Matchday 11- W/E May 8th

[gufc2000]

Even spread of games across tonight and tomorrow night in the League this weekend. Last game in the opening series of the Premier Division, Matchday 10 in the First Division.

Premier Division

Friday:
Finn Harps vs Bohemians
St. Pat's Athletic vs Derry City
Dundalk vs Galway Utd (Live on Setanta)

Saturday:
Bray vs Cork City
Longford vs Shamrock Rovers
Sligo vs Wexford

First Division

Friday:
Athlone vs Drogheda
Waterford vs UCD

Saturday:
Cobh vs Limerick
Cabinteely vs Shelbourne

[nigel-harps1954]

Resorting to online stream again tonight, which is a bit sh!te. Suspect that Harps might win this one.

[WoodquayBoy]

I don't have Setanta at home, and am house bound for the night - does anyone know where I can access an online stream?

[redarmyfaction]

Sun is shining at Oriel, the pitch looks like green bog roll with skid marks on it.

[red bellied]

I thought there was a fault with the television when I turned on Setanta tonight.

[redarmyfaction]

Absolute and utter disgrace, shame on the league, fascinating in a way though wondering what the ball will do next.

[Lim till i die]

The absolute state of Conor Winn :D

A horse in a man costume.

[Longfordian]

That was a hilarious attempt to get back it must be said. He was running parallel to the bloody ball.

[geysir]

Humorous goal of the weekend from goal machine McMillan, though I wouldn't be laughing at the Galway goalie's predicament. He had raced outside his box and did well to head clear a dangerous ball, only for the ball to find McMillan's foot, who struck it first time on the fly. The ball slowly but with determination, bounced and wobbled it's way towards the Galway net, just ahead of the desperate goalie scrambling back.

[nigel-harps1954]

https://twitter.com/Daithionaroll/status/728689991124127744

Ciaran Gallagher saves a penalty for Harps with the last kick of the game in Finn park. Dull, dull, dull stuff, but a big point for Harps in the end despite being the better side for much of the game. I say better side...I mean, they were the better of two crap teams on the night.

[bluewhitearmy]

Thats a terrible pen.

[nigel-harps1954]

Thats a terrible pen.

You should have seen the free kick, for Finn Harps, on the edge of the Bohs box, that led to the penalty. A mighty display of how not to play football.

[Sam_Heggy]

Harps were brutal
Bohs were brutal

The match.......yep, also brutal.

If there was a possibility of both teams getting zero points tonight, it would have been deserved.

That being said, Im delighted with 12 points from the first series of games. Would have bitten off your arm for that at the start of the season. We will need to recruit in the attacking department if we are to make life a little easier on ourselves but overall can't complain (but will continue to complain anyway regardless)

[White Horse]

Decent in parts by Dundalk tonight. We were too slow with our passing in the first half but increased the tempo in the second half.

I suppose we have to be happy with 28 points out of 33 in the first series of games, but there is a lot more to come from this team and hopefully they'll do better in the next series.

Galway were very compact and defended well. They just lacked someone in the middle of the park who could get the ball and create something. A decent side though, they work hard for each other and it is easy to see why they are so high up the table.

[Olander]

Decent in parts by Dundalk tonight. We were too slow with our passing in the first half but increased the tempo in the second half.

I suppose we have to be happy with 28 points out of 33 in the first series of games, but there is a lot more to come from this team and hopefully they'll do better in the next series.

Galway were very compact and defended well. They just lacked someone in the middle of the park who could get the ball and create something. A decent side though, they work hard for each other and it is easy to see why they are so high up the table.
Our best player was out, Ryan Connolly. Everything goes through him in the middle of the park. He's a massive loss to us.

No complaints with the result. Dundalk went up the gears in the second half and we tired badly, the pressure eventually told. 5-6 of the players played against Limerick on Tuesday.

[oriel]

Would agree with this on Galway, good shape about them and easy to see how they have been so high in the table. They reminded me a little like the Sligo visit a few weeks back in terms of their performance, but they were calmer with the ball, better shape at the back too.

Dundalk were poor enough in the first half but really upped it in the second, 2-0 would have been a fair result, decent finishes by McMillan, our ONLY striker now, as 3 are out injured, bit sloppy conceding so late and in injury time, but otherwise a decent 3 points.

[Longfordian]

Humorous goal of the weekend from goal machine McMillan, though I wouldn't be laughing at the Galway goalie's predicament. He had raced outside his box and did well to head clear a dangerous ball, only for the ball to find McMillan's foot, who struck it first time on the fly. The ball slowly but with determination, bounced and wobbled it's way towards the Galway net, just ahead of the desperate goalie scrambling back.

