View Full Version : Final series of First Division games.
adamd164
27/09/2013, 11:15 PM
Congrats to Athlone Town. It hasn't been the best 1st Division ever but they've won it convincingly and deserve their spot in the Premier Division next season. Roddy has done a fine job in just a season there. The race for the play off spot looks interesting. Athlone could add be in a position to add to Longford's woes by keeping them out of the play off on the final day.
Mervue going up would surely throw a spanner in the works for a new club in Galway..
cheifo
27/09/2013, 11:16 PM
Congratulations to Athlone and their supporters.
Finn Harps face a lot of big decisions.
ATFC-1887
28/09/2013, 3:34 AM
Amazing night in Athlone. Had it all really. Amazing crowd, penalty, streaker, flares and of course a pitch invasion. Cannot wait for next season already. Come on the Town
CrowdedHouse
28/09/2013, 9:18 AM
Mervue going up would surely throw a spanner in the works for a new club in Galway..
Not at all - GFC would be in the Premier then
Jofspring
28/09/2013, 9:28 AM
Mervue could be looking at 6 points from their last two games to Cobh and Wexford. Pressure is on Longford and Waterford to get results.
osarusan
28/09/2013, 9:50 AM
Well done Athlone. Been down there a long time. Good time to be an Athlone fan.
wonder88
28/09/2013, 10:28 AM
Nice to see Athlone in the premier, I probably will be a fairly regular visitor to their ground next year to see top class LoI soccer. Another great achievement for Roddy Collins as a manager, their support base is growing as well.
Spudulika
28/09/2013, 10:36 AM
Amazing night in Athlone. Had it all really. Amazing crowd, penalty, streaker, flares and of course a pitch invasion. Cannot wait for the first half of next season before bankruptcy already. Come on the Town
Fixed that for ya!
Well done on promotion, the worry starts now!
nigel-harps1954
28/09/2013, 10:37 AM
Fair play Athlone. A great trip always, fine stadium built for Premier football and it finally gets it. Roddy deserves huge credit here for the turnaround.
Martinho II
28/09/2013, 9:42 PM
We wont make the playoffs tbh.. It has gone wrong for us big time since Philip Coffey left the club midway during the season due to TC havin disagreements with him.. we havent being the same since then!we had our chance and blew it AGAIN! I expect a shredding of our squad if we dont go up...reminds me of the 85/86 season when we missed out of promotion when we went into massive fin difficulties the start of the following season and had to let go of the entire squad and change of mgr!
Congrats to Athlone. Best team always wins the league.
Thats for sure, 12 clean sheets in there last 14 league games is definitely title winnning material, again congrats to the town fans, ye deserve it.
Plus Athlone fans will have at least one away game to listen into the cult commentators of Dundalk FM if they can't make the trip to Oriel Park. My two fav 'scenes' so far this season, split between as follows:
1/ On 51 mins away to Shels FAI Cup 5-1 up 'ah I'm just sick of this match now' then spoke for 5 mins during live commentary about the next league game
2/ "the panel' in on the sat pm show, got terribly confused about the double header cup semi final, both to be played at the aviva, the best was they even read out my text explaining it was only live tv double header, then dismissed me, and went on about the logistics of having 4 teams in one ground in one day.
Darklordsbane
01/10/2013, 8:58 AM
Yeah Congratulations to Athlone, by far the best team in the division, you can blame bad luck, poor management, injuries, etc but the results don't lie.
Anyway does anyone know if there are dates set for the play-off games yet, I know nothing has been desided as to what teams will be in them, but it would be handy to have a schedual of dates with teams to be confirmed
NeverFeltBetter
01/10/2013, 9:25 AM
Plus Athlone fans will have at least one away game to listen into the cult commentators of Dundalk FM if they can't make the trip to Oriel Park. My two fav 'scenes' so far this season, split between as follows:
1/ On 51 mins away to Shels FAI Cup 5-1 up 'ah I'm just sick of this match now' then spoke for 5 mins during live commentary about the next league game
2/ "the panel' in on the sat pm show, got terribly confused about the double header cup semi final, both to be played at the aviva, the best was they even read out my text explaining it was only live tv double header, then dismissed me, and went on about the logistics of having 4 teams in one ground in one day.
