FAI Cup 2017

[ArFella]

Let's be honest, the games themselves haven't exactly been riveting between the two of us... The other stuff is more interesting.

The big call for us will be whether Sadlier starts. He's our most dangerous player by a long way, but he didn't start the last time and we played very well. Big decision.

That's true, I do hope when people look back at the 3 (maybe more) in a row Dundalk-Cork Finals that it's not all 1-0 AET, we need at least one classic final to reflect what has been a pretty epic battle between us over the last few years, but tbh (and I think you'd agree) I'd take 1-0 right now!

Yeah he is a cracking talent, I thought he would be a definite starter but now you mention it he may be better suited coming on after an hour, after all the kicking each other is over with, which tbh I would love to see SK do with McEleney but it will never happen.

[swinfordfc]

This stuff should make the game interesting now ......

[mcgonigle]

I get trying to play it down, but saying it's nothing is nonsense. He specifically said he promised Kenny he'd say nothing but goes on to do so because 'he's waited long enough' . That had to annoy Kenny, it's certainly not bothering. The fact that people know he wants to go back to Denmark is irrelevant. We know Shep is off to Dundalk, but if he promised Caulfield not to talk about it before the final, and then gave an interview like this, I'd expect him to be dropped.

Someone leaked the Shep story, I can understamd why you think it came from the Dundalk camp but you've no proof of that and never will. Could have easily come from the man himself or a family member. On Vemmelund, obviously he shouldn't have come out and said it but Kenny has known for months and has played him so not sure it is going to bother him as much as you think, time will tell. I wouldn't base my reason for dropping him on that interview but more the fact that he is going and Hoare and Garts will be here next year, what message does it send if he starts in front of either (Hoare most likely) them? Same for Shep I suppose

[micls]

Someone leaked the Shep story, I can understamd why you think it came from the Dundalk camp but you've no proof of that and never will. Could have easily come from the man himself or a family member. On Vemmelund, obviously he shouldn't have come out and said it but Kenny has known for months and has played him so not sure it is going to bother him as much as you think, time will tell. I wouldn't base my reason for dropping him on that interview but more the fact that he is going and Hoare and Garts will be here next year, what message does it send if he starts in front of either (Hoare most likely) them? Same for Shep I suppose
. Ah come off it. You're trying to tell us 'someone' leaked the Shep story to the journo that covers dundalk and regularly asks as a Kenny mouthpiece, but who knows it could be Shep, the one person with something to lose from it being leaked? Be honest.

And even then, Kenny could have easily said no comment rather than throwing Shep under the bus. Trying to pretend he did nothing wrong here is rubbish. He's playing mind games to unsettle the team and was willing to screw Shep over to do it.

Maybe Kenny isn't bothered about Vemmulund, who knows. I certainly would be if I was made a promise like that and it was broken in an important week. But I'm not Kenny so you could be right.

[mcgonigle]

. Ah come off it. You're trying to tell us 'someone' leaked the Shep story to the journo that covers dundalk and regularly asks as a Kenny mouthpiece, but who knows it could be Shep, the one person with something to lose from it being leaked? Be honest.

And even then, Kenny could have easily said no comment rather than throwing Shep under the bus. Trying to pretend he did nothing wrong here is rubbish. He's playing mind games to unsettle the team and was willing to screw Shep over to do it.

Maybe Kenny isn't bothered about Vemmulund, who knows. I certainly would be if I was made a promise like that and it was broken in an important week. But I'm not Kenny so you could be right.

I am being honest, I have no idea who leaked the story and neither do you, you are purely speculating. The rumour was doing the rounds on here long before it was reported by said journalist.

I'm sure if Shep has a problem with it he'll let Kenny know and look at his options. Yes you're not Kenny, you have no problem with McNulty's antics this year or last but would be upset by what Vemmelund has done if he was a Cork player! I'm sure Kenny is not happy about it and I'm also sure that if McNulty was his player he would be very unhappy with him unlike John "Wenger" Caulfield

[micls]

I am being honest, I have no idea who leaked the story and neither do you, you are purely speculating. The rumour was doing the rounds on here long before it was reported by said journalist.

I'm sure if Shep has a problem with it he'll let Kenny know and look at his options. Yes you're not Kenny, you have no problem with McNulty's antics this year or last but would be upset by what Vemmelund has done if he was a Cork player! I'm sure Kenny is not happy about it and I'm also sure that if McNulty was his player he would be very unhappy with him unlike John "Wenger" Caulfield

Your comparison is odd. So Kenny would be upset at a player insulting his rivals but not at them lying to him? Maybe I suppose. Would be strange though.

