Fixture changes.

[nigel-harps1954]

It is really only in England that domestic fixtures dont get moved for European ties and yet it has happened there on an occasion. You may have a point if it were Wales, Scotland, Finland even. Teams representing the league should be given the opportunity to maximise their chances in Europe. If knocked out on a Tuesday then Friday may not be a major ask depending on travel.

But if it's to the detriment of a team in their own league it doesn't matter?

[Dodge]

Why did Pats want the game moved so far forward though? Why couldn't the game be played on the Sunday between the two European games?

Pats have played European games on a Thursday and league games on a Saturday and Sunday after it.

But they've no idea if they can play Sunday 3rd of July now, so it seems sensible to organise the game as quickly as possible to remove the doubt. LOI clubs have to hope for cheap travel and that may mean staying a day longer. It's just the way we have to do things

The problem with this was the FAI couldn't confirm the switch until last week. The idea of getting the games out of the way early is certainly preferable until waiting until the draw a week before the European ties and possibly postponing them until August/September when the season is even busier

[Nesta99]

But if it's to the detriment of a team in their own league it doesn't matter?

It will never matter until Dundalk dont qualify for Europe!

[nigel-harps1954]

Longford Town v Finn Harps changed to Friday 24th June with 8pm kickoff.

[brendy_éire]

Dundalk-Cork City due for 3rd September and Finn Harps-Cork City due for 6th September have both been postponed due to Cork having two players in the U21 national squad.

Serious fixture headache for Dundalk now.

[pineapple stu]

So at present, Dundalk's schedule is -

Fri 26/08 - A v Wexford
Tue 30/08 - A v Crumlin
Tue 06/09 - A v Sligo
Fri 09/09 - A v UCD (If they get through of course)
Thu 15/09 - A v Alkmaar
Fri 23/09 - H v Derry
Thu 29/09 - H v Maccabi
Sat 01/10 - A v Longford - but presumably will be moved?
Fri 07/10 - H v Sligo
Fri 14/10 - A v Rovers
Thu 20/10 - H v Zenit
Fri 28/10 - H v Galway

And there's still matches against Bohs (A), Pat's (A), Rovers (H), Bohs (H), Harps (H), Cork (H) and possibly two more Cup games to schedule in there. Going to be a full two games a week from now till the end of October really.

[placid casual]

I'm sure the "best team in the history of LOI" will manage just fine with those fixtures

[jinxy lilywhite]

Ridiculous that 2 players called up for international duty constitute a fixture change.
Cork must be scared

[GCdfc]

I'm sure the "best team in the history of LOI" will manage just fine with those fixtures

I thought we just had to get one point in the EL group to be the "best team in the history of LOI".

[GCdfc]

Ridiculous that 2 players called up for international duty constitute a fixture change.
Cork must be scared

It is crazy. Isn't there a squad there for a reason? Maybe Dundalk should have asked for tonights match to be postponed due to Michael O'Connor being on international duty.

[total hoofball]

Ridiculous that 2 players called up for international duty constitute a fixture change.
Cork must be scared

With those 2 games called-off Cork now have 5 league games to reschedule within the final 7 weeks of the season so that's obviously not exactly ideal for them either trying to mount a title challenge.

[Nesta99]

I'm sure the "best team in the history of LOI" will manage just fine with those fixtures

I found your ooze of resentment and scorn at such a description quite amusing whether it is a true description or not!

(Imo such a description is subjective until the roll of honour achieved by this team is unquestioned by equaling or bettering Rovers 4 in a row or like Waterford United former glory days).

If a fixture change suits Cork and they are allowed to do so it is their prerogative I suppose. The fixture congestion facing Dundalk is a major issue and if we win the league considering it will likely Dundalk FC's most impressive league title!

[White Horse]

With those 2 games called-off Cork now have 5 league games to reschedule within the final 7 weeks of the season so that's obviously not exactly ideal for them either trying to mount a title challenge.

I agree. I don't see how these cancellations suit Cork either. Both teams just have to get on with it.

[Dodge]

I agree. I don't see how these cancellations suit Cork either. Both teams just have to get on with it.

The clearly do suit Cork as they don't have to get the games called off. They requested it. Having nobody other than Kevin O'Connor to play left full being the main reason you'd imagine

Pats had 2 players with the under 21s last year and didn't get their games called off. Mainly because they had given up on the season but I'm mentioning to show it isn't mandatory to have the league games postponed

[total hoofball]

The clearly do suit Cork as they don't have to get the games called off. They requested it. Having nobody other than Kevin O'Connor to play left full being the main reason you'd imagine

Pats had 2 players with the under 21s last year and didn't get their games called off. Mainly because they had given up on the season but I'm mentioning to show it isn't mandatory to have the league games postponed

Yeah lack of cover at both full-back positions looks like an issue for them at the moment but I think that would be a secondary reason for requesting the postponement.