He did well to come out. The funny part was just how slow he was to be fair. I know he's a big guy and not quick on the turn but there really wasn't any power on the shot and I'd wager most other LOI keepers would have got there.

[Charlie Darwin]

Humorous goal of the weekend from goal machine McMillan, though I wouldn't be laughing at the Galway goalie's predicament. He had raced outside his box and did well to head clear a dangerous ball, only for the ball to find McMillan's foot, who struck it first time on the fly. The ball slowly but with determination, bounced and wobbled it's way towards the Galway net, just ahead of the desperate goalie scrambling back.
It was a weak header I thought. Got under the ball and not much distance.

[joey B]

Desperate game in Finn Park,Bohs are horrendous and we weren't far behind,felt like a victory in the end though and I'm sure it felt like a defeat for Bohs with the penalty so late,Bohs now haven't scored in 4 league games in a row which is pretty mad and I'd say Keith Long will be soon under alot of pressure.As for us if we play like that in the Brandywell we will get a tanking!

[D24Saint]

Absolutely dreadful stuff in the first half it has to be most pathetic half of football I seen in a long long time. The second was a bit better. I wasn't that impressed with Derry as between Mcnamee & Patterson they did their best to make a mess of it the only thing that saves them was they we were absolutely chronic bad. I reckon we should have got a peno as the Connolly gave a free kick on the edge of the area when the challenge seemed to be inside the box. It's uphill from here that's three defeats on the trot and with clowns like Kelly & Cawley in midfield things are looking grim. It will be a difficult game in Galway & a draw is the best thing to hope for.

[geysir]

It was a weak header I thought. Got under the ball and not much distance.
Sometimes you're way too serious for your own good.

[TonyD]

Absolutely dreadful stuff in the first half it has to be most pathetic half of football I seen in a long long time. The second was a bit better. I wasn't that impressed with Derry as between Mcnamee & Patterson they did their best to make a mess of it the only thing that saves them was they we were absolutely chronic bad. I reckon we should have got a peno as the Connolly gave a free kick on the edge of the area when the challenge seemed to be inside the box. It's uphill from here that's three defeats on the trot and with clowns like Kelly & Cawley in midfield things are looking grim. It will be a difficult game in Galway & a draw is the best thing to hope for.

Yeah we were awful. I knew that if Derry managed to get in front we were screwed. Agree totally about Kelly and Cawley in the middle, just not up to it, either of them. It's sad to see how far we've regressed since winning the league.

[thomas72]

Limerick missing half there first team and some of our best players this season tonight away to cobh could first points be taken off Limerick tonight.

John o flynn
Aaron greene
Shaun kelly
Garbhan Coughlan
Seamus sharkey.

All injuries.

[CraftyToePoke]

Cobh 0 Limerick 3

[thomas72]

Cobh 0 Limerick 3

Ok Maybe not 😊😊

[NeverFeltBetter]

Any serious injuries?

[thomas72]

Any serious injuries?

Listening to the manager after tonight's game shane duggan now added to that list won't make next week.
Said maybe one back next week squad will be getting tested now.

[NeverFeltBetter]

That's a lot of injuries to sustain in such a short period (what is it, six in a week?). I wonder if the training regime needs to be looked at.

[LK37oldskool]

Kelly, Coughlan, Duggan and Sharkey are all match day injuries.

[Ezeikial]

John Caulfied gives another psychology masterclass on how to heap pressure on your own players




Caulfield: League is over if Dundalk open up gap
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/0507/786895-caulfield-league-is-over-if-dundalk-open-up-gap/


It is just as well that Cork have a couple of easy matches this week - away to Bohs on Tuesday and home to Derry on Friday

[Pablo Escobar]

John Caulfied gives another psychology masterclass on how to heap pressure on your own players




http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/0507/786895-caulfield-league-is-over-if-dundalk-open-up-gap/


It is just as well that Cork have a couple of easy matches this week - away to Bohs on Tuesday and home to Derry on Friday

I was expecting something Earth-shattering there. Basically he says that Dundalk are good and in order to catch up or keep pace we need to win games. Thanks for that.

[oriel]

But why does he feel the need to constantly mention Dundalk in numerous articles? He should focus on his own team and nothing else.

[Ezeikial]

I was expecting something Earth-shattering there. Basically he say that Dundalk are good and in order to catch up or keep pace we need to win games. Thanks for that.

Did that touch a nerve Pablo?

