2011 PD & FD Predictions

[Magicme]

In honesty what Cooke brought to the club wasn't so much his match day managerial skills and often made very questionable decisions. His greatest gift to us was stability and his dedication. He also had a way of bringing good players to the club to play on a pittance but a lot of that was due to being able to assure the player that they would get paid, on time and in full. That hasn't changed at the club and I agree with passerby that bar Garto, we are a stronger better team than last year. The fact that Shels, limerick, Cork and waterford are better too is the only concerning factor for me.

[Financial Stew]

Premier
1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Sligo - but may have some financial issues
3. Bohs - with that squad they will challenge- but may go bust
4. Derry
5. Dundalk
6. Pats
7. Bray
8. UCD
9. Galway
10. Drogheda United

[Lim till i die]

1. Waterford - I just think it's fainally their time, Hendo has been there and done it before with less, they were arguably a bit flaky at centre half and they went out and signed Kenny Browne, have goals in them and strength all over the pitch.

2. Shels - Look very strong, will be completely Alan Matthews team this year, the only negative thing I'll say about them is they're potentially light up front. Having said that, they should have lots of goals from midfield. If their strikers click they could well win the league, if not they might have to settle for second.

GAP

3. Cork - Their starting eleven is as good as anyones but I'm not convinced there's much depth there and they have a couple of outstanding issues, namely a chocolate hands in goals and a manager that the jury is still out on. Also if Graham Cummins breaks an arm or a leg at any stage are they just going to start forfeiting games before kick off?

4. Harps - Could be this years Monaghan. A lot of people haven't given them any credit for how good they actually were at home last year and their form on the road should pick up after a couple of quality signings like Conor O'Grady.

5. Limerick - We've had a great pre season and look like having a very strong team, in Gary Sheehan and Stephen O'Flynn (with Peter Hynes hopefully putting in a few good shifts after an encouraging pre season) we have arguably the best attacking options in the division, have some genuinely amazingly talented youngfellas in the middle of the park and the defence this year appears to lack clowns for the first time in awhile. However, general consensus is we lack an experienced head in the middle of the park to kick people and any wide players in the traditional sense should we need a change of game plan at any stage.

BIGGER GAP.

6. Monaghan - Will struggle to repeat the previous few seasons form. Lost their attack and their main centre half, aswell as the manager. Still not awful by any stretch, but probably not up to the level of the teams above and momentum is against them heading into the start of the season.

7. Longford - Progress is being made but probably too slowly to have an impact on the upper end of the table this year. Will more than likely be a lot better than Athlone which should keep them happy enough!

8. Wexford - No Noel O'Connor side is ever going to ship too many hammerings and David Grincell was a great signing having lost Gary Sheehan. Dempsey to Waterford is a big loss for them aswell though and they are a bit short on quality in a Division with quite a bit of quality at the upper end this year.

9. Mervue - Look to be solid enough to break out of the Galway duopoly at the bottom of the Division this season. In Rory Gaffney they have one of the best players in the Division

GAP

10. Athlone - Their pre season has been a bit of a shambles by all accounts and they could be in for a long year.

11. Salthill - Are Terrible

[placid casual]

1st-Shamrock Rovers
2nd- is nowhere.

[monutdfc]

I am a not so put out at his departure just his timing
agree 100%


honestly think our team is better than last seasons only real loss for me is garto
not so sure - from what I've seen pre-season Fabio and especially Barrett won't replace Philly and Bermo- hope I am wrong.
Likewise, Garto hasn't been replaced - not sure about Rogers.
Cathal O'Connor will be a big miss too.

[L.T.F.C.]

First
1. Shels
2. Waterford
3. Cork
4. Limerick
5. Longford
6. Monaghan
7. Finn Harps
8. Wexford
9. Athlone Town
10. Mervue United
11. Salthill Devon

[micls]

Also if Graham Cummins breaks an arm or a leg at any stage are they just going to start forfeiting games before kick off?


Yes, it'd safe money and hassle with the same eventual outcome.

