Soccer Republic

[Nugget]

That the GAA is full of a lack of sportsmanship. I'd have thought that bit was obvious. I played and supported the game of Gaelic Football all my life and fell away from it around 4 or 5 years ago altogether once I realised how petty and bitter the game had become. Too many people get away with too much crap. The first sign of anything decent being done by the GAA was the ban handed out to the Tyrone player for feigning injury, to which a good 75% of GAA fans and players ended up outraged at the decision.

I fail to see how Dundalk disciplining their player would in any way equate to "sticking two fingers up to the GAA". Also, i don't know who you've been talking to but from what I've seen there's been massive approval from the general GAA community over the ban.

[wedwood]

He also missed two elbows on Dundalk players. Refs miss things, that's what happens. The incident was in front of me and I missed the heel at the time, thought he just accidentally caught him as he came through and so did everyone around me. He obviously didn't clearly see it.

Only the ref did see the kick as he gave Towell a yellow for it :confused:

[Ezeikial]

When I saw this incident live, I thought it was accidental. But it certainly does not appear that way from the TV footage. Irrespective of whether or not Richie Towell intended to hurt it is crystal clear that an apology is due directly to the player involved.

Making a more public apology would also be appropriate for a whole host of different reasons.

[Yossarian]

Really? I'd have thought you'd have put out your strongest XI in chasing the double.

We'll have a couple of players back from suspensions but are still really stretched.

The players I mentioned there as possibly starting aren't exactly fringe players. Bar Sava they would expect to be close to starting every week anyway.

[mcgonigle]

Only the ref did see the kick as he gave Towell a yellow for it :confused:

He got a yellow because of Foresters reaction and the scuffles that followed, easiest thing for the ref to do was book both players. I don't think he would have been booked otherwise

[JC_GUFC]

The players I mentioned there as possibly starting aren't exactly fringe players. Bar Sava they would expect to be close to starting every week anyway.

Yeah - as long as the rest of the others play. Your team in the League Cup was very weak but I suppose you have to give those lads a game at some stage! Only a couple of missed pens by regulars cost you a place in the final.

[White Horse]

Yeah - as long as the rest of the others play. Your team in the League Cup was very weak but I suppose you have to give those lads a game at some stage! Only a couple of missed pens by regulars cost you a place in the final.

We won that competition last season by playing fringe players up to the final. I presume Kenny thought he could do the same this year.

However, Kenny has spoken consistently that the FAI Cup could be huge in growing Dundalk's support in the north-east. He thinks we could take up to 20,000 to the Aviva. I would expect a very strong side, There will be some changes; Shields, Kilduff, and Meenan instead of O'Donnell, McMillan, and Mountney.

[outspoken]

That the GAA is full of a lack of sportsmanship. I'd have thought that bit was obvious. I played and supported the game of Gaelic Football all my life and fell away from it around 4 or 5 years ago altogether once I realised how petty and bitter the game had become. Too many people get away with too much crap. The first sign of anything decent being done by the GAA was the ban handed out to the Tyrone player for feigning injury, to which a good 75% of GAA fans and players ended up outraged at the decision.

Totally agree with this post and like you I was big into GAA until around 4 or 5 years ago when I realised what a horrible and bitter 'sport' it was

[outspoken]

I take it the referee didn't see the incident so it could be open to retrospective action? Hence why an apology may not be forthcoming

[Spudulika]

Still nothing from Oriel, the usual FAI modus operandi of "ah sure, it's grand, they'll forget about it soon" really seems to be the way to go. I have to get hold of their PR people and recommend them to the Russian Government! The Yanks who are currently running the show in the Kremlin are obviously not up to the task!

[Longfordian]

Have the FAI ever banned anyone based solely on video evidence? I can't remember it off the top of my head anyway.

[Spudulika]

Have the FAI ever banned anyone based solely on video evidence? I can't remember it off the top of my head anyway.

Stephen Henderson is up on FAI disrepute charges over claims he allegedly made about a FAS scheme, yet FAS is government funded and operated. Sadly this is all a case of "nothing to see here, move on." Again our league makes a joke of itself.

[colonelwest]

Still nothing from Oriel, the usual FAI modus operandi of "ah sure, it's grand, they'll forget about it soon" really seems to be the way to go. I have to get hold of their PR people and recommend them to the Russian Government! The Yanks who are currently running the show in the Kremlin are obviously not up to the task!

Why should DFC? I genuinely don't get the Maude Flanders routine being pulled here by you and others? And that's not justifying or downplaying what happened in any way, shape or form. He should have got sent off and a ban. length depending on whether the ref put it down as violent conduct or not.

