Limerick Premier Division 2016/17

[AlanOB]

Fairkop, you would do well to just ignore what is just a bitter man spreading a rumour started by someone equally bitter, crestfallen at my recent reversal in fortunes.

As you well know, I am my own advocate, and I'm a damn good one. And thankfully, in this case, I had the ear of someone who is capable of seeing the wood for the trees. No family involvement was necessary, or requested.

As an aside, the argument currently ongoing between this guy and "Treaty Gooner" speaks absolute volumes, doesn't it? Imagine thinking, as both seem to do to varying degrees, that an editor should be in thrall to one of his writers! Absolutely amazing stuff.

Anyone like to share their experience(s) of today's Munster Junior Cup action? My report (on the Regional game) is in the other thread. Pike/Balla sounded like a tasty one, from what I've heard?

[Treaty Gooner]

Nobody knows the truth to any of the speculation above except for Pat and Eugene so 'amazing stuff' it may be, but it seems likely that long time colleagues would have discussed new and overlapping columns. And if you were that good an advocate you wouldn't have to continually justify yourself, the work should speak for itself.

Pike and Balla wasn't a cracker, but it was a proper junior football cup tie. 90mins of end to end entertainment.

[faceoff]

Nobody knows the truth to any of the speculation above except for Pat and Eugene so 'amazing stuff' it may be, but it seems likely that long time colleagues would have discussed new and overlapping columns. And if you were that good an advocate you wouldn't have to continually justify yourself, the work should speak for itself.

Pike and Balla wasn't a cracker, but it was a proper junior football cup tie. 90mins of end to end entertainment.

Loves blown his own trumpet Treaty.MOB did pull strokes for him too.Back in July/August he reported he had his column in the Weds edition of the leader until they ran him which is facts that everyone knows.If not how come it took 5 months for the first edition.Spoof.

[faceoff]

Can you not give it a rest,if you dont like what he writes dont read it anymore,all that hate related stress that you seem to be burdened with will disappear and you can get on with your life.we should be talking about teams and football ..opinions and all ..not this crap you keep going back to.

Far from stressed Barnes.

[Treaty Gooner]

Good win for the Boro yesterday, could've been a sticky one. Hard to see Geraldines picking up points but their game in hand is a must win now. You'd expect Nenagh to beat them next week.

[CraftyToePoke]

Any link to the Leader piece ? I cant find it or maybe its still pending ?

[AlanOB]

Print only at the moment, but I'll make enquiries.

[Fairkop]

Good win for the Boro yesterday, could've been a sticky one. Hard to see Geraldines picking up points but their game in hand is a must win now. You'd expect Nenagh to beat them next week.Doesn,t look good for Geraldines but plenty points to play for yet,Moyross have had a very poor league campaign,the return of last years mgt has not seen an upturn in their fortunes,looks like they will finish this season with as many defeats as last season which must have numbered 14 or so.,probably just about survive .

[Ballistinianlad]

I actually liked the column. You don't have to agree with what he says but that's the beauty of journalism. It creates talking points and the reports are almost always faultless. Keep it up aob.

[AlanOB]

Fair play. Great to see someone who was very negative about me in the past come back with a more nuanced view. I appreciate it.

[Ballistinianlad]

Defo changed my opinion. I had been influenced by a lot of negative talk but iv altered my views now. Good read again today. It provided an honest and alternative views at issues which wouldn't usually be in the local media. Keep it up aob

[Fairkop]

Interesting one today AOB,a lot of talk about this subject doing the rounds and it is good to see the named refs back doing what they should be doing at the level their talents deserve.our local fixtures sec has had a lot to do with this and of course in the wider scheme of things has continued to rule the roost ,unfortunately not to the betterment of the game in this region.

[faceoff]

Interesting one today AOB,a lot of talk about this subject doing the rounds and it is good to see the named refs back doing what they should be doing at the level their talents deserve.our local fixtures sec has had a lot to do with this and of course in the wider scheme of things has continued to rule the roost ,unfortunately not to the betterment of the game in this region.

You had plenty of oppurtunities to pull him up on it when you sat with him and more than likely ran with him.Stop now.

[AlanOB]

https://limerickdl.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/capture15.jpg?w=600

Stats also updated to reflect a great 0-0 draw in Nenagh for a bare-bones Geraldines side that featured three new starters. New leaders in both the best- and worst-defence categories contained within: https://limerickdl.wordpress.com/statistics-201617/ (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flimerickdl.wordpress.com%2Fs tatistics-201617%2F&h=AAQEXK54i)

[Kennycon]

Eugene and your relation go back a long way.If at first you dont succeed your relation will pull the strings.its a disgrace by the Editor to go over Pat Sheahan's head.Cant see you giving them the coverage Pat gives them.