There's a big gap between rumours on an Internet forum and a media report saying it's done, and the manager all but confirming it. I think you're being wilfully naive here. Even if dundalk were not involved in the original leak, Kennys comments were in poor form. He leveraged his own player for some sort of tiny advantage this weekend.

[mcgonigle]

Your comparison is odd. So Kenny would be upset at a player insulting his rivals but not at them lying to him? Maybe I suppose. Would be strange though.

There's a big gap between rumours on an Internet forum and a media report saying it's done, and the manager all but confirming it. I think you're being wilfully naive here. Even if dundalk were not involved in the original leak, Kennys comments were in poor form. He leveraged his own player for some sort of tiny advantage this weekend.

You're missing the context, there is a difference between what Vemmelund did and McNulty did. I'm sure he'd be upset by both but not to the same extent.

Again missing the context but my point about the rumours on here before the media is that someone must have been talking about it long before. Anyway the first rumours came from the Sun and not Kenny's "mouthpiece".

Sure Cork fans have been at pains to point out that nothing has an affect on their team so what Kenny says shouldn't matter should it?

[micls]

You're missing the context, there is a difference between what Vemmelund did and McNulty did. I'm sure he'd be upset by both but not to the same extent.

Again missing the context but my point about the rumours on here before the media is that someone must have been talking about it long before. Anyway the first rumours came from the Sun and not Kenny's "mouthpiece".

Sure Cork fans have been at pains to point out that nothing has an affect on their team so what Kenny says shouldn't matter should it?

I never said it mattered? Just that if you have so much embarrassment to be going around, ye can start at home. Your point about the rumour is simply to ignore Kennys actions and focus on the rest. Which is nothing but deflection. If a manager is genuinely more worried about a player insulting his rivals jokingly than his own player lying to him I'd wonder about his priorities.

The comments give the game a bit of added interest and bite. Probably more so for the fans than anyone. I could see Shep being a bit annoyed but can't see Nults being bothered in the slightest. It will be interesting to see if there's a response from either of them. Especially Nults about Kennys false claims. I'd actually prefer if there wasn't, and they just focused on the game, but I'm sure they'll be asked.

[mcgonigle]

I never said it mattered? Just that if you have so much embarrassment to be going around, ye can start at home. Your point about the rumour is simply to ignore Kennys actions and focus on the rest. Which is nothing but deflection. If a manager is genuinely more worried about a player insulting his rivals jokingly than his own player lying to him I'd wonder about his priorities.

The comments give the game a bit of added interest and bite. Probably more so for the fans than anyone. I could see Shep being a bit annoyed but can't see Nults being bothered in the slightest. It will be interesting to see if there's a response from either of them. Especially Nults about Kennys false claims. I'd actually prefer if there wasn't, and they just focused on the game, but I'm sure they'll be asked.

Stephen Kenny has one prioirty, winning trophies and his managerial career proves he's very good at it. I don't expect McNumpty to respond in the media, I do know what he'll do if he's at the Dundalk end when the final whistle blows if Cork have won which will further prove what has been said.

Anyway I'll stick to talking about the match* from here on in but to summarise what we have agreed; McNumpty is classless; Caulfield has Wengeritis; Cork leaked the Sheppard deal; Cork fans are hysterical even though they claim they're loving all this; Sheppard has a cancellation clause in his contract that will be activated if he attempts to break a sweat on Sunday; Kenny is in your heads; We never wanted Vemmelund to stay anyway

*Not a guarantee

[ccfcman]

This bloody match is an unwanted distraction from the antics off the field.

[Yossarian]

This bloody match is an unwanted distraction from the antics off the field.

There's a match???

[micls]

There's a match???

Let's be honest, probably not much of one...

[ToberonaTornado]

As some of you will know a good friend and a huge supporter of Dundalk FC,'Foods' Robert McLoughlin passed away early on Saturday October 21st as the result of a RTA close to his home in Dundalk.He was just 29 years old.

Foods had attended the Dundalk v Bohs match at Oriel Park the night before.
He was a regular at Dundalk FC matches home and away from a young age.

We are looking to honour him with a minutes applause in the 29th minute of the Final.

Thank you.


