Fixtures Weekend April 3rd-5th

[thomas72]

Limerick fully deserved that were better team first half aswell went behind to a wonder strike from richie towell.

[Acornvilla]

Hon Limerick, ye mad yolkes.

[patrickccfc]

Nice one limerick, top of the table nice and tight now. Very depressing for those with a Sligo persuasion but surely the quality players they have will push them up the table eventually, for heary's sake the sooner the better as I'd imagine the natives are getting pretty antsy

[Jofspring]

We certainly deserved minimum a draw from tonight. Dundalk scored a cracker but created absolutely zero barr that.

We seem to be steadily improving game by game which is promising.

Both Pats and now Dundalk have not looked great at all. Should make the tilt for the title pretty open.

[donnrua]

Nice one limerick, top of the table nice and tight now. Very depressing for those with a Sligo persuasion but surely the quality players they have will push them up the table eventually, for heary's sake the sooner the better as I'd imagine the natives are getting pretty antsy

Sligo are going to have to score at least 2 goals to win a game with Folan/Dykes playing in defence. Sam Oji made Folan look semi-decent for a season and a half. I was very surprised when Sligo signed him - better suited to the 1st division imo.

[Yossarian]

We were woeful tonight. Created nothing and Limerick deserved the draw. I thought taking Horgan off was a mistake as he was the only out ball we had from defence.
Its not going to be easy for us this season but we really are not helping ourselves.

[Longfordian]

Cracking game at the CCS we should have won it really but Pats were well worth a draw at the same time even with ten men. We missed about four clear chances in the second half and Ben Mohamed smashed it off the underside of the bar with the last kick but Pats passed it round us for fun at times. Sour note for us was Don Cowan going off with what looked a bad injury.

[Dunny]

Nice one limerick, top of the table nice and tight now. Very depressing for those with a Sligo persuasion but surely the quality players they have will push them up the table eventually, for heary's sake the sooner the better as I'd imagine the natives are getting pretty antsy

We like it tight in Dundalk :D Well deserved draw for Limerick,should maybe and could have won the game.Good to see Stephen O'Donnell on the bench for us tonight,should be ready for Tuesday v Shelbourne.Great boost to have him back and at the right time to.

[ATFC-1887]

What's going on with the pitch up thee at all? Worst ive season this season bar Jackman maybe
No idea. John West does work tirelessly on it but hes doing it by himself afaik. Expected it to be alot better after the 2 week break though. Didn't help the game at all. All hoofball, which we have not done so far this season.

[Charlie Darwin]

Tallaght would be up there with the worst I'd say. It's never been great but it's really poor this year. The grass is really thin.

[PartySaint]

Tallaght would be up there with the worst I'd say. It's never been great but it's really poor this year. The grass is really thin.

Shocking pitch in Longford tonight as well.

Really enjoyable game, not sure how it only ended 2-2, I hope Cowan is ok he absolutely tore us apart tonight, same trick every time but very effective.

Longford look dangerous going forward but poor at the back, poor Conor Powell isn't a footballer at all.

We haven't really got going yet this season, we need a big performance and win like the 2-0 win against Sligo in 2013 which kick started our season. Cork in Richmond on Friday would be a start

[Dunny]

Just on the subject of pitches,decent surface in Jackman tonight,will improve as the weather picks up.

[gael353]

The late equalizer couldnt disguise the woeful performance of dave mckeon. Booked 5 limerick players (3) for 50/50 challenges and gave countless wrong decisions.

[Charlie Darwin]

Shocking pitch in Longford tonight as well.

Really enjoyable game, not sure how it only ended 2-2, I hope Cowan is ok he absolutely tore us apart tonight, same trick every time but very effective.

Longford look dangerous going forward but poor at the back, poor Conor Powell isn't a footballer at all.

We haven't really got going yet this season, we need a big performance and win like the 2-0 win against Sligo in 2013 which kick started our season. Cork in Richmond on Friday would be a start
Really? I thought it looked OK when Rovers played there a couple of weeks back.

