GORD CAST : July 23 SL : 2 v Feildians : 0

DUNPHY'S CORNER : Laurentians Mid Season Report Card

Marc Pittman

 Laurentians Mid Season Report Card

So far in 2017 the Laurentians are holding their own in the regular season play. Let's not forget that the Laurentians finished 3rd in the regular campaign in 2016. This all occurred in 2016 after the Laurentians were in 2nd place until the last contest of the season, where Mount Pearl upended Holy Cross, thus permitting Mount Pearl to clinch 2nd place.

 Marc Pittman - Back on stream

Captain Marc Pittman, after some early season struggles, is again leading the Lauentians back-line after winning the 2016 Jeff Babstock Award for the leagues best defender. He has become much more settled than he demonstrated in the early goings of the season. Mark is now complimenting newcomer George Lawton to the extent that those two are the best one-two combination in the league. In the middle- third of the field there is no doubt Jordi Slaney is the Laurentians main man but I have to add I like this Mark Brefo guy. He is a good solid quality player. This guy has strength and power, with a sort of polite mean streak in him. He may even assist you back on to your feet while just after bolting you over.  

 There's work to be done

At this time I don't feel everything is all good in the Laurentian camp.  I do feel the Laurentians have a few concerns to address. Number one priority, will Laurentians ace goal-keeper John Douglas be in top form come play-off time? I'll be the first one to admit that John Douglas won the 25th Challenge Cup in 2016 for the Laurentians with his heroics he performed against Holy Cross in the semi-final contest. However in 2017,  John has spent a lot of his energy with the NL Games team as an assistant coach. The time has now arrived for John to steer the Laurentians ship in preparation for Labor Day Weekend Play-offs.  Then there's got to be another concern for coach Derek Strang and Dr. Paul Slaney, it's the Laurentians lack of goal-scoring. The  2016 "Wils Molloy Golden Boot Award"  winner ,Stefan Slaney  has struggled in 2017 to find the back of the net. I see the Laurentians are now experimenting with putting Clinton Edwards up front to see what fortunes he will have in the offensive third of the field.... should be interesting. 

Home Field Advantage 

The Laurentians have eight games remaining to the regular season and strangely enough they are all at home. The Laurentians opened the season playing during the months of  May and June mostly on the road and now comes the home field advantage. This coming weekend the Feildians are visitors to the mining town. Over the years the Feildians can be troublesome to the Laurentians but the Feildians as of late are collapsing like the ice-bergs off Newfoundland shores. With what was once looking like  a very promising season for the Feildians in 2017, is now all of a sudden in a tailspin.  The Double Blue series will be followed by a July 29/30  series when Corner Brook United makes their annual visit to the Burin Peninsula.This  series should allow the Laurentians to use some of their youth and allow rest to their injured players but one must never take their opponent for granted. The following weekend of August 6 and Aug 7, the Big Red Machine visits the Soccer Capital on St. Lawrence Day which begins the start of the 2017 St. Lawrence Homecoming. There is no love lost between these two teams but one must realize there is a lot of respect between these two arch-rivals. I would promote the Laurentian vs  Holy Cross series as a "can't miss series". Finally the Laurentians will play CBS in their final two outings of the regular season. CBS could very well give the Laurentians a good challenge at home. After all the Laurentians only defeated CBS 1-0 on a PK in their first match of the season and then the two squads played to a scoreless draw in their second contest played at Topsail Field. CBS are the most improved team in the league this year and are capable of pulling an upset. 

Deepest Condolences

Gord - Dave Legrow 

 On behalf of the entire soccer fraternity of Newfoundland and Labrador, my deepest condolences and sympathy goes out on the passing of Dave LeGrow who was a former NLSA executive, Hall of Famer and MPSA Executive/Hall of Famer

   

Holy Cross wins NLSA Masters "A' Championship

Holy Cross - All NL Masters "A" Champions 

Holy Cross Masters win Masters "A" Championship

Holy Cross Masters are the 2017 Provincial "A" Masters Champions. Holy Cross defeated Feildians in a best of three series 2-0 . 