There's been a million and one worse things to happen on a football pitch than this, but yet won't someone think of the children/ down with this sort of thing... Careful now is the cry and Dundalk should fall on that sword/ die on that hill and voluntarily ban him for the rest of the season and other assorted toys being thrown out of prams, kettles being called black, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria going on.

If it was any other club in the league they'd be doing the exact same as Dundalk, say nothing and it's up to the referee, the 4th official and the match report. Whether the incident was seen by the ref and included in the match report no-one knows yet. If it was then no further action will be taken if the ref said the entire incident was covered by the caution, if not he'll get done and take his ban. Nothing more to it or less to it than that. It was nasty and Pats fans/ other people/ even Dundalk fans were saying it deserved a red (and was snidey etc if he meant it).


By the by, Richie already had the decency/ courtesy and rang the young fella to apologise yesterday. At least he did that relatively straight away as it seems that he'll be hung, drawn and quartered by weeks end. Hopefully with the pics on instagram and a suitable hashtag, maybe even a live stream on Persicope.


Have the FAI ever banned anyone based solely on video evidence? I can't remember it off the top of my head anyway.

Was used in the racism/ Zayed thing the other year but we don't have the cameras or the coverage over here really. Goes by as I said above, ref/ assistants/ 4th official/ match assessors reports generally speaking.


Anyway, all the best to young McGrath and I hope he's back recovered and playing soon.

[Nesta99]

The Yanks who are currently running the show in the Kremlin are obviously not up to the task!

Feck the football stuff I want to know more about this!

[oriel]

Still nothing from Oriel, the usual FAI modus operandi of "ah sure, it's grand, they'll forget about it soon" really seems to be the way to go.

What are you expecting DFC to do? Hold a special press conference with Towell in attendance himself?

Kenny was quoted in the Sun today saying it was a careless kick by Richie and that Towell himself had phoned the guy to apologise.

Nothing more will come out of this, we all know Towell should have been sent off and should be starting a 3 match ban, but it wasn't spotted by the ref and this wont be the last time something like this is missed.

It was awful that McGrath had his nose broken, he is a fine prospect and I`m sure he will bounce back as an even better player, one thing for sure he didn't deserve what happened.

[osarusan]

FAI could easily say Towell was booked for his reaction, the ref didn't see the kick, and he'll be suspended.

It would be bullsh!t but nobody would even try to call them on it.

[Real ale Madrid]

It would be bullsh!t but nobody would even try to call them on it.

Stephen Kenny would for certain.

[mcgonigle]

Why should DFC? I genuinely don't get the Maude Flanders routine being pulled here by you and others? And that's not justifying or downplaying what happened in any way, shape or form. He should have got sent off and a ban. length depending on whether the ref put it down as violent conduct or not.

There's been a million and one worse things to happen on a football pitch than this, but yet won't someone think of the children/ down with this sort of thing... Careful now is the cry and Dundalk should fall on that sword/ die on that hill and voluntarily ban him for the rest of the season and other assorted toys being thrown out of prams, kettles being called black, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria going on.

If it was any other club in the league they'd be doing the exact same as Dundalk, say nothing and it's up to the referee, the 4th official and the match report. Whether the incident was seen by the ref and included in the match report no-one knows yet. If it was then no further action will be taken if the ref said the entire incident was covered by the caution, if not he'll get done and take his ban. Nothing more to it or less to it than that. It was nasty and Pats fans/ other people/ even Dundalk fans were saying it deserved a red (and was snidey etc if he meant it).


By the by, Richie already had the decency/ courtesy and rang the young fella to apologise yesterday. At least he did that relatively straight away as it seems that he'll be hung, drawn and quartered by weeks end. Hopefully with the pics on instagram and a suitable hashtag, maybe even a live stream on Persicope.



Was used in the racism/ Zayed thing the other year but we don't have the cameras or the coverage over here really. Goes by as I said above, ref/ assistants/ 4th official/ match assessors reports generally speaking.


Anyway, all the best to young McGrath and I hope he's back recovered and playing soon.

Finally some sense on here, the reaction has been utterly ridiculous. He should have been sent off, he might still get a ban and nobody would complain, he has apologised to McGrath, but there will be no public flogging I'm afraid!

[Spudulika]

What are you expecting DFC to do? Hold a special press conference with Towell in attendance himself?

Kenny was quoted in the Sun today saying it was a careless kick by Richie and that Towell himself had phoned the guy to apologise.

Nothing more will come out of this, we all know Towell should have been sent off and should be starting a 3 match ban, but it wasn't spotted by the ref and this wont be the last time something like this is missed.

