Premier Division- The Run In

[Nesta99]

Very good performance by us in the second half tonight. Some great football played. Ndo scored direct from a corner.

There were other games on tonight??!!?

[Sheridan]

It was unquestionably a well deserved win for Pats, with 2 very well taken goals and obviously that's what wins games.
Flood should be thrown into the Camac, in a sack, he would be no loss to football or Pats.
Overall the standard was poor considering these are 2 of the top 3 teams. There were good players out there for both teams, but the game was one mad rush all night long.
Welcome to a top of the table fixture in the last quarter of the season. I'm sure they're veritable concertos of style and grace in Iceland, of course.

[Nesta99]

Jaysus you post some ****e

geysir gives a fair assessment!

[razor]

Had some of the very early tackles on Towell been yellows it could have been a different game but Pats worthy winners.
Forrester is a lovely player but Denis Behan would have scored that such was the marking.
Frantic game throughout, but what was Stevie Sideways thinking?
Flood and Brennan still the players everyone loves to hate.

[bluewhitearmy]

That Flood is some clown whinging at everything all night the ref, lino his own players every single time they misplaced a pass id say something if he offered anything to the team. Great buzz on the terrace and great atmosphere at the game. The Pats fans around me were very very nervy even at 2 up.

Unbelievable Dundalk support in terms of numbers and the fact they never stopped backing their team even at 2 down.

Load of young kids invading the pitch at the end was a bit stupid but sher no harm done.

[danthesaint]

Great buzz on the terrace and great atmosphere at the game. The Pats fans around me were very very nervy even at 2 up.

I thought Dundalk could score at 2 up and 10 men, it just takes one!!


Unbelievable Dundalk support in terms of numbers and the fact they never stopped backing their team even at 2 down.

Yeah throwing stuff onto the pitch good stuff.


Load of young kids invading the pitch at the end was a bit stupid but sher no harm done.

One thing I dont understand, the young lads on our side were celebrating something on the pitch, stupid however it may be, what the **** were the Dundalk fans celebrating??? They weren't?? Ok.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

There were other games on tonight??!!?

Apologies for interrupting the title run in thread. Didn't want to start another thread for everyone else!

[White Horse]

Apologies for interrupting the title run in thread. Didn't want to start another thread for everyone else!

You're well in the mix and you know it ;)

It's still advantage Pats but there is a lot of football to be played.

[Mr A]

I knew it wasn't just me!

http://www.joe.ie/football/football-news/rtes-league-of-ireland-coverage-had-an-unusual-interruption-last-night/

[Dodge]

Am I alone in thinking that Pats appeared to be coached to play the referee?
Surely a coach like Liam Buckley cant condone the play acting we saw this evening from the Pats players.
Not even Oscar winning performances.
And Connolly behaved like he saw nothing.
Nor is that intended to take away from a superior Pats performance.

It clearly is intended to take away from pats performance. Otherwise why mention it? Bisto moans. Brennan moans. 2 of the biggest in the league. They're still behind O'Donnell who NEVER shuts up around the ref. Towell is the same. Every team has players like that. No one complains abut the lads on their team that do it though

[Spudulika]

Disappointing performance from both sides, Dundalk just came up short. Very disappointed with the behaviour of Killian Brennan, I know he has a bad rep, but he went out to damage players in a way that makes his ability non-existent. He should have been red carded for a terrible tackle and his acting when he got clipped right after was revolting. Sadly his lack of character is what has prevented him from ever reaching his potential.

Well done to Pats for taking both goals well, happy for Bucko, but with the continuing growth of support in the town (if the scum who threw objects on the pitch can be educated or gotten rid of) Dundalk are going to be Euro finishers for a few years to come.

[White Horse]

Dundalk can take a lot from last night's game (though no points unfortunately).

They tried to played football but didn't have the possess the cynical gamesmanship of some of the Pats players. Pats seemed to be more intent on stopping football being played, by whatever means. It's not a new approach, Drogheda play against us that way all the time. In the end, this proved a successful approach.