Game 1 : Holy Cross vs Feildians 

 Jay Babstock

Jay Babstock was the big gun for Holy Cross in Game 1 leading the Holy Cross Trinity Pub team with a pair of goals as  Holy Cross squeaked by Feildians by a 3-2 score.

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Game 2 : Holy Cross vs Feildians

 Bernie Manning 

While in Game 2 it was Bernie Manning getting credit for a pair as Holy Cross blanked Feildians and won the match by a 2-0 score . 

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Holy Cross off to Masters 

Eastern Canadian Championship 

As a result of Holy Cross's victory over Feildians, Holy Cross will now represent the NLSA at the Eastern Canadian Championship in QC on Sept. 21 -24, 2017. 

Congratulations Holy Cross !  

Roger Slaney In Nova Scotia Loves Viewing GORD CAST . .

 Roger Slaney's way of watching GORD CAST 

Roger Slaney

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Roger Slaney Viewing - GORD CAST 

After looking at Roger Slaney's screen shot of my GORD CAST live-streaming of the Mount Pearl v St. Lawrence Laurentians contest on July 16 - 2017, I have to say, "I was quiet impressed". Hooking the streamline from your computer or ipad into your TV has got to be the way to go. Roger said, " What better way to spend an afternoon if you can't attend the game than to watch it live- streamed? He goes on to say that my brothers who are living in Ontario and Alberta are also tuning in.  Roger Slaney currently lives in Nova Scotia and takes in every GORD CAST  that he's able and his photo illustrates the best way to have it done. Well done Roger and thanks for sharing your photo and enjoy the casts. 

DUNPHY'S CORNER : The Best Of Today & Yesterday According To GORD CAST

Wils Molloy 

I was recently asked to put together who I felt were the top players in the Molson Challenge Cup League are today and then put together who I felt were the top players to ever play with each club,

Note : These selections are solely my choices and all done in the good spirit of the game, hoping to generate some good discussion and debate.

 First I will go with 2017 players which I will

include a team of 15 players

Goal (2)

Thomas Pieroway - Holy Cross

John Douglas : St. Lawrence 

Fullbacks (5)

Jeff Slaney : Holy Cross

George Lawton : St. Lawrence

Marc Pittman : St. Lawrence

Greg Reid : Feildians

Kevin Oram : Mount Pearl 

Midfield (5)

Jordi Slaney : St. Lawrence

Zack Wade : Holy Cross

Owen McCleese : Holy Cross 

Carter Mackey : Feildians

Mark Reddy : Mount Pearl

Strikers (3)

Jake Warren : Holy Cross

Tyler Forsey : Mount Pearl 

Brent Hennebury : St. Lawrence

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Now comes the most difficult selections. 

St. Lawrence's Laurentians top player of all-time:

 Wils Molly

Lawn Shamrocks top player of all-time:

Brud Edwards

Fortune Appolo's top player of all - time:

Bo Collier

Grand Bank Gee Bees top player of all - time:
Red Fizzard

Garnish Gulls top player of all - time:

Tom Riley

Marystown Unite top player of all - time:

Howard Walsh

Burin Eagles top player of all -time:

Jeff Warren 

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Holy Cross's top player of all-time:

Dicky Power

Feildians top player of all time :

Patty Kennedy 

Mount Pearl's top player of all -time :

Andrew Murphy 

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Best three soccer player's I've ever seen play.