It was awful that McGrath had his nose broken, he is a fine prospect and I`m sure he will bounce back as an even better player, one thing for sure he didn't deserve what happened.

Kenny was lying or at best wrong - it was not a careless kick, he kicked a prone opponent to the head. What am I expecting? Sadly, nothing. Zero. Nothing but the type of excuses Colonelwest used - worse stuff happens, Maude Flanders etc etc. We all agree Richie should have got the line, I'm sure he himself and the manager are relieved too. However it shows their is zero honour in sport and that our club is the same as any other, no better, no worse.

In 2010 I was sickened by the lack of class shown by Meath in the aftermath of the cheating in Croker. I thought that at least the players would have the courage to stand up to the County Board, or at least the County Board would do the right thing and say "when we saw it on video, it was totally clear. Let's go for it again!" But it was Meath and they don't do decency (IMO).

The excuse of "he called the young fella" is all well and good and makes for nice - nothing to see here PR, but I'd like for once our clubs and association to show really amazing class and do something that the barstoolers would tumble into their carpeted pub floors in shock with. Then again, I'm still waiting for an athlete caught doping to say - "Yeah, I did it, sorry. I will race/play clean from now on."

[Spudulika]

Feck the football stuff I want to know more about this!

Ketchum Inc (who are in the Omnicom Group) have been advising the Kremlin on PR and policy since, I think, 2006, and before that it was another US company. They made a big show last year of "distancing" themselves from the government after the LGBT law, Crimea etc - they tried to make out they were not advising on foreign or domestic policy other than finance and liaising with western media. However an internal memo was leaked with their advice on the MH17 spin and 2 other incidents. When I was working on a project with RIA-Novosti for Sochi, a briefing was sent to all journos on "message". Omnicom are a giant, as far as I know, nothing is too dirty or dodgy for them, and rightly so. But I heard they turned down a contract with the FAI :-)

[GCdfc]

The excuse of "he called the young fella" is all well and good and makes for nice - nothing to see here PR, but I'd like for once our clubs and association to show really amazing class and do something that the barstoolers would tumble into their carpeted pub floors in shock with.

I really don' think many barstoolers actually saw it and therefore probably none would be tumbling onto the floor. :rolleyes:

[Calcio Jack]

Nothing worse than someone making an apology but then a caveat put in - in this case Kenny coming out and claiming the kick was careless and also trying to dilute the seriousness of it by saying Towell is the most kicked player in the league.

It's clear when you look at it a few times that most reasonably minded people would see it as being at best reckless or most likely deliberate.

I'd of given Kenny more credit and am surprised at his choice of word- would of being better IMO had he said nothing, but hopefully the apology was genuinly meant but it's hard not to be cynical about the motive behind it once the phrase 'careless kick' was used.

[Spudulika]

I really don' think many barstoolers actually saw it and therefore probably none would be tumbling onto the floor. :rolleyes:

I would hope that if the apology were scheduled for 1/2 of RTE's ManU borefest, enough LOI heads could infiltrate pubs with baseball bats and do the job, I mean, it'd be like a normal evening in Limerick! :-)

[marinobohs]

Still nothing from Oriel, the usual FAI modus operandi of "ah sure, it's grand, they'll forget about it soon" really seems to be the way to go. I have to get hold of their PR people and recommend them to the Russian Government! The Yanks who are currently running the show in the Kremlin are obviously not up to the task!

Really crappy thing to do but ref didn't see it or misinterpreted it so Towell will not be properly punished. End of. whatever the moral argument the fact remains that refs miss things every game and get them wrong so often and you can only hope it balances itself out.
Silly and illogical to expect any club to ban a player not banned by FAI/league. shades of Tierry Henri thinking by some on here.

[Mr A]

Can't believe people expect Dundalk to just throw out the Towell.

[Spudulika]

Really crappy thing to do but ref didn't see it or misinterpreted it so Towell will not be properly punished. End of. whatever the moral argument the fact remains that refs miss things every game and get them wrong so often and you can only hope it balances itself out.
Silly and illogical to expect any club to ban a player not banned by FAI/league. shades of Tierry Henri thinking by some on here.

The ref missed it, like the dive by Tiernan McCann against Monaghan. Ref missed it but the GAA took it on and banned him, it'll be overturned, but it made a statement. If Richie hits a winner against Galway on Friday, how does it look then? Henry was a cheat and remains a cheat and a crap pundit. The French Federation were cowards and showed their colours, the same as they did against Germany in WWII. I wouldn't compare a petulant kick from a Dundalk player to the scumbaggery of the French. Honour goes out the window when money or glory is at stake.

