Richmond Revival: City win!

Once again, Edinburgh airport and the Scottish weather did their best to prevent me getting to a game, but I was not to be thwarted.

The 4.50 flight was delayed to nearly six, which meant I didn't land till before seven. On the plane the captain announced that for operational reason the previous aircarft had to go to Marseilles, and this was the reason for the delay. On landing,I had to collect baggage so it was then a case of grabbing a taxi, detouring via the house to drop the gear and set a course for Inchicore.

A text on route indicated the team and this was followed up by the news that we'd scored through McGlynn. Charlie has a great record away to Pats and last night was no exception. I arrived at about ten past eight and a steward let me in without needing to pay, which was a bonus. I made my way down to the City fans joined the small travelling contingent. Deagy, Senior, The Dude and Damo were there, having just arrived moments before me.

It is a terrible position to watch a game from and with City defending the "top end" in the first half, we spent a fair bit of time looking left. Once again there were many of the big names missing for the City lineup, but this was a performance to be proud of.

Neat and tidy with patches of decent football, Derry showed spirit and determination. Albeit it was up against a toothless Pats side who look in serious diffs, but it was impressive none the less. In the stands it felt like the Badger days, a small crowd but 90 minute singing and good craic. There were two St Pauli fans over and they seemed to gear everyone up for a few more songs.

The talk at half time was of administration, bankruptcy and doom and gloom but the performance on the pitch had lifted the spirits. Molloy had chances in both halves but the beard hasn't improved his shooting. The first one went wide and the second one was saved by the keeper. McClean was having a great game but is another who needs to work on the finishing. Time after time he would skin the full back but on the times he cut inside, his shot was weak.

However the young winger was instrumental in the second goal as his ball was poked home by McDaid. Molloy broke from midfield, played a perfect ball to McClean. He cut in, waiting for mean to arrive and then delivered a lovely ball in.

Pats will feel hard done by as they were denied an absolute certain penalty when Delaney handled a cross from Ryan. However Pats in the main were disappointing and like ourselves a shadow of the team of old. The game wound to a predictable conclusion, with the attention switching to Cork and how the game was going there.

The scenes after the game certainly beg a few questions. The players all stayed on the pitch and the entire backroom staff joined them there. A huddle was formed and after a few minutes the players came over the applaud the fans. It is hard to describe the scene, but there was a real air of finality about it.

However it was class to be celebrating a win, despite Ryanair and their attempts to make sure I'd miss it.