LOI fixtures 24th Feb 2017

[osarusan]

We looked good going forward and Sligo never pressed our defence much at all. Our new left full-back makes the defence look a lot more solid too.

Great night. Everything went pretty much perfectly.

Sligo were atrocious through, and not all that fit either.

[Pablo Escobar]

There's no defending or reasoning for it in my eyes (and I'm only winding you up on the Dundalk comment). As mentioned already the photo where he looks shocked when he gets the red card is the funniest.

Actually thought Shams might have knicked a point if he hadn't been such an idiot. They had plenty of momentum at that stage (and could still have knicked one right at the end)
I only caught a bit if the game, just after half-time. Dundalk looked slightly more comfortable, but Rovers looked like the had something about them. The defending for Kilduff's goal was awful.

[Dalymountrower]

5 chances for Derry 4 goals.4 chances for Bohs 1 goal.
Our corner count was maybe 8-2 but our wide open defence made it easy for a very efficient and impressive Derry side.
Patterson feigned injury early on to sample the new pies.

[Ezeikial]

Burke is an idiot. Can't remember who the tackle was on (McEleney?) but completely uncalled for and hope he's OK.

I was unsure if I wanted to laugh or cry at the Rovers supporters applauding Burke off the pitch.

There was a lot of niggle and ill-discipline throughout the team, especially from a wound up Finn when he came on.

[TonyD]

Very poor from Pats last night. We could have been 3/4 down at half time. Bray just bossed us physically and were first to everything. Last 15 minutes was a bit of an improvement and we actually could have robbed a point but for wondisallowed goals. I'd like to see the second again in particular. We had a bit of momentum but sending off, massive scrap, and then second sending off killed that. Still, on the positive side Darren Dennehy is now suspended for next week !!

[White Horse]

I'm just going to put it out there that Burke reacted to McGrath throwing himself on the ground. I'm not suggesting that Burke was right, but it was probably a reaction to that.

Are you for real or has John Caulfield sucked all intelligence out of Cork fans at this stage?

[Louth4sam]

I'm just going to put it out there that Burke reacted to McGrath throwing himself on the ground. I'm not suggesting that Burke was right, but it was probably a reaction to that.

Ah, the old 'she shouldn't have went out dressed like that' excuse.

[pineapple stu]

Couldn't make it out to Cabo last night, but I see we more or less played a reserve team as there's a good few at the Collingwood Cup.

Wouldn't see that in the Premiership

[bluewhitearmy]

Can't see us losing top spot from here tbh

[patrickccfc]

Premier Division Champions 2017 Limerick got off to a flier last night.

[Hulsey]

Very poor from Pats last night. We could have been 3/4 down at half time. Bray just bossed us physically and were first to everything. Last 15 minutes was a bit of an improvement and we actually could have robbed a point but for wondisallowed goals. I'd like to see the second again in particular. We had a bit of momentum but sending off, massive scrap, and then second sending off killed that. Still, on the positive side Darren Dennehy is now suspended for next week !!
Was right in line with the second, was offside. The first was one of those "you looked crooked at the keeper so has to be a free" jobs. That first one being ruled out makes up for the handball for Kellys goal.
Officials was appaling for the fight at the end, how he could signal out a single player to send off was ridiculous, at least 4 (players on both sides) could have walked and then he goes and books both keepers just to up the card count.
Delighted with the result and brilliant to be back.

[4tothefloor]

A hat trick on your debut is some going, to continue the parallels with our 5-1 win over Fingal in '08 that I mentioned earlier in the thread (I'd get more craic out of this if Fingal ever had any fans but anyway) Darren McKenna got one for us on his debut that night. Fun fact.

Derek McKenna wasn't a Brazilian with majestic hair though. Apples and Oranges.


Premier Division Champions 2017 Limerick got off to a flier last night.