Pat sheehan is the best guy for junior soccer simple as, he always has the best interest of the clubs, never personal nor does he listen to rumours he just writes what he sees. The interest he has on the lower divisions are there for everyone to see. Pat always has a neutral mindset and I have never seen him take a personal swipe at anyone.

[booster 03]

https://limerickdl.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/capture15.jpg?w=600

Stats also updated to reflect a great 0-0 draw in Nenagh for a bare-bones Geraldines side that featured three new starters. New leaders in both the best- and worst-defence categories contained within: https://limerickdl.wordpress.com/statistics-201617/ (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flimerickdl.wordpress.com%2Fs tatistics-201617%2F&h=AAQEXK54i)

Pike fans don't buy the leader today :p:p AOB goes to town

[Kennycon]

I can't see AOB getting a Christmas card from pike rovers ouch !!!!

[Fairkop]

What an interesting piece that was in the Leader today by AOB,well written and a good angle on Pikes present form.enjoyed it.

[pearse4t3]

I read the piece, thought it was ok, nothing more. I personally wouldn't have named Jason Purcell in the piece, didn't need too. Getting the best out Cian Collins, decent point but he did miss two absolute sitters last Sunday, hardly managements fault, also to be fair he has had a recent enough injury. After that there wasn't much more in it, meah!

[Treaty Gooner]

Don't see why it's necessary to have a pop at anyone the way he did. It's junior football. What do you want to achieve AOB? What's the end game here?

[faceoff]

Don't see why it's necessary to have a pop at anyone the way he did. It's junior football. What do you want to achieve AOB? What's the end game here?

His big ego.Doesn't seem to mention the UEFA qualified coach didn't win a trophy last year.How long is it since that happened???Maybe Fairkop may know.Could be another ground he will be refused entry??His agenda is personal as he has proven with POD and Mick Ahern now its Pikes turn.Who's next.

[Fairkop]

His big ego.Doesn't seem to mention the UEFA qualified coach didn't win a trophy last year.How long is it since that happened???Maybe Fairkop may know.Could be another ground he will be refused entry??His agenda is personal as he has proven with POD and Mick Ahern now its Pikes turn.Who's next.How would i know Faceoff?...and he did mention the UEFA coach ie Mick shiels several times.a lot of sensitive people out there ,but only when it suits them.where were all the concerned citizens a few weks ago when a report in the Leader suggested pikes players weren,t trying in a league game.get a grip ,AOB,s piece is thought provoking ,but hardly nuclear stuff ,grow up.

[Kennycon]

A come on fairkop the report was not fair on Eddie o Donovan he is only in the job a few months it has been a difficult time for him but AOB was very personal it is junior soccer not champions league.

[Fairkop]

A come on fairkop the report was not fair on Eddie o Donovan he is only in the job a few months it has been a difficult time for him but AOB was very personal it is junior soccer not champions league.

Fair enough point..so go on then point out where in the article he is unfair and personnal,much of it compares Sheils approach to mgt as opposed to the three lads currently over the team,as regards O Donovan was he not assistant manager who helped win leagues,cups incl the big one ?hardly a novice given his experience.he pointed out they had a great start,are wobbling now and have time to stop the wobble...its candy stuff lads.

[faceoff]

How would i know Faceoff?...and he did mention the UEFA coach ie Mick shiels several times.a lot of sensitive people out there ,but only when it suits them.where were all the concerned citizens a few weks ago when a report in the Leader suggested pikes players weren,t trying in a league game.get a grip ,AOB,s piece is thought provoking ,but hardly nuclear stuff ,grow up.

Read exactly what i said Sheils won no Trophy.How long is it since that happened.Thats what i said.Cant see the leader putting up with that tripe going forward.He slaughtered your own club and yet you condone it.Mindboggling.Will all end in tears.

[Kennycon]

Fair enough point..so go on then point out where in the article he is unfair and personnal,much of it compares Sheils approach to mgt as opposed to the three lads currently over the team,as regards O Donovan was he not assistant manager who helped win leagues,cups incl the big one ?hardly a novice given his experience.he pointed out they had a great start,are wobbling now and have time to stop the wobble...its candy stuff lads.

i don't think o Donovan was assistant manager when pike won the fai but I stand to be corrected maybe someone can confirm ???