1. Wils Molloy

2. Al Slaney

3. Frank Haskell

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Weekend Action : July 8-9, 2017

Eric Mathisen : 6 goals 

Sat at 6

Mount Pearl at CBS

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Sunday at 1 

Mount Pearl vs Feildians - KGV

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Sunday at 4

Canada Games vs Holy Cross - KGV

GORD CAST

  

Jake Warren - Leagues Top Scorer

8 goals 

vs

DUNPHY'S CORNER : Tribute to a Laurentian Legend – Al Slaney

Tribute to a Laurentian Legend – Al Slaney

  by 

Gord Dunphy

  

Have you ever tried to write while you are holding your emotions about a lifelong friend who has just lost his battle for life because of cancer? I can honestly say folks, “It’s not easy”. I’ve know Al Slaney my entire life. I went to school with him as a young boy. I played soccer with Al when he first started playing as a center-back in the days of Pee-Wee and Bantam.  I personally fought with Al when we played meadow ball. He was the guy on the Slaney’s Lane team and I was the mancho guy on the Bottom team.  Although somewhere along the way I went ahead of Al in school, I believe it was because he didn’t pass a religion course. Maybe it was because on a Sunday mornings, Al would say,”Make sure you bring me or my brother Jed out a church bulletin so Mom would think we attended Sunday Mass.  Yes, he was a young devil-skin but a very nice guy who had the personality that would want the boys to drink with him and there was that certain element about him that would charm the other gender. However, when it came to sports or any type of competition, soccer, basketball or floor hockey,  Al was one of was the best. Even when there was a game where you would play with numbers, he was simply outstanding. After Al finished up at the minor level he then went on to play high school and divisional soccer where he took to the net, and that’s where he super excelled. He had great hands and super co-ordination. I feel because of Al’s super level of intelligence he became the first goalie in Newfoundland that would be the teams general. He directed and controlled the game as had never been witnessed in the history of Newfoundland soccer. He went on to become a brilliant goalie, being named regularly to Newfoundland All-Star Teams and eventually received a try-out with the Canadian National Team.  He was the goalie that directed Newfoundland to a 1974 National Under -18 Championship and became the #1 goalie for the NL Canada Games team in ‘77. During the 70’s Al directed the Laurentians to two National Challenge Cup Silver Medals and he was instrumental in the Laurentians being named ‘70’s – Team of the Decade. He is a member of the SLSA, BPSA and NLSA Hall of Fames. Three years ago the NLSA named the All-Star goalie award the  “Al Slaney Award” and sadly today it will now be recognized as the “Al Slaney Memorial Award”.

The town of St.Lawrence, NL Soccer

&

the Laurentians mourn Al Slaney’s Passing

Today, there is a sombre feeling in the town of St. Lawrence. For the past three weeks the community has been dealing with the emotions surrounding the Cortney Lake “Missing Person” file and now to be dealt another blow with the passing of a soccer legend... it’s not easy.  Today, I reached out to some Laurentians along with a few others and got them to express their feelings about Al’s passing.

 Hubert Beck: Current President of St. Lawrence Soccer Association: Our soccer family in St. Lawrence are hurting today. How can anyone in NL discuss soccer goaltenders and not bring up the name Al Slaney? He gave Laurentian fans lots to cheer about over his career between the posts. He was the best at stopping shots, before they were ever taken, by acting as a sweeper and taking away potential threats. He turned goaltending into an art.  He often spoke of his love for family, and his friends were important to him. He gave a new meaning to “that guy can light up a room ". Stories of Al's goal-tending skills and friendship will be told for many, many years to come.  RIP Big Guy!

Len Slaney: Former Executive Member of SLSA:  The St. Lawrence Laurentians and the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association are mourning the loss of the greatest goalie in their history - Al Slaney. When I coached Al in Minor Soccer, he was such a versatile player that he excelled at every position he played. During a provincial minor tournament, Al was force to play in goal. The rest is history. From the early 1970's Al was spectacular in goal for Provincial All-Star teams, Canada Games teams and his beloved St. Lawrence Laurentians. His acrobatic body movement, his leadership and his skill set for a goal keeper along with his many accomplishments are the reasons why Al is a member of three soccer Halls of Fame - The St. Lawrence Laurentians, the Burin Peninsula Soccer Association and the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association.  Sue and I offer our deepest condolences and prayers to Al's immediate family, his extended family and also to his soccer fraternity. May he rest-in-peace. God bless!