As his team head into 2 tricky ties in the week ahead, he could have chosen to talk up his players, say that he was confident in their ability and point to a strong run of form with 4 league wins in a row with only 1 goal conceded.

Instead he manages to show his own fears and perhaps instill that into his players



“Dundalk are going for three in a row, they have a fantastic team. The way they're playing at the moment, if you don't stay with them they're gone. It's an important couple of weeks.

"If a team falls ten or 12 points behind them it’s all over. We’re trying our best to stay with them."

Cork face another lengthy trip on Tuesday as they visit Bohemians, before hosting Derry City on Friday in a demanding yet crucial period.
“

Maybe he recognises that his team are not good enough and simply wants to lower expectations?

[Charlie Darwin]

Or maybe he was asked a few different questions and that's the one the journalist was most interested in. Who knows?

[Pablo Escobar]

Did that touch a nerve Pablo?

As his team head into 2 tricky ties in the week ahead, he could have chosen to talk up his players, say that he was confident in their ability and point to a strong run of form with 4 league wins in a row with only 1 goal conceded.

Instead he manages to show his own fears and perhaps instill that into his players



Maybe he recognises that his team are not good enough and simply wants to lower expectations?

I just feel that our team are probably aware that in order to catch the team ahead of them, they have to win games.

[GCdfc]

I love this from Caulfield:

“It is a very difficult schedule to end up having to go to Bray when you're home at three in the morning, Bohemians on a Tuesday night, and then to play on Friday.

"Then there’s a three-week break. You’d wonder where's the logic in all of this but we don't complain; we battle on and just get on with it."

So no complaining there???

[brendy_éire]

I reckon we should have got a peno as the Connolly gave a free kick on the edge of the area when the challenge seemed to be inside the box.

Seen a photo of it, certainly looked like it was inside, so think we were lucky enough.

As said, not a great match to watch, especially in the first half. Chances were fairly limited, although Patterson should have had at least one goal, and maybe McNamee another.
Thought we were decent enough when not in possession. Pressed well and didn't allow Pat's much time on the ball.

Wasn't impressed with Pat's at all. Was told what to expect by a few Cork fans, but they looked a lacklustre side that will struggle to score. Enjoyed the banter with the stewards about signings too, asked if we could swap McCormick for Shane McEleney. Nah.

On a side note, a bit of bother outside the ground afterwards? Heard about some Derry ones getting attacked by the local youth, though was dealt with by the guards. Didn't see anything myself, and would imagine it's not Pat's fans, but not great to see.

Well, after the first series, pretty delighted with our points tally. We won nine games last season, we've already won seven this one. Another ten odd points and we should be safe!

[Ezeikial]

Well, after the first series, pretty delighted with our points tally. We won nine games last season, we've already won seven this one. Another ten odd points and we should be safe!

It's a remarkable performance so far - beating 3 of last seasons top 4 teams and drawing in Oriel.

Great credit must go to Kenny Shiels

[TonyD]

Just watching the coverage of the Pats/Derry game on soccer republic there and in particular the second Pats penalty claim. Could not believe the discussion afterwards. The panel were talking about seen them given, maybe , maybe not. They didn't even show, or comment on, the fact that the ref gave a free on the edge of the box. That means he deemed it a foul. Now, it was clearly inside the box as the footage shows. So its a foul, inside the box. Had to be a penalty. The analysis of it was a joke.

(None of this takes away from the fact that Pats were poor and probably deserved nothing from the game - but we arguably could have got a point, deserved or not.)

Oh, and Kenny Shiels - 17 points off relegation :D What's he smoking ? Just glad the dugout was alright for him.:p

[nigel-harps1954]

The analysis of pretty much everything on Soccer Republic this season has been beyond pathetic.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Just watching the coverage of the Pats/Derry game on soccer republic there and in particular the second Pats penalty claim. Could not believe the discussion afterwards. The panel were talking about seen them given, maybe , maybe not. They didn't even show, or comment on, the fact that the ref gave a free on the edge of the box. That means he deemed it a foul. Now, it was clearly inside the box as the footage shows. So its a foul, inside the box. Had to be a penalty. The analysis of it was a joke.

(None of this takes away from the fact that Pats were poor and probably deserved nothing from the game - but we arguably could have got a point, deserved or not.)

Oh, and Kenny Shiels - 17 points off relegation :D What's he smoking ? Just glad the dugout was alright for him.:p

Dugout is always fine when they win!

