Brian Strahan

It all seems rather humdrum now, but when Jean-Marc Bosman successfully sued his then Club RFC Liege for restraint of trade in 1995, and won, the decision would change the landscape of football, player movement and contracts significantly and permanently.  

His name is part of the parlance of how football is spoken about.  To move on a free is to move on a Bosman.  He and his actions are ingrained in our subconscious at least.  And correctly so.  Because of him the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg ruled that what was in place was a system that restricted the free movement of players.  The fallout was that players were given the right to move at will, and for nothing, on the completion of their contracts. 

Tribunals to seek agreement between two clubs over a player with no contract, appears now almost half-witted.  But it was indeed the case at the time and necessarily so. To let a players contract run out and still retain his services as servile as it was, was how it was.

Newcastle United have announced that Ryan Taylor has suffered a further cruciate knee injury.  The 28 year old had injured his knee in a Europe League qualifier last August against Greek club Atromitos.  After going through surgery soon after and undergoing rehabilitation over the last eight months this is a depressing blow for the Liverpool born full back.

This latest injury will rule Taylor out for at least the majority of the 2013/14 season if not the full campaign.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said: “Ryan has worked so hard and diligently since his injury.  He has been a model patient and has given his all to ensure he could return to full training in the best condition possible.  Clearly everyone at the club is deeply saddened by this news.

Pardew added: “Ryan has, and will continue to, receive the full support of everyone at Newcastle United during this difficult time for him.”

A Jean Yves Poame goal at Coolock’s Oscar Traynor Centre last night saw Ireland’s Under-15 side defeat Finland in a friendly played on a still night on Dublin’s northside.  In the first of two friendly internationals in three days between the two nations, Niall Harrisons Ireland side had the basis of a strong first half performance to thank for their victory.

It was from Malahide United’s Zacharay Elbouzedi’s corner that Corduff FC midfielder Poame struck the decisive goal.  Shortly after Stephen Kinsella of Templeogue United was put through on goal by the always energetic Brandon Payne but Kinsella was thwarted by visiting goalkeeper Jere Pirainen who also saved well from Kinsella’s own shot five minutes later.

Finand’s best chance came shortly before the interval when Niilo Mäenpää had a long distance effort that was saved by St. Kevins Boys’ Corey Chambers.  Chamber’s club team mate Robert McCourt and Lucan United’s Conor Masterson had to offer concentrated defensive performances in order aide their side to hold on to a tight lead.

The next Women’s World Cup will take place in Canada in July, 2015.  If Sue Ronan’s Irish team are to qualify it will be a task as onerous as what their male counterparts face at present.  Today’s draw in Switzerland, attended by Ronan, saw her side drawn in a qualifying group containing Germany, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia.

Germany are currently ranked second in the world and first in Europe.  Russia’s pedigree is not as daunting, with not a huge chasm in European or World rankings with Ireland.  Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia will offer lesser known and possibly precarious sojourns.

The Group 1 matches will be played just within the confines of September 2013 and September 2014.  All seven group winners will automatically qualify and the remaining European berth will be fought out between the four best runners up between October 25th and November 27th, 2014.  These play offs in itself will be difficult to progress from, but could prove Ireland’s best chance.

Gary Bowyer’s form as caretaker manager bodes well for struggling Blackburn Rovers.  Before Michael Appleton’s brief spell as manager at Ewood Park, Bowyer took temporary charge following the sacking of Henning Berg and saw his side undefeated with three wins and a draw in his four games in charge.  Even the Venky’s would surely tip their collective hats if a repeat run was attained.  They will owe a lot more then a gesture though if Bowyer does as planned stay in charge until the end of the season.  Sometimes what you so badly need is staring you in the face.

Blackburn are perilously close to the dropzone and significantly are currently bottom of the Form Table.  In the Championship table proper, Blackpool are only ahead of Blackburn with a marginally superior goal difference.  Significantly they have played one game more then tonight’s opposition. It’s clearly a must win game for both sides.  With that in mind there’s an air of gridlock about this game.