The Limerick radio commentary team yawned through the match last night, and openly talked about how bored they were.
Just seeing some of MNS now.
Athlone fans
1/Is your sponsor really Flancare? Don't think I've seen that before in the league where it moved from a rival (Longford)
2/ Also why didn't you were the usual blue and black stripes top, Did Waterford not have a change of kit?
3/ What's the plan for away fans next season, part of the stand?
Martinho II
04/10/2013, 10:04 PM
Just seeing some of MNS now.
Athlone fans
1/Is your sponsor really Flancare? Don't think I've seen that before in the league where it moved from a rival (Longford)
flancare sponsorin athlone town is sep co from the one that sponsored us.. flancare in longford dissolvved due to debts..
NeverFeltBetter
04/10/2013, 10:28 PM
Next week looks like it will be fantastic to follow. Can totally see Cousin's led Longford cracking under pressure tomorrow.
atfconline
04/10/2013, 10:33 PM
Almost worth going over to have a look!
atfconline
04/10/2013, 10:48 PM
Just seeing some of MNS now.
Athlone fans
1/Is your sponsor really Flancare? Don't think I've seen that before in the league where it moved from a rival (Longford)
2/ Also why didn't you were the usual blue and black stripes top, Did Waterford not have a change of kit?
3/ What's the plan for away fans next season, part of the stand?
As Marty says, different Flancare. We have Flancare Athlone, they had Flancare Clonmel.
We've worn the away kit at home a lot this season for some reason. We better be in our home kit next weekend though.
No idea what way they are going to work segregation next year.
oriel
04/10/2013, 10:56 PM
Thanks lads, interesting.
Re the away end, I wouldn't worry about it, plenty of time for that.
But you will need something in place for when the bigger clubs travel over, and good news on your side, there is usually a lot of interest in grounds where fans haven't been before, and a good few hundred might make a trip of it during the season, I know I'd like to visit it.
Charlie Darwin
04/10/2013, 11:10 PM
Athlone is a very handy trip from Dublin so as long as the team is competitive I'd expect a good travelling support from the Dublin sides and Sligo at least. Certainly as good as would be heading to Cork or Limerick. I know there was always a good group going to Longford when they were in the Premier and Athlone is even easier to get to.
flancare in longford dissolvved due to debts..
Wait. Someone sponsored an LOI club and then they went under with big debts?!? Has to be a first.
NeverFeltBetter
05/10/2013, 7:05 PM
Longford a goal up before HT.
NeverFeltBetter
05/10/2013, 8:19 PM
Youths equalise on 81, and Town go back in front four minutes later from Gary Shaw. FT. One point between Longford, Waterford and Mervue going into last day.
Trainee
05/10/2013, 9:45 PM
I expect Mervue & Waterford to win, so I think Longford will miss out on playoffs
Longfordian
06/10/2013, 12:46 AM
Next week looks like it will be fantastic to follow. Can totally see Cousin's led Longford cracking under pressure tomorrow.
Nearly did in fairness. It all feels a bit of a waste of time because I can't see any way that any of the three FD teams beats the PD team over two legs. I didn't get the feeling anyone in our club thinks we're going up, on the field anyway.
outspoken
06/10/2013, 6:09 PM
Cousins was an extremely extremely releived man last night I don't think I've seen him celebrate a goal like that before. He knew his future as a LOI manager was gone if they didn't win last night. I can't see us beating athlone so pray that mervue or Waterford suffer a shock of their own.
Darklordsbane
06/10/2013, 6:34 PM
I'm not so sure we won't beat Athlone, if it's long balls all night, as your man says "we will get battered",
but if we try and play football like the 2nd half of the last el classico I think De Town have a great chance of beating the 1st division champions.