[booster 03]

Fair enough point..so go on then point out where in the article he is unfair and personnal,much of it compares Sheils approach to mgt as opposed to the three lads currently over the team,as regards O Donovan was he not assistant manager who helped win leagues,cups incl the big one ?hardly a novice given his experience.he pointed out they had a great start,are wobbling now and have time to stop the wobble...its candy stuff lads.

Comparing any new manager to a previous set up after 4 months is ridiculous, agree with the majority of the posts, its purely controversial and is not a fair reflection on the current set up, his opinions are based on hearsay, not fact, naming Purcell is poor taste also. I also agree with a previous poster, its junior soccer not champions league. its in fact a prime exactly of a good reason why a hell of a lot of people are totally fed up with junior soccer in this town. Poor article, which lacks class.

[leather]

Lads, I read the article and saw nothing wrong bar the mention of the current Oscar traynor manager.
Nearly all the people who follow, support, or casually watch local football will express an opinion at some stage.
If people don't like a person or that person's opinions..... tough.
There are many an expressed comment on either FB or on many other media sites, that I would not accept or consider valid but,
one of the few freedoms that we enjoy in our country is the ability to express ourselves and or our opinions..
to quote Don Henley " Get over it"

[AlanOB]

Head's up, for those of you interested: my Leader column is back in shops this morning, dissecting the anatomy of a successful junior soccer manager -- what makes a good one tick, and what doesn't.

[AlanOB]

I'm sure a lot missed it in this Wednesday's Leader, so here -- on a one-off basis -- is a reprint of my first column of the New Year. Enjoy...

Born Offside: Clubs must tread carefully in the managerial minefield (https://limerickdl.wordpress.com/2017/01/06/born-offside-clubs-must-tread-carefully-in-the-managerial-minefield/)https://limerickdl.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/camp_minefield01.jpg?w=320

[Treaty Gooner]

Lots of big games this weekend. My predictions:

Fairview 1-2 Pike
Boro 2-2 Balla
Regional 2-1 Nenagh
Kilmallock 2-0 Moyross

[limfan]

Lots of big games this weekend. My predictions:

Fairview 1-2 Pike
Boro 2-2 Balla
Regional 2-1 Nenagh
Kilmallock 2-0 Moyross

Some big games. Think fairview are very strong at home compared to their away form. Boro v Balla should be a close one, still fancy boro though!

Fairview 3-1 Pike
Boro 2-1 Balla
Regioal 2-1Nenagh
Kilmallock 3-1 Moyross

[AlanOB]

Fairview Rangers 0-0 Pike Rovers: Hoops draw a fourth consecutive blank (https://limerickdl.wordpress.com/2017/01/08/fairview-rangers-0-0-pike-rovers-hoops-draw-a-fourth-consecutive-blank/)https://limerickdl.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/viewpike1.jpg?w=600

Results
Janesboro 1-1 Ballynanty Rovers
Aisling Annacotty 3-3 Carew Park
Kilmallock United 3-3 Moyross United
Regional United 2-3 Nenagh

https://limerickdl.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/capture16.jpg?w=600

[Treaty Gooner]

Well I for one am never gambling again.

[sbgawa]

How on earth have summerville managed to lose every game while only having a goal diff of -29 ????

[AlanOB]

They only played two games and forfeited the rest (1-0 defeats, officially) :D

[sbgawa]

They only played two games and forfeited the rest (1-0 defeats, officially) :D

Ah ..cheers

[Kennycon]

Some results today, nenagh only club taking advantage, balla surprising me this year i thought they would be in a relegation battle this year.

[Fairkop]

Good report AOB,have to agree on the quality of the game,poor fare it must be said .great to have football back again though.Pike could have won this one ,they need a goalscorer maybe with Connery on the way back they will find goals.surprised to see Rainsford playing ,talk is he is signing for Limerick.Balla cant be a surprise to anybody given the players they signed surely...imo they should be doing better ,Lawson cup winners last season and have ...invested...heavily in their squad this season.

[Kennycon]

Good report AOB,have to agree on the quality of the game,poor fare it must be said .great to have football back again though.Pike could have won this one ,they need a goalscorer maybe with Connery on the way back they will find goals.surprised to see Rainsford playing ,talk is he is signing for Limerick.Balla cant be a surprise to anybody given the players they signed surely...imo they should be doing better ,Lawson cup winners last season and have ...invested...heavily in their squad this season.

Looking at the pike, fairview and most of all the boro squad and management team I would say balla are behind those clubs financially and looking at them last year and this year they have improved.

[Treaty Gooner]

Well that makes sense... Boro will win the league. You heard it here first!