[Ezeikial]

I suppose it has been a while since weecountyman hogged this forum with his moral pontification

[jinxy lilywhite]

Ha ha.

Spud what do you want or expect Kenny to do? It may sound strange but any manager worth his salt will defend his player's. Dundalk are a team and a tight, team at that and they all stick together in the public domain anyway. Who is to say that Kenny didn't give Richie a dressing down post match or on Tuesday morning.

The way some are going on I don't think they will be happy until there is a supreme court trial.

[Spudulika]

I suppose it has been a while since weecountyman hogged this forum with his moral pontification

I wish that were funny, but it isn't. Jamesie is long gone off this forum. Happy to see you need to reduce others views to pontification. Thanks.

[Spudulika]

Ha ha.

Spud what do you want or expect Kenny to do? It may sound strange but any manager worth his salt will defend his player's. Dundalk are a team and a tight, team at that and they all stick together in the public domain anyway. Who is to say that Kenny didn't give Richie a dressing down post match or on Tuesday morning.

The way some are going on I don't think they will be happy until there is a supreme court trial.

Now it doesn't matter, the time has passed. I hoped for something different for a change, but knew it wouldn't happen. Nice to dream though.

[Charlie Darwin]

Turns out the bogball lad has had his ban overturned anyway.

[osarusan]

Stephen Kenny would for certain.

What I really meant was that nobody outside LOI would bother calling them on it, and they wouldn't care what anybody inside LOI did.

[Spudulika]

Turns out the bogball lad has had his ban overturned anyway.

The man who was calling for his ban then gave the Tyrone CB the legal reasons for overturning the ban. Joe Brolly is some lad! He did call it, though, 2 years ago when Tyrone cheated past Monaghan. He was widely ridiculed for it and Tyrone got a free pass. Seems they will this year too.

[White Horse]

Stephen Kenny chooses to have a pop at Soccer Republic and the "over the top" criticism of Richie Towell.

"[Richie] knows his error and he acknowledges that. In the three years here I haven’t seen him commit a bad tackle. Nobody goes through their lives without making a mistake. I think the vitriol that has been aimed at him through social media and other forms has been over the top.

People have some sort of petty jealousy and they were waiting on an opportunity to have a go at him. The coverage should be more consistent. A minute before the Towell incident, Chris Shields was knocked over by a forceful elbow. Chris Shields is one of the toughest players in the league and wouldn’t stay down easy. John Mountney left the field with his ear pouring with blood and had to be treated for 3-4 minutes. Soccer Republic didn’t show either of those incidents so they need to show some balance.

It is incredibly unprofessional for coaches from other rival clubs to use Twitter and other forms of social media to openly criticise our players and staff. It seems to be some sort of desperation to be relevant. They are nothing more than self-publicists. They’d be better off concentrating on their own affairs.”

http://www.dundalkfc.com/kenny-hails-consistency/

[PartySaint]

3 years and Towell has never committed a foul. Cork need to sign him up. He's perfect for them

[Charlie Darwin]

This is all getting a bit ridiculous.

[White Horse]

This is all getting a bit ridiculous.

Wait until you see the "Richie Is Innocent" t-shirts.

[Charlie Darwin]

Wait until you see the "Richie Is Innocent" t-shirts.
#justice4richie

[Dodge]

Wait until you see the "Richie Is Innocent" t-shirts.

There's zero chance that "Innocent" is spelled correctly

[Spudulika]

Stephen Kenny chooses to have a pop at Soccer Republic and the "over the top" criticism of Richie Towell.

"[Richie] knows his error and he acknowledges that. In the three years here I haven’t seen him commit a bad tackle. Nobody goes through their lives without making a mistake. I think the vitriol that has been aimed at him through social media and other forms has been over the top.

People have some sort of petty jealousy and they were waiting on an opportunity to have a go at him. The coverage should be more consistent. A minute before the Towell incident, Chris Shields was knocked over by a forceful elbow. Chris Shields is one of the toughest players in the league and wouldn’t stay down easy. John Mountney left the field with his ear pouring with blood and had to be treated for 3-4 minutes. Soccer Republic didn’t show either of those incidents so they need to show some balance.

It is incredibly unprofessional for coaches from other rival clubs to use Twitter and other forms of social media to openly criticise our players and staff. It seems to be some sort of desperation to be relevant. They are nothing more than self-publicists. They’d be better off concentrating on their own affairs.”

http://www.dundalkfc.com/kenny-hails-consistency/

"The former Derry City gaffer...." ffs! This is pure tabloid writing from Darren!

