LOI Series 1 fixtures 6th/7th March

[bluewhitearmy]

Pretty fair assessment of the game. Their little bit of experience told. Some will say they were lucky but I think they were ruthless and we have to adapt quickly or it will be a long season.

2nd goal though he went to head it and it ended up going in off his shoulder or something it looked to me. I thought if Galway had someone that could finish they could have been 2 up before Derry ever got into the game.
Galway tried to play decent football and did at stages but started to lose the ball a lot could give them the benefit of the doubt and call it lack of sharpness first game back . Stand outs for Galway for me were Oji and the right back was it Horgan?

[Dunny]

Gary Rogers is the best keeper in the league and got Dundalk three points tonight
Thats his job and he done it well.
Longford came for the point,realised in the last 20 mins that they weren't getting it with 7 packed in mf,spread that out then and almost got what they didn't deserve.Dundalk had a few cleared off the line by longford,Dundalk hit a post and 1 Dundalk shot(Andy Boyle i think) almost broke the crossbar.Skinner also made a few brave saves too.So it was all Gary Rogers in Oriel tonight?
Fair play to Longford,they done a good job cancelling out Towell and Shields but it was scrappy and Dundalk deserved the win.

[Macy]

Quite heartened by our performance tonight. First half, we pretty much shut Dundalk down - the goal was nearly like a hit on the break. It was only near the end, when we'd opened up looking for the equaliser, that Dundalk got on top. Gutted with the save in injury time.

It was my first time seeing the pitch up close. It gave a totally different perspective. I'm not blaming it for the result, but it gives a totally unnatural bounce, and both teams suffered injuries that would've been nothing on grass. I don't give a b0llox if platini himself gives a personal seal of approval - its rubbish.

Finally, I'm not really fussy about facilities, but that away end is a total disgrace, up to and including no proper toilets. Its a wonder it passes health and safety, never mind licencing. And I've no idea what was going on with the heavy handed stewarding at the end and keeping us back. Dundalk must have serious under lying problems if there was a need for that and the police presence against us. Unless it was just to add to the early 80's feel of the away section? Its only missing barbed wire fences.... It'd have to be a big game for me to go there again - can't see me bothering for a run of the mill league game tbh. Makes the Carlisle look like the aviva.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Trim looking to me, TV puts on a half stone too, took his goal well, nice ball in by the wind, but you never know what you are going to get from him, that's why we weren't interested this year.

We couldn't afford to pay him. Play him up front and he'll score a lot of goals. Not on the wing like Coleman had him playing.

[Town Legend]

I believe Longford hit the crossbar also Dunny! Also the time Dundalk hit the crossbar was when the Town defender put it onto the crossbar. Decent performance from the Town. Only for that lapse in concentration would of got a point. Desperate pitch, was like a game of bounce ball! I don't think the ball settled on the ground once! Hopefully it'll settle down as the season goes on. Dundalk deserved the win but I don't think we'll be made a show of.

[Town Legend]

Agree with what Macy said. The away end is a disgrace. One toilet available for men AND ladies. And been held back for after the game was a joke! It's the first time I've been to an away Town game where we were treated as if we were trouble makers! And that includes our visits to Linfield and Glentoran.

[Dunny]

Agree with what Macy said. The away end is a disgrace. One toilet available for men AND ladies. And been held back for after the game was a joke! It's the first time I've been to an away Town game where we were treated as if we were trouble makers! And that includes our visits to Linfield and Glentoran.

100% about the bogs,thats a shocker.
I dont know who makes the security calls though.Is it the AGS or is it The host club or a combination of the two?

[nigel-harps1954]

A very enjoyable game in Tolka tonight. Took a while to get into the game but two sides both cancelling each other out. Shels shaded the first half, and took a few good saves from Ciaran Gallagher to keep Harps level at half time, but there was only really one team in it in the second half and Harps came desperately close to a winner in stoppage time.

If Shels are favourites for the league this year, my hopes of Harps chances have just gone up greatly.

Also wish Simon Dixon all the very best for Shels tonight too who had an unfortunate clash of heads with Wilfried Tagbo and came off very poorly from it with what looks like a bad neck injury.

[paykanti]

Why was David 'best player in First Division' O'Sullivan benched yesterday? Just a defensive change and Shaw got the nod ahead of him?

[Yossarian]

Desperate pitch, was like a game of bounce ball! I don't think the ball settled on the ground once!

