The play-off

[Rasputin]

Monaghan also are a very well organised team and they made life hell for Sligo rovers (easily the best passing team in the Premier this year) in both of their cup games.
Not really though, not the games I was watching anyway.

[frenchman]

any chance of these games being televised. the final i mean not the first play offs. if setanta did the league cup final then there is a chance!!!!

[harps1954]

TG4 did the play-off final last year (both legs), but seeing as they haven't shown any LOI this year, it's doubtful if they would do it. Setanta showed the second leg of the play-off final the year Rovers went down a few years ago.

[Terry]

If we play the way we played tonight and bring back in O'Donnell, Sheppard, Foley etc., I would be more confident now on Galways chances of getting through the play-offs successfully.

[gufc2000]

Its a real pity we have to face this play-off now. 11 points ahead of Bray, the league table doesn't lie. But we've known since the year began that if we ended up 8th, we'd face a play-off. Huge morale boosting win tonight though

[Stevo Da Gull]

Its a real pity we have to face this play-off now. 11 points ahead of Bray, the league table doesn't lie. But we've known since the year began that if we ended up 8th, we'd face a play-off. Huge morale boosting win tonight though

I agree with you that the league table doesn't lie and that Galway deserved to finsih ahead of us 100%. It is however worth noting that after starting the season with a squad prepared for first division football we picked up 5 points from our first 16 games (pre world cup break). It's all if's and but's but it is interesting to wonder what would have been if we knew what division we were playing in before the season started.

Anyhow, it matters not. We're into a playoff now in Galway, may the best team win :)
Mind you, with all the talk about a 16 team league it's easy not to fear relegation so much. We'd all rather be in the Premier next season though, both squads should be right up for this game!

[GalwayRed]

I am afraid I will have to disagree with you here. Derry for one defeated Galway in the League Cup with their reserves
In fairness thats a terrible example to give. If I remember correctly Galway went into that match with a squad of 14, had their left full Ryhs Meynell in goals, and Seamus Coneely who had played another match earlier that day, and they only narrowly lost that match.

I think we would do alright if we got a playoff spot. I kind of fancy us if we were to get third and play Monaghan. We have done well against them all season. I reckon we would be well beatin if we went to the Brandywell again. The issue for me is could we beat one of the premier division teams. Galway are such a mixed bag but I wouldn't be confident over two legs against them. I think if we were to play Bray it would be a tight match. Both teams have come on a lot since the Leinster Senior Cup final.

[The Fox]

Sean Conner had a moan on mns tonight about the play off system and Galway being 11 points clear of us. He knew the set up at the start of the season - the rules didnt change - he should have been more concerned about his points differernce with UCD to make sure that Galway were safe. He also seemed to have a few smart words for Fenlon as they shook hands at the end of the match. And what about his celebration of the 3rd Galway goal - he danced like he won the league in what was a meaningless match for Galway!!??

[DUFC4life]

Hopefully this season everything will go smoothly and based on results on the field of play.
Feck that, lots of complications and off field demotions please. Pretty please. :weep:

[WoodquayBoy]

Sean Conner had a moan on mns tonight about the play off system and Galway being 11 points clear of us. He knew the set up at the start of the season - the rules didnt change - he should have been more concerned about his points differernce with UCD to make sure that Galway were safe. He also seemed to have a few smart words for Fenlon as they shook hands at the end of the match. And what about his celebration of the 3rd Galway goal - he danced like he won the league in what was a meaningless match for Galway!!??
Rubbish. First on, he didn't have harsh words with Fenlon, Fenlon spoke first, and it was along the lines of 'I'm sick of you lot' with both managers smiling so that suggestion of yours is utter rubbish.
As for his celebrations, you are absolutely right, how dare the man celebrate a first win in 9 games, without four of his first team regulars, to build a bit of confidence heading into a play-off game which, if his side lose, could realistically spell the end of the club, and to top it all the win came against a side he left in acrimonious circumstances and whose fans sang that pleasant little ditty during the game about him having a preference for minors. You're right, he should merely have smiled briefly and left it at that.

[dancinpants]

I am afraid I will have to disagree with you here. Derry for one defeated Galway in the League Cup with their reserves.

That was a completely depleted Galway side.

[legendz]

Play-offs work for promotion but for relegation, there should not be a play-off between 2 teams in the same Division. Everyone knew the rules and can't complain but it is a rule that should be changed at the end of the season.

[monsexile]

Not that confident after last Saturday's debacle.
1) Getting into the play-offs will be tough enough.Percentages are in our favour but Derry will be relaxed and playing at their best while we look tohave run out of steam after 42 matches so far this season.
2) We're very unlikely to get a home match and even less likely to get it against Waterford. We have won one point v Shels this season and 9 out of 9 v Waterford.
3) Can't see any of the First teams and us especially getting past Galway or Bray over two legs. Still think there's quite a big gap between the two divisions. Ok we beat Dundalk and Bohs in the League Cup they somewhat weakened teams and a full-strength Sligo outclassed us twice.

