any time.

Neither it seems did Pat Dolan. Clearly imbued by some conspiracy brewing in the antipodean town of Summer Bay Dolan decided to write his own narrative for the Sligo v Derry game. According to Pat a mysterious ‘everyone’ had written Derry off. With the smile of a man who had just composed a plot that would do Martin Scorcese proud Dolan told us ‘I think Derry could cause an upset tonight’. Dolan clearly didn’t realize that when it comes to the league Rovers fans are more used to Shakespearean tragedy rather than Scorsese-esque intrigue. What Rovers fan has ever ‘’expected’’ to beat Derry City?

Inappropriate sun also sneaked in from the ‘Home and Away’ set as the Showground’s was bathed in a light that left RTE’s cameras flailing around like an over eager Aunty with a camcorder at a First Communion. The setting sun impaired ones vision for Romuald Boco’s inexplicable miss after Danny North’s sublime flick. The replay showed the full horror. ‘Crikey’ as Alf Stewart might say.

Co-commentator Liam Coyle regaled us with analysis that was almost as formulaic as an Aussie soap. ‘If you don’t take your chances……blah blah blah’. Boco’s miss was punished by McDaid’s penalty but that didn’t stop the bias fest from Mister Coyle. The former Derry City striker couldn’t be kept in check by the mild mannered and salient Adrian Eames. ‘North hasn’t had a look in’ opined the Coyle. Your right Liam, Danny North hasn’t had a look in. Apart from his goal. Which in the pantheon of ‘’look ins’ is pretty big. Not to mention the gilt edged goal chance he orchestrated for Boco.

Pat Dolan looked suitably smug at full time with the 1-1 draw. While down under the Showground’s main stand Joey Ndo brought down the end credits and music as he told Tony O’Donoghue how close Rovers feel they are getting to the League title. ‘We finished third one year, second last year and this year we want 1st’.  Closer each day, Home and Away.