Always the pitch. You don't think the very strong wind had anything to do with the type of game it was then?
We had chances to finish the game but in the end we're thankful for two great saves to win it. Longford looked organised and will be difficult opponents for most.

[Town Legend]

Of course the wind was a big factor for the scrappy game. But if you read what I said, 'it was like a game of bounce ball' that had nothing to do with the wind but with the pitch. The ball just doesn't settle once it goes an inch off the ground. It's just bouncing the whole time. But it was the same for both teams. I'd take a grass surface over it any day.

The reason O'Sullivan didn't start was a tactical reason as we only played one up front. And as Gary Shaw is our main man for flicking on and holding up play that's why he got the nod to start.

[Dunny]

Longford's attacikng tactics laid bare.

"flick it Gary"

[Longfordian]

I thought in the first half we were knocking it long too much but we tried to get it down a lot more in the second. Dundalk are clearly a better side than us and that's no great shock but I thought we were pretty solid at the back and weren't overrun for the most part. Could easily have nicked a draw but over the whole 90 minutes it would have been harsh on Dundalk. Pretty encouraging display though given we were away to the champions in our first game and hopefully we'll hold our own this year.

[Ezeikial]

Decent display by Longford.

Dundalk clearly deserved the win.

Pleased to hear Longford fans continuing to perpetuate the Oriel Park pitch myths - perhaps Keith Fahey and Colin Healy will be joined by some other no-play prima donnas if we can encourage more whinging?

[oriel]

Of course the wind was a big factor for the scrappy game. But if you read what I said, 'it was like a game of bounce ball' that had nothing to do with the wind but with the pitch. The ball just doesn't settle once it goes an inch off the ground. It's just bouncing the whole time. But it was the same for both teams. I'd take a grass surface over it any day.

The reason O'Sullivan didn't start was a tactical reason as we only played one up front. And as Gary Shaw is our main man for flicking on and holding up play that's why he got the nod to start.

Most Dundalk fans, myself included would of course prefer a grass pitch, little clue in my signature, but for playing football it's fine, was approved by FIFA recently, and the only factor I noticed last night preventing good play was a constant driving wind.

The away section is indeed a disgrace, and unfortunately this nor the pitch won't change until the club sort out the ownership of the lease, without that (which is actually only a marginal fee per week) we can't apply for any sports and capital grants. Also it's the norm to keep all away fans in for 10 minutes or so after, it's just a safety issue to ensure our minority of schooligans are sent home. There was a problem with the press box last night, some fuses blew, so the PA system, usually not shy with announcing, was off air for most of the match, I don't think an announcement was made for the away fans due to that. I definitely didn't hear the usual 'additional time' at the end being announced.

Other than all of that, I hope you enjoyed your trip over! Longford surprised a lot of of us in the second half, they should be just fine this season and will surely consolidate their place with the quality of players. Dundalk if they had taken their chances could have been 2 or 3 up, but in the end, very happy to go away with a 1-0 win.

[Nesta99]

Longfords absence from the Premier League becomes apparent when they are just joining the Oriel Pitch discussion. People will see what they want to see. A gaelic football like big toe hoof putting spin on a ball and causing an unusual bounce is obviously nothing but the pitch. The main reason I want rid of the pitch has nothing to do with the pitch but that opposition cant roll it out as the reason for everything probably including global warming if they could!

[Town Legend]

As I stated above the pitch was the same for both teams so I'm not claiming that was the cause for Dundalk's win. I seen that pitch on the TV several times and I thought it wasn't great but decided to reserve judgement until I seen it myself. Last night didn't change my thoughts on it. I spoke to a couple of Dundalk fans after the game and asked them what do they make of the pitch. They don't like it, takes weird bounces and ball just runs away from you. And God forbid you slide on it like Pat Sullivan did last night and ended up with burn marks on his knees! So it's not just opposition fans, it's also Dundalk fans who don't like it!! Apart from the few on here on the defensive with the blinkers on ;)

[Ezeikial]

So it's not just opposition fans, it's also Dundalk fans who don't like it!! Apart from the few on here on the defensive with the blinkers on ;)

There's also some who are totally bored with the incessant repetition by posters here..............

Others who are amused with the whinging from losing managers (and fans)............

[Town Legend]

God help ye!

[Acornvilla]

We've waited bloody seven years to complain, and my god we're going to do it.