Cork do want to ensure they have their best 11 on the pitch for that Dundalk match whenever it happens which is understandable. I think they're also trying to take advantage of re-scheduling the Dundalk match while Dundalk are stretched having commenced their Europa League group stage campaign and dealing with their own fixture backlog.

I think it's a calculated gamble for Cork as those extra 2 games increases that risk of other injuries and suspensions for when that Dundalk match occurs. Those 5 additional matches in 7 weeks including a mid-week away trip to Donegal is stretching their own thin squad, then you could have a replay against Rovers or advancing in the cup.

[Nesta99]

It also indicates a concern in the Cork camp that they believe they need every advantage they can get to get the result. Understandable when you have been chasing a team for a few years I suppose but it isnt a vote in confidence in the squad just to get the job done, and is another example of Caulfield's very cautious approach.

[Yossarian]

Dundalk will play Bohs in Dalymount on Friday night now.

[Trevor Carey]

It also indicates a concern in the Cork camp that they believe they need every advantage they can get to get the result. Understandable when you have been chasing a team for a few years I suppose but it isnt a vote in confidence in the squad just to get the job done, and is another example of Caulfield's very cautious approach.

We did this earlier in the season too. Beat Dundalk in Oriel and the following game v Shamrock Rovers in Cork was postponed as Kevin O'Connor, Sean Maguire and Brandon Miele were called up for U21s. It back fired. The momentum of beating Dundalk was killed and when we did play again we drew 3 in a row. I don't accept the fear of Dundalk suggestion, after beating them 3 times so far this season without conceding a goal. We would be seriously weakened without our only left sided player and our top goalscorer. One thing that has helped Dundalk is the lucky cup draws (Crumlin and UCD are hardly tough) and trips to Russia and Israel in the Europa League taking place after the league season ends here. This is how Cork City's fixtures currently stand:

August
Tuesday 30/08/2016, Cork City v Bray Wanderers, SSE Airtricity League. September
Friday 09/09/2016, Shamrock Rovers v Cork City, FAI Cup QF.
Friday 16/09/2016, Cork City v Shamrock Rovers, SSE Airtricity League.
Monday 19/09/2016, Finn Harps v Sligo Rovers, SSE Airtricity League.
Saturday 24/09/2016, Sligo Rovers v Cork City, SSE Airtricity League.
Tuesday 27/09/2016, Cork City v Galway United, SSE Airtricity League.
Friday 30/09/2016, Cork City v Wexford Youths, SSE Airtricity League or FAI Cup SF

October
Friday 07/10/2016, Galway United v Cork City, SSE Airtricity League.
Friday 14/10/2016, Cork City v Finn Harps, SSE Airtricity League.
Friday 21/10/2016, Cork City v St. Patrick's Athletic, SSE Airtricity League.
Friday 28/10/2016, Bray Wanderers v Cork City, SSE Airtricity League.

November
Sunday 06/11/2016, FAI Cup Final.

Games to be rearranged:
St. Patrick's Athletic v Cork City, SSE Airtricity League.
Dundalk v Cork City, SSE Airtricity League.


If we beat Rovers in the Cup, and say a replay was needed, that would mean Wexford on Sept 30th being postponed to facilitate an FAI Cup semi final. Pretty much every Friday and midweek from now to the end of the season.

Long term the FAI need to look at things.

1. Play the League Cup in pre-season, or at least most of it.
2. 3 week summer break is too long.
3. Play double LOI fixtures on Bank Holiday weekends and Easter (Friday/Monday). That's Easter Monday and Bank Holidays in May, June, August and October. These dates are currently wasted.
4. At the start of the season, schedule league games between European participants to clash with European fixtures. This would mean other clubs would not be affected by postponements.

[oldyouth]

Dundalk will play Bohs in Dalymount on Friday night now.

And Youths get kicked to the kerb as a small club. We were down to play Bohs on Friday. We've a relegation battle, which is as important to us as Dundalk going for a title. I know for a fact a lot of preparation went in to picking a team for next Monday's LSC Final, which didn't upset who the manager wanted fit for the league game. Player availability may be a problem for us on the new date

[Ashbohs]

I'd imagine youths would have to have been in agreement about this