Latest news with #LiamGordon
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Walsall need 'reset' after Wembley loss
Walsall defender Liam Gordon says the players and the club need a "reset" following their defeat in the League Two play-off Saddlers' 1-0 loss to AFC Wimbledon ended their hopes of promotion to the third tier. They had a 12-point lead at the top of the table with 11 games of the regular season left."It's very emotional," Gordon told BBC Radio WM."We're going to have to feel these emotions and deal with it - there's no running away and hiding from it."It's a tough time and a tough moment that we're in." Despite bouncing back from the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion to breeze past Chesterfield in the play-off semi-finals, Walsall could not find a way past Wimbledon at Hippolyte's first-half strike proved enough for the Wombles, who sealed their League One return after three years away."It was always going to be a tough game - they've got the best clean-sheet record in the division," Gordon said."It was going to be a tight game. We lost and we've got to refocus for another 10 months for another season."We're going to have to reset as players, and as a club, to go again." 'I've got to pull myself together and go again' Walsall's pain at missing out on promotion will likely feel more acute given how dominant they were for much of the an inexplicable run of 13 games without a win saw Mat Sadlers' side slip from promotion near-certainties to outsiders in the lottery of the said it had been a taxing season from start to finish, not just when results started to desert them."It's not just since February when we had a big blip in form, the whole season's been mentally, psychologically and physically tough," he said."A lot of the players haven't been in this situation before - being top of the table for so long and doing things that others didn't think we were going to do, and be in a position they didn't think we'd be in. "I've got to pull myself together and go again."Gordon, who fought back from nearly losing his leg after a freak training-ground injury three years ago, said his time at Walsall has been "unbelievable"."I've got nothing but good things to say about the fans and the gaffer, especially," he said. "It's been a tough season for the gaffer but he's been unbelievable and I'll back him all the way."I just want nothing but success for the club."
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
From nearly losing a foot to walking out at Wembley
Many footballers class walking out at Wembley Stadium as the highlight of their career. Liam Gordon is grateful just to be walking at all. The wing-back hopes to clinch what would be a rollercoaster promotion for Walsall when they face AFC Wimbledon in the League Two play-off final on Monday. Three years ago it was a prospect he could barely have envisaged, sat in a hospital bed fearing his foot may have to be amputated after a freak injury in training. Gordon collapsed, his leg buckling out of the blue, and it turned out he had suffered 'compartment syndrome' – a condition more associated with serious impact injuries. "It usually happens in car crashes when your leg gets trapped and the muscle dies," the 26-year-old explained to BBC Sport. "Then it got infected…" The infection was the worrying part – Gordon needed three surgeries in five days at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton to save the lower part of his leg. "I had to have surgery from my knee to my ankle – they opened it up and took muscle out so I have a massive lump on my shin now," he added. "There was a chance I wouldn't get feeling back in my leg, I had numbness down from my shin into my toes. "I've still got nerve damage and numbness in my shin and big toe so there's not a lot of sensation there but that hasn't stopped me." 'Immortality' awaits Walsall play-off hero - Kelly Walsall beat Chesterfield to reach League Two play-off final Boss Sadler 'never doubted' Walsall players It did not. Amazingly, Gordon was back on the pitch within three months, with the help of then assistant coach, now head coach, Mat Sadler - a full-back in his playing career. The Guyana international made his Walsall debut in September 2022 – his ordeal having come just weeks after he had joined the club after being released by Bolton Wanderers. "The gaffer helped me, one-to-one in training, get back my sharpness and explosiveness, and I hope Monday, especially, I can repay him for all the help he's given me," Gordon said. He still made 36 appearances that season – another 102 have followed as Gordon has been a virtual ever-present, establishing himself as one of League Two's most consistent performers. "I always have reminders of it but I constantly give thanks," he added. "It could have been different – I might not have played football again. "So I'm always thankful, I always have a smile on my face, and I understand I have this second chance to show people what I can do. "It makes me enjoy football more because of what could have been. I try never to forget what happened as it keeps me humble and helps me through adversity." And there has been plenty of on-field adversity for Gordon and his team-mates since January. Walsall were 12 points clear at the top of the table at one stage, 15 points clear