Pre-season friendlies

[gormacha]

No, because people mainly walk on hard surfaces. Think of all the injuries that would be prevented when they decide to walk on grass or carpet.

I said earlier that some of the fans of clubs with these pitches seem to feel the need to defend them at any cost...

[Shannonsider]

The issue with your pitch has never been about it's all-weather capabilities. It's about that it appears to generate injuries you wouldn't get elsewhere and that it tends to give the home side an advantage.

If that was the case then Dundalk are at a disadvantage every time they play away from home more so than other away team than normally play on "grass"

[Eminence Grise]

Yeah....we should replace all footpaths with grass. It would save crippling the nation.

The way the country is going, that day may arrive sooner than the next [insert name] to Limerick gag here.

[luiz]

I've watched some matches at Oriel Park and Cliftonville and Crusaders' stadiums, and my two cents is that, if there's some discussion about if artificial pitches cause more injuries or not, it surely makes the matches worse. Those clubs have some of the best and most modern artificial pitches and the ball still bounce like in a tennis court. One Dundalk fan I talked to said that playing in a different surface than the rest of the league would give them some advantage against the away teams, and I don't have the right of telling what Dundalk should or should not do with their money, but from the point of view of a neutral simply enjoying the match those plastic fields are a disgrace.

[GCdfc]

I said earlier that some of the fans of clubs with these pitches seem to feel the need to defend them at any cost...

I am not defending it. I'm just pointing out that there is no evidence to back up the negativity surrounding such surfaces posted by yourself and others here.

Personally I don't care what surface is in Oriel. The only way I have a preference is that I'd want the cheapest option for the club. I don't know if synthetic is cheaper than grass over it's lifetime. Oh, I do actually like the fact that unless there is a heavy snowfall, if I go to a match in Oriel, it will be played.

[outspoken]

I am not defending it. I'm just pointing out that there is no evidence to back up the negativity surrounding such surfaces posted by yourself and others here.

Personally I don't care what surface is in Oriel. The only way I have a preference is that I'd want the cheapest option for the club. I don't know if synthetic is cheaper than grass over it's lifetime. Oh, I do actually like the fact that unless there is a heavy snowfall, if I go to a match in Oriel, it will be played.

In terms of installing one it's obviously more expensive but the income you can get from renting it out to local clubs, schools etc is great and as long as they were good true surfaces I wouldnt mind seeing a few more in the league. As you said it means games are never called off and it's better than playing on a beach which many of the leagues pitches resemble at times.

[GCdfc]

In terms of installing one it's obviously more expensive but the income you can get from renting it out to local clubs, schools etc is great and as long as they were good true surfaces I wouldnt mind seeing a few more in the league. As you said it means games are never called off and it's better than playing on a beach which many of the leagues pitches resemble at times.

These pitches are 10 a penny at the moment. Some junior clubs have installed them and therefore affects income. I don't know if they are worth the installation costs any more.

I'm actually surprised that Dundalk never split the pitch into 3 and have 7 a side pitch rental when it is not in use for 11 a side. I used to play in Loughlins town sports centre in dubin about 15 years ago. They had one of the crappy carpets on the pitch but it was always busy because they divided it in three using nets.

[Jofspring]

Waterford 1-0 Limerick
Cobh 1-1 Cork

[patrickccfc]

Behan from the spot for us.. Any cause for concern limerick fans? 3 games 2 defeats and a draw am i right? only pre season i know but....

[Dunny]

Behan from the spot for us.. Any cause for concern limerick fans? 3 games 2 defeats and a draw am i right? only pre season i know but....

Already relegated.

[Jofspring]

Behan from the spot for us.. Any cause for concern limerick fans? 3 games 2 defeats and a draw am i right? only pre season i know but....

Don't have a clue how we performed but it was the strongest team so far that we started in pre-season. The other two games we started a lot of under 19's.

I wouldn't be too worried until the squad is completed.

[patrickccfc]

Ah right didnt see the team line ups.. any friendlies on the scotland trip?

[peterpan]

Cobh held there own again tonight, hit the bar and the post and led for a long time, took a pen to break them down.

[patrickccfc]

Cobh held there own again tonight, hit the bar and the post and led for a long time, took a pen to break them down.
Couldnt make it over to cobh.. what was the attendance like?