[legendz]

Premier:
1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Sligo Rovers
3. Dundalk
4. St. Patrick's Athletic
5. Derry City
6. Bohemians
7. UCD
8. Bray Wanderers
9. Galway United
10. Drogheda United

First Division:
1. Shelbourne
2. Cork City
3. Waterford United
4. Monaghan United
5. Limerick FC
6. Finn Harps
7. Longford Town
8. Wexford Youths
9. Athlone Town
10. Mervue United
11. Salthill Devon

FAI Cup: Shamrock Rovers

League Cup: Derry City

Setanta Sports Cup: Sligo Rovers

[Dublin Red]

Premier
1. Shams - To run away with it.
---------------
2. Dundalk
3. Pats
4. Rovers <----- 2nd-6th is anyones position. All teams can beat each other on any given day, so its a toss up, Dundalk to be the best of a bad bunch (Sligo Rovers involvement in Europe to have a major disadvantage on them with the thin squad).
5. Bohs
6. Derry
---------------
7. Bray
8. UCD
9. Galway
---------------
10. Drogheda United


I'm predicting Shams will progress to the Europa league group stages this year after getting through to the last Champions league Qualification round - they'll go straight into the group stage of EL.

FAI Cup: Shams
League Cup: Shock winner (First Division team)
Setanta Cup: Shams

[bluemovie]

Premier Division:
1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Sligo
3. Dundalk
4. Pat's
5. Derry City
6. Bohemians (if they survive)
7. UCD
8. Bray Wanderers
9. Drogheda United
10. Galway United

First Division:
1. Shelbourne
2. Blues
3. Co-op
4. Limerick
5. Monaghan
6. Harps
7. Longford
8. Wexford
9. Mervue
10. Athlone
11. Salthill

FAI Cup: Dundalk

League Cup: Why bother predicting something with only 10k for the winners. I'll predict Mrs McGinty will win the local bingo instead. Bigger prize fund.

[pineapple stu]

Ridiculously hard to call this year, particularly the First

Premier
Rovers by ten points or so
Sligo

Pat's
Dundalk
Derry - not as good as the old Derry teams obviously, but then the league has gone downhill a lot
Bohs (who I'd be amazed to see around next year sadly, except as a new club)
Bray (their revival last year wasn't actually that great - form-wise they were still below us. May sneak sixth though)
UCD (assuming our one forward doesn't get injured!)
Galway
Drogheda (both of whom have strengthened in recent days in fairness)

First -
Shels (cos I know more about them)
Limerick
Harps
Waterford
Cork (don't think their signings have been that great?)
Monaghan
Longford
Wexford
Athlone
Salthill
Mervue

With the usual disclaimer that I only pay sporadic attention to the First, and then usually just the top two spots, cos that's all that ever concerns us. :)

Reckon Rovers have a genuine chance at the UEFA Cup groups this year.

[LFC-Zulu]

Premier Division:

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Sligo Rovers
3. Dundalk
4. Pats
5. Derry
6. Bohs
7. UCD
7. Bray
9. Galway
10. Drogheda

First Division:

1. Shelbourne
2. Limerick
3. Waterford (To win the playoff against Drogheda!)
4. Cork
5. Finn Harps
6. Monaghan
7. Wexford
8. Longford
9. Mervue
10. Athlone
11. Salthill

FAI Cup Winners: Sligo Rovers
Setanta Cup Winners: Dundalk
League Cup Winners: Pats
Premier Division Top Scorer: Gary Twigg
First Division Top Scorer: Stephen O'Flynn
First Manager to be sacked: Mike Kerley
First top class interview: Pete Mahon

[El-Pietro]

Cork (don't think their signings have been that great?)

You haven't seen Escude-Candau, hes been really impressive. Derek O'Brien is the one I'm excited about - we haven't even seen him yet though, hes been pretty decent for me in Champ manager though :P

I'm obvioulsy biased but I think our starting XI is as good as any in the division.

Hoggy and Danny are experienced pros and will keep things tight at the back. More than a match for the majority of wingers in the league. Gavin Kavanagh was a brilliant pick up for us last season, far better than expected and has gotten better with more games under his belt. Apparently loves it in Cork as well which is a plus. Greg is a decent squad player, not my favourite person but he'll hold the fort down until Stephen Mulcahy returns. Lets not forget how well Mulcahy was playing before his injury, in the u23 squad, singled out for praise by Trapp and honestly our best player up to that point, better than Cummins even. hed have been in the running for player of the year. So all in all we've a very decent defence for the first division.

Gearóid Morrisey has been in fantastic form in pre season and looks much stronger, I think a few people were saying how well he played in the U21 game. been our best midfielder anyway. I'd expect him to be going back to England in a season or two, but hes signed up for this year and next so we should get a few bob if he does go.
Alongside him you've Duggan who has been disappointing of late but is a decent midfielder and hes still young so hopefully can get back to his form of two seasons ago/start of last season.