Keith Farrell:  Laurentian Captain  -1970’s :   Last weekend, while sitting on the bleachers at the Centennial Field in St Lawrence, I was asked, ‘’Who was the best goalie you have ever seen play in Newfoundland soccer?”  I responded, “Without any doubt & without anyone else being close, it was Al Slaney”! On numerous occasions in the past number of years, I overheard fans and former soccer players throughout the province compare other goalies to Al, “He was that good”!   Al Slaney as a goalie was aggressive, cool under pressure, very much a team player, had a very calming effect on his team-mates, controlled the entire backend of the field, was respected by his opponents, and had incredible athletic ability. Al was and still is one of the most recognizable soccer players in NL. He was a great and trustworthy team-mate and a great trustworthy friend and a soccer icon! Al Slaney’s family, St Lawrence Soccer and NL soccer just lost one of the BEST!   

Wills Molloy: Newfoundland’s  Best Soccer Player Of All Time.   As a player, Al was a remarkable athlete.....not only as a soccer player, but in all other sports. To me, he was the best soccer goalie in the province.  He once told me, "Wils, you score the goals, and I'll stop them".. that I never forgot. He was  as a guy who simply wanted to win....losing was not part of his game.  As a player he showed us courage, strength and motivation.  His communication to our back line made myself and Keith better players. He was a man who enjoyed life and took full advantage of it. He had a lot of kindness in him, and would give you the shirt off his back.  He enjoyed life to the fullest and will be surely missed by his friends and family.

Jr. Edwards: Al’s team-mate : I consider Al to be the greatest goalie Newfoundland has ever produced.  The fans adored him and he was respected by his teammates and opponents alike. He was always the life of the party and I don't think I ever remember seeing him without that smile. He was the most agile goalie I've seen and could always be counted on to make that big save.  Our 70's team knew that, most times, all we had to do was score one goal and Al would handle the rest. He loved life, was a great friend and will always be remembered as one of the greatest Laurentians of all time. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Jim Loder :  Al’s Team-mate : Well, what can I say about Allen Joseph Benedict Bernard Buster Wayne Slaney, lol. Team thing !  Greatest keeper in Canada in the 70"s, a natural born athlete. One of the first keepers to act as a sweeper behind the two center backs, fearless, great in the air and on the ground. He was a true gentleman on and off the field. He was so kind, good humored, respected by teammates and opponents. Always there for a good time, many road trips with fond memories. Laurentians will remember Al Slaney as one of a kind, a great soccer keeper who had a true love for his family and friends. Rest in peace my good friend !

Ray Molloy: Al’s team-mate :  Our paths crossed at an early age.  The field was our second home and the team our second family. Al's talent and skill helped bring our team to the Nationals year after year.  His awesome ability to read the play and his dedication and  determination made him one of the best goal tenders, not only in our Province but throughout Canada.  RIP my friend and fellow Laurentian.

Greg Quirke: Al’s team-mate - ( Correction) We regret the passing of Al Slaney. He was the best goalkeeper every to play the game of soccer for the St. Lawrence Laurentians. As a player he was outstanding but as a person he was exceptional. In my years being associate with him , I never seen him get mad or angry with anyone.  He was a genuine goalie on the field off the field a gentleman and friend. He will surely be missed.
Frank Pitman: Al’s Team-mate : We were all saddened by the news of Al's passing. I've had the pleasure of playing with Al most of my soccer career and like most of his teammates we can also call him our friend. He was a leader on and off the field. Not taking anything away from soccer players before or after Al's playing career, I still consider him to be one of the most accomplished soccer players that this Province has ever produced. I want to pass on sincere condolences to Beth, Julie, his sisters, brothers and friends.  Rest easy Al, a true Laurentian and friend

Roger  Slaney : Al’s Team-mate : Simply put - the best goaltender  the sport of soccer and the province of NL has ever produced.  Unfortunately, Al Slaney lost his fight with cancer this weekend - a life lived full but far too short.  For the sport community in Newfoundland we truly lost a legend ... however  for  many, we have lost a dear friend. Condolences to his wife Beth,  daughter  Julie and his brothers and sisters.   Rest easy big guy - you were simply the  best !