[Longfordian]

They'll be tough to beat, in Cobh especially. A lot of their side would have a fitness advantage at the moment, they've been playing Munster league haven't they?

[marty]

Ya a few of the team were senior league and another few currently playing with the under 19"s.Couldnt make it tonight but hope they might have got a handy crowd for a friendly,thats a good pre season so far-not sure if there are anymore lined up.....any idea on att Peter P??

[peterpan]

There was 8 of the starting 11 tonight that had been playing senior league, there was 600 plus there I reckon

[patrickccfc]

how many of that 600 were city fans do ya reckon?

[blue til i die]

Don't have a clue how we performed but it was the strongest team so far that we started in pre-season. The other two games we started a lot of under 19's.

I wouldn't be too worried until the squad is completed.

Didn't play too well, certainly need a few players added, non existant up front for a large part, came into the game toward the end. Seemed more comfortable in the second half with Folan and Purcell centre half.

[marty]

Probable half....

[outspoken]

In terms of installing one it's obviously more expensive but the income you can get from renting it out to local clubs, schools etc is great and as long as they were good true surfaces I wouldnt mind seeing a few more in the league. As you said it means games are never called off and it's better than playing on a beach which many of the leagues pitches resemble at times.

Yea they have it like that on the astro in longford sports complex €35 for the hour 1/3 pitch and all 3 are fully booked every night, some money to be made

[nigel-harps1954]

I'm confused, did you just quote yourself, and reply to your own statement?

[bullit]

I'm confused, did you just quote yourself, and reply to your own statement?
No harm doing that at all.Problem?

:D

[KUFCMan]

Mervue 0-1 Shels
Shels had 2 sent off Pat Flynn and Blocker Bayly and still lead after an hour.

[Dillonman]

dundalk four nil up at ht against s tommy mcconville eleven of local fromer dfc players who play in the meath and district league. vinny faherty scored on his debut,kurtis byrne with two and stephen odonnell.

[Charlie Darwin]

Mervue 0-1 Shels
Shels had 2 sent off Pat Flynn and Blocker Bayly and still lead after an hour.
Classic Flynn.

[KUFCMan]

RESULT
Mervue 1-1 Shels

[SkStu]

5-1 win for Bohs against Longford this morning (@ Blanchardstown IT). 2 goals conceded in 3 preseason games has to be worrying for Callaghan...

Lyons (pen), Byrne, Hanaphy, Bucko and McEvoy with the goals.

[Longfordian]

We've let in fifteen in four games I think. Ten minutes of madness and/or a crap keeper cost us three today apparently.

[patrickccfc]

2 goals conceded in 3 preseason games has to be worrying for Callaghan...
Really? i wouldnt be too concerned

[SkStu]

sorry, i was trying to be obscurely and stupidly funny... we have scored 18 (i think) in the three games to date...

[patrickccfc]

Just checked the updates from the sligo vs harps friendly and just laughed when i saw this...

Sligo Rovers 0 - 0 Finn Harps
21' - Delay in play here as Finn Harps is currently on the ground after picking up a knock. Substitution on the way it seems.

[Sam_Heggy]

Sligo 1-1 Harps

Gaynor Penalty for Sligo, McCarron for Harps.

Sounded like a good game, Sligo with plenty of possession, Harps holding a decent shape.

[Dillonman]

Dundalk ended up winning five nil. kwith ward with the fifth.

[sligoman]

Sligo 1-1 Harps

Gaynor Penalty for Sligo, McCarron for Harps.

Sounded like a good game, Sligo with plenty of possession, Harps holding a decent shape.It was terrible. I hate pre-season, March 8th can't come quick enough.

[nigel-harps1954]

Thoroughly enjoyable game in Sligo tonight. Must say though, it's been a few years since I've been in the showgrounds, and I mistakenly thought they'd replaced the old s**t blue seats, only realising tonight that they're still the same ones that are falling apart. Forgotten how utterly crap the viewing is from the away part.

Otherwise, as I said, enjoyable game, good run out for both teams, Harps were missing two of our starting back four and a handful of other players, and remain unbeaten in pre-season.

Don't want to be getting too optimistic, but Harps are looking pretty good.

[nigel-harps1954]

It was terrible. I hate pre-season, March 8th can't come quick enough.