Davin was another who disappointed last year but has been really up for it in pre season, taking players on, beating them, scoring goals, creating chances. Hes a quality first division player and a decent prem one so I'd expect more from him this year. He knows he needs to show more himself.
Escude-Candau looks quality as I mentioned and I'd love to see him playing in behind Cummins. Some of his passing has been exquisite and he gets into the box, something we've lacked from midfielders for years, since George was here the first and second times anyway.
I've mentioned O'Brien, don't know what to expect from him. Hes our only senior "winger", we only have two in the squad. Lots of wingers/strikers though. I'm just delighted we have someone who plays on the wing.

Then up front you have Cummins. No introduction needed.

Vinny Sull isn't a world beater but he should add a few goals, we definitely didn't score enough last year and we can't rely on Cummins to score roughly 50% of our goals again, not if we expect promotion. My worry with Sullivan is that he didn't score many goals against top half teams last year (one against us in the second game of the season and one against Mons) and he didn't score many in the second half of the season. Just two I think. But we struggled against the likes of Salthill, Mervue etc so goals against those teams will make a big difference.

Injuries will tell a lot with City. We have a limited squad. Some of our options off the bench do not fill me with confidence, I mean I think I have as many LOI goals as Timmy Kiely, we've only one sub centre half until Mulcahy comes back. On the plus side we've some exciting young players such as Rory Morrissey, Simon Holland Kalen Spillane and Keiran "Kiwi" Kenneally so if one or two of them makes the grade we'll be delighted.

Forget to mention Nults. Obviously hes not the greatest keeper and hes prone to some massive mistakes, but hes improved a lot over the last year. I wish we'd gone out and signed a Barry Murphy or a Diarmuid Quigley or someone but its not easy to bring these lads to Cork for part time football so we will have to make do. He can make some incredible saves, but he still thinks hes a striker and too often tries to dribble around attackers, he hasn't been made to pay for that yet...

[Pablo Escobar]

Sssshhhh......please ignore El-Pietro, we're going to be sh1te! ;)




Seriously though, we look impressive. I can't understand how so many people put Waterford ahead of us in the predictions. I think we'll be 2nd, behind Shels. The 2 games away to them might catch us. Limerick also look dangerous. Harps will be dark-horses and Waterford about the same level as Harps I think.

[pineapple stu]

Sssshhhh......please ignore El-Pietro, we're going to be sh1te! ;)
It's ok - all I heard was "We're in the First Division for the second year in a row", and to a big club like us, that's like a barely audible buzz in the ears. :)

[Dodge]

Derek O'Brien is the one I'm excited about

All Cork's excitement should be nuetered due to this comment.

[El-Pietro]

All Cork's excitement should be nuetered due to this comment.
you don't seem to understand.

we haven't had an actual winger in years. We've had strikers shunted out there but not actual wingers. We could have signed some lad from Casement Celtic and I'd be excited if he was a winger.

[Sam_Heggy]

you don't seem to understand.

we haven't had an actual winger in years. We've had strikers shunted out there but not actual wingers. We could have signed some lad from Casement Celtic and I'd be excited if he was a winger.

Ahh, but can the lad from Casement Celtic cross a ball?

[micls]

All Cork's excitement should be nuetered due to this comment.

It's a personal thing for El pietro. O Brien is his type.....


Ahh, but can the lad from Casement Celtic cross a ball?

Meh, crossing is overrated, we've got full backs that can do that :D We want to see someone who can have the ball at their feet and run at the same time :o Seriously though, anyone who's played in the LOI for more than a season will be an improvement on the children we had in this position first half of last season. If they touched the ball more than 3 times between them in the half a season they played I missed it.

[Dodge]

As I said, settle down if you're expecting better ;)

[passinginterest]

Time for the annual bump to see how badly wrong we all were! Dundalk, Waterford and Finn Harps probably the most disappointing performers of the season going on the predictions.

[pineapple stu]

And also with his premier too.. Call me biased, but do you honestly think Dundalk are going to finish 6th below Pats, Bohs and Derry?
Tee hee!


10. Drogheda United (Lowest league points total ever)
Half right anyway! And incidentally, thanks to Galway for taking that record off us.


Reckon Rovers have a genuine chance at the UEFA Cup groups this year.
Only myself and DublinRed went for this (though DR reckoned on them getting to the last qualifying round of the CL instead, and most people didn't go with European predictions)

[nigel-harps1954]

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Sligo Rovers
3. Dundalk
4. Bohemians
5. St.Pats
6. Derry
7. UCD
8. Bray
9. Drogheda
10. Galway




League cup seems to be Derrys lucky competition so expect them to reach semi at least if not final. But I'd imagine Shamrock Rovers reserves to win it they have such a squad their 2nd team would be capable of it. If not I'd guess Sligo or even Dundalk to win it.