Anyhow, here's the permutations for Saturday night:
(I’ll leave Derry out of the equation. The only way our guests can be denied the title is if they lose and Waterford win and there is a nine-goal swing in the goal difference. Not going to happen.)

Derry win, Shelbourne win:
Shelbourne v Waterford in play-off

Derry win by five goals, Shelbourne and Waterford draw:
Waterford v Shelbourne in play-off

Derry win by four goals, Shelbourne and Waterford draw (without Shels scoring three goals):
Waterford v Monaghan United in play-off

Derry win by fewer than four goals; Waterford and Shelbourne draw:
Waterford v Monaghan United in play-off

Derry and Monaghan draw; Shelbourne win:
Shelbourne v Monaghan United in play-off

Derry and Monaghan draw; Waterford win:
Waterford v Monaghan United in play-off

Derry and Monaghan draw; Shelbourne and Waterford draw:
Waterford v Monaghan United in play-off

Monaghan win; Waterford win:
Waterford v Monaghan United in play-off

Monaghan win; Shelbourne win:
Monaghan United v Shelbourne in play-off

Monaghan win; Shelbourne and Waterford draw:
Monaghan United v Waterford in play-off.

[BonnieShels]

Almost tempted faith there. I'll tempt faith about quarter to ten on Saturday during my annual "Kick the wall of the club shop due to my frustration" game.

[stann]

Fate!

[BonnieShels]

No, faith. For the last few minutes of the match I'll tempt god with my faith in him. The second faith was a typo. Thank ya very much. ;)

[GalwayRed]

Derry win, Shelbourne win:
Shelbourne v Waterford in play-off

Derry win ; Waterford and Shelbourne draw:
Waterford v Monaghan United in play-off

Derry and Monaghan draw; Shelbourne win:
Shelbourne v Monaghan United in play-off

Derry and Monaghan draw; Waterford win:
Waterford v Monaghan United in play-off

Derry and Monaghan draw; Shelbourne and Waterford draw:
Waterford v Monaghan United in play-off

Monaghan win; Waterford win:
Waterford v Monaghan United in play-off

Monaghan win; Shelbourne win:
Monaghan United v Shelbourne in play-off

Monaghan win; Shelbourne and Waterford draw:
Monaghan United v Waterford in play-off.
I would expect both matches to be tight and cant see any team winning by 4 or 5 goals so I reckon these are the realistic scenarios. So looking at these scenarios it's pretty clear that we need to win to make the play offs. Waterford know a draw is definitely good enough so i suppose there is a slight possibilty they might set out for a draw. That might work in our favour. I have a horrible feeling we will only get a draw out of this as the match gets closer. Haven't looked forward to a match this much for a while.

[**FrOsTy**]

We will not go for a draw! IF we do we deserve to lose. However, if were 1-0 up or 0-0 with 15 minutes to go i'd expect it to be long ball after long ball from Shels with us deploying Monaghan like tactics of 9-0-1 to defend our position.

It's either going to be a fantastic night or a dreadful night it's going to be a cracker! Would be nice if both games got air time as it will be great advertising for the league and the first division in particular but that ain't going to happen.

[aidz1]

When is the play off between bray and galway??

[**FrOsTy**]

Monday/ Tuesday I would imagine

[superfrank]

Tuesday.

[Mr Maroon]

That was a completely depleted Galway side.

We had a left back in goals!

[peadar1987]

Any news on whether the playoffs will be shown on TV?

[Stevo Da Gull]

Not a hope I would think.

[gufc2000]

Any news on whether the playoffs will be shown on TV?
The one between yereselves and Fingal was on TG4 last year, so maybe they'll show the loser of our game vs the First Divsion representative this time

[CSFShels]

If Galway are in it then it'll almost definitely be on TG4.

[Martinho II]

We had a left back in goals!



why was that mr maroon??

[poster]

why was that mr maroon??

Wasn't Ryan injured/suspended and Galway's sub keeper wasn't registered?

[Mr Maroon]

why was that mr maroon??

Barry Ryan was injured (I think. Might have been suspended) and our only other keeper at the time (Seamus Friel) was injured. We weren't allowed to sign an emergency keeper because Friel was on an amateur contract. Our left back, Rhys Meynell, went in goals for that match and the next one which was away to Bray in the league. He kept a clean sheet in Bray!

Since then we've signed Daire Geraghty (who's played a few matches) and Conor Winn (who played in Drogheda yesterday).

[sligoman]

I reckon Bray will beat Galway and Waterford will beat Mons. Don't know who'd win between Galway and Waterford but for travel sake, hopefully Galway. Cobh to win promotion to the 1st too.

[legendz]

I think Bray will beat Galway. Waterford will beat Monaghan. Waterford will beat Galway over the two legs.

[BonnieShels]

Agreed.

[dfx-]

I think Galway will beat Bray..

On the evidence at Tolka, Waterford would beat both

[Sam_Heggy]

I reckon the Premier Div side will stay up. The first division is of a fooking rubbish standard this season.

[legendz]

I reckon the Premier Div side will stay up. The first division is of a fooking rubbish standard this season.