However, Dundalk fans can look at each and every one of their players with pride. Thankfully, we do not have the likes of Brennan and Flood disgracing our shirt. Apart from the result, the other disappointment from last night were the hundreds of empty seats. Pats showed their small club mentality in refusing away fans tickets and allowing seats to remain empty. Some way to promote the league.

[geysir]

Jaysus you post some ****e
Why, thank you Hibs, I would be seriously worried if you or the likes of Dodge agreed with me.:D

But you never know, perhaps I was way off the mark in saying,
a. that it was unquestionably a well deserved win for Pats?
or
b. that Pats had 2 very well taken goals?
or
c. that it was a hectic game?
or
d. that Flood deserved admonition?

[Dodge]

Dundalk can take a lot from last night's game (though no points unfortunately).

They tried to played football but didn't have the possess the cynical gamesmanship of some of the Pats players. Pats seemed to be more intent on stopping football being played, by whatever means. It's not a new approach, Drogheda play against us that way all the time. In the end, this proved a successful approach.

However, Dundalk fans can look at each and every one of their players with pride. Thankfully, we do not have the likes of Brennan and Flood disgracing our shirt. Apart from the result, the other disappointment from last night were the hundreds of empty seats. Pats showed their small club mentality in refusing away fans tickets and allowing seats to remain empty. Some way to promote the league.
My favourite post of the year. Brilliantly bitter. Fair play

[PartySaint]

My favourite post of the year. Brilliantly bitter. Fair play

Ha Dodge me and you on the exact same lines here.

POTY by a mile, bitterness at it's best.

[Nesta99]

My favourite post of the year. Brilliantly bitter. Fair play

Now Now Dodge! WH is being quite tempered in his post compared to post match reaction after your loss in Oriel - is he being bitter? Absoluteley, but not quite the frenzied frothing at the mouth displayed by your good self previously! Stones in glass houses...

[bluewhitearmy]

Dundalk can take a lot from last night's game (though no points unfortunately).

They tried to played football but didn't have the possess the cynical gamesmanship of some of the Pats players. Pats seemed to be more intent on stopping football being played, by whatever means. It's not a new approach, Drogheda play against us that way all the time. In the end, this proved a successful approach.

However, Dundalk fans can look at each and every one of their players with pride. Thankfully, we do not have the likes of Brennan and Flood disgracing our shirt. Apart from the result, the other disappointment from last night were the hundreds of empty seats. Pats showed their small club mentality in refusing away fans tickets and allowing seats to remain empty. Some way to promote the league.


Pats played some lovely football far more then Dundalk did tbh, and if you are talking about the tackling from the Pats lads most of it was fair just tough and Dundalk had just as many poor tackles as Pats it seemed on the night that Connolly was far more reluctant to book Dundalk players then he was Pats until the red.

[Dodge]

Now Now Dodge! WH is being quite tempered in his post compared to post match reaction after your loss in Oriel - is he being bitter? Absoluteley, but not quite the frenzied frothing at the mouth displayed by your good self previously! Stones in glass houses...

I didn't comment at all about the game in Dundalk. And yes, he is extremely bitter. Hilariously so.

[NeverFeltBetter]

He couldn't not give the guy a red though. That was just moronic behavior with the referee literally right next to him.

Thought Pats played far the better football last night, looked far more composed on the ball. Build-up for both goals was brilliant, though I think anyone could have headed in that first one given the position and lack of defenders! So many times Dundalk broke on the counter, went up the right, and stalled. They made a few chances, but just wasted them all in a really surprising manner. Once the second went in, Dundalk were completely sunk and looked it.

[Nesta99]

I didn't comment at all about the game in Dundalk. And yes, he is extremely bitter. Hilariously so.

Never said you did!

[dfx-]

Dundalk can take a lot from last night's game (though no points unfortunately).

They tried to played football but didn't have the possess the cynical gamesmanship of some of the Pats players. Pats seemed to be more intent on stopping football being played, by whatever means. It's not a new approach, Drogheda play against us that way all the time. In the end, this proved a successful approach.