Pfft, I presume you mean Premier Division Champions 2017, 2018 and 2019 Limerick FC? Yea great start, but dishing out opening day hammerings is the norm now in Limerick. According to some Sligo fans last night (pre-game), Tosi was journeyman $hite and our chairman is now Sheikh al bin O'Sullivan with the amount of money we're throwing around the place. We've even managed to convince David Haye to play in midfield for us. Happy days 😎

[WoodquayBoy]

The battle of the 2 Uniteds did little to suggest the predictions of a struggle are incorrect. We were well on top in first half, hit the crossbar after 3 minutes, but that chance apart, didn't really create much. Second half much more even, but absolutely turgid stuff. When Drogheda scored, you could say it was coming.
Keegan mirrors Tommy Dunne in absolute refusal to use the bench - we ran out of ideas but he persisted with the players who started rather than throwing in fresh legs and fresh ideas. Away to Cork next week - god help us

[Pablo Escobar]

Are you for real or has John Caulfield sucked all intelligence out of Cork fans at this stage?

I really don't see how you're not understanding my post.....and you question my intelligence. :D

This is my 2nd time breaking this down;

-Burke's actions were ridiculously stupid
-McGrath threw himself on the floor
-Burke possibly (this is a suggestion) reacted to McGrath throwing himself down
-Is this suggestion accurate? -I think it's possible, but it is only an opinion and opinions tend to differ
-If it is accurate, is Burke justified? - absolutely not!

Do you still have a problem with this post?

[SeanDrog]

The battle of the 2 Uniteds did little to suggest the predictions of a struggle are incorrect. We were well on top in first half, hit the crossbar after 3 minutes, but that chance apart, didn't really create much. Second half much more even, but absolutely turgid stuff. When Drogheda scored, you could say it was coming.
Keegan mirrors Tommy Dunne in absolute refusal to use the bench - we ran out of ideas but he persisted with the players who started rather than throwing in fresh legs and fresh ideas. Away to Cork next week - god help us

Sounds like we had a first game, new team jitters in the first half (understandable) but came more into it in the second half , sounds promising. The subs look like Pete is still experimenting to find his first 11 - makes sense given some players only signed in last two weeks.

So great to get three points but way too early to make a call on what our season might look like. Next week against Pats will be super interesting. Our season will be the old chestnut of "taking one game at a time".

Good report from managers from last night here

http://www.extratime.ie/articles/18409/mahon-celebrates-win-while-keegan-left-dejected-after-opening-day-defeat/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

[geysir]

Not a great game in Dundalk and the amount of niggle certainly didn't help. Still, some promising spells for Rovers and nobody expected it to all fall into place within 90 minutes. Dundalk looked off their best and Barrett is a huge downgrade on Boyle, but we didn't have the quality to take advantage of it and, to be fair, Dundalk did a good job covering the weakness.

Burke is an idiot. Can't remember who the tackle was on (McEleney?) but completely uncalled for and hope he's OK.
That ref did well I thought but he tolerated way too many fouls/incidents which were yellow card variety and even with that level of tolerance he dished out about 8 cards and and a sending off. LOI is a roughhouse of sorts.
Rovers looked a motley crew of various footballing characters meeting for the first time nevertheless they did good for the first 15 mins but then Dundalk controlled most of the the rest of the game.
It's too early to pass judgement on Rovers but it's not too early to be positive about the Dundalk team.
McEleny is an outstanding player, Duffy made a very good debut and with the European famed, goal machine legend in the wings along with a few others, the squad looks to have good overall depth.

[Ezeikial]

I really don't see how you're not understanding my post.....and you question my intelligence. :D

This is my 2nd time breaking this down;

-Burke's actions were ridiculously stupid
-McGrath threw himself on the floor
-Burke possibly (this is a suggestion) reacted to McGrath throwing himself down
-Is this suggestion accurate? -I think it's possible, but it is only an opinion and opinions tend to differ
-If it is accurate, is Burke justified? - absolutely not!

Do you still have a problem with this post?

Stop.
Please.

[thomas72]

Was at limerick v Sligo last night thought limerick were absolutely brilliant they played sligo off the park some fantastic one touch football in tight spaces leading players having a clear run at sligos back line time and time again.