Folks we tragically lost a friend and one of the best Dundalk FC fans recently. In this Sunday’s Cup Final in the Aviva I would ask you to be upstanding in the 29th minute and take part in a minutes applause for Foods. Can you share this post and give the man the applause he deserves Sunday, a true gent.

https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22886129_10207806115951163_5078921437481501271_n.j pg?oh=8dc88c7e61cc3fa5f1c9c0a135ae5c04&oe=5A6C5044

https://twitter.com/StuartMcDonnel2/status/925350895939981312

https://talkofthetown.ie/minutes-applause-memory-robert-mcloughlin-organised-29th-minute-sundays-fai-cup-final/ (https://talkofthetown.ie/minutes-applause-memory-robert-mcloughlin-organised-29th-minute-sundays-fai-cup-final/)

[outspoken]

Kenny never actually accused cork players of making that phone call he didn’t make it clear who he was aiming it at in all fairness but the papers have jumped to conclusions and said it was McNulty. Listen to it on LOI weekly

[micls]

Kenny never actually accused cork players of making that phone call he didn’t make it clear who he was aiming it at in all fairness but the papers have jumped to conclusions and said it was McNulty. Listen to it on LOI weekly

Well, according to the journos involved on Twitter, kennys now claiming it was 2 phone calls, since the fan has fessed up to the first. So you can take it from that that Kenny is accusing our players of one of them. Funny how he didn't mention the two calls originally though...

[Mr A]

Well, according to the journos involved on Twitter, kennys now claiming it was 2 phone calls, since the fan has fessed up to the first. So you can take it from that that Kenny is accusing our players of one of them. Funny how he didn't mention the two calls originally though...

Not the first time an unexpected second version of something turned up where Kenny was involved :)

[ccfcman]

One could say Kenny is a teeny bit flustered ...

[Crosshead]

Kenny never actually accused cork players of making that phone call he didn’t make it clear who he was aiming it at in all fairness but the papers have jumped to conclusions and said it was McNulty. Listen to it on LOI weekly

He did in fairness, this is the direct quote:

"So then to be ringing someone to taunt them within a hour and screaming down the phone, why would you even bother doing that? I think you would think of celebrating with your family and your team-mates and enjoying that experience."

It's clear that by saying whoever made the call should be celebrating with their teammates that he's accusing a City player. We know it was a fan.

[Pablo Escobar]

Not the first time an unexpected second version of something turned up where Kenny was involved :)

True :D

[oriel]

Its adding to the build up though for the final with all of this, and nothing like the same for previous years.

Also noted Kenny got a nice dig in at Cork in the front and the back of yesterday's Irish Independent.

[Straightstory]

Respect for opponents? You must be joking. If this is Kennys version of respect for opponents, I'd hate to see disrespect.

The deal is done, and it was agreed not to mention it for obvious reasons. For the sake of the player most likely. It was leaked to the resident dundalk journo and then Kenny showed Shep exactly what he thought of him by making this comment at this point with a clear agenda. He could have easily said, no comment, and people would know the truth. He didn't. He wanted to stir the situation and made the call to do so. To try to claim its anything but pre cup final mind games is utter nonsense on your part.

What's clear, is that the only people that seem to find Nults embarrassing is Dundalk fans. Ye keep mentioning how embarrassing it is, and yet no one down here, or in the rest of the country, is finding it embarrassing. No one else is bothered in the slightest. Feel free to continue feeling embarrassed on his and our behalfs though.

Given Kenny has resorted to unfounded accusations against Mark now too, ye might want to save that embarrassment for the actions of some of ye're own.

I'm not a Dundalk fan. Nults is embarrassing.

[Mr A]

John O Sullivan's piece on all this: http://www.the42.ie/mark-mcnulty-and-stephen-kennys-fake-outrage-opinion-3677993-Nov2017/

Hard to disagree with any of it.

[placid casual]

Had to laugh at Kenny name checking Martin Lawlor of all people, as some kind of paragon of virtue. I'm long enough in the tooth to remember Martin " monkey "
Lawlor. He was known colloquially as " the missing link", him being part man and part complete f**kin animal!!

[Dalymountrower]

No, dont remember Martin Lawlor as being a legend outside of East Wall.
Tommy Mc Conville and Barry Keogh were class though.

[Ezeikial]

Martin Lawlor a legend at Oriel Park? Absolutely.

An extract from his dundalkwhoswho might help those too young or otherwise unable to appreciate the esteem in which he is held in Dundalk



In a National League career that spanned 20 years and nearly 650 games (447 League appearances), he spent 17 of them at Oriel Park, setting marks that are unlikely ever to be approached.

His club record in the areas of appearances and competitive honours is the stuff of legends and he is the only paid up member of the two League-FAI Cup double squads, in 1978-79 under Jim McLaughlin and nine years later in 1987-88 under Turlough O’Connor.
His playing period covered five memorable Dundalk defences and he was a key member of each of them. Through five different managers—McLaughlin, Dempsey, Connolly, O’Connor, Keely—he was the one constant.

