Fixtures- April 22nd/23rd/25th [Archive] - Page 2

outspoken

24/04/2016, 11:23 PM

Longford were abysmal in the first half last night. Lucky to go in 3 down.

You're bang out of order......We were abysmal for 92 minutes.

Fair play to Sligo though, hard to imagine they hadn't won a game until last night, John Russell ran the show. Although I think a blind man could have picked passes in midfield last night given the space we gave up. Shocking.

Ezeikial

25/04/2016, 8:02 AM

There appears to be some suggestion that Pat Fenlon was a little bit distressed after last Friday nights game

Fenlon was fuming after his side's previous defeat to Derry City but he adopted a different stance in the aftermath of the Tallaght loss to the champions.

The bluffers in the media and Daniel McDonnell continue to peddle the line that it was about the kit manufacturers banner

The Rovers boss was animated at the final whistle on Friday as he exchanged words with the Dundalk bench but refused to discuss the specifics.
Kenny also declined to go into detail, although he hinted that the tension might have been related to a banner at Dundalk's kit launch in December. It referenced Dundalk winning the 2015 league title in Tallaght and was mentioned by Fenlon beforehand.
"There was a lot of stuff going on about this bloody poster," sighed Kenny. "That was nothing to do with the club, it was CX+ Sports (kit sponsor) - it was their gig, I didn't even know about it."

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/losing-not-an-option-as-cork-and-rovers-feel-the-heat-34655999.html

The reason must be obvious - Dundalk were disrespectful again in Tallaght.

A defeat in Cork tonight might accelerate Fenlon getting his P45. Paul Doolin would be an equally catastrophic replacement and would rival Fenlon in the misery and whinging department.

Cork ab�

PartySaint

25/04/2016, 8:42 AM

Are Pat's, Cork and Shamrock Rovers likely to put up a title challenge?

No and No, 2 mid table teams.

This could be Dundalk's easiest title win of the 3 in a row unless Cork get their act together.

They've a decent chance to get going this week tho, should beat Pats and Rovers comfortably enough

seand

25/04/2016, 8:52 AM

We've been crying out for years to get the Brandywell back to being the 'difficult place to go' it used to be, might be getting there.

Certainly is for away fans

placid casual

25/04/2016, 5:51 PM

not all fans

joey B

25/04/2016, 7:00 PM

Cork 2 up after 12 minutes!

Ezeikial

25/04/2016, 7:08 PM

I hear the bell tolling for Nutsy

joey B

25/04/2016, 7:42 PM

Rovers look as far away as ever from challenging for a league title ,which is a shame as I think a strong Rovers team is good for the league.

El-Pietro

25/04/2016, 9:09 PM

Should have been 3 in about 20. Blatant handball cleared a certain goal off the line. Not sure how the ref didnt see it.

The Donie Forde

25/04/2016, 9:47 PM

I think Jimmy McKell took refereeing into virgin territory tonight...

Jesus, Rovers are really poor, though, it must be said.

patrickccfc

25/04/2016, 11:06 PM

Very happy with that tonight. Should've been a few more goals and most definitely a penalty that I can't believe the ref didn't give. Some of his decisions were laughable really. Rovers were very poor I thought, can't remember any real threat from them. Think Barry Murphy was relieved to get down the other end in the second half ha

White Horse

25/04/2016, 11:09 PM

Did Rovers have a shot on target against Cork at any stage tonight?

Charlie Darwin

26/04/2016, 12:09 AM

Did Rovers have a shot on target against Cork at any stage tonight?
Yeah, two or three.

Worst performance I've seen in years from Rovers, and that's saying something. It's one thing to be beaten by a better team, but to be so completely beaten for effort. No midfield whatsoever. We could have used McCabe steaming into stupid tackles, at least it'd have shown a bit of desire.

Ezeikial

26/04/2016, 7:25 AM

Worst performance I've seen in years from Rovers, and that's saying something.

Charlie - do you think Rovers will stick with Fenlon for the rest of the season? Change now or at the end of the season? When is his contract up?

PartySaint

26/04/2016, 8:25 AM

Charlie - do you think Rovers will stick with Fenlon for the rest of the season? Change now or at the end of the season? When is his contract up?

Can they afford to sack him?