Going forward limerick have serious power and pace they have a Brazilian striker Tosi amazing first touch serious aerial ability real finisher sligo couldn't handle him.

2,500 attendance was excellent considering munster were playing over the road.

As for sligo when the 2nd went in they downed tools didn't want to know about it they were strolling around all over the pitch no pressure on the ball and if you let limerick have the ball they'll keep pretty well great travelling support aswell must be said.

Bigger test Friday away to Derry from limerick who will seriously challenge limerick

[White Horse]

I really don't see how you're not understanding my post.....and you question my intelligence. :D

This is my 2nd time breaking this down;

-Burke's actions were ridiculously stupid
-McGrath threw himself on the floor
-Burke possibly (this is a suggestion) reacted to McGrath throwing himself down
-Is this suggestion accurate? -I think it's possible, but it is only an opinion and opinions tend to differ
-If it is accurate, is Burke justified? - absolutely not!

Do you still have a problem with this post?

Keep going.

http://lpontius.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/dig1.jpg

[D24Saint]

In summary we were crap, the ref was ****e, bray were cynical but very effective.A all round big steaming pile of an evening.

[Charlie Darwin]

I really don't see how you're not understanding my post.....and you question my intelligence. :D

This is my 2nd time breaking this down;

-Burke's actions were ridiculously stupid
-McGrath threw himself on the floor
-Burke possibly (this is a suggestion) reacted to McGrath throwing himself down
-Is this suggestion accurate? -I think it's possible, but it is only an opinion and opinions tend to differ
-If it is accurate, is Burke justified? - absolutely not!

Do you still have a problem with this post?
I dunno pal I think he just kicked him

[bluewhitearmy]

In summary we were crap, the ref was ****e, bray were cynical but very effective.A all round big steaming pile of an evening.

If it's any help I had a great night.

[Charlie Darwin]

That ref did well I thought but he tolerated way too many fouls/incidents which were yellow card variety and even with that level of tolerance he dished out about 8 cards and and a sending off. LOI is a roughhouse of sorts.
Rovers looked a motley crew of various footballing characters meeting for the first time nevertheless they did good for the first 15 mins but then Dundalk controlled most of the the rest of the game.
It's too early to pass judgement on Rovers but it's not too early to be positive about the Dundalk team.
McEleny is an outstanding player, Duffy made a very good debut and with the European famed, goal machine legend in the wings along with a few others, the squad looks to have good overall depth.
Ref let a few fouls go alright but he probably sensed the tension between the teams. Dundalk were kept their heads better though as you'd expect given their experience. Dundalk were clinical overall - two defensive ****-ups from Rovers and both were punished. Both teams will improve in the coming weeks but how much is the question.

[D24Saint]

If it's any help I had a great night.

Bah humbug

[White Horse]

Ref let a few fouls go alright but he probably sensed the tension between the teams. Dundalk were kept their heads better though as you'd expect given their experience. Dundalk were clinical overall - two defensive ****-ups from Rovers and both were punished. Both teams will improve in the coming weeks but how much is the question.

I thought the ref did well. There was a lot of niggly stuff, most of it from Rovers, although O'Donnell looked to be on the point of self combustion at times.

The only thing the ref missed was a stamp on O'Donnell, but it may have been when his back was turned. The Rovers lad is very lucky the league doesn't do retrospective punishment.

There is a lot more to come from Rovers. Connolly and Lopes are just not good enough for the standard they want to get to. A midfield trio of Finn, McAllister, and Corry would be a different proposition. Miele was quiet enough though Meenan did well, even he he missed a great opportunity. O'Connor seemed to be more interested in putting his boot in than doing damage with the ball. He is not the answer up front.

Both teams looked shakey playing out from the back.

Bradley has a big job on his hands. I can see it going either of two ways for him and I'm not sure which it will be.

The difference between the teams was in centre midfield.

[Charlie Darwin]

Connolly had an off-night but I've seen him play far better. Lopes wasn't very convincing but he's always been a fairly limited player with a big engine. I'd imagine once Finn and Corry are fit Lopes will be squeezed out.