Johnny  Breen : Holy Cross Icon : I’m very sorry to hear of Al Slaney’s passing. AL was a great guy. I was fortunate to play with him on the provincial team. And I'll always treasure when we played against each other as there was a mutual respect. For me he was one of the best players... if not the best player I've known. My thoughts are with his family.
Phonce Cooper : Al's Team -mate :  No question this week St. Lawrence, and our 1970s soccer team, lost a soccer icon and a true friend. Al Slaney’s soccer talent will be difficult to match in today amateur soccer world. Al came into the soccer system when NL and St. Lawrence was switching from the small soccer fields and to the grassy, long, wide fields. The strategy to win games went from slog and run, to individual ball control and team passing, what we referred to in those days as playing “ground ball”.  To play this game required a great deal of discipline and personal soccer skills. It required every person on the field to know his/her role. Al, as our goalie, was always there to support his team-mates.  As a backline player from the Team-of-the ‘70s, my admiration for Al was particularly his ability to be so cool in difficult situations and always be there to lend support when the going got rough and tough. He never over reacted and he never, ever, bad-mouthed his team-mates. He played the 18-yard line better than any goalie I have ever seen and was continuously making calls, such as: “Cooper/Wils/Smoker/Jimmy/etc, I GOT YOUR BACK”. You never had to look behind. It was a given, Al was there, and, an individual like myself, who was not the most skilful player on the field, but played with my heart, always appreciated I had one of the most respected and skilful goalies in the game who, “had my back”. For that I had the most respect for this individual and I told him so many time during a beer in my shed over the many years after our soccer careers ended. Al Slaney never ever forgot his soccer friends. One person who was special to him, and I think he would want me to mention him in this situation, is his special buddy, and another St. Lawrence soccer icon like himself, who happens to be struggling with his own health issues these days, Known to Al as “Doyle” Junior Doyle. Al would never come to St. Lawrence without making sure he spent an evening with “Doyle”. If there is a better place, there is no doubt Al is doing his best to ensure “he has Doyle’s back”. To Al’s wife , Beth and his daughter, Julie, on behalf of Jean and I, our family, and especially our Team of the Decade 1970s, and his many friends in St. Lawrence and NL, I would like to offer you our sincere condolences. Losing a love-one is unthinkably sad but hopefully you can find some comfort knowing that the one you loved was also loved by those near and far, especially his former soccer buddies. Al will be missed dearly. Rest in peace buddy! It ironic but we all feel as little better today knowing “you have our backs”.   God Bless!

 Sincere Condolence

In closing, on behalf of my wife Jocelyn and I, and I’m sure I can speak for the entire soccer  fraternity of Newfoundland and Labrador, I would like to send along sincere condolences to Al’s wife Beth , daughter Julie and all Al’s brothers and sisters. May memories of Al and the love of family surround you and give you strength in the days ahead.

DUNPHY'S CORNER - Introducing NLSA 2017 Canada Games Team

2017 NL Canada Games Team 

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Let's Meet The Team 

Coaching Staff 

==

Head Coach : Andrew Murphy - Mount Pearl Coach

Assistant Coach : Shane Dunphy : BPSA President

Assistant Coach : John Douglas : Laurentians Goalie

Gonzo Bennett : Team Manager : Mount Pearl 

Meet the team'sRoster 

==

 Goalies

Sam Hawco

Jack Hayward 

 ==

Fullbacks

Riley Bennett

Jonathon Quirke

Matthew Crewe

Harry Carter

Thomas Osmond

David Goulding

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Midfielders

Felly Elanda

Ryan Dunphy

Gary McKewon

Caesar Figuero  

Jonathan Leckie

Eric Knight

Evan Knight 

 ==

Strikers

Emmanuel Dolo

Mitchel Barry 

Jacob Grant   

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Games Team Current Record

Games Played : 9 

Wins : 4 --- Corner Brook (1), St. Lawrence (1) , CBS (1), Mount Pearl (1).