of fourth place – but a 13-game winless run cost them automatic promotion. How it unfolded on the final day was even more agonising, as they were denied third spot by a 96th-minute Bradford City winner against Fleetwood Town. "We would never have thought we'd be in the position we are now, at the start of January," Gordon said. "But that's what football throws at you. "It's obviously disappointing not to go up automatically. But we're in a fantastic position a lot of people didn't think we would be in at the start of the season and this is still a great opportunity." That was the message delivered by Gordon's fellow defender Taylor Allen at Walsall's end-of-season awards. Allen's father Carl, a former Midlands boxing champion, died aged 54 last September. Yet the 24-year-old used his father's words as inspiration to produce the best season of his career, scoring 11 goals and adding seven assists as a set-piece taking, forward-roaming inverted centre-back. "My old man used to say to me all the time, 'You're better than what you are,' and I never used to believe him," Allen told his team-mates. "Then he got ill, I got a fire in my belly, and I realised I hadn't got many chances left to show him what he was saying was right. "When some things happen in life, sometimes you don't get another chance, and this is one of those seasons, boys, where we won't get another chance like this." His emotional speech went viral and helped inspire Walsall to coast past Chesterfield over two semi-final legs. "I was trying to pick the boys back up," Allen told BBC WM. "Football's not the be-all and end-all in life and I've realised that quite young. It was just about trying to transfer that to the boys." Neither Gordon nor Allen have played at Wembley. Indeed, of the matchday 18 who featured against the Spireites, only two – veterans Jamille Matt and Albert Adomah – know that feeling. Matt, 35, has won play-off finals there but lost them too, and asked if the cliche about it being the best way to go up but worst way to stay down is true, he said: "One million per cent. "If I could choose at the start of the season a way to go up, if I was guaranteed, I'd choose that way [play-offs]. However, the stress levels up until that final whistle…" Boss Sadler, meanwhile, is seeking Wembley redemption – he lost twice there, in the EFL Trophy final and League One play-off final, as Shrewsbury Town captain in 2018 and hopes it will be "third time lucky". If it is, he will write his name in Walsall history as the first head coach to lead the club to a Wembley win – the Saddlers have only played there once in their 137-year history, losing the 2015 EFL Trophy final to Bristol City. "I definitely want to replace those memories with a happier one – but I don't want to banish them because they were wonderful occasions," the 40-year-old said. "I'm a big believer that all of those things shape you as a person – and I'm 100% certain what happened years ago will have no bearing on this game."
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
From nearly losing a foot to walking out at Wembley
Many footballers class walking out at Wembley Stadium as the highlight of their career. Liam Gordon is grateful just to be walking at wing-back hopes to clinch what would be a rollercoaster promotion for Walsall when they face AFC Wimbledon in the League Two play-off final on years ago it was a prospect he could barely have envisaged, sat in a hospital bed fearing his foot may have to be amputated after a freak injury in collapsed, his leg buckling out of the blue, and it turned out he had suffered 'compartment syndrome' – a condition more associated with serious impact injuries."It usually happens in car crashes when your leg gets trapped and the muscle dies," the 26-year-old explained to BBC Sport. "Then it got infected…"The infection was the worrying part – Gordon needed three surgeries in five days at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton to save the lower part of his leg."I had to have surgery from my knee to my ankle – they opened it up and took muscle out so I have a massive lump on my shin now," he added."There was a chance I wouldn't get feeling back in my leg, I had numbness down from my shin into my toes."I've still got nerve damage and numbness in my shin and big toe so there's not a lot of sensation there but that hasn't stopped me." It did not. Amazingly, Gordon was back on the pitch within three months, with the help of then assistant coach, now head coach, Mat Sadler - a full-back in his playing Guyana international made his Walsall debut in September 2022 – his ordeal having come just weeks after he had joined the club after being released by Bolton Wanderers."The gaffer helped me, one-to-one in training, get back my sharpness and explosiveness, and I hope Monday, especially, I can repay him for all the help he's given me," Gordon still made 36 appearances that season – another 102 have followed as Gordon has been a virtual ever-present, establishing himself as one of League Two's most consistent performers."I always have reminders of it but I constantly give thanks," he added. "It could have been different – I might not have played football again."So I'm always thankful, I always have a smile on my face, and I understand I have this second chance to show