[legendz]

Good to see Limerick make a flying start to the season. I'll be keenly watching their progress over the coming weeks as they take on the other 10 teams in the division.

[LFC Blue]

Limerick were absolutely fabulous last night. Hard not to get carried away. What's this pitch in Derry like? If it's big with a good surface I can see us pushing for another three points before setting up a championship decider in Oriel Friday week 🙈

[placid casual]

I thought the ref did well. There was a lot of niggly stuff, most of it from Rovers, although O'Donnell looked to be on the point of self combustion at times.

The only thing the ref missed was a stamp on O'Donnell, but it may have been when his back was turned. The Rovers lad is very lucky the league doesn't do retrospective punishment.

There is a lot more to come from Rovers. Connolly and Lopes are just not good enough for the standard they want to get to. A midfield trio of Finn, McAllister, and Corry would be a different proposition. Miele was quiet enough though Meenan did well, even he he missed a great opportunity. O'Connor seemed to be more interested in putting his boot in than doing damage with the ball. He is not the answer up front.

Both teams looked shakey playing out from the back.

Bradley has a big job on his hands. I can see it going either of two ways for him and I'm not sure which it will be.

The difference between the teams was in centre midfield.

You seem to have plenty to say about Rovers, so permit me to give my view on dundalk.
the back 5 is pi$$ poor, and will get taken apart by even a rudimentary side in Europe. no Aviva needed this year I'd wager.

benson and mceleney are fine players and when shields and mcmillan come back they will dominate 99% of games in this league.
o'donnell is a wind up merchant extraordinaire, yet didnt hesitate to take a dive once Finn went for him. He dissapeared off the scene soon after
kilduff is a carthorse, who managed to score from 2 yards but did little else.
you need a goalkeeper asap, and some cover for mcmillan if he gets injured again

You will most likely win the league again as maguire is bound to be injured at some stage for Cork, and they will slip up.

Rovers are a work in progress , and the 1st steps were last night.
As a Rovers fan I saw enough to feel confident that Rovers have a decent enough squad to (a) get back into Europe next year, and (b) challenge whomever for the league title in 2018

[White Horse]

You seem to have plenty to say about Rovers, so permit me to give my view on dundalk.
the back 5 is pi$$ poor, and will get taken apart by even a rudimentary side in Europe. no Aviva needed this year I'd wager.

There is nothing wrong with the full backs as the run in Europe demonstrated. Neither goalkeeper fills me with confidence though.

There are big problems in the centre of the defence. Gartland was found out in Europe last year and Barrett is no Andy Boyle. I have posted elsewhere that unless this is sorted we won't win the league never mind do anything in Europe.

It is no secret that Kenny wanted to get another striker in. Kilduff is limited in what he offers. However, I do chuckle when people criticise a striker by saying all he did was score.

[Ezeikial]

As a Rovers fan I saw enough to feel confident that Rovers have a decent enough squad to (a) get back into Europe next year, and (b) challenge whomever for the league title in 2018

Sounds like you have already lowered your expectations - no title challenge in 2017?

Whatever happened to the 2nd place you predicted and Bradley is "targeting"?

[legendz]

As a Rovers fan I saw enough to feel confident that Rovers have a decent enough squad to (a) get back into Europe next year, and (b) challenge whomever for the league title in 2018(c) What's ye're Europa League target?

[gormacha]

I really don't see how you're not understanding my post

Your post seemed very straightforward to me: you were diagnosing what you thought happened rather than defending what happened. Hardly rocket science.

[Charlie Darwin]

There is nothing wrong with the full backs as the run in Europe demonstrated.
I thought teams targetted and got a lot of joy out of Massey in the Europa League, although he offered a lot going forward.

[Lim till i die]

Are derry any good?

Obviously based on last night we will beat dundalk handy enough in the third game in oriel.

So I just hope derry are competitive.

It would be bad for the league if we pulled away as early as we did last year.

[SeanDrog]

Are derry any good?