What happened to Cowan? He ripped Luke Byrne apart for half an hour against us with raw pace, but Luke figured him out in the end. He is phenomenally fast - I hope it's not his knee again.

Powell has been emptied as a footballer since he went to England. He was actually a really good player once. Speaking of left backs, who are you going to play there against Cork with Bermo out? You're already carrying a midfielder at right back.

[PartySaint]

Really? I thought it looked OK when Rovers played there a couple of weeks back.

What happened to Cowan? He ripped Luke Byrne apart for half an hour against us with raw pace, but Luke figured him out in the end. He is phenomenally fast - I hope it's not his knee again.

Powell has been emptied as a footballer since he went to England. He was actually a really good player once. Speaking of left backs, who are you going to play there against Cork with Bermo out? You're already carrying a midfielder at right back.

Greene or Desmond will play left back, we've loads of cover there this season. Greene along with Bolger has probably been our best player so far this season.

Ger O'Brien played 65 minutes tonight so hopefully he's ok for Friday.

Our probably is in centre midfielder, Brennan suspended, Chambers not great and Forrester still does better out wide.

[Longfordian]

Pitch wasn't great but it'll improve when the weather picks up. It's usually a good surface. I'd be very concerned about Don I think it might be his knee. Such a shame if he's out long term as he was looking sharper than ever this year and destroyed Bermingham for the two yellow cards.

[Charlie Darwin]

I was surprised Chambers played right back instead of Greene against Derry (even though he's left footed) but it seemed to work out well.

Really hope it's not Don's knee. I've always liked him as a player.

[patsdad]

Greene or Desmond will play left back, we've loads of cover there this season. Greene along with Bolger has probably been our best player so far this season.

Ger O'Brien played 65 minutes tonight so hopefully he's ok for Friday.

Our probably is in centre midfielder, Brennan suspended, Chambers not great and Forrester still does better out wide.

As far as I know, Brennan will see out his suspension, and Bermo will serve his, in the EA Sports Cup game v Crumlin on Tuesday, so both will be available for the Cork game.

[Darklordsbane]

St Pats were really good against Longford, they played some lovely football, thier first goal was just brilliant, passing and moving at it's best, I'm surprised it was a draw, I thought they were going to win it, Paul Hunt was man of the match for me pulled off some great saves for De Town

[sligoman]

However looking back, the sacking of barraclough was just bizarreNo it wasn't, just because Heary's reign has started poorly doesn't mean getting rid of Baraclough wasn't the right decision, it was.

[Longfordian]

Agree that Pats played some great stuff but didn't think Hunt did much out of the ordinary, not to say that he wasn't solid. Davy O'Sullivan missed some great chances, snatched at them a bit. We'll be entertaining if we keep playing like that but as teams get to know us the better sides will punish us for the fragility at the back. The pace of the game in the Premier is a lot quicker and we've got experience but not much pace at the back.

[Charlie Darwin]

As far as I know, Brennan will see out his suspension, and Bermo will serve his, in the EA Sports Cup game v Crumlin on Tuesday, so both will be available for the Cork game.
No, you're suspended for whatever competition you were red-carded in, unless you're no longer in that competition. So if you get a red card in the EA Cup and get knocked out, it carries back to the league, but not vice versa.

[sorbothegreek]

The pace of the game in the Premier is a lot quicker and we've got experience but not much pace at the back.

From my point of view and for what it's worth, i actually enjoyed watching Christy Fagan's ability on the ball as he made the equaliser tonight. Not like anything you see in the first division.

[Town Legend]

Don was walking after the game. He was prob just stretchered off because he was knackered......but main thing is he was walking unassisted after the game!

[Longfordian]

From my point of view and for what it's worth, i actually enjoyed watching Christy Fagan's ability on the ball as he made the equaliser tonight. Not like anything you see in the first division.

Yep good point. Pats have some serious "ballers" in fairness. It's a big step up.

Town Legend that's good news hopefully he's OK.

[Yossarian]

Just on the subject of pitches,decent surface in Jackman tonight,will improve as the weather picks up.