They have nothing to play for except pride, they have earned the bragging rites as being presented with the trophy at the end of the match will prove, that has to affect them, when it gets tough with 15 mins to go. I am probably wrong but how many times have we seen the champions lose their last game
NeverFeltBetter
06/10/2013, 6:58 PM
Limerick memorably capitulated to Wexford last year on the last day. Longford should be getting at least a draw, the Athlone team will be thinking nothing but medals and photos.
nigel-harps1954
06/10/2013, 9:38 PM
Athlone looked like a bunch of players who were out on the p!ss all week against Harps the other night. But they'll be up for Longford I'd assume. Anything to stop them reaching the play-offs.
Martinho II
06/10/2013, 9:51 PM
Nearly did in fairness. It all feels a bit of a waste of time because I can't see any way that any of the three FD teams beats the PD team over two legs. I didn't get the feeling anyone in our club thinks we're going up, on the field anyway.
I have seen Shels three times over the last few months and they get worse everytime I see them.. I have heard that they will be gone if they get relegated.. If somehow we beat Waterford /Mervue in the playoffs I really fancy us against shels.. Shels will have no idea of how to deal with Sully!
nigel-harps1954
06/10/2013, 9:59 PM
For anyone that may be interested, a video of Kevin McHughs penalty against Athlone the other night.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201882545121800&set=vb.1128685439&type=2&theater
outspoken
08/10/2013, 1:31 PM
I have seen Shels three times over the last few months and they get worse everytime I see them.. I have heard that they will be gone if they get relegated.. If somehow we beat Waterford /Mervue in the playoffs I really fancy us against shels.. Shels will have no idea of how to deal with Sully!
They are going amateur next year according to the papers. I'm very worried that the players are taking a play off place for granted ahead of this weekend, no point in them thinking ahead to Waterford, mervue, Shels or anyone else they have to do the business this weekend, simples.
avvenalaf
08/10/2013, 6:44 PM
Trust me, Shels will beat anything that's thrown at tem from First Div play off.
Darklordsbane
08/10/2013, 6:51 PM
I agree with Outspoken I heard Gary Shaw on Shannon side radio, sure sounds like he thinks he is in the playoffs, I love to hear a bit of confidence from the squad but you should never take anything for granted before it happens,
gormacha
08/10/2013, 7:06 PM
I don't think it makes any difference which FD team gets through to play Shels or Bray. The gap in standards between the FD and PD, combined with the unfair advantage the PD club gets from the way the playoffs are structured, makes it very unlikely a FD team will win.
If I was betting, I think Mervue will make the playoff final, although clearly I hope I'm wrong. Longford are doing their annual end of season implosion thing, so I think it'll be Mervue v Waterford in the FD playoff, and Mervue have a genuine hex over us.
mcgonigle
08/10/2013, 7:39 PM
I don't think it makes any difference which FD team gets through to play Shels or Bray. The gap in standards between the FD and PD, combined with the unfair advantage the PD club gets from the way the playoffs are structured, makes it very unlikely a FD team will win.
If I was betting, I think Mervue will make the playoff final, although clearly I hope I'm wrong. Longford are doing their annual end of season implosion thing, so I think it'll be Mervue v Waterford in the FD playoff, and Mervue have a genuine hex over us.
What's the advantage?
Nah Nah Nah Nah
08/10/2013, 7:47 PM
Sure ye played an illegal player in last years playoff.........
Darklordsbane
08/10/2013, 7:58 PM
Mervue have a Hex on most teams because they play good football (at least they do when I've watched them)
mcgonigle
08/10/2013, 8:23 PM
Sure ye played an illegal player in last years playoff.........
Karma has come back to bite us now!!
It was a genuine question though I'm not sure what the advantage to PD clubs is.
nigel-harps1954
08/10/2013, 8:36 PM
Mervue have a Hex on most teams because they play good football (at least they do when I've watched them)
Mervue? Really? They play muck football. They're just ridiculously hard to break down on a tight pitch in Fahys Field.
Charlie Darwin
08/10/2013, 8:44 PM
Karma has come back to bite us now!!
It was a genuine question though I'm not sure what the advantage to PD clubs is.