[White Horse]

As I stated above the pitch was the same for both teams so I'm not claiming that was the cause for Dundalk's win. I seen that pitch on the TV several times and I thought it wasn't great but decided to reserve judgement until I seen it myself. Last night didn't change my thoughts on it. I spoke to a couple of Dundalk fans after the game and asked them what do they make of the pitch. They don't like it, takes weird bounces and ball just runs away from you. And God forbid you slide on it like Pat Sullivan did last night and ended up with burn marks on his knees! So it's not just opposition fans, it's also Dundalk fans who don't like it!! Apart from the few on here on the defensive with the blinkers on ;)

No one likes the pitch.

We just get on with the game as we don't have the half a million euros it would take to go back to grass.

Anyone who was fortunate enough to see games in Oriel Park over the last two season saw some very good football, and not just from Dundalk.

[Longfordian]

We've waited bloody seven years to complain, and my god we're going to do it.

Damn right. I intend to find at least one thing to complain about in every ground I visit this year.

[Nesta99]

I did say the main reason - which implies that I have other reasons, another of which is the waiting for FIFA testing every season of recent and praying that it hasnt finally reached its sell-buy date (although there was an attempt to cash in on the fire damaged version so maybe...). Talk about the pitch takes away from the bigger issues like how unlucky Longford were not to do a smash and grab away to the champions, Rodger's world-class saves to deny the share of points, the excellent attendance and so on. Im sure Soccer Republic (which will also be novel for you to feature on) will see through the waffle of the pitch and chat about the important stuff! Then again if they do flap on about the pitch you can sit and nod approvingly - welcome to top flight football and the key issues...

[bluewhitearmy]

Damn right. I intend to find at least one thing to complain about in every ground I visit this year.


Pfffft best of luck finding something in Jackman. :cool:

[redarmyfaction]

It made me chuckle to see Fifa invoked in defence of the dundalk surface, which is by general consensus in bad nick and not conducive to decent or entertaining football, and that it favours Dundalk, although the Longford lads not wanting to seem bad sports have not emphasised this the dundalk mob know it ti too but don't like to admit it to themselves as it takes the shine of recent achievements.

[Yossarian]

It made me chuckle to see Fifa invoked in defence of the dundalk surface, which is by general consensus in bad nick and not conducive to decent or entertaining football, and that it favours Dundalk, although the Longford lads not wanting to seem bad sports have not emphasised this the dundalk mob know it ti too but don't like to admit it to themselves as it takes the shine of recent achievements.

I've been very entertained the last two seasons watching more than decent football in Oriel. Pretty successful too. But carry on criticising the pitch. Any chance that the criticism can become more inventive and original though?

[Charlie Darwin]

I've been very entertained the last two seasons watching more than decent football in Oriel. Pretty successful too. But carry on criticising the pitch. Any chance that the criticism can become more inventive and original though?
It's not really an insult to suggest Dundalk play good football in spite of the major handicap of playing on a ****e astro pitch. But I'm not going to get into an argument of who gave who which certificate.

Absolutely mental game in Tallaght. Very little football played but kudos to Brendan Clarke for single-handedly creating some entertainment (although Hyland tried his best to emulate him second half). North was really, really impressive. Pats badly need Hoare and O'Brien to play because McGuinness and Browne have the turning ability of articulated trucks.

[jinxy lilywhite]

The pitch, the pitch, the pitch. The away end blah blah blah.

Dundalk really never got out of 3rd gear. An error ridden performance but we should of been out of sight with 2 great chance to kill the game. With being 1-0 I would of expected nothing else from Longford and to go for it.

Longford look good enough to stay up easily. They are certainly better than Drogheda and Pat's.

[Nesta99]

Oh nobody is holding FIFA up as the bastions of integrity! The tests are still held with baited breath of the fans and it isnt nice. Think its UEFA who actually do the testing for the FAI - another bunch of decent and honest chaps! The pitch is what it is, we can do feck all about it at the moment but I thought it was finally a worn out topic, almsot as worn out as Galway dvd's and licencing, or kilcoynes and car parks, or Bohs and selling football ground twice, or Shels cheating to league titles spending invisible money, or Derry City and British heads of state, points deductions, Kerry not having a team et al blah blah f@cking blah

[Longfordian]

It pretty much was old news in fairness and next time we go up there there probably won't be as much talk about it. But most of us hadn't seen it up close before so you have to expect some discussion about it. Life in the Premier is a welcome novelty to us at the moment!

[Nesta99]

They are certainly better than Drogheda and Pat's.

Thats a big shout and while based on 2 recent games it could be argued but over a season?