[brendy_éire]

Oh, and Kenny Shiels - 17 points off relegation :D What's he smoking ? Just glad the dugout was alright for him.:p

I enjoy our Kenny now. Disagree with what Crolly said about it too. I don't want to hear ambitious chat, and seventeen points clear of relegation isn't negative talk, it's positive! That's all we really were aiming for this season. We're not title contenders, and probably not European spot contenders either. Top half would be great.
He still has a point about the dugouts as well. Let's just hope we don't draw with Drogs in the Cup. He'll have a heart attack if he lays eyes on United Park.

Regarding the foul, aye, was a bit strange that they didn't comment on how it was given as outside (possibly by the linesman), when it was clearly inside.
For what it's worth, I thought it was a foul at the time, but seeing it again, I'm not so sure.

[Nesta99]

If dugouts are a disadvantage one half aren't they an advantage the other half? When the complaints were made about the dugouts in Oriel (rather than the pitch) it raised a few eyebrows as there is less than a couple of meters in the difference of the distance of each dugout from the halfway line. Was a penalty!

[dundalkfc10]

I enjoy our Kenny now. Disagree with what Crolly said about it too. I don't want to hear ambitious chat, and seventeen points clear of relegation isn't negative talk, it's positive! That's all we really were aiming for this season. We're not title contenders, and probably not European spot contenders either. Top half would be great.
He still has a point about the dugouts as well. Let's just hope we don't draw with Drogs in the Cup. He'll have a heart attack if he lays eyes on United Park.

Regarding the foul, aye, was a bit strange that they didn't comment on how it was given as outside (possibly by the linesman), when it was clearly inside.
For what it's worth, I thought it was a foul at the time, but seeing it again, I'm not so sure.

Is this a wind up?

[brendy_éire]

Is this a wind up?

United Park is dreadful for it. He's not the first to complain about it either. I think Stephen Kenny has given off about them in the past too.
It is very strange to design a ground like that in fairness.

[mcgonigle]

United Park is dreadful for it. He's not the first to complain about it either. I think Stephen Kenny has given off about them in the past too.
It is very strange to design a ground like that in fairness.

United Park designed? I always thought it rose from the pits of hell?

[Nesta99]

United Park designed? I always thought it rose from the pits of hell?

LoL! Was watching Soccer Republic there and a couple of pitch related incidents cropped up - Faherty's chance in Oriel where the ball skidded/bounced up and Faherty pointed at the pitch in blame and maybe he has a point but he didnt look to be shaping up in anticipation to well imo (bit reminiscent of the infamous Tommy McConville chance /miss v Celtic 1979). Rovers second goal direct from a long kick out kicked up on a eh well watered decent looking grass pitch and over the keeper. Ok the keeper lost his footing but still wasnt definitely going to get there before the ball bounced. He may not have lost his footing in Oriel as he did on a sodden grass pitch. To me it is an example of how any pitch in variable conditions and upkeep can have a baring on a game. It is not as straight forward as simply plastic v grass. What the hell was Mulhall thinking for the first. Pats are really struggling but Derry looked very good but Shiels and his 17 points clear of relegation when 3rd in the table was bizarre, it seems like he tries to be eccentric post match. Still a peno in Richmond and also in Longford. Sligo have done really well to turn things around and could well finish higher than more fancied teams this season. Youths, like Sligo just seem to need a couple of results back to back. Delighted with the way Benson has deputised for the couple of midfield injuries we are carrying.

[TonyD]

I enjoy our Kenny now. Disagree with what Crolly said about it too. I don't want to hear ambitious chat, and seventeen points clear of relegation isn't negative talk, it's positive! That's all we really were aiming for this season. We're not title contenders, and probably not European spot contenders either. Top half would be great.
He still has a point about the dugouts as well. Let's just hope we don't draw with Drogs in the Cup. He'll have a heart attack if he lays eyes on United Park.

Regarding the foul, aye, was a bit strange that they didn't comment on how it was given as outside (possibly by the linesman), when it was clearly inside.
For what it's worth, I thought it was a foul at the time, but seeing it again, I'm not so sure.

Ah no. Whatever about title contenders, there's no reason why you shouldn't be european contenders. For your manager to be even mentioning avoiding relegation is daft. There's a third of the season gone, I think yourselves and Galway both have a good chance of top four, possibly at the expense of ourselves and Rovers.

[brendy_éire]

Ah no. Whatever about title contenders, there's no reason why you shouldn't be european contenders.

We really don't have the squad for it. We only had six subs down at Inchicore on Friday, as an example (McGlynn travelled, but wasn't named).
We'd need a few summer signings if we're to think of a European spot.

[TonyD]

Grass looks very long at the Brandywell tonight. Ball seems to be boobling a lot.