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RISSC (London) football team help to raise spirits  
With the memory of the previous evening's performance by the Irish senior international team still stinging the senses, the RISSC (London) football team took the field at the Civil Service Sports Ground to face Birmingham City SC in division one of the APFSCIL League. There was a steely determination evident in the demeanour of the RISSC players that signified there would be no surrender from these boys in green.

The resolve of the team received an early test with the dismissal of Brian Moriarty after five minutes. Moriarty was red carded for a tackle reminiscent of the Keane/Overmars collision at Lansdowne Road in the halcyon days of 2001. Despite the loss of the midfielder, manager Paul Franklin maintained his twin strike force and bestowed midfield responsibility to the commanding Donnie Mullen who, supported by Jon Carey and debutant Tom Hickey stepped up to the mark.

The team was pleased to welcome back Martin Flannery from injury and he slotted into his regular left back position with relative ease. The discipline and organisation of the back four aligned to their understanding with custodian Darren Nolan provided a formidable barrier that refused to succumb to any attacks from their opponents. The ten man RISSC unit, played with controlled passion and pride and gradually took command of proceedings. The deserved breakthrough came shortly before the interval when Mick Coffey skipped through the advancing Birmingham defence to drive home the opening goal.

Following the resumption, RISSC continued their dominance and were swiftly rewarded when an intricate bout of passing culminated with a sweet strike from Jon Carey to double the lead. Confidence flowed and Carey, Coffey, Mullen and the rumbustious Paul Lavelle all went close before Coffey replicated his first half effort to slot goal number three. The margin of victory was finally embellished by a superb individual goal from midfield tyro Donnie Mullen.

RISSC return to their home at the LPR Sports Ground at 2.00pm next Sunday 15 October 2006, where they will face Stoke City SC who earlier this season gave an understrength Irish side the runaround. Manager Franklin and his team will be eager to set the record straight and an enthralling contest is in prospect.

Team for 8 October 2006
Darren Nolan,
Paddy McGee, Mick Cusack, Karl McGee, Martin Flannery;
Jon Carey, Tom Hickey, Donnie Mullen, Brian Moriarty;
Paul Lavelle, Mick Coffey

Substitute
Paul Franklin