Obviously based on last night we will beat dundalk handy enough in the third game in oriel.

So I just hope derry are competitive.

It would be bad for the league if we pulled away as early as we did last year..

Very true , it would be very unsporting to the rest of us for lims to run away with it so early

[SeanDrog]

Cobh 1-1 Wexford

[Martinho II]

Yeah, don't want to be too harsh after just 15 mins or so but looked out of his depth big time.....

thats gas that hes with them now. I thought he was back in the Uk again!

[White Horse]

http://talkofthetown.ie/teenager-injured-in-attack-before-dundalk-v-shamrock-rovers-game/

A local kid was attacked on his way to Oriel Park by a group of Shamrock Rovers fans last night. Gardai are looking for information.

[placid casual]

Sounds like you have already lowered your expectations - no title challenge in 2017?

Whatever happened to the 2nd place you predicted and Bradley is "targeting"?

Does 2nd place not guaranteed Europe?
As for the 1st part, do you not have the mental capacity to understand that if I said Rovers will finish 2nd it means I don't think we will win the league?

[oriel]

Very good start by Dundalk, and obviously delighted with the result. With 3 key players out, not to mention the 3 who left it was going to be a tough ask with plenty to prove. It was encouraging to see the team work hard as a unit, and get over the line. I will say though that it was a very tough challenge from Rovers, and not many teams will work us so hard and right up to the 94th min at home.

[Asterix]

http://talkofthetown.ie/teenager-injured-in-attack-before-dundalk-v-shamrock-rovers-game/

A local kid was attacked on his way to Oriel Park by a group of Shamrock Rovers fans last night. Gardai are looking for information.

A local scumbag went looking for a fight and got hurt, boo hoo, no sympathy for him , they're all gob****es.

[geysir]

Limerick were absolutely fabulous last night. Hard not to get carried away. What's this pitch in Derry like? If it's big with a good surface I can see us pushing for another three points before setting up a championship decider in Oriel Friday week 
Second place is up for grabs.... apparently :)
Limerick have been on some run since the last third of 2015 season. I'll look forward to seeing them play.

[White Horse]

A local scumbag went looking for a fight and got hurt, boo hoo, no sympathy for him , they're all gob****es.

How do you know this?

[Asterix]

How do you know this?

Theres stuff up on facebook about it, screenshots of the 15 year old saying , he ran at the rovers lads and got a few bottles thrown at him. Hes laughing about it.They all need to F**k off.

[White Horse]

Theres stuff up on facebook about it, screenshots of the 15 year old saying , he ran at the rovers lads and got a few bottles thrown at him. Hes laughing about it.They all need to F**k off.

Someone better tell the mammy. She's on local media blaiming the Gardai.

[Ezeikial]

Does 2nd place not guaranteed Europe?
As for the 1st part, do you not have the mental capacity to understand that if I said Rovers will finish 2nd it means I don't think we will win the league?

Generally, the team finishing 2nd in the league tends to be a title challenger - unless the 1st place team opens up a sizable lead from early on.

A Europa League spot is a possibility for Rovers, but based on the evidence of Friday night they have a huge amount of improvement to make before even thinking about mounting a decent challenge to Cork and Dundalk for the top spots.



P.S. It is a pity you feel the need for the "mental capacity" type jibes - you seem to have developed this 'chip on your shoulder' style which maybe mirrors the approach Rovers took on to the pitch on Friday!

[mcgonigle]

o'donnell is a wind up merchant extraordinaire

No better man to be able to spot one

[sbgawa]

9 guys made their compeititive debut for rovers last night 2 of the others were 18. Last year Dundalk played us off the park 3 times so I'm encouraged by last night. Don't know how much closer we will be this season but I have to think a good bit. How close will depend on how quickly they gell together. Corry will help as well as a fully fit Finn. At least we have hope.....can't wait for bohs next week .it's great to be back :) I've even splashed out on a seat in the 1899 suite to taste th e prawn Sangers

[Candystripe]

Patterson feigned injury early on to sample the new pies.


Patterson has a medial ligiment injury.