If they can I fear Bucko and Fenlon might end up swapping jobs this season...

disgruntled

26/04/2016, 9:11 AM

Never thought I'd be calling Rovers a hoof ball team but they were very poor last night.
At least McKell kept up the standard of League of Ireland refereeing, just above the gutter that is :rolleyes:
He could have done with some help from that female assistant :D who didn't see a thing all night.

D24Saint

26/04/2016, 9:45 AM

Can they afford to sack him?

If they can I fear Bucko and Fenlon might end up swapping jobs this season...

Urggg that's a grim prognosis I'd hate to lose Bucko but to get nutsy to replace him would make it worse , he was one the best managers for years in the league but now seems washed up.

pineapple stu

26/04/2016, 9:51 AM

he was one the best managers for years in the league but now seems washed up.
Do you think so?

I honestly never really rated him all that highly even at Shels; he won stuff because he had lots of money, but I never felt he got anywhere near the best out of teams. Similar to Doolin in a way.

outspoken

26/04/2016, 9:55 AM

Yeah, two or three.

Worst performance I've seen in years from Rovers, and that's saying something. It's one thing to be beaten by a better team, but to be so completely beaten for effort. No midfield whatsoever. We could have used McCabe steaming into stupid tackles, at least it'd have shown a bit of desire.

Sounds like you were watching Longford

PartySaint

26/04/2016, 10:00 AM

Urggg that's a grim prognosis I'd hate to lose Bucko but to get nutsy to replace him would make it worse , he was one the best managers for years in the league but now seems washed up.

Grim indeed, imagine how wasted Fagan would be with Fenlon :(

Ezeikial

26/04/2016, 10:06 AM

On reflection, I would prefer that Rovers stick with Fenlon - his tactics are bizarre and the team will go nowhere under his management (unless he gets a truck load of money)

If he has to go, Doolin would be the ideal replacement - almost a mirror image of Nutsy in so many ways. A man with a big ego, bad manners and loves negative one-dimensional football!

The worse scenario would be that Buckley was attracted to Rovers - he is a decent manager who would get them playing football and maybe would get them challenging again in time.

joey B

26/04/2016, 10:34 AM

Is there no young up and coming managers that would be able to step up? One of the things I hate most about our league is the same managers seem to flip and flop around our league.

brendy_�ire

26/04/2016, 10:38 AM

�I haven�t said a lot to them to be honest. They know themselves. I can�t keep going in and having a go at them, you know? It just wasn�t good enough tonight from us.�

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/0426/784312-fenlon-lost-for-words-with-slow-to-start-rovers/

Fairly ominous stuff from Fenlon there.
I thought the 4-0 win against Bohs after losing 3-0 in the Brandywell would have them back on track too. Maybe with some easier games coming up, it can be turned around, but it'll need to be soon.

White Horse

26/04/2016, 11:40 AM

The worse scenario would be that Buckley was attracted to Rovers - he is a decent manager who would get them playing football and maybe would get them challenging again in time.

What happened the last time they hired a manger who likes his teams to get it down and play?

El-Pietro

26/04/2016, 12:19 PM

Is there no young up and coming managers that would be able to step up? One of the things I hate most about our league is the same managers seem to flip and flop around our league.
1. Dundalk - Stephen Kenny - Sixth LOI job (Derry twice)
2. Derry City - Kenny Shiels - First LOI job
3. Cork City - John Caulfield - First LOI job
4. Galway United - Tommy Dunne - Second LOI job
5. St. Pats - Liam Buckley - Sixth LOI jobs (Pats twice)
6. Shamrock Rovers - Pat Fenlon - Fourth LOI Job
7. Finn Harps - Ollie Horgan - First LOI job
8. Bohs - Keith Long - Third LOI job (I don't remember him managing Bray)
9. Sligo - Dave Robertson - First LOI job
10. Bray - no manager, formerly Mick Cooke - Fourth LOI job
11. Wexford Youths - Shane Keegan - First LOI job
12. Longford - Tony Cousins - Third LOI Job

1. Limerick - Martin Russell - Second LOI job
2. Cobh Ramblers - Stephen Henderson - Third LOI job (I was sure this would be higher)
3. Drogheda United - Pete Mahon - Sixth LOI job
4. U.C.D. - Collie O'Neill - First LOI job
5. Shelbourne - Kevin Doherty - First LOI job
6. Waterford United - Roddy Collins - Seventh LOI job
7. Athlone Town - Alan Mathews - Sixth LOI Job
8. Cabinteely - Eddie Gormley - Second LOI job

20 clubs with 19 LOI managers.
7 in their first managerial job in the league including 5 of 12 in the Premier Division.
3 in their second job
3 in their third job
1 in their fourth job, plus Mick Cooke whose fourth job was Bray
4 in their sixth job
1 in their seventh job.

