Ben Archibald
10th April 2007. Every paper in the land informs us of a Hibs team in disarray. Team revolts have supposedly taken place in the Hibernian dressing room, and the anger seems to be aimed towards the manager, John Collins, due to his coaching style.
After joining Rangers in the transfer window, ex-captain Kevin Thomson constantly informed the press that he and his former gaffer did not get along. Clearly not bitter that he had been stripped of the captaincy, for the towering ex-Grimsby defender Rob Jones.
It also seemed that sections of the Hibs support were unsure about John Collins, as the team were no longer playing the ‘sexy’ football that they were under their predecessor, Tony Mowbray. It would appear that this was a team in crisis. However, Collins had just led this side to their first major trophy since 1971. They won the league cup, with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock, and were about to go into a Scottish Cup semi-final against a below par Dunfermline side, who were routed to the bottom of the table. Hibs went on to lose the replay of this tie 1-0. There did appear to be cracks showing in the side. Scott Brown showed this when asked about the dressing room unrest. As opposed to saying “no comment” when asked, he obviously thought a reply of “don’t know” would be more appropriate. The way he wilted after that question suggests he would be a dream for police investigators, with that sort of quick thinking. After this loss, Hibs’ season petered out to a disappointing conclusion.
The summer followed the disappointing trend for Hibs fans, with their best players being sold off, mainly to the Old Firm. In the past few years, they have lost Ian Murray, Gary Caldwell, Gary O’Connor, Derek Rior
dan, Kevin Thomson, Scott Brown, Steven Whittaker, Ivan Sproule and Chris Killen. If this team had enjoyed a stronger defence, it could potentially have challenged for the title. These players were sold off for more than £10 million pounds and very little has been put back into the side.
dan, Kevin Thomson, Scott Brown, Steven Whittaker, Ivan Sproule and Chris Killen. If this team had enjoyed a stronger defence, it could potentially have challenged for the title. These players were sold off for more than £10 million pounds and very little has been put back into the side.Collins has also had to put up with released goalkeeper Simon Brown moaning that he was dropped for no reason, and claimed Collins used to flash his six-pack at the drop of a hat in the dressing room. To be fair, who wouldn’t have dropped Simon Brown; he only continued the proud tradition of awful Hibs goalkeepers, along with Zibi Malkowski. It’s good to see Simon Brown finding his feet at league two strugglers Brentford.
However, despite all the talent they have lost, Hibs seem to be thriving under the leadership of Collins. Nine games into the season, they are yet to lose a game and have managed to beat both sides of the Old Firm so far. (Although beating Celtic was partly down to Artur Boruc being caught by the Easter Road goalkeeping jinx.)
The conveyer belt of young talent is showing no signs of stopping, with Ross Chisholm, Kevin McCann, and Steven Fletcher all playing big roles, in their promising start to the season. Steven Fletcher, in particular, has the talent to be the best of the Hibs kids so far. These young starlets have a good supporting cast including the revitalised Brian Kerr in midfield, and the towering rock Rob Jones, at centre half. Also, once the Moroccan boys Benji and Zemmama kick into gear, this team has the potential to go far. The sunshine looks like it might be returning to Leith, after a short downpour.
Caley’s American Football team, the GCU Roughrider’s, have been given a makeover.
With new players, coaches and management on board the team have a new look and are excited about a fresh start.
Keen to build on last season’s successful run in the BACFL plate, where they reached the final, the Roughriders want to continue their impressive form.
New head coach, Eddie McCluskey takes over Ian Smith’s role, and is sure to revitalise the team with his impressive history. One of the founding members of The Glasgow Lions, he won many awards and played alongside and coached legends including Scott Couper of the Claymores and Steve McCusker, the ex-national team coach.
Ian McFarlane, the Roughriders’ new assistant coach is a former team mate of McCluskey and has many accolades to his name. He quarterbacked The Glasgow Lions to a Capital Bowl victory and played in the Summer Bowl final.
Coach McCluskey is looking to develop returning players and also rookie and flag players who are set to join the team.
McCluskey is ready for the challenge and knows his priorities. “The overall goal of any university team should be to nurture player development, go as far as possible in the league and have fun on the way.”
With today’s social networking sites growing more and more popular, it is easy to stay in contact and keep up to date with the Roughriders progress. Check them out on Bebo: www.bebo.com/GCU-Roughriders or Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2256023115.
Laura Brannan
An Irish Sports club has been founded at Caley, also known in Irish as GAA.
With help from funds raised last year through parties and mystery tour buses, the money has been used to establish the first of its kind at the university.
With sponsorship from the Sauchiehall Street bar O’Neill’s, the society is already attracting a lot of interest and attention.
The new organisation, which consists of Gaelic Football and Hurling, is urging students to join in and try something different.
Eoghan Quinn, President of the Irish Society and the GAA, wants as many people as possible to get involved as there is a big calendar of events on the horizon. He said “The Irish are taking Scotland by storm! So come along and get kitted out in the Caley colours.”
The Gaelic football team play in a league against other Universities and the top two teams qualify to play in the British Championship which takes place in London. As if that wasn’t a big enough incentive, the team is already up and away having won their first match of the season, beating Stirling 7 - 4. Training takes place on a Thursday at 6.30 and everyone meets outside the student union.
Training for the British Hurling Championships in Birmingham will start soon. Anyone interested in taking part in either sport should contact Eoghan, John or Gavin by emailing gcuirish@hotmail.com
Flash Box
FACTS:
Gaelic Football
- Games are played in teams of 15.
- Games are played on a rectangular grass pitch with H shaped goalposts, with a net under the crossbar, at each end.
- The ball is similar to a football but smaller and heavier.
- A point is scored if the ball goes over the crossbar. Below the crossbar and into the net is a goal – worth 3 points.
- The ball must be kicked, struck or punched by hand or solo-ed.
Hurling
- The main objective is to hit the small ball (sliotar) using a hurl/hurley/‘camán’ between the opponent’s goalposts.
Hitting the ball over the crossbar wins the team 1 point, hitting it under and into the net wins 3 points.