The FD teams have to win a two-leg tie leading into the playoff, whereas the PD club might not have any meaningful fixtures, depending on the table.
wonder88
08/10/2013, 10:28 PM
Very interesting piece with the Mervue manager in last weeks Tribune here in Galway. Something I did not know is that they got 3 young players who Athlone let go. Also he is of the opinion that the 1st divison should be a sort of development league or mostly made up of development clubs. These clubs would take on the discarded players from the various u-19's squads who fail to make it on to the 1st team squads. He gives the example of Shamrock R and Cork who have had good u-19 teams in recent years but very few of those players have progressed at those clubs (Morrissey noted). For him it is important there is a club close by so that those discarded players can go and further improve, he cites Cobh Ramblers for Cork for example, but there is no 1st divison (development club) in Dublin. I think Bohs took a player from Shamrock R and I suppose Roddy picked up a few dubs who had nowhere to go after the u-19s but I think he has a valid point.
He also states that Galway can field two clubs in the LoI, something that I myself is also convinced of while accepting that Mervue will never be able to build a fanbase. For this reason I think that the Galway FC/one team in Galway project could well do further damage to LoI soccer in the west rather than solve the problems that exist now.
Charlie Darwin
08/10/2013, 10:33 PM
I think the effect on the Cork team might have been exaggerated by Cobh coming to the league so late and needing a quick reservoir of players. I suspect next season they might have more experienced players as they'll have the same opportunities as other clubs to sign up players. The valve for Shamrock Rovers U19s in recent seasons seems to be Longford, though you'd put much of that down to the Tony Cousins link, though there have also been players going up to Dundalk and a couple to Bohemians too.
Darklordsbane
08/10/2013, 10:45 PM
well I didn't see Mervue much this season, except when they played Longford in the last 2 home and away fixtures, and even allowing for Longford not turning up, they played us off the pitch in City Calling, and it wasn't much better for us in Fahy's field either apart from only 1 nil there.
so I will bow to your knowledge of them, but as the results show they aren't that far off the top of division 1 and may well end up in the premiership yet, no offence to Waterford but if Longford are lucky enough to get to the playoffs I hope it's against them and not Mervue,
makes me think of the old chinese saying be careful what you wish for, but I think it's 50/50 who would win between Waterford and Longford, I would have 70/30 Mervue against Longford
If Cousins put out a team to play some football instead of hoofing it all night long I believe Longford will beat Athlone on Saturday
El-Pietro
09/10/2013, 10:03 AM
I think the effect on the Cork team might have been exaggerated by Cobh coming to the league so late and needing a quick reservoir of players. I suspect next season they might have more experienced players as they'll have the same opportunities as other clubs to sign up players. The valve for Shamrock Rovers U19s in recent seasons seems to be Longford, though you'd put much of that down to the Tony Cousins link, though there have also been players going up to Dundalk and a couple to Bohemians too.
Craig Burns and Daniel Santry are the only recent U19s from Cork City currently at Cobh. Rob Waters is there too but its a long time since he played for any City side. Burns himself left a few years back and has played for Waterford and sorta played for Limerick since.
Cobh had a very strong U19 set up of their own before their senior return. They didn't need to raid Cork, although obvious there will always be crossover when clubs are close together.
deiseach
09/10/2013, 10:20 AM
no offence to Waterford but if Longford are lucky enough to get to the playoffs I hope it's against them and not Mervue
None taken, after some of the hidings we've gotten from Mervue in recent years the feeling is mutual! :p
mcgonigle
09/10/2013, 12:54 PM
The FD teams have to win a two-leg tie leading into the playoff, whereas the PD club might not have any meaningful fixtures, depending on the table.
Would it not be a bigger disadvantage if the FD team didn't have a competitive game for 3 weeks before a playoff?
The FD team that gets to the FD/PD playoff is at no disadvantage IMO.
Sheridan
09/10/2013, 1:20 PM
Would it not be a bigger disadvantage if the FD team didn't have a competitive game for 3 weeks before a playoff?
The FD team that gets to the FD/PD playoff is at no disadvantage IMO.
Well, they're at a clear disadvantage insofar as they're all crap.
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