That seems like a decent spread to me 10 clubs with managers in their first or second managerial role in the league. Clubs are clearly giving managers from outside the league an opportunity. Perhaps fans don't have the greatest imagination when it comes to ideas for new managers but clubs on the whole are looking at seasoned managers as well as giving young coaches their opportunity.

D24Saint

26/04/2016, 1:04 PM

Do you think so?

I honestly never really rated him all that highly even at Shels; he won stuff because he had lots of money, but I never felt he got anywhere near the best out of teams. Similar to Doolin in a way.

In fairness I alway thought his $hels teams played decent football I never really rated the Bohs sides as great to watch though.

Charlie Darwin

26/04/2016, 1:42 PM

Charlie - do you think Rovers will stick with Fenlon for the rest of the season? Change now or at the end of the season? When is his contract up?
I doubt it. He has 18 months left. There's a new board coming in and it'd be foolish to get rid of the manager before they've had a chance to speak. The main problem is that his senior players aren't stepping up to the mark - when you compare Killian Brennan to somebody like Stephen O'Donnell, it's night and day.

Nesta99

26/04/2016, 2:29 PM

Why the new Board; Is it simply that there is an AGM pending that could elect/reelect a 'new' board, or is there an opinion among members that new faces are needed?

Ezeikial

26/04/2016, 2:50 PM

The main problem is that his senior players aren't stepping up to the mark - when you compare Killian Brennan to somebody like Stephen O'Donnell, it's night and day.

Jesus wept! You could hardly get a greater contrast.

I doubt that even the most ardent Rovers fan had any great expectations about Killian Brennan.

The main problem is Fenlon - he has recruited these players. He is failing in other areas too - like tactics, organisation and motivation

Dodge

26/04/2016, 3:01 PM

To be fair Killian Brennan has been one of the best players in this league for the guts of a decade. He's on the downside of his career but he isn't helped by defenders who can#t pass the ball playing behind him

PartySaint

26/04/2016, 3:15 PM

Just the
3 league titles
3 FAI Cups
5 League Cups
1 Setanta Cup
and Player of the years awards for Brennan,

The horror of having someone like that in your team...

TonyD

26/04/2016, 6:28 PM

I fear Bucko and Fenlon might end up swapping jobs this season...

God no. No reason to think Bucko is going to part company with Pats is there ? For all that the team has a soft centre for the last couple of years, I'd still have Buckley over Fenlon any day.

Charlie Darwin

26/04/2016, 6:39 PM

Why the new Board; Is it simply that there is an AGM pending that could elect/reelect a 'new' board, or is there an opinion among members that new faces are needed?
It's part of the new investment - Ray Wilson bringing in people with business experience to bring the club forward. New CEO will be announced soon.

Jesus wept! You could hardly get a greater contrast.

I doubt that even the most ardent Rovers fan had any great expectations about Killian Brennan.

The main problem is Fenlon - he has recruited these players. He is failing in other areas too - like tactics, organisation and motivation
His tactics have generally been alright. It seems the motivation is a real problem. We lost the battle against Dundalk and Cork - whatever about being up against more talented players, they were just beaten for effort.

Nesta99

26/04/2016, 7:39 PM

It's part of the new investment - Ray Wilson bringing in people with business experience to bring the club forward. New CEO will be announced soon.

does dfx know?

Ezeikial

26/04/2016, 7:53 PM

Just the
3 league titles
3 FAI Cups
5 League Cups
1 Setanta Cup
and Player of the years awards for Brennan,

The horror of having someone like that in your team...

No doubt Brennan has achieved plenty in the past, although his attitude has always been questionable. It was hardly an absence of technical skills that stymied a cross-channel career

As his ability fades, his negative attributes seem to be even more apparent. The contrast with Stephen O'Donnell in terms of character, leadership and positive influence on his team could hardly be greater.

Charlie Darwin

26/04/2016, 8:01 PM

Seem to remember Pats fans complaining plenty about Fahey in his last year despite all his medals.

