Dripsey3

Excellent as always. Mason Melia has bags of potential. It makes sense to send him out on loan to a League 1 side.

Mark O Mahony would be a brilliant signing. Given our style, he could easily end up with 15 to 20 goals.

Ireland's first World Cup was 1990. It was our second major tournament in a row. Euro 88 was magical. England should have beat us 6-0. Instead we won 1-0. One of my favourite footballing memories. I digress....back to Italia 90......

We faced England, Netherlands and Egypt. The Dutch had knocked us out of the Euros with a bizarre goal. We knew nothing about Egypt. We knew England inside out.

The England game was full of tension. There was zero chance of the English taking us lightly this time around. Gary Lineker scored a typical Lineker goal. It stayed that way until Kevin Sheedy lashed a daisy cutter into the corner of the net with 17 minutes to go. It finished 1-1. 

Next up was a 0-0 draw with Egypt. It was one of the worst games I have ever seen. Egypt didn't attack. Ireland didn't know what do. By the time we figured it out, time was slipping away. Brutal. Absolutely brutal. 

And then the Dutch again. They stood between us and the knock out stage again. Gullit scored a brilliant goal to give the Dutch the lead. Niall Quinn rescued Ireland with 20 minutes left. We were in the last 16.

The Dutch got West Germany. We got a decent Romanian side who were capable of anything. It wasn't the best of games and Romania deserved to win but we managed to take it to penalties. Pat Bonner saved 1. We scored all 5. Unbelievable scenes across the country. 

Next up was the hosts in Rome. As per usual, Ireland raised their game against superior opposition. The Italians deserved their 1-0 win but it was a hell of a scrap. And just like that, our adventure was over but the memories live on. 

24 of the best sides in the world competed in Italia 90. It was an elite competition. The current edition is the equivalent of trophies for everyone. A pat on the head for participating. A diluted competition. No thanks.

Southampton just keep on digging. Their argument is yes we deliberately broke the rules but we didn't benefit from it so why are we being punished? Also that the integrity of the game was undermined, not by their cheating, but by then being punished! I expect even some Southampton supporters are embarrassed by this approach. The owners have destroyed the club's reputation.

It's looking like one of the most competitive League Ones in years and that's saying something. I think we'll need 50 points+ to stay up. I'd be happy to avoid relegation. Anything else would be a bonus.

Well I sat down last night and made a list of the away games I'd like to attend next year. So:

Reading - You can get the Elizabeth Line from Heathrow to Reading. Ideal for my good self.

Leyton Orient - A ground I'm very familiar with. Watched Notts there a few times.

Oxford - I've never been to Oxford. I'd like to see the place and this is the perfect excuse.

Blackpool - I was there once. I sat on the beach and watched the world go by. I'd like to do that again.

My maybe would be Wigan. I like history and Wigan is interesting.

My would love to but very unlikely. Exeter and Plymouth. I'd love to visit Devon.

I'll try and make one home game. Sheffield Wednesday appeals to me most. Then Luton. Then Leicester. Then that small club beginning with M.....

Think of the away trips next year. Leicester. Reading. Luton. Mansfield. Wigan. Blackpool. Sheffield Wednesday. Wow. Just wow.

I won't be able to attend the playoff final next month. I can't get the time off work. Previously time off wasn't an issue but things have changed. We have a CEO who sees longevity as a bad thing. People with 10 years plus are being moved closer to the exit. I'm there 19 years. I'm holding on for redundancy and they are hoping I quit. It's not a fun situation but I do my best.

I would love to go to Wembley. It's a short trip from Cork but the cost of flights are eye watering. Plus I have a less than sympathetic boss so time off would be a battle as well. Still I haven't quite given up yet.

Keeping Chesterfield scoreless over the 2 legs is most impressive. From what I saw, it never looked like Notts were going to lose last night. Wembley awaits. Nice.

Chesterfield bring theatrics. They bring drama. We need to rise above that tonight. I'll be depending on text up dates from my friend Niall. I'm going to Cobh Ramblers vs Athlone Town tonight.

Delighted for Riley and Kidderminster. I think he'd benefit from another season on loan there next season. He's obviously thriving there.

Superb result but I can't help feeling that we could have buried them with a bit more composure. Having said that, the pressure is on them now, they have to come out and play. That will suit us just fine.

We know how this will go. 100% commitment. A hundred miles an hour. End to end. Controlled aggression. Passion. And.....bedlam.....

Bring it on.....

This season has a last season feeling to it. Our philosophy will only get you so far in League 2 and unfortunately it looks like we have reached that limit again. I hope I'm wrong of course but.....

Automatic promotion is still on the table. We need to win our last 3 and hope that is good enough. There's a decent chance that it might be enough. It's squeaky bum time.

That was a serious setback but we just have to park it and move on. If you do go up, we are going to need serious investment or we'll struggle to get 40 points next season.

That felt like a kick in the gut. The game exploded into life after 90 mins. Luckily we have a woeful Newport side coming to ML so a bounce back is mandatory.

3 points. +3. I'd have taken that at kickoff. I still think automatic promotion will go down to the last few minutes of the last game of the season.

It's squeaky bum time now as there are 10 games left. Hopefully the injury to Matty Platt isn't too serious.

That has to be one of the most ridiculous sending offs in our history. You are on a yellow card and then you do something daft. The referee had no choice. It's has been a great first half otherwise.

One of those days so we'll take it on the chin and move on. The sending off was harsh. I don't think anyone will say different.

A lost opportunity for sure but the damage was limited by other results. Jatta was a huge loss. He's the focal point.

A point at Bromley is a point gained given their home form. Notts still have momentum. That's vital at this stage in the season.

Anyone else feel like this was a strange game? It felt like only one team turned up in the first half. Gillingham made a few changes and suddenly they looked like a table topping side. Maybe it was me.....

I guess Fleetwood don't own a roller? The pitch was atrocious. Fantastic 3 points on the road.