However, Dundalk fans can look at each and every one of their players with pride. Thankfully, we do not have the likes of Brennan and Flood disgracing our shirt. Apart from the result, the other disappointment from last night were the hundreds of empty seats. Pats showed their small club mentality in refusing away fans tickets and allowing seats to remain empty. Some way to promote the league.

No-one dislikes Pats more than me, but that's a bit over the top...

[Yossarian]

No doubt Pats deserved the win last night,we weren't at the races at all. I though that while the sending off was harsh O'Donnell was stupid to get involved when he wasn't even part of the initial challenge. He has a habit of picking up stupid cards. It had no bearing on the result anyway because the game was over by then.
While I felt the ref was poor the defeat wasn't due to that. I watched back a bit of the game this morning and Pats should have had 2 bookings in the first two minutes for late challenges on Towell and that would have set a different tone for the game.
It's still not over now but realistically we will have to win our last 5 games and because of the goal difference Pats will have to drop points in 2 games so it will be tough for us from here.

[Sheridan]

Sadly his lack of character is what has prevented him from ever reaching his potential.
Hardly. Most of the top players in the world are arrogant, petulant morons. Brennan never reached his potential because he's too slow to play wide and too one-footed to play in the middle (at a high professional level).

[Dodge]

Hardly. Most of the top players in the world are arrogant, petulant morons. Brennan never reached his potential because he's too slow to play wide and too one-footed to play in the middle (at a high professional level).
That's exactly it. Terrific LOI player but never had the pace to play at a higher level.

[DaveyPats]

Jesus, Dundalk clearly outnumbering Pat's. Main stand and new stand both about 60% full. :/

Your off your head.

[geysir]

What was the attendance at Richmond last night?

[oriel]

What was the attendance at Richmond last night?

I think 3,331?

[Spudulika]

Hardly. Most of the top players in the world are arrogant, petulant morons. Brennan never reached his potential because he's too slow to play wide and too one-footed to play in the middle (at a high professional level).


While I agree many players who reach the top can be noobs, Killian was not slow when he was younger, he was fast enough to match his peers, but something in his character is flawed when he steps on the pitch. Lack of pace and having one foot is on an obstacle in football, poor mentality is.

[razor]

That's exactly it. Terrific LOI player but never had the pace to play at a higher level.or balance, especially in the penalty area.

[TonyD]

Dundalk can take a lot from last night's game (though no points unfortunately).

They tried to played football but didn't have the possess the cynical gamesmanship of some of the Pats players. Pats seemed to be more intent on stopping football being played, by whatever means. It's not a new approach, Drogheda play against us that way all the time. In the end, this proved a successful approach.

However, Dundalk fans can look at each and every one of their players with pride. Thankfully, we do not have the likes of Brennan and Flood disgracing our shirt. Apart from the result, the other disappointment from last night were the hundreds of empty seats. Pats showed their small club mentality in refusing away fans tickets and allowing seats to remain empty. Some way to promote the league.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHOf3s70w-c

[jinxy lilywhite]

it aint over yet.

there is still plenty of football to be played and twists and turns along the way.

in my time as a dfc fan I can never remember an easy league win in even the premier or the first. most of them went to the last day.

its out of our control. our objective is easy and that's to win all of our remaining matches starting with Limerick on Friday to be in with a chance of winning the league. we could be 6 points behind before a ball is kicked but that's up to pats to see their job through.

3 point gaps have been overturned in shorter spaces of time so I would go counting my chickens before they hatch.

[danthesaint]

it aint over yet.

there is still plenty of football to be played and twists and turns along the way.

in my time as a dfc fan I can never remember an easy league win in even the premier or the first. most of them went to the last day.

its out of our control. our objective is easy and that's to win all of our remaining matches starting with Limerick on Friday to be in with a chance of winning the league. we could be 6 points behind before a ball is kicked but that's up to pats to see their job through.

3 point gaps have been overturned in shorter spaces of time so I would go counting my chickens before they hatch.

Thats it, i think the LOI is one of the hardest league in Europe to predict, on a day anyone can take points off each other.

[PartySaint]

Dundalk could be top come Monday night, still a long way to go.