Calcio Jack

26/04/2016, 8:12 PM

bennocelt

26/04/2016, 8:51 PM

Dodge

27/04/2016, 1:30 AM

Also a lazy bugger at times though, wouldnt you agree?:D
No, I wouldn't

PartySaint

27/04/2016, 8:41 AM

Seem to remember Pats fans complaining plenty about Fahey in his last year despite all his medals.

He hasn't won that much ;)

And I never complained about him or Brennan :)

PartySaint

27/04/2016, 8:45 AM

although his attitude has always been questionable.

Has it?

He has a winners attitude if you ask me. He has been sent off a few times against Dundalk so I can see why you guys would think he has a bad attitude but in the biggest game between Pats and Dundalk in the last few years, it was O'Donnell who lost his cool and got sent off.

GCdfc

27/04/2016, 10:03 AM

redobit

27/04/2016, 10:48 AM

Will be interesting to see how things at Rovers go once the new CEO and board comes on stream at end of May.

For last 5 seasons Rovers haven't competed , have spent over a million in cash , much of the fan base has become disillusioned - the one constant over that period was/is the make up of the board , so with that changing methinks things will also change on the park

In the last five years ye have spent over 1million (the Europa money I assume) while also running up a 400k rolling debt.
Ye now have a 1.5 million loan to start paying baying back on top of the 400K. Crowds are down and there is a real opportunity of now Europe.
It will be very hard for a new board to change things on the park with those figures tying their hands?

Calcio Jack

27/04/2016, 4:07 PM

In the last five years ye have spent over 1million (the Europa money I assume) while also running up a 400k rolling debt.
Ye now have a 1.5 million loan to start paying baying back on top of the 400K. Crowds are down and there is a real opportunity of now Europe.
It will be very hard for a new board to change things on the park with those figures tying their hands?

Not sure where you're getting the rolling debt figure of �400k from. However we are about to take on debt of �1.5m interest free and if not repayed 50% of club ownership reverts to lender who is a club stalwart so no real issue there.

Personally I'm very happy with the forthcoming changes which will bring on board individuals with top class business experience and success who will drive the club forward commercially which is a way better plan than remaining as is - sure time will tell

Ezeikial

28/04/2016, 9:45 AM

Has it?

He has a winners attitude if you ask me. He has been sent off a few times against Dundalk so I can see why you guys would think he has a bad attitude but in the biggest game between Pats and Dundalk in the last few years, it was O'Donnell who lost his cool and got sent off.

Fair call in relation to Stephen O'Donnell getting sent off back in 2013 - I felt he let his side down that day. Aside from that red card (and his bizarre penalty attempt against Bohs that same season) his attitude, leadership and professionalism has been outstanding. If you conducted a poll among Dundalk fans he would probable emerge as the most important / most effective player for Dundalk over the Kenny era

In relation to Killian Brennan, it is touching to see the loyalty of St Pats fans to a gifted yet erratic and temperamental player who is regularly out of control (especially in recent seasons against Dundalk). Perhaps the level of his current impotence at Shamrock Rovers inspires this sentimentality?

Dodge

28/04/2016, 11:20 AM

I'm not sure what the issue is here. Both players are among the league's elite, but they're at various stages of their career.

Brennan has often been lauded by his managers as a model professional. So has O'Donnell.

Nesta99

28/04/2016, 12:04 PM

For a few obvious reasons Killian Brennan isn't the most popular player with Dundalk fans. Part of this is undoubtedly his essential role with Pats as league challengers seasons past. That he has regularly seen red v Dundalk has turned him from a quality player to a bit of a cartoon villain. Since his move to Rovers he is nowhere near as influential a player as he was at Pats. Whether this is to do with the move to Rovers coincidentally coinciding with a general down turn in his career or that he is mirroring his club and teams general form remains to be seen. Pats fans are obviously still fond of him as a former key player - if he rattled in a hat-rick in Tallaght after Pats being 0-2 up and celebrated as he undoubtedly would there would unlikely be a whisper if he was criticised on here by Pats fans. Brennan/O'Donnell, Both are important players to current and former clubs' relative success, O'Donnell imo is more important to Dundalk still than Brennan is to Rovers. Both have been occasionally rash on the pitch, Brennan certainly seems the much more volatile. As club captain, there has been no greater leader among the players and as an ambassador for Dundalk FC. As captain of the Champions id dare suggest he is the most influential player currently league wide in terms of inspiration to a team.