[Nesta99]

It pretty much was old news in fairness and next time we go up there there probably won't be as much talk about it. But most of us hadn't seen it up close before so you have to expect some discussion about it. Life in the Premier is a welcome novelty to us at the moment!

I certainly dont begrudge a moment of the premier experience after languishing in hell! We havent forgotten or got over!!

[Macy]

I said in my first post, it wasn't a factor or an excuse for us losing. But I really don't buy into it being the same for both teams either. It was clear that Dundalk's defence were more aware of whatever you do don't let it bounce, whereas Town defenders were treating through balls as they would on a grass pitch. Going on the 3/4's of the pitch I could actually see.

That and the conditions of the away terrace are old news to most premier clubs, but it was still a shock to me just how bad Oriel is. Makes a mockery of the hoops that teams looking to join the league are expected to jump through regarding facilities to be honest.

[Longfordian]

Thats a big shout and while based on 2 recent games it could be argued but over a season?

I assume that was a tongue in cheek comment. Or he was drunk. We're not better than Pats!

[Ezeikial]

But I'm not going to get into an argument of who gave who which certificate.


WTF?

Do you have conversations going on in your head?

[Olander]

Drogs leading Bray Wanderers 1-0. Daryl Kavanagh already scoring for them. He could prove to be an inspired signing if Drogs can keep him on the straight and narrow.

[MeathDrog]

Drogs leading Bray Wanderers 1-0. Daryl Kavanagh already scoring for them. He could prove to be an inspired signing if Drogs can keep him on the straight and narrow.

The wind is ruining the game according to twitter.

[markc1184]

The wind is ruining the game according to twitter.

Wind in Bray!?? That can't be right.

[DRDoc]

Wind in Bray!?? That can't be right.

I'm sure its not cold though

[Hibs4Ever]

Longford look good enough to stay up easily. They are certainly better than Pat's.



Wow! You new to watching the LoI?

[Acornvilla]

I'll tell you all who isn't better than Pats, Limerick...

My god they were beyond cat. Decent enough crowd at the match, I'd say it'll be cut in half by the time they play Longford at home.

[Jofspring]

Ya I reckon 350 max for Longford game.

[patrickccfc]

Absolutely buzzing after that 95th minute equalizer.. poor game in difficult conditions a point each was fair and something I would've taken before the game

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

96th minute.......

Thought we deserved to win but it was a poor enough game

[Charlie Darwin]

Bring back winter football.

[mcgonigle]

Makes a mockery of the hoops that teams looking to join the league are expected to jump through regarding facilities to be honest.

What hoops? Cabinteely are playing in a rugby ground with no cover and an awful pitch. But it is grass (in parts) so that's probably OK!

[eelmonster]

No one likes the pitch.

I fückin LOVE the pitch.

[outspoken]

Thats his job and he done it well.
Longford came for the point,realised in the last 20 mins that they weren't getting it with 7 packed in mf,spread that out then and almost got what they didn't deserve.Dundalk had a few cleared off the line by longford,Dundalk hit a post and 1 Dundalk shot(Andy Boyle i think) almost broke the crossbar.Skinner also made a few brave saves too.So it was all Gary Rogers in Oriel tonight?
Fair play to Longford,they done a good job cancelling out Towell and Shields but it was scrappy and Dundalk deserved the win.

Think you've taken my comment to heart everyone knows we set out to frustrate and that's exactly what we done, excellent tactical effort from us and only for Rogers save we would have been rewarded. Dundalk could have scored 1 or 2 more yes but overall they were extremely poor as a lot of fans have said on here

[Fivesilver]

Always hard to have two points snatched away like that, but what with losing Henderson last week, not having Cretaro or Wearen, and having to use a substitution on the keeper, it could be worse.

[Martinho II]

I for one was sceptical as I was fearing a thrashin.. Except for the goal, I thought we played well especially in the second half. I was impressed with Martin Deady or Deadinho as I now call him! He was a terrier in midfield and held his own well! He reminds me of Billy Bremner! Skinner also played well . Shaw only got into the game once Sully came on. I thought we were unlucky not to get a point.

As for the away end it was shocking. We werent even allowed into the bar underneath the stand! Why? That was the first time I have being in that away end as I was always in the main stand or in the Ultra stand.

considerin all our complainin after 7 long years I propose changin certain lyrics of what we sing at matches!

WE HAVE BEIN SEVEN YRS AWAY WE GO UP WE COMPLAIN!
DAVE SULLIVAN IS THE WHITE PELE!