It's been one of the best seasons in division one. The two clubs that finished 4th and 5th missing the play-offs last season have kicked on in the division this season to take 2nd and 3rd. They've gone above Shel's in the process and have pushed a good Derry side all the way. Like last season, the Division One side should edge it.

[Rasputin]

Would love to see Waterford up.

[**FrOsTy**]

Would love to see Waterford up also! I think well beat Mons! But there's a very tough game against bray/Galway to follow! Both have some excellent individuals who can hurt at any time! But we will believe and hopefully we will prevail!

Week long session in Waterford if we do!

Just on the mons game: how many fans are ye expecting to bring down?

[marinobohs]

Expect bray to (just about) beat Galway on recent from and Waterford to win the first Div game. Would love to see Mons win to end a great season for them but think waterford will nick it.

well nigh impossible to call but would just edge Galway to win playoff game (great news for waterford/ons given my tipping record :confused:)

[KevB76]

I'd like to see Monaghan get out of our division so that'll be 2 of the longest trips eliminated for next season.
And I like Monaghan, in so far as it's possible to 'like' a rival club.

Whether they could overcome Galway (or Bray) I'm not so sure based on recent form.

[legendz]

Waterford ticket prices set at €10, hope they get a big crowd down there tomorrow night.

[Jofspring]

This is up on Extratime.ie and doesn't look right.

Tuesday, 2nd November

Cobh Ramblers v Salthill Devon St. Colman’s Park 7.45 pm
Galway United v Bray Wanderers Terryland Park 7.45 pm (Match A)
Waterford United v Monaghan United R.S.C. 7.45 pm (Match B)

Friday, 5th November

Winner Match B v Loser Match A TBC 7.45 pm

Saturday, 6th November

Salthill Devon v Cobh Ramblers Drom 7.45 pm

Monday, 8th November

Loser Match A v Winner Match B TBC 7.45 pm

Why is the loser of Match A playing the winner of Match B and why would the winner of Match A play the loser of Match B. Is it not just the Winner of Match A vs the Winner of Match B?

[Schumi]

Why is the loser of Match A playing the winner of Match B and why would the winner of Match A play the loser of Match B. Is it not just the Winner of Match A vs the Winner of Match B?

The winner of the premier division game stays up and the loser is penalised by having to play another match to try to stay up.

[**FrOsTy**]

Because why woukd Galway or Bray try win if it meant the had to playoff to get relegated. Loser of Match A is the team who goes into the final showdown to be relegated wouldnt make much sense to have the winner do it :P

[Jofspring]

The winner of the premier division game stays up and the loser is penalised by having to play another match to try to stay up.

Sorry ya my mistake, was reading it completely wrong. I was thinking lets say Bray win the play-off with Galway that they where playing the loser of the first division one in a nothing game.

[legendz]

I don't agree with the play-off of 8th vs 9th but I suppose it has kept things interesting. Premier 8th and First Division 2nd have a good and fair advantage playing at home.

[Mr Maroon]

I don't agree with the play-off of 8th vs 9th but I suppose it has kept things interesting.

The gap between us and Bray is bigger than the one between 1st and 5th (Rovers and Pat's)!

[Roo69]

The gap between us and Bray is bigger than the one between 1st and 5th (Rovers and Pat's)!

There's a reason why the gap between Galway and Bray is bigger, our squad was set up for the 1st division and we had no time before the season to bring in more experienced players.

When the window opened back up we could bring in Premier quality players i'd say we have close on the same amount of points as Galway amassed from July/August onwards.

The last meetings between the clubs also showed a massive gap between clubs, Galway came into the game unbeaten in 7+ games but we destroyed you, could have been 7 or 8 nil

[legendz]

The gap between us and Bray is bigger than the one between 1st and 5th (Rovers and Pat's)!

True but Galway with a few weeks to go still could have looked at aiming for 7th. Anyways I don't agree with the format as I say, it might have more of a place in a 16 team league. Finishing 8th of 10 and facing a relegation play-off is a bit much.

[Sam_Heggy]

It's been one of the best seasons in division one. The two clubs that finished 4th and 5th missing the play-offs last season have kicked on in the division this season to take 2nd and 3rd. They've gone above Shel's in the process and have pushed a good Derry side all the way. Like last season, the Division One side should edge it.

That doesn't improve the standard though.

[Mr Maroon]

There's a reason why the gap between Galway and Bray is bigger, our squad was set up for the 1st division and we had no time before the season to bring in more experienced players.

When the window opened back up we could bring in Premier quality players i'd say we have close on the same amount of points as Galway amassed from July/August onwards.

The last meetings between the clubs also showed a massive gap between clubs, Galway came into the game unbeaten in 7+ games but we destroyed you, could have been 7 or 8 nil
Our budget at the start of the season was smaller than most First Division clubs and it got reduced during the season.

You probably did pick up more points than us in the latter part of the season but the bottom line is that we finished a long way ahead of you over the whole season.

We were only unbeaten in 3 games before that game. We were absolutely awful that night though. Worst performance of the season. Fair enough, you destroyed us that night but the time before that we won and kept a clean sheet with a full back in goals.