[legendz]

Congrats to Limerick on their win tonight!

[Jofspring]

I think we will give Dundalk a good rattle on Friday night.

We have been very poor defensively against them in the 3 games so far this season but Oji has really tightened us up at the back with all 4 players at the back full of confidence at the moment. We have scored 8 goals against Dundalk also over the 3 games, our defense being our downfall.

With that seemingly corrected though, if we can stay tight at the back, I wouldn't be surprised to see us pick up a result in Oriel.

On the match tonight: We put in a similar performance to the Pats game but are growing more solid at the back as the games pass by.

We came at rovers hard for the first 10 to 15 and it seemed a few of their players didn't want to be there after that. It was like some thought they could just turn on the performance when it suited them and tried in fits and starts. The fans supposedly booed Croly as he left the pitch but to be honest it looks more like a clear out of a few players is needed rather than blaming the manager.

2 separate managers, Stephen Kenny and Trevor Croly, one of whom has done well at other clubs and the other who is very highly rated amongst players in the league have been blamed for performances. I think its the players the Rovers fans need to look at as much as anything.

The team that wanted it more and that were hungrier won it tonight.

[Lim till i die]

Can probably rule Shamrock Rovers out of the title race, they'll find it very hard after tonight.

So much wasted talent on show, there's something really off about them, absolutely no spark despite dripping quality.

Hows Chambers been doing this year?? Always thought he was class would love him at Limerick but its like he has nothin to do, quigley and zayed were just kind of strolling around shrugging their shoulders, the full backs had o connor and sheppard in their pockets.

Your man Elebert the centre half who, letting the stage get to him, thought he was an out half gave an exhibition of touch finding that Ronan O Gara would have been proud of.

In short, whats gone wrong at Shamrock Rovers?? Is it just a simple case of the dressing room being poison??

[Dalymountrower]

Rovers clearly on the p**s after the Drogs match on saturday, some players who shall remain nameless also on the tear after the Dubs win.
Very surprised that Limerick are safe from involvement in a relegation battle now, as they looked to me to be bottom three material anytime I saw them play.

[Jofspring]

Rovers clearly on the p**s after the Drogs match on saturday, some players who shall remain nameless also on the tear after the Dubs win.
Very surprised that Limerick are safe from involvement in a relegation battle now, as they looked to me to be bottom three material anytime I saw them play.

As said above our main problem was defense all season. We have had to chop and change the back 4 all season and play lads out of position to accommodate it. Only for Barry Ryan we probably would be in a relegation battle. That then flows right through to the rest of the team. There is also a lot more hunger in the performances. We were never a very bad team, just a decrent team playing very bad.

According to a lad last night who knows Richie Ryan the team weren't on the **** after the final. I'd presume a few were though.

[mcgonigle]

As said above our main problem was defense all season. We have had to chop and change the back 4 all season and play lads out of position to accommodate it. Only for Barry Ryan we probably would be in a relegation battle. That then flows right through to the rest of the team. There is also a lot more hunger in the performances. We were never a very bad team, just a decrent team playing very bad.

According to a lad last night who knows Richie Ryan the team weren't on the **** after the final. I'd presume a few were though.

My eyes must have been playing tricks on me on Saturday night so!

[NeverFeltBetter]

Honestly, since most of Limerick's remaining games are against teams that are actually in a relegation battle, I can really see the club finishing above Drogs and Cork if they keep up the good defensive work. Which would be amazing for a team just back in the PD.

[mypost]

2 separate managers, Stephen Kenny and Trevor Croly, one of whom has done well at other clubs and the other who is very highly rated amongst players in the league have been blamed for performances. I think its the players the Rovers fans need to look at as much as anything.

The team that wanted it more and that were hungrier won it tonight.

"Done well" is relative. Kenny has got one league title, in a 27-game season. His best performing competition since then is the League Cup. When the chips were down last week, he failed miserably at the task of trying to win the league, as he has at Rovers and elsewhere.

Croly is our version of Staunton. He has everything he needs to be a success, yet he can't finish higher than mid-table 20 points off the pace in a very weak league. Mid-table may be accepted at some clubs, and some may go as far to say they did well, but it isn't and won't be accepted at Rovers. It's either first or failure.