people what I can do."It makes me enjoy football more because of what could have been. I try never to forget what happened as it keeps me humble and helps me through adversity."And there has been plenty of on-field adversity for Gordon and his team-mates since January. Walsall were 12 points clear at the top of the table at one stage, 15 points clear of fourth place – but a 13-game winless run cost them automatic it unfolded on the final day was even more agonising, as they were denied third spot by a 96th-minute Bradford City winner against Fleetwood Town."We would never have thought we'd be in the position we are now, at the start of January," Gordon said. "But that's what football throws at you."It's obviously disappointing not to go up automatically. But we're in a fantastic position a lot of people didn't think we would be in at the start of the season and this is still a great opportunity."That was the message delivered by Gordon's fellow defender Taylor Allen at Walsall's end-of-season father Carl, a former Midlands boxing champion, died aged 54 last the 24-year-old used his father's words as inspiration to produce the best season of his career, scoring 11 goals and adding seven assists as a set-piece taking, forward-roaming inverted centre-back."My old man used to say to me all the time, 'You're better than what you are,' and I never used to believe him," Allen told his team-mates."Then he got ill, I got a fire in my belly, and I realised I hadn't got many chances left to show him what he was saying was right."When some things happen in life, sometimes you don't get another chance, and this is one of those seasons, boys, where we won't get another chance like this."His emotional speech went viral and helped inspire Walsall to coast past Chesterfield over two semi-final legs."I was trying to pick the boys back up," Allen told BBC WM. "Football's not the be-all and end-all in life and I've realised that quite young. It was just about trying to transfer that to the boys." Neither Gordon nor Allen have played at Wembley. Indeed, of the matchday 18 who featured against the Spireites, only two – veterans Jamille Matt and Albert Adomah – know that 35, has won play-off finals there but lost them too, and asked if the cliche about it being the best way to go up but worst way to stay down is true, he said: "One million per cent."If I could choose at the start of the season a way to go up, if I was guaranteed, I'd choose that way [play-offs]. However, the stress levels up until that final whistle…"Boss Sadler, meanwhile, is seeking Wembley redemption – he lost twice there, in the EFL Trophy final and League One play-off final, as Shrewsbury Town captain in 2018 and hopes it will be "third time lucky".If it is, he will write his name in Walsall history as the first head coach to lead the club to a Wembley win – the Saddlers have only played there once in their 137-year history, losing the 2015 EFL Trophy final to Bristol City."I definitely want to replace those memories with a happier one – but I don't want to banish them because they were wonderful occasions," the 40-year-old said."I'm a big believer that all of those things shape you as a person – and I'm 100% certain what happened years ago will have no bearing on this game."
The Irish Sun
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Cork boss Pat Ryan awaits referee's report before deciding on Shane Barrett red card appeal
CORK hurling boss Pat Ryan is waiting for Liam Gordon's referee's report before deciding to appeal Shane Barrett's red card against Clare. Advertisement 2 Shane Barrett of Cork was shown a red card by referee Liam Gordon during the Munster GAA clash against Clare 2 Cork manager Pat Ryan is going to wait on the referee's report before deciding on appealing the red card for Barrett His dismissal had a huge bearing on the game, as But the Cork manager insists no appeal will be lodged until they see the He told the Echo: 'We haven't got any report yet, because of the bank holiday Monday. "We just have to see where that lies, what he was put down for. We can't make any decisions until we see the referee's report.' Advertisement READ MORE ON GAA And Ryan hopes skipper Robert Downey will be fit for Sunday's round 2 clash with Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The All-Star defender picking up a knee injury in the first half against Clare before going off after 45 minutes. He added: 'He's not too bad I'd say. He got a bang on the knee and it's swollen up, but we'd be hopeful, alright. 'He wasn't too bad coming off the field at half-time, he was grand, but during half-time it just swelled up, tightened up, stiffened up a bit. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling 'Then, when he tried to get going, it just didn't work for that seven or eight minutes he was on the field for, unfortunately. But he should be okay. 'You don't want to be losing Rob, your captain and your centre-back, you're giving him every chance to stay on when it wasn't a muscular injury or a twist or anything like that. RTE pundit Peter Canavan angers fans after leaving notable county out of his 'big four' All-Ireland contenders 'If that had happened five minutes into the second half, he would have got through the rest of the game and then it would have been sore afterwards.'