[AlanOB]

Pretty ridiculous to suggest that folk were tipping Ballynanty for the drop this season Kennycon, and naming THREE teams you think are better-resourced hardly defends that point.

The league has more than four teams you know, and there were a few out there in pre-season tipping Ballynanty to win it, if memory serves.

Methinks I know who Kennycon is....certainly someone very vain with an interest in exaggerating how much Ballynanty have improved this season anyway.

I wonder who that could be now...

[Kennycon]

People were tipping balla to win the league ? I didn't hear one person tipping balla to win the league, and I said financially behind those three clubs which is obvious , very vain Hahahaha I must have hit a nerve I just said they have improved and who you think I am and who I am shouldn't bother you.

[AlanOB]

You originally said you thought they'd be in a relegation battle, which is a pretty astounding statement to make about the reigning Lawson Cup holders, who strengthened significantly in a bid to improve on a string of mid-table finishes.

One often hears coaches managing expectations in public, but it's usually one hell of a lot more subtle than that....

[Kennycon]

[QUOTE=AlanOB;1903155]You originally said you thought they'd be in a relegation battle, which is a pretty astounding statement to make about the reigning Lawson Cup holders, who strengthened significantly in a bid to improve on a string of mid-table finishes.

One often hears coaches managing expectations in public, but it's usually one hell of a lot more subtle than that....[/QUOTE

Clubs have won cups and got relegated the same year never mind the following year, I didn't see many chances on the balla side this year against carew park it looked more or less the same side but I stand to be corrected

[AlanOB]

You wouldn't consider drafting in players of League of Ireland caliber like Gary O'Neill, Jason Hughes, and Bobby Ryan to represent a significant uptick in the quality of the squad?

Bobby was in from the start of the season, and there was a lot of talk back then of further reinforcements of a similar quality on the horizon. They lost practically no-one of importance from the previous season.

Even Leonard Earls, on a past episode of my podcast, tipped them as potential league winners on that basis. I disagreed with him, but only because I saw them as mid-table candidates again.

No-one even considered them within an asses roar of any relegation battle, until "Kennycon" engaged in some January revisionist history!

As I said - a ridiculous statement to make.

[Kennycon]

You wouldn't consider drafting in players of League of Ireland caliber like Gary O'Neill, Jason Hughes, and Bobby Ryan to represent a significant uptick in the quality of the squad?

Bobby was in from the start of the season, and there was a lot of talk back then of further reinforcements of a similar quality on the horizon. They lost practically no-one of importance from the previous season.

Even Leonard Earls, on a past episode of my podcast, tipped them as potential league winners on that basis. I disagreed with him, but only because I saw them as mid-table candidates again.

No-one even considered them within an asses roar of any relegation battle, until "Kennycon" engaged in some January revisionist history!

As I said - a ridiculous statement to make.

Gary o Neil , Jason hughes, Edward Hughes, the centre forward that started last Sunday for balla transfersed from pike, Dermot Fitz was in a different country , guerin transferred from northside legacy/ moyross none of these guys were with balla last season or the game I watched against carew , I have an opinion i don't always agree with yours neither do others but that's the joys of of sport, movie time for me now!!!

[faceoff]

Gary o Neil , Jason hughes, Edward Hughes, the centre forward that started last Sunday for balla transfersed from pike, Dermot Fitz was in a different country , guerin transferred from northside legacy/ moyross none of these guys were with balla last season or the game I watched against carew , I have an opinion i don't always agree with yours neither do others but that's the joys of of sport, movie time for me now!!!

Who's the centre forward transfered from Pike?Davy Ryan?.Is Judge going there as well.Heard a murmor he may be.Only make them stronger imo.Did they lose a gew young lads also.Earls i believe one of them.Best of luvk to Balla v Rush.Could be out in the new suits again in May with a bit of luck.Balla are a long way from going out of Prem for a long time yet.If Considine hangs around he'll bring in the Artillery to keep them motoring along nicely no doubt.

[Kennycon]

Who's the centre forward transfered from Pike?Davy Ryan?.Is Judge going there as well.Heard a murmor he may be.Only make them stronger imo.Did they lose a gew young lads also.Earls i believe one of them.Best of luvk to Balla v Rush.Could be out in the new suits again in May with a bit of luck.Balla are a long way from going out of Prem for a long time yet.If Considine hangs around he'll bring in the Artillery to keep them motoring along nicely no doubt.

Not Davy ryan this guy is a tall I am sure he signed from pike he didn't play against carew park at the start of the season but played v Boro sunday caused a lot of problems for the Boro as well

[Treaty Gooner]

You're on about Peter Ryan I think