Ties : 2 --- Feildians (1), Mount Pearl (1).

Loses : 3 --- St. Lawrence (2), CBS (1).

Total Points : 14

Teams top scorer  : Emmanuel Dolo  : 5 Goals 

Emmanuel Dolo 

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The 2017  NLSA Male Canada Games Team Are Solid

To have a successful soccer team, I personally feel you need the right guys behind the bench. No longer do I feel this is a one man job, it's a job for a good three-some. The NLSA have done a superb job in it's selection of coaches for the NLSA 2017 Male Canada Games Team. First I'll start with Andrew Murphy who is the team's head coach. He has been a Challenge Cup All-Star for the past decade. Andrew knows the game very well. He also has been selected as NLSA Challenge Cup All-Star Coach while playing with the Mount Pearl Sr. Men's team. Although he is rather reserved, he still brings a professional like direction to this youth team. Next comes my brother Shane who is an assistant coach with the team. Shane has spent a life time around the game, starting with his minor days as an all-star goalie. He followed up as a very good midfield player in his senior playing days. His thirty years of coaching, starting at the minor 4A high school level, has been nothing but fabulous, he's a proven winner. His four  4-A High School championships alone can attest for this. This, combined with his BPSA and NLSA  All-Star coaching years have given him a wealth of knowledge of coaching the game. Next we have John Douglas, the St. Lawrence Laurentians star goalie and a future Hall of Famer. I always felt that goal-tending was an area in which the NLSA needed more development. For me to see John Douglas perform this role , I say kudos to him and to the NLSA.  I would also like to acknowledge the team's manager Ganzo Bennett. He  has great organizational skills and is a perfectionist. Probably those are some of the reasons Gonzo Bennett has been named as a former Executive of the Year in NL hockey. 

 A Look at the Games Players

Overall I look at this team as a "group who plays as a team" rather than a team of individual all-stars. Although there are players on this team who do  have some superb individual talent.  The Games Team are solid in goal. Both keepers, Hawco and Hayward, have good size and are capable of making a great save. The key for both of these two goalies are to remain focused at all times. The NLSA Games Team have a great defense. Riley Bennett, the teams center back is the shining of this group. I feel he is the teams leader on the field. His partner, Jono Quirke, and wing-backs Harry Carter, Matt Crewe, David Goulding and Tomas Osmond are capable of complimenting Bennett nicely.  The key for these players will be the support they show for each other while defending. The teams mid-field which consist of  Felly Elando, Ryan Dunphy, Gary McKewon, Caesar Figuero, Jonathan Leckie, Eric Knight and Evan Knight are skillful with good vision but I feel there is a need for a greater  physical presence here. The players need to use their bodies more. This is the area of the field where the game can be won or lost. I would say that the team who wins the majority of the physical battles, the team who wins those 50/50 balls and dishes out the most bruises to their opponent, are generally the winner of the match.  The midfield are generally the players who are going to feed the ball to the Games teams strikers. In this case it's  Emmanuel Dolo, Mitchell Barry and Jacob Grant. Hey, I like all three of these players. When these players decide to get engaged, they can be dynamite, they have talent , they have the ability to beat an opponent,and above all they know where the net is and have the ability to finish.

 The Canada Games Team are currently in Corner Brook

I know before the season started I put my neck on the line by saying the Canada Games Team would finish with a 500 record. Well folks, I stick with that prediction. Last night ( Friday Night - July 30 )  the NL Canada Games Team defeated Corner Brook 3-1. The Games Team will again play Corner Brook on Saturday July 1st at 6 PM and on Sunday at  1PM.

Dunphy's Details: I should add that my favorite player on the Games Team is my nephew Ryan Dunphy and I am so proud to see his dad as part of the coaching staff. I am also very proud that Ryan has signed on with the St. Lawrence Laurentians after the completion of the National Games competition in August.