Moloneys Cojones Season 16 Preview

It has been a long and rocky road to the top for Moloneys Cojones but a coveted League of Ireland spot still eludes Aodh Burke and his “Ten Myopic Drunks & a blind GK”. His managerial debut came in Season 7 and he brought instant success with him. A 3^rd place finish was enough to seal promotion to Division 4. Moloneys were now gathering steam and Season 8 finished with a 4^th place finish. Again, it was good enough for promotion. Season 9 and the side were just getting better and better. A 2^nd place finish and Burke had just led his squad from the 5^th Division to the 2^nd Division in 3 blistering seasons. Disappointingly, the locomotive would be derailed in Season 10 as Division 2 football proved a step too far. They pushed hard but agonisingly dropped into the relegation zone with only goal difference separating them from safety.  Burke vowed to rebuild the squad and when they got back to Division 2 they would be more than ready. Four seasons would be spent battling in Division 3.2 and by the time the final whistle blew in Season 14, Moloneys Cojones were sitting right at the top of the pile. Their first League Title and a second crack at Division 2, only this time they were definitely ready for the competition. A 4^th place finish and a very solid year has left Burke with the belief that they are now ready for the League of Ireland. So roll on Season 16...

Goalkeeper

Moloneys have a League of Ireland quality shot stopper in Kevin “The Great Wall” Bishop. At nearly 31, age is not his friend but he still has a good few seasons left and how he would love to retire as a LOI keeper! Mal Houghton is a solid number 2 to fall back on but again age is against him. Waiting in the wings for a shot at the first team is 20 year old Bulgarian Tzango Houbtchev. He has been a rock for the Cojones B Team and if he can live up to his potential, will surely challenge for the number 1 spot in the near future.

Defence

Pole Adam Witek is a recent addition to the squad, signing for 107.7 million in the recent NT sales. The 23 year old is already a seasoned professional, with over 130 career games played in his native Poland. The powerful youngster is joined by left back Kian Dooley and Conor McGann at right back. Both full backs are only 21 and seem to be developing at an alarming pace. The young defence is held together by the Indonesian star Antony Jonah Musikan. At 29 he still has a lot to offer and his experience and presence in the back four is invaluable.  

Midfield  

Paying 21 million for Norwegian Iver Lovlie in Season 12 appeared to be a huge gamble. Burke could see his potential though and since then, Lovlie has turned into a formidable holding player who links defence to midfield with finesse far beyond his years. At 22, the best is yet to come.

The heart of the Cojones midfield is also a product of their top class youth programme. At only 23, Shay Davis is amazingly one of the older players in the starting 11. The adaptable maestro is capable of delivering defence splitting passes as well as tracking back to slot in alongside Lovlie in front of the back four.

Dutchman Jan Hagedorn was MC’s 2^nd NT Sale signing this season. The 144 million looks like money well spent with the 21 year olds pace and attacking prowess likely to terrorise Division 2 full backs.

It is a midfield crammed with youth and outstanding talent. The real star of the show though is 20 year old Ethan Hally. Scorching pace, fabulous technique and a long shot that could punch a hole in the side of a submarine, Hally is pure class. A first team regular since the ripe old age of 17, he has quickly become the first name on the team sheet and one of Irelands most sought after young stars. He could easily walk into most League of Ireland starting 11’s so it’s no wonder Burke secured his long term future by recently offering him a long term contract work a staggering 1.325 million a week!!    

Attack

The talent doesn’t stop there though. Mohamed Kashaba may be 29 years of age but he brushed aside his “Only Scores In Friendlies” tag last season by netting 16 times for Cojones. He is a natural finisher who will be instrumental in the clubs push towards the League of Ireland.

Sean Dooley is another youth who progressed through the Moloney Cojones setup. At 21, he still has a lot of developing to do but he can already read a game better than most with a natural ability to be in the right place at the right time. If he can improve his finishing ability, he could go on to be top class striker. Dooley will have to keep his eye on the ball though as 19 year old Luke Moran is champing at the bit to get the call up from the B Team to make his mark. Morans performances for the reserves have impressed Burke thus far and surely it won’t be too long before he gets the nod for the seniors.

What strikes you about the Moloneys setup is the average age. Only six of the overall squad are over 23, a staggering testament of Burke’s ability to develop young talent. Quality replacements are waiting in the wings for the day the older guys move onto pastures greener.   And with so many of his young stars still a long way off their best footballing years, a bright future is surely on the cards for Moloneys Cojones. That must be a huge worry for the other managers in Division 2.1... but I don’t think it will be a problem for them for long. They have moved on since last season and are a much better side. Competition in 2.1 looks to be as tough as ever but Cojones have the talent to beat any side on their day. League of Ireland football beckons for Burke and his squad and it could be just around the corner...

Prediction – 2nd Place