FAI cup, will be one of those surprise competitions again, put my head on the line here and even say Shels to reach the final of that one with Shamrock Rovers the eventual winners.

Dundalk for Setanta.

Wasn't far off with this lot. Won't talk about the first division.

[Sam_Heggy]

Prem:

1. Rovers
2. Sligo
3. Pats
4. Muckers
5. Bohs
6. Dundalk
7. UCD
8. Bray
9. Galway
10. Drogs - I actually predict them to win less than 3 games all season (based on current squad)

First Div:
1. Shels
2. Waterford
3. Limerick
4. Harps
5. Cork
6. Mons
7. Wexford
8. Longford
9. Athlone
10. Mervue
11. Salthill

.

Oh dear.
I got the Prem ok-ish
The first division predictions were awful. The only one I got right was Salthill finishing bottom.

[legendz]

Premier:
1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Sligo Rovers
3. Dundalk
4. St. Patrick's Athletic
5. Derry City
6. Bohemians
7. UCD
8. Bray Wanderers
9. Galway United
10. Drogheda United

First Division:
1. Shelbourne
2. Cork City
3. Waterford United
4. Monaghan United
5. Limerick FC
6. Finn Harps
7. Longford Town
8. Wexford Youths
9. Athlone Town
10. Mervue United
11. Salthill Devon

FAI Cup: Shamrock Rovers

League Cup: Derry City

Setanta Sports Cup: Sligo Rovers

Got the top 2. Derry did better than I expected with Dundalk doing worse. Bohs midtable and a place better than I expected. Bray carried through their good form from the end of last season. I never foresaw Galway's problems. Drogheda after their own problems seemed the likeliest before the season's kick-off.


Was nearly spot on with the top 2 in the FD but Cork's late goal put paid to that. Waterford had a disappointing season.

[total hoofball]

Prem:

1. Shamrock Rovers
2. Sligo Rovers
3. Dundalk
4. Bohemians
5. St Patrick's Athletic
6. Derry City
7. Bray Wanderers
8. UCD
9. Galway United
10. Drogheda United

First:

1. Waterford United
2. Cork City
3. Shelbourne
4. Monaghan United
5. Limerick
6. Finn Harps
7. Longford Town
8. Wexford Youths
9. Athlone Town
10. Mervue United
11. Salthill Devon



Dundalk and Waterford :o

I still think if Waterford and Dundalk played to their full potential they would have achieved those respective positions. Car crash seasons from both.

Definitely underestimated Derry based on them limping to the First Division title and signings like Zayed, Higgins and McGlynn coming off underwhelming performances in 2010.

[dcfc_1928]

Genius! ;)




Think Derry are being over-estimated. Looking at their squad I dont expect them to ever really challenge for a Euro place. Shams big squad could be their downfall, can't keep them all happy and they also have a poor manager in O'Neill so that doesn't help either.

[dfx-]

1. Rovers
2. Londonderry
3. Sligo
4. Pats
5. Dundalk
6. Bohs
7. UCD
8. Bray
9. Galway
10. Drogheda*

Division 1:

1. Cork City
2. Shels
3. Waterford
4. Limerick
5. Monaghan
6. Finn Harps
7. Wexford Youths
8. Athlone
9. Longford
10. Mervue United
11. Salthill Devon

Not great...Sligo did better than I anticipated as did Bray, Mervue, Longford and especially Mons. Dundalk, Waterford, Wexford..a bit different. Derry were always going to be the toughest opponent I thought..and they were.

[El-Pietro]

Derek O'Brien is the one I'm excited about

All Cork's excitement should be nuetered due to this comment.

He did the business when it mattered :D

[placid casual]

1st-Shamrock Rovers
2nd- is nowhere.

Do I win a prize ?
gettin quite used to prize giving around these parts...

[Dodge]

Do I win a prize ?
gettin quite used to prize giving around these parts...

Dunno, did you throw your scarf away?


If Rovers havent wrapped up the league by mid August I'm throwin me barscarf into the dodder!:arrogant:

[historynut]

Re prem think it will be a 3 way race between Derry, Shams and Sligo.
In the first between Shels, Waterford Lims and believe Mons will be knocking around again. Also have a hunch one of the Galway sides will establish themselves mid-table rather than both at bottom.

Apart from overlooking Cork - did'nt do too bad. See Mervue obtained mid table.