Not surprised, not disappointed with the whataboutery dross from the manager. Feel dumb for expecting better.

[Nesta99]

There's zero chance that "Innocent" is spelled correctly

At least it's unlikely that there will be a benifit night for him!


(yes has happened on printed tickets that then farcically went up in smoke)

[Charlie Darwin]

At least it's unlikely that there will be a benifit night for him!


(yes has happened on printed tickets that then farcically went up in smoke)
I can beleave that

[disgruntled]

McKeon didn't deal with the matter properly & that's why we have this discussion now.
He gave Towell a yellow when it should have been red. The referee & I use the term lightly saw the incident so that's the end of it as far as the FAI are concerned.
What Towell did was nasty & uncalled for but what goes around comes around.

As to what Kenny said I wouldn't take much notice of that.
I'd have been more surprised if he said nothing.

[Mr A]

I for one am glad that Kenny has brought a calm and rational note to what has been an all too hysterical discussion.

[TonyD]

Stephen Kenny chooses to have a pop at Soccer Republic and the "over the top" criticism of Richie Towell.

"[Richie] knows his error and he acknowledges that. In the three years here I haven’t seen him commit a bad tackle. Nobody goes through their lives without making a mistake. I think the vitriol that has been aimed at him through social media and other forms has been over the top.

People have some sort of petty jealousy and they were waiting on an opportunity to have a go at him. The coverage should be more consistent. A minute before the Towell incident, Chris Shields was knocked over by a forceful elbow. Chris Shields is one of the toughest players in the league and wouldn’t stay down easy. John Mountney left the field with his ear pouring with blood and had to be treated for 3-4 minutes. Soccer Republic didn’t show either of those incidents so they need to show some balance.

It is incredibly unprofessional for coaches from other rival clubs to use Twitter and other forms of social media to openly criticise our players and staff. It seems to be some sort of desperation to be relevant. They are nothing more than self-publicists. They’d be better off concentrating on their own affairs.”

http://www.dundalkfc.com/kenny-hails-consistency/

Ridiculous stuff from Kenny. Soccer Republic in particular was very mild in it's criticism. What coaches from other clubs have been on Twitter ?

[mcgonigle]

Ridiculous stuff from Kenny. Soccer Republic in particular was very mild in it's criticism. What coaches from other clubs have been on Twitter ?

He would have been better off not commenting but he makes some valid points. Soccer Republic highlighted one incident of dangerous play in the game when there were several more.

Not sure what coaches were on twitter but Killian sure was. What are Pats fans opinions on his tweets and fb posts? I'd be livid if it was the other way around and would want the player out of the club ASAP.

[Louth4sam]

McKeon didn't deal with the matter properly & that's why we have this discussion now.
He gave Towell a yellow when it should have been red. The referee & I use the term lightly saw the incident so that's the end of it as far as the FAI are concerned.
What Towell did was nasty & uncalled for but what goes around comes around.

As to what Kenny said I wouldn't take much notice of that.
I'd have been more surprised if he said nothing.

He also didn't deal with Gannon getting kicked around the pitch in the first half or two players getting busted with elbows from Pats players either. If he did his job properly could have been three reds to Pats and one to Dundalk

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

He would have been better off not commenting but he makes some valid points. Soccer Republic highlighted one incident of dangerous play in the game when there were several more.

Not sure what coaches were on twitter but Killian sure was. What are Pats fans opinions on his tweets and fb posts? I'd be livid if it was the other way around and would want the player out of the club ASAP.

So a couple of tweets and Facebook posts should see a player kicked out of a club.

What punishment if you break a fellas nose?

[Dodge]

He also didn't deal with Gannon getting kicked around the pitch in the first half or two players getting busted with elbows from Pats players either. If he did his job properly could have been three reds to Pats and one to Dundalk

You can't honestly believe that?

As for Brennan, he can say what he likes. Not a single person changed their opinion based on what he said.

[mcgonigle]

So a couple of tweets and Facebook posts should see a player kicked out of a club.

What punishment if you break a fellas nose?

I'm simply asking Pats fans their opinion on Brennan getting involved in this and engaging in slagging matches with people on social media. If it was the a Dundalk player I (and I presume Kenny) would be livid that there is somebody at my club stupid enough to do that. Professional footballers should be professional both on and off the pitch, if it was the English Premiership he would be in a lot of trouble. It says a lot about his character when he can point the finger given the number of times he has attempted to injure others.

Like has been said a million times already Towell was 100% in the wrong and has rightly apologized. I think he has earned the benefit of the doubt given his overall disciplinary record but if something similar were to happen again I wouldn't want him at my club.