Did you have a proper look? The pitch was cat though not an accuse for our performance and the attempt at the floodlights was laughable. It would have been better with a few car headlights on the sidelines.

[Charlie Darwin]

Did you have a proper look? The pitch was cat though not an accuse for our performance and the attempt at the floodlights was laughable. It would have been better with a few car headlights on the sidelines.
A few crisps and minerals would have helped too.

[Yossarian]

A few crisps and minerals would have helped too.

Feck ya, you've seen through to my true complaint!

[Dunny]

Did you have a proper look? The pitch was cat though not an accuse for our performance and the attempt at the floodlights was laughable. It would have been better with a few car headlights on the sidelines.
Thought it was decent tbh.It was flat and not bobbley.Better than Dayler and wayyy better than the Brandywell.Maybe i've started at a low level for comparing like for like at loi grounds but defo thought it was decent.Didnt notice anything with the floodlights either but then again i'm half blind anyway.

[shep]

Was disappointing to concede so late when it looked like we had weathered the storm in terms of pressure and half chances from Limerick.We never looked like adding to our lead in the 2nd half and the defence looked a bit disjointed after Garts went off at the break.Two points dropped but maybe a well needed reality check for some(myself included) .is there any Dundalk fan who wouldn't have bitten your hand off for this start to the season??So let's be happy and go and stuff the Drogs on Friday and set up a mouthwatering game in Tallaght Friday week.

Pats having another poor start to the season...that's what cost them last season and their draw with Longford was at least some consolation that they didn't close the gap on us

[osarusan]

and the defence looked a bit disjointed after Garts went off at the break.

I actually thought Gartland was poor enough in the first half. Clarke had him easily beaten for pace and caused him trouble at times. I guessed that was why he went off, but maybe he was injured.

As for us, we kept trying and finally created something more than a half-chance. Dundalk seemed happy to sit back and see it out at 1-0. Great great feeling to get a point, and good motivation going into the Bray game.

[shep]

I actually thought Gartland was poor enough in the first half. Clarke had him easily beaten for pace and caused him trouble at times. I guessed that was why he went off, but maybe he was injured.

As for us, we kept trying and finally created something more than a half-chance. Dundalk seemed happy to sit back and see it out at 1-0. Great great feeling to get a point, and good motivation going into the Bray game.

I think Gartland had Flu all week,anyway Limerick were fully deserving of the point and although we weren't at our best I think you showed enough to suggest you will be more than capable of beating the drop

[hollocaine]

Shocking pitch in Longford tonight as well.

You're easily shocked. Pitch isn't that bad and will be a lot better within a month or so.

Pats still got their passing game going, so don't be blaming the pitch. Remember ye have James Chambers playing centre mid, so you're not some team of amazing 'ballers yourselves.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Sligo are going to have to score at least 2 goals to win a game with Folan/Dykes playing in defence. Sam Oji made Folan look semi-decent for a season and a half. I was very surprised when Sligo signed him - better suited to the 1st division imo.

Folan was signed as backup to Peers and Henderson. The way our keeper and whole defence is going we'll need to score more than 2 to win a game.

[Lim till i die]

Backup for Gavin Peers?

Were ye planning on breaking his two legs

[PartySaint]

You're easily shocked. Pitch isn't that bad and will be a lot better within a month or so.

Pats still got their passing game going, so don't be blaming the pitch. Remember ye have James Chambers playing centre mid, so you're not some team of amazing 'ballers yourselves.

Just to be clear, I'm not blaming the pitch for us not winning, it was a very enjoyable game, both teams dealt with it well. I thought Longfords front men were excellent.

[Dodge]

Just to be clear, I'm not blaming the pitch for us not winning, it was a very enjoyable game, both teams dealt with it well. I thought Longfords front men were excellent.
Yeah, both were superb. As was Fagan in a completely different way. Enjoyable game

[Longfordian]

I've given my thoughts on the game earlier in the thread but I just have to say it's great to be back in the Premier Division. The best players in the country, large away crowds, and importantly we're holding our own so far.

