SANTA BABY

With two monthly awards to her name already in 2008/2009, Fiona Buckley romped convincingly to the overall league title from August to December. She deservedly wins €150 and the league trophy.

• Karol Coleman finished in second position and wins €110.


• Theresa Reidy claims €80 for third.


• As his prize for fourth, Frank Burke wins a Premier League jersey of his choosing.


• Liam Weeks, in fifth, gets a football t-shirt.

SEXY SIX FOR JOHN McCARTHY

John McCarthy won the November/December monthly competition with a majestic come-from-behind performance. This was John's sixth monthly success in a glittering fantasy football career. The other top five positions were occupied by Evan Healy (second), Theresa Reidy (third), Cathal O'Mahony (fourth) and Frank Burke (fifth).

UCCFFC CUP WINNER

Kieran Sheehan won the 2008/2009 UCCFFC Cup by defeating Mary Foley in a tense final. Pat Quinn and Cathal O'Mahony were the beaten semi-finalists.

NEW SIGNING FOR OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS

Mark Mulcahy won the multi-league prediction competition (for the second year in a row) and his prize was an Olympique Lyonnais scarf. Happy wearing!

Are you Keane for a debate?

Personally I'm tired of the ongoing fascination with Roy Keane but there seems to be an endless appetite to discuss him so here's what I think of the 'Boy Roy.'

1. 
   
   He was a world class player and I greatly admired the drive and commitment which he exhibited in each and every match.


2. 
   
   The unforgivable black stain hanging over Keano's playing days is the way he ended Alfie Haaland's career with a vicious and pre-meditated challenge, showing no remorse subsequently. Let us not forget that his grievance towards Haaland stemmed from when Keane did his cruciate while committing a bad foul on Haaland. Haaland's actions in standing over the stricken Keane and goading him were despicable but, in both instances Keane was the aggressor, and his 'eye for an eye' excuse is nonsense.


3. 
   
   Regarding Saipan (deep breath here) and the ensuing civil war, I think that Keane was wrong. The question as to whether he walked or was pushed is mute. He threatened to walk but was convinced to stay, then he engineered the situation whereby he would be sent home and, on his return to Ireland, played a game with the Irish media and public by teasing everybody into the possibility that he might go back again to the World Cup. The bottom line is that he let us down.


4. 
   
   As a new manager he did a terrific job in getting Sunderland from the foot of the Championship into the Premier League and keeping them there for a season.


5. 
   
   I don't subscribe to the view that you can link Saipan and Sunderland and conclude that Keane now has a history of walking away but there is no doubt that at the first sign of criticism from fans and the media he was unable to deal with it. He spent a lot of money and did not buy quality players and his man management skills clearly left a lot to be desired.