Irish Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ten biggest hurling comebacks to rival Clare's epic revival against Cork
Twelve points behind at half-time. Still nine in arrears with as many minutes remaining. Eight down with three minutes to go. Even though they didn't get the win in the end, Clare's comeback against Cork will go down as one of the greatest in Championship history when you consider how far they fell behind and how far they were still behind with time almost up, not to mention the quality of the opposition. Granted, the game is different these days in that far more injury time is allowed. Six minutes were signalled but referee Liam Gordon ultimately didn't blow the final whistle until after Cork's Declan Dalton hit the equalising free in the 78th minute to bring a breathless encounter to a close. Clare were also aided by the dismissal of Shane Barrett as Cork struggled badly to cope with the numerical disadvantage with the clock ticking towards the red. Still, hitting 1-6 without reply in some nine minutes to turn an eight-point deficit into a one-point lead takes some doing, with Clare somewhat unfortunate not to hold out for the victory in the end. While there are numerous examples of epic hurling comebacks down the years, we've picked out 10 of the best on the basis of the size of the margin that was successfully chased down. So, for example, Offaly's smash and grab against Limerick in the 1994 All-Ireland final doesn't make the cut as they were only six points in arrears at worst. Wexford v WESTMEATH, 2023 Leinster SHC group phase As gallant as Clare's comeback on Sunday was, it's only trotting after Westmeath's heroics against Wexford at Chadwicks Wexford Park two years ago. After 32 minutes, Wexford were well on their way to a routine victory as they led by 2-14 to 0-3 - a 17-point margin - and it wasn't much better come half-time at 2-15 to 0-5. Westmeath started the second half with 1-4 without reply but there wasn't even a squeak of an upset with nine minutes to go as Wexford still led by 12 points. But a Niall O'Brien goal followed by a run of points and two further goals from Niall Mitchell sensationally put them in front as they kicked on to win by 4-18 to 2-22. It left Wexford on the brink of relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup but they managed to beat Kilkenny seven days later while Westmeath's loss to Antrim meant that they made the drop instead. Their fortunes have nosedived since. GALWAY v Kilkenny, 2014 Leinster SHC semi-final After hitting Galway for 1-8 without reply, Kilkenny were well on their way to the Leinster final as they led by 10 points with seven minutes to go. But Conor Cooney struck for two goals and Joe Canning converted a penalty to draw Galway level in Tullamore. Henry Shefflin, in what was probably his last significant contribution as a Kilkenny player, hit a superb point to restore his side's lead before Canning replied in kind to ensure a replay as it finished Galway 5-16 Kilkenny 3-22. Kilkenny made no mistake the second time, however, winning the replay by eight points en route to Shefflin's 10th, and final, All-Ireland. OFFALY v Kilkenny, 1985 Leinster SHC semi-final Two Liam Fennelly goals helped Kilkenny to a 2-9 to 1-8 half-time lead, Mark Corrigan raising Offaly's green flag, but a further 1-2 on the resumption, with Christy Heffernan netting, saw the reigning Leinster champions fall nine points behind. Moving Joachim Kelly from midfield to centre-forward proved a crucial switch as, after a Paddy Corrigan free went all the way to the net, the Lusmagh man doubled on a Pat Delaney delivery for Offaly's third goal. The lead changed hands late on before Paddy Corrigan's free ensured a replay - 3-18 apiece. Offaly won the replay by six points, retained the Leinster title and beat Galway in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny didn't lose another replay for 28 years. TIPPERARY v Cork, 1991 Munster SHC final replay Tippeary had rescued a draw the first day out having come from seven points down with 15 minutes to go, but they surpassed that in the replay at a rocking Semple Stadium, which has gone down as one of the greatest games ever played. Reigning