[oriel]

Thats it, i think the LOI is one of the hardest league in Europe to predict, on a day anyone can take points off each other.


Exactly, and you can bet Bohs wouldn't have considered picking up anything less than 3 points away to already relegated Galway, with the home side having nothing but pride to play fo back in the 2010 league run in. They lost 3-2 and would finish second to Rovers (on GD)

Bray on the other hand really need a result for themsevles tomorrow night.

[oriel]

"Done well" is relative. Kenny has got one league title, in a 27-game season. His best performing competition since then is the League Cup. When the chips were down last week, he failed miserably at the task of trying to win the league, as he has at Rovers and elsewhere.

I really think this is very harsh on Kenny, and you really need to 'let it go' re his time with Rovers. It just didn't work out, but bear in mind he had more points on board at the same games played that Croly has this season, when he left.

[dejadem]

Mid-table may be accepted at some clubs, and some may go as far to say they did well, but it isn't and won't be accepted at Rovers. It's either first or failure.

It wouldn't be acceptable at any club with the squad you have.

[Dodge]

Can probably rule Shamrock Rovers out of the title race, they'll find it very hard after tonight.

So much wasted talent on show, there's something really off about them, absolutely no spark despite dripping quality.

Hows Chambers been doing this year?? Always thought he was class would love him at Limerick but its like he has nothin to do,

First of all. Wrong thread ;)

and B) Chambers is a slow fat crab. He's clearly a fine footballer but in the role he plays for Rovers (and it was the same last year for Pats) he makes 90% of his passes to full backs. He doesn't have the drive that players like Bolger and Ryan (the lads who've replaced him at Pats and Rovers) to push on with the ball and occasionally not take the easy option. Chambers was grand for Pats last year, but he slows everything down. Bolger is far superior in that role and Pats are much better because of it (and I thnk that applies to Ryan and Rovers too)

Oh and iii) Rovers squad, as deep as it is, isn't packed solid with top class LOI players. Plenty of regular starters are no better than average/slightly-above-average LOI players (Sullivan, Powell, Foran, Robinson etc). They have loads of players, but their first XI isn't as good as some apparently think

[mcgonigle]

"Done well" is relative. Kenny has got one league title, in a 27-game season. His best performing competition since then is the League Cup. When the chips were down last week, he failed miserably at the task of trying to win the league, as he has at Rovers and elsewhere.

Croly is our version of Staunton. He has everything he needs to be a success, yet he can't finish higher than mid-table 20 points off the pace in a very weak league. Mid-table may be accepted at some clubs, and some may go as far to say they did well, but it isn't and won't be accepted at Rovers. It's either first or failure.

Nobody won the league last week! Kenny put the best team available to him out and they didn't perform, it happens. If we go on to challenge Pats until the last week then I would say that it far from failing miserably for a team expected to finish mid-table at best!

[dundalkfc10]

First of all. Wrong thread ;)

and B) Chambers is a slow fat crab. He's clearly a fine footballer but in the role he plays for Rovers (and it was the same last year for Pats) he makes 90% of his passes to full backs. He doesn't have the drive that players like Bolger and Ryan (the lads who've replaced him at Pats and Rovers) to push on with the ball and occasionally not take the easy option. Chambers was grand for Pats last year, but he slows everything down. Bolger is far superior in that role and Pats are much better because of it (and I thnk that applies to Ryan and Rovers too)

Oh and iii) Rovers squad, as deep as it is, isn't packed solid with top class LOI players. Plenty of regular starters are no better than average/slightly-above-average LOI players (Sullivan, Powell, Foran, Robinson etc). They have loads of players, but their first XI isn't as good as some apparently think

100% agree

[PartySaint]

Can the mods clear this mid-table talk out of our title run-in thread please....

[Mr A]

Limerick lead in Dundalk.. Jofspring may have called this one...

[Charlie Darwin]

Limerick lead in Dundalk.. Jofspring may have called this one...
No pressure on Dundalk so.