Frank Cooke Park, home of Tolka Rovers based in Glasnevin, Dublin and play their trade in the Leinster Senior League.
One of Dublin’s oldest clubs goes into it’s 101st year of existence still proud of it’s Irish roots at grassroots level. Today they face Old County FC who are currently 2nd in the Major Saturday League with Tolka in 10th.
So it’s onto the 83 bus past Dalymount Park, past Phibsborough and into Glasnevin. No time for the Gravediggers today but still time to kill before kick off so it’s a little trip to the Quarry just down the road to watch the remainder of the first half of Sheffield United & Everton.
An Own Goal by Jordan Pickford which was very unlucky for him sees Sheffield United 2-1 up at half time but for now it’s today’s main event! Free entry here! Sensational! The teams are ready! The Irish grassroots is upon us! Let’s rock!
Kick Off! Old County have started the better of the 2 teams here and are taking the game to Tolka. 7 minutes in and Old County have a corner, it’s played short and they are forced back to halfway but it is hit forward to the left, it’s worked into the box and the shot comes in from just inside the box… Just wide!
18 minutes in and Darragh from Shelbourne has joined me! Great to see him once again! Here come Old County and number 11 is in on the right… He’s scored! It’s been coming! Old County lead here! 0-1!
24 minutes now and Old County play a through ball but the keeper gets there first… Wait a minute! Players are arguing in the middle of the park… Both number 8s seem to be going at each other and the Referee has got to stop this… No cards given!
Tolka are slowly growing back into this game but Old County still looking stronger but at half time it remains 1-0 to Old County FC.
Second half, 50th minute and Tolka have a free kick right on the edge of the box, number 8 steps up… It’s a poor effort straight at the wall and cleared.
3 minutes later and Old County have a corner, in it comes…… It somehow evades everyone and Tolka are reprieved.
69th minute and Old County are still looking good! They have a corner, in it comes… It’s headed on and the shot comes in from the back post… He’s not caught it clean enough and it rolls wide of the near post.
2 minutes later and Tolka have a free kick in the Old County half, it’s played into the box… It’s come off number 4 and where’s that going…? IT’S GONE IN OFF THE BAR!! Tolka are level!! 1-1!
89th minute and Old County come forward from the left, he gets just inside the box… Down he goes… Penalty! That looked soft… Tolka fans are furious!! “Well done Ref!” Old County’s number 8 steps up to win it… And he has!! The Old County bench love that one! 1-2!
Into added time and Tolka have a corner, in it comes… Headed on and kept in at the far post and played back across, the header… Over the bar! That’s it! Tolka fans furious and the Old County players are giving it back… Non-League in Ireland proving just like in England! I love this!
FT: Tolka Rovers 1-2 Old County
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – A bit of noise from Tolka fans in the bar in the second half.
- The Ground: 5/10 – Probably Step 5 of Non League in England and it’s pretty good! It has a stand and a great view from the clubhouse!
- Expense: 10/10 – £0!!
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – Great to see Darragh again and great to see some grassroots football abroad again!
23/40