Funny, I kind of expected that from you.

[SkStu]

In a confident pre-season performance on Saturday morning, which saw Stephen Paisley make his Bohemians debut as a second-half substitute against the club where he won the FAI Cup twice, the Gypsies swept aside First Division outfit Longford Town 5-1 at IT Blanchardstown.
Goals from Chris Lyons, Luke Byrne, Darragh Hanaphy, Keith Buckley and Ryan McEvoy saw the Gypsies run out emphatic winners, writes ROBERT O’REARDON.
READ MORE

Although this contest was closer than the final scoreline suggested, it was Aaron Callaghan’s side who set the tone from the off.
Early shots from Andy Mulligan and McEvoy saw the Gypsies come close before Lyons won a penalty having been fouled by Town keeper Paul Hunt. The referee had consulted with his linesman and looked set to reverse his decision before eventually awarding the spot-kick, which was duly converted by Lyons, a striker signed from UCD over the closed season.
Going behind sparked Tony Cousins’ Longford into life. The Town started to create chances and would have been level had it not been for some last-ditch tackles from Bohs centre-backs Heary and Roberto Lopes. Evergreen Heary, 36, in particular kept the Midlanders at bay.
But soon afterwards, Bohs doubled their advantage as Ireland Under-19 international Byrne cut in from the left on to his less-favoured right foot before firing a rasping drive into the corner. With a 2-0 lead, the Gypsies were cruising at the break.
The second half started off as lively as the first. But this time it was Longford beginning to press and they got their reward on 55 minutes as Gavin Doyle found the net to pull it back to 2-1.
Managing against his former club, Callaghan began to ring the changes. On came Hanaphy, Michael Barker, Paisley and Conor O’Brien as Bohs began to take control again.
Less than five minutes after his introduction, Hanaphy found himself one-on-one with Hunt and the former Newry City striker’s lob made it 3-1.
But the Gypsies weren’t finished yet. Two minutes later, Buckley’s superb chip from 25 yards flew past the keeper much to the delight of his team-mates and manager before McEvoy wrapped up the scoring with a placed finish from 12 yards in the dying embers of the game.
Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Owen Heary, Roberto Lopes, Luke Byrne; Keith Buckley, Stephen Traynor, Ryan McEvoy, Andy Mulligan, Shane Murray, Chris Lyons.

Subs used: Conor O’Brien, Darragh Hanaphy, Michael Barker, Stephen Paisley.

[DRDoc]

We've let in fifteen in four games I think. Ten minutes of madness and/or a crap keeper cost us three today apparently.

The defending was terrible to be honest

Bennion at fault for one goal - and it was a super finish

[PartySaint]

Bennion at fault

You will be saying that a lot this season.

[born2bwild]

You will be saying that a lot this season.
Oh no he won't!

Look out! He's behind you!

And so on.

[CrowdedHouse]

How did Shels manage to get 2 sent off in a friendly against Mervue ?

[SkStu]

That fixture has bad blood going way back....

[redobit]

Thoroughly enjoyable game in Sligo tonight. Must say though, it's been a few years since I've been in the showgrounds, and I mistakenly thought they'd replaced the old s**t blue seats, only realising tonight that they're still the same ones that are falling apart. Forgotten how utterly crap the viewing is from the away part.

Otherwise, as I said, enjoyable game, good run out for both teams, Harps were missing two of our starting back four and a handful of other players, and remain unbeaten in pre-season.

Don't want to be getting too optimistic, but Harps are looking pretty good.

Really! You must have become to used to the fare in the FD is all I can think. Pretty poor game of ball.

[noddy102]

How did Shels manage to get 2 sent off in a friendly against Mervue ?

Flynn and Bayly should answer that

[Sam_Heggy]

Letterkenny Rovers 1-2 Finn Harps

[sligoman]

Funny, I kind of expected that from you.I'm glad we're not in FD these days if that's what you class as an enjoyable game.

[gormacha]

I'm glad we're not in FD these days if that's what you class as an enjoyable game.

You sure it wasn't the result that spoiled your entertainment, rather than the quality of the football?

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

No. It was a poor match.

[sligoman]

You sure it wasn't the result that spoiled your entertainment, rather than the quality of the football?Why would it? Pre-season results don't bother me, win, lose or draw.