All-Ireland champions Cork led by nine points in the second half after Kevin Hennessy netted their third goal but goals from Pat Fox and captain Declan Ryan hauled Tipp back into it. Substitute Aidan Ryan had a huge impact, culminating in his injury time goal which effectively sealed it as he blocked down Sean O'Gorman, ran on and finished past Ger Cunningham to spark a delirious pitch invasion. Tipp won 4-19 to 4-15 in the end and went on to take the All-Ireland but it would be another 15 years before they beat Cork again in the Championship. WEXFORD v Tipperary, 1968 All-Ireland SHC final One of the great All-Ireland finals, which still resonates 57 years later. Tipperary had arguably their greatest ever side in the '60s and were on course for their fifth title of the decade when leading by 10 points after 26 minutes and by 1-11 to 1-3 at half-time after playing into the wind. Second half goals from Tony Doran and Paul Lynch helped Wexford draw level and further green flags from Doran and Jack Berry pushed them eight points clear before Tipp rallied, though late strikes from Sean McLoughlin and Michael 'Babs' Keating couldn't prevent a 5-8 to 3-12 loss. LIMERICK v Tipperary, 1996 Munster SHC final Helped by a goal from their current manager Liam Cahill, Tipperary held a 10-point half-time lead at the Gaelic Grounds and, though playing into the elements in the second half, looked well on course for a first Munster title in three years. But Limerick launched a stunning fightback which was remarkable for the fact that they reeled Tipp in without scoring a goal as Frankie Carroll's late equaliser ensured a replay - 0-19 to 1-16. Limerick won the replay by 4-7 to 0-16 to take their second provincial crown in three years. KILKENNY v Galway, 1997 All-Ireland SHC quarter-final Goals from Kevin Broderick, Liam Burke and Joe Cooney put Galway 10 points to the good in the first half and they led by 3-9 to 1-6 at half-time, DJ Carey with the Kilkenny goal. In the first year of the 'back door' concept, the beaten Leinster finalists roared back in the second half with Carey putting in arguably his greatest display. He finished with 2-8, while Michael Phelan and Ken O'Shea weighed in with goals for a 4-15 to 3-16 win. LIMERICK v Waterford, 2001 Munster SHC semi-final With goals from Seamus Prendergast and Paul Flynn, Waterford raced into an early 11-point lead (2-6 to 0-1), but Limerick had time on their side and made the most of it. Ollie Moran's goal helped reduce the margin to a more manageable 2-7 to 1-4 at half-time and a pair of Brian Begley goals and another from James Butler saw Limerick to a three-point win in the end - 4-11 to 2-14. Waterford v TIPPERARY, 2018 Munster SHC group phase A hugely controversial outcome as Tipperary came from 11 points down with 16 minutes remaining for a 2-22 apiece draw. Tipp had retrieved a nine-point deficit to draw with Cork seven days earlier but looked dead and buried after goals from Tom Devine and Pauric Mahony in the first half and a string of points after half-time put Waterford in firm control. Patrick Maher responded with a goal for Tipp with 12 minutes to go and when a Jason Forde free dropped short, Austin Gleeson collected it on the line - only for an umpire to rule that he carried the ball over it. TV replays suggested otherwise, but the green flag was waved. Forde converted a late free to ensure a draw which, ultimately, was of no use to either side as both bowed out in the first year of the Munster round robin concept. LIMERICK v Tipperary, 2021 Munster SHC final For all the All-Irelands that Limerick have won in the current era, perhaps this is the day that they will reflect on as their greatest in time to come. Played on a roasting day in front of just 7,000 spectators at Pairc Ui Chaoimh due to Covid-19 restrictions, Tipperary ran up a 2-16 to 0-12 half-time lead against the All-Ireland champions. But Limerick delivered probably their best quarter of hurling after half-time, outscoring Tipp by 1-10 to 0-1, before Kyle Hayes thundered upfield after the water break to score one of the all-time great goals. They led by seven at one stage and eventually won by 2-29 to 3-21 en route to retaining the All-Ireland.
