20th round LOI 18th-20th July.

[Longfordian]

His namesake that plays for us was FAI Intermediate player of the year for the season before he signed for us and is about to become our "all time" top scorer (LOI days anyway) after just a season and a half. Not just his goals either his all round game has come on a ton. Definitely some top players to be found at that level.

[adamd164]

UCD keeper had an amazing game, but the most important thing for us was the 3 pts.

Thought we were very attacking, the fact that Billy Dennehy played left full shows the intention, although I'll be glad when he's back in midfield cos he's not natural there.

We're now 9 pts clear of Pat's with same number of games played.

[nigel-harps1954]

Here's an interesting one, Harps have only been beaten once in the last 10 games in all competitions, a 1-0 league defeat to Longford. In those 10 games there's been six clean sheets, but only 9 goals. We're fast becoming the 0-0 draw specialists, having two in a row now. Christ, if we could score goals we'd be flying.

[oriel]

This is some run Cork have been once, since losing 4-0 and 3-2 to Dundalk & Pats they have won 8 of their next 9, impressive. I didn't realise Pats were so far behind, we will also go 9 clear of them with same games played if we win tomorrow night.

All roads pointing towards 1st Aug for the Cork v Dundalk game but Pats will still have European ambitions when they visit a week later, they could still put a league title challenge in, but the gap is looking quite big, and against two other contenders.

Rovers had a good win last night and are not out of contention, but I wouldn't see them as challengers. Maybe I could be wrong.

[wonder88]

Folk need to remember that Cork were unlucky to loose that 3-2 game to Pats as well. Great story with M O Sullivan, and an example that people are not always too late if they feel they want to move up a level or try something new in life. They should give it a go if the opportunity is there. Good to see Callaghan back managing in the LoI as well.

On Harps I won a few bob on a bet for a draw, as Galway are still some distance from being a good team and did not deserve to be at the odds they were on. Keating must be a loss, but has he scored that much for Harps this year? One thing I have noticed (only 2 games mind) is the good team spirit they have, which I suppose comes a lot from the manager.

[nigel-harps1954]

On Harps I won a few bob on a bet for a draw, as Galway are still some distance from being a good team and did not deserve to be at the odds they were on. Keating must be a loss, but has he scored that much for Harps this year? One thing I have noticed (only 2 games mind) is the good team spirit they have, which I suppose comes a lot from the manager.

Had said all week that it was going to be 0-0, terribly disappointed I didn't put a few quid on it now.

Keating is a massive, massive loss to Harps. A large part of the season was our only threat up front with McHugh and McCarron both struggling with injury and he got 6 goals in 14 appearances I believe. Between the four remaining strikers at the club, Kevin McHugh, Sean McCarron, Paul McVeigh and young Darragh Black there's a total of three goals. It's hard to see where our goals are going to come from, but I wouldn't completely discount our chances of grabbing a play-off spot yet.

[Longfordian]

Town lead 1-0 in Cobh. O'Sullivan.

[Longfordian]

2-0 Davy again. He's now our highest ever goalscorer. Well since proper records were kept from '84 onwards anyway which is as good as ever!

Goals here

http://instagram.com/p/qpP98Ettsk/?modal=true

http://instagram.com/p/qpQoG5Ntt6/

[Longfordian]

3-0 now. Sully hat trick, for anyone who's interested!

Lovely goal he started and finished it

http://instagram.com/p/qpWOKwNtog/

[patrickccfc]

Wtf? Here's the man of the match award; would you give that to Mark for us. How bloody cheap can you get!
Recorded the game even though was at it and just watched it earlier and couldn't believe when I seen that at the end.. surely they could of brought Sullivan out instead of nults or even have them both there but to say give that to mark for us is just comical

[patrickccfc]

Was living on false hope that athlone could get something out the game tonight but ah well no surprise dundalk won.. they have bray at home next which should be another win while we have a tricky game away to bohs.. be great to win that then the game the following week will be very interesting

[Pablo Escobar]

Recorded the game even though was at it and just watched it earlier and couldn't believe when I seen that at the end.. surely they could of brought Sullivan out instead of nults or even have them both there but to say give that to mark for us is just comical
He obviously just refused to come on. He's a pretty shy individual.

[jinxy lilywhite]

Woeful match in op. 2-0 victory that should of been more but we did our best to get athlone back into the game for some reason.
I think if Athlone were still playing now with an open goal they'd still miss

[White Horse]

Dundalk were in first gear tonight. I expected more of a challenge from Athlone.

[atfconline]

We were forced into 6 changes from the team that beat Limerick last week, and we've taken a single point on the road this season - so you really shouldn't have been expecting that much!

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Was living on false hope that athlone could get something out the game tonight but ah well no surprise dundalk won.. they have bray at home next which should be another win while we have a tricky game away to bohs.. be great to win that then the game the following week will be very interesting

Dalymount is a very tricky place to win in this season alright. For the home team.

[oriel]

Was living on false hope that athlone could get something out the game tonight but ah well no surprise dundalk won.. they have bray at home next which should be another win while we have a tricky game away to bohs.. be great to win that then the game the following week will be very interesting

Well if we hadn't have scored in the first half you may have had a chance of hoping for a draw as we created next to nothing in all of the second half. Total jaded performance really.

Would you Cork fans not be tempted to throw down a few bob on the title odds? PP are going something like 5/2 on Cork compared to ridiculous odds of 8/11 on us, same games same points. Well maybe our GD is worth an extra point as it's now increased to +11 over Cork and + 31 overall. I still think it's not bad value on Cork, then again you'd have to put on a fair whack to make decent money.