[De Town]

I'd like to echo what Longfordian said above. It really is great to be back & as a few people pointed out after the game, if we're disappointed about only drawing with Pats then we're not doing too bad.

A draw was probably fair in the end. Some of the football Pats played going forward was a joy to watch, but we always looked threatening when we went forward ourselves. Both teams could have won it in the end and it was a shame to see Ben Mohamed's rocket come back off the bar in injury time.

I think Forrester's goal last night is my favourite goal ever scored by an opposition player. The deftness of the touch over Hunt was absolutely outstanding.

[Martinho II]

gutted couldnt make the game last nite. wont be at league cup game tuesday either! lookin forward to seein the goals on monday! very happy with our start who would believe it we are six clear of Sligo? now thats a club in crisis!

[patrickccfc]

gutted couldnt make the game last nite. wont be at league cup game tuesday either! lookin forward to seein the goals on monday! very happy with our start who would believe it we are six clear of Sligo? now thats a club in crisis!

I know how you feel I was gutted to miss our game the other night too and will miss our game in Waterford tomorrow too.. I'm happy to see ye doing well and I believe ye will stay up comfortably this year.. I'm very much looking forward to hosting yourselves in a few weeks time and also visiting CCS for the first time in June

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Backup for Gavin Peers?

Were ye planning on breaking his two legs

What are you on about?

[Lim till i die]

I'll be straight up with you I havent a clue.

I'd have another go at making that point if I could remember what twas.

Folan is ****e lol, somethin like that :good:

[Macy]

Thought the pitch was ok myself - nothing at the match made me think it was in poor condition anyway.

Hopefully Don is ok - he's really stepped it up this year, as have a couple of others that I would've been concerned about. One or two are looking like they might not be up to it, but its marginal, which is positive.

As for the game, we had the chances to kill it off at 2-1, but didn't take them. It was a great open game, before Pats equalised. After they did, they snapped straight back into a solid shape/ formation, and could've won it from there really. Great to be up, and at least not being totally outclassed.

[MeathDrog]

Was it not the case where both Prendergast and the left back got a bit of the man, with Prendergast making the first bit of contact.

And I was right.

Bohs fans owe the ref an apology. :D

[desaintsno.12]

. Sour note for us was Don Cowan going off with what looked a bad injury.

If i were a longford fan, the bigger sour note for me would be that Powell didnt go off injured. Does he always look that useless and clueless ???

Seriously entertaining game. I dont mean to do an oriel park on it, but the pitch was really poor, is that a regular occurence ?
we did our very best to give Longford as a big a headstart as possible in the first half.
Longford played a smart game against us and pressed hard and put us under pressure. The few times we got our passing game going you could see the gap between the two teams, but longford will be fine this year anyway.
Stephen rice is still a horrible knacker.

[sullanefc]

And I was right.

Bohs fans owe the ref an apology. :D
When there was controversy in the EPL a few weeks ago over mistaken identity, many pundits said that the ref should have known something was wrong by the reactions of the players. In the Bohs incident, Prendergast seems to be trying to use that to get his mate booked instead of him to avoid the red. He should get an extra game ban for that the snake. Fair play to the ref for getting it spot on.

[D24Saint]

Really enjoyable game in the CCS didn't have a major issues with the pitch on par with others around the league at this time of the year , we were awful in the first half but scored fantastic goals to get back in it , longford nearly gave me a heart attack with the effort in stoppage time , they should be ok this season for midtable as for ourselves it's still in the balance if we gel we will be a hard to team to beat if.

[TonyD]

[QUOTE=D24Saint;1812873as for ourselves it's still in the balance if we gel we will be a hard to team to beat if.[/QUOTE]

I think the key for Pats is having defensive consistency. Get our first choice back five playing regularly and we'll be grand. That's what killed us last year. Attack wise I think we're absolutely fine. Would prefer Fahey to have stayed, but c'est la vie.

[Longfordian]

Pitch is usually good. I'd imagine it will be again when there's been a bit more growth and less rain. I didn't think it was that bad to be honest, just not as good as it usually is.