[ATFC-1887]

If it wasnt for that pitch in Oriel we would of won 4 or 5 nil of course ;) Was a poor performance by us but we were missing alot of starting players. Didn't expect anything from this game so not that worried. Still some massive games to come for us. Can't see anyone but Dundalk winning the league.

[desaintsno.12]

If it wasnt for that pitch in Oriel we would of won 4 or 5 nil of course ;) Was a poor performance by us but we were missing alot of starting players. Didn't expect anything from this game so not that worried. Still some massive games to come for us. Can't see anyone but Dundalk winning the league.

yep, dundalk have the league

[oriel]

I'm not so sure about that lads, we were pretty pedestrian yesterday. However one thing to note is, if we beat Bray at home next Sunday, then Europe will have had no effect on our League form, as that would mean 3 wins out of 3 while playing 4 games in the EL.

We are unbeaten since mid April I think, but Cork have won 8 of their last 9 too I think, and there are still over 3 full months left, so anything could happen.

[PartySaint]

Dundalk are by far the best team in the league this season, i reckon they'll have the title all but wrapped up by early September.

Brilliant job done by Stephen Kenny to come out of Europe without dropping any points. (I've just assumed they'll beat Bray at home)

[desaintsno.12]

I'm not so sure about that lads, we were pretty pedestrian yesterday. However one thing to note is, if we beat Bray at home next Sunday, then Europe will have had no effect on our League form, as that would mean 3 wins out of 3 while playing 4 games in the EL.

We are unbeaten since mid April I think, but Cork have won 8 of their last 9 too I think, and there are still over 3 full months left, so anything could happen.

as said, Dundalk are by far the strongest side.
Cork will drop off the pace and defo wont win it,
we are out of it
and Rovers don't have it in them this year IMO.
I think you will win it on merit but if that fails, the inability of other teams will also help.

[mcgonigle]

Stop that, the lot of yiz :mad:

[adamd164]

as said, Dundalk are by far the strongest side.
Cork will drop off the pace and defo wont win it,
we are out of it
and Rovers don't have it in them this year IMO.
I think you will win it on merit but if that fails, the inability of other teams will also help.
Just quoting this post so that it's immortalized. :)

[jinxy lilywhite]

Based on last night's performance if we play like that against Bray we will struggle to beat them. I don't need to remind dfc fans that we lost to Bray in the last series of games

I like the St. Pats agenda now saying that they are out of it and that it's our league. IMO pats are still in it until it is mathematically impossible for them to do so. Shamrock rovers too are still in it.

We are just past the half way point in the league and there is still a heel of a lot of football to be played.
I believe that pats have in them an ability to go on an unbeaten run from now till the end of the season. They have the squad and with the Galacticos that they have at their disposal

[PartySaint]

Based on last night's performance if we play like that against Bray we will struggle to beat them. I don't need to remind dfc fans that we lost to Bray in the last series of games

I like the St. Pats agenda now saying that they are out of it and that it's our league. IMO pats are still in it until it is mathematically impossible for them to do so. Shamrock rovers too are still in it.

We are just past the half way point in the league and there is still a heel of a lot of football to be played.
I believe that pats have in them an ability to go on an unbeaten run from now till the end of the season. They have the squad and with the Galacticos that they have at their disposal

We are 100% out of it, as you say we would have to go on some run to catch up, maybe win our next 8 or 9 games, we're just not capable of doing that this season, we can't defend.

[jinxy lilywhite]

Maybe so but dundalk and cork will drop points from now till the end of the season.

9 points is not an insurmountable gap with 13 games to go

[TonyD]

I don't think we're quite out of it, but you'd have to say it's unlikely. Dundalk definitely look favourites. Frustrating, as on our day I'd back us against anyone but defensively this year we just haven't been tight enough. Shrewd of Dundalk not to bother with Europe too and save themselves for the League. :p

[jinxy lilywhite]

We've played twice as many European games as you this season

[Acornvilla]

We've played twice as many European games as you this season
You mean thrice, sir.

[Charlie Darwin]

Was living on false hope that athlone could get something out the game tonight but ah well no surprise dundalk won.. they have bray at home next which should be another win while we have a tricky game away to bohs.. be great to win that then the game the following week will be very interesting
You might wanna take a look at Bohs' home form this season.

Cork-UCD is the best game I've seen on TV this season - terrific stuff and it's just a shame UCD played so much of the game with 10 men. Rovers were muck again before eventually grinding out a win. Very surprised Dundalk played the same team virtually as they did on Thursday. Can't bode well for their trip to Split.

[White Horse]

Very surprised Dundalk played the same team virtually as they did on Thursday. Can't bode well for their trip to Split.

They expended less energy than a training session. Kenny's logic is that he wants the team as tight as possible in Croatia and that the best preparation are games.

[TonyD]

We've played twice as many European games as you this season

Relax, it was a joke.

[Longfordian]

Town 1-0 up on Wexford at home tonight in our game in hand. Some O'Sullivan fella with the goal.

[patrickccfc]

You might wanna take a look at Bohs' home form this season.

Cork-UCD is the best game I've seen on TV this season - terrific stuff and it's just a shame UCD played so much of the game with 10 men. Rovers were muck again before eventually grinding out a win. Very surprised Dundalk played the same team virtually as they did on Thursday. Can't bode well for their trip to Split.
Bohs away has always been a tricky game and even though they have not been great at home they were very good when we played them down here.. expecting a win though to set the dundalk game up nicely

[Longfordian]

3-0 Town now, after 25 minutes! Shaw and O'Connor.

Edit 3-1 now. Furlong for Wexford.

[Longfordian]

3-2 now, Furlong penalty. Only 40 minutes gone.

Wexford down to ten men now. This game is mental. 489 attendance btw.

[Longfordian]

Finished 3-2. Town go four clear at the top, same games played now.