After the 1990-91 championship win he left to join Shamrock Rovers but a season later he returned to Oriel Park and in 1994-95 he added a fifth pennant to his collection before finally leaving at the end of the season

http://www.dundalkfcwhoswho.com/player.php?id=324

[oriel]

John O Sullivan's piece on all this: http://www.the42.ie/mark-mcnulty-and-stephen-kennys-fake-outrage-opinion-3677993-Nov2017/

Hard to disagree with any of it.

I agree the things between the clubs added spice to the final in the build up, its not a bad article, John to be fair usually comes out with some great stuff.

In the article I thought he made light of the McNulty incident, when almost every independent broadcaster during the week suggested he made an absolute fool out of himself with his public speech.

That's McNulty for you though, and he wont change, stay classy 'Nults'

[oriel]

No, dont remember Martin Lawlor as being a legend outside of East Wall.
Tommy Mc Conville and Barry Kehoe were class though.

For Lawlor, it was just the league titles of 1979, 1982, 88, 91 and 95 with Dundalk, along with FAI cup wins in 79, 81, & 88. Dlk Legend qualified.

[ToberonaTornado]

Dundalk had 12.5k tix sold on Wednesday according to local radio station LMFM this morning.
Be nice to break the 30k total mark for this one.

[micls]

Dundalk had 12.5k tix sold on Wednesday according to local radio station LMFM this morning.
Be nice to break the 30k total mark for this one.

Thats great. Would love to see a big crowd Sunday. Felt the coverage has been a bit lacking this year though. Wouldn't be hard to miss the fact that the game is on!

[Dalymountrower]

OK, he was on a relatively successful team for a long number of years, but a legend?Seriously?

[jinxy lilywhite]

OK, he was on a relatively successful team for a long number of years, but a legend?Seriously?

Yes. He was a mainstay in a relatively successful era for dundalk from 78 to 95.

If you were to select a best dundalk XI of that era lawlor would be one of the 1st names on it.

Would you take exception if we questioned your legendary regard of Kevin Hunt.

[White Horse]

Anyone who followed the LOI in the 70's and 80's would have regarded Lawlor as the stand out left back over that period. He is one of the greats of the league.

He also played in a team that narrowly missed out on getting to the quarter final of the European Cup. Pretty legendary stuff.

[micls]

Players become club legends for a whole host of reasons, footballing and other. Not really for anyone but the clubs fans to make that call.

[White Horse]

Good interview with Kenny in the Times (of London) today.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-man-who-could-replace-oneill-eyes-cup-glory-brqmwqvjp?shareToken=45585a758585689b48f1573111a5b aee

[Dalymountrower]

Yes. He was a mainstay in a relatively successful era for dundalk from 78 to 95.

If you were to select a best dundalk XI of that era lawlor would be one of the 1st names on it.

Would you take exception if we questioned your legendary regard of Kevin Hunt.
I watched Martin Lawlor play many times for Dundalk, ""legendary" isn't a description that springs to mind. Good footballer, nice bloke,
In this click bait era "legendary" has about as much authenticity as the awful term"heartwarming" which litters media websites.

[Straightstory]

John O Sullivan's piece on all this: http://www.the42.ie/mark-mcnulty-and-stephen-kennys-fake-outrage-opinion-3677993-Nov2017/

Hard to disagree with any of it.
'Cork City face Dundalk in the biggest day out in Irish football, and it’s hard not to think that people are a little jaded'.
Really? What an odd thing to say. I doubt if Cork and Dundalk fans feel that way. As a neutral, I'm hugely looking forward to the game.
(However the whole tone of his article is completely jaded. Looks like it was written in about two minutes).

[micls]

Dundalk had 12.5k tix sold on Wednesday according to local radio station LMFM this morning.
Be nice to break the 30k total mark for this one.

Dan McDonnell on twitter saying this figure is nonsense and it about that sold between the two clubs allocations.

[White Horse]

Dan McDonnell on twitter saying this figure is nonsense and it about that sold between the two clubs allocations.

Dan usually has good sources. I would also have said the same about LMFM though.

I expect both clubs to bring around 10,000 each. The big question is whether many neutrals will turn up.

[Yossarian]

Dan usually has good sources. I would also have said the same about LMFM though.

I expect both clubs to bring around 10,000 each. The big question is whether many neutrals will turn up.

I'll be surprised if the attendance is more than 25k. I don't know what it's like in Cork but there doesn't seem to be same buzz in Dundalk as there was in the last two years. On top of that, the usual fiasco with ticket sales and next to no marketing by the FAI makes me think the attendance will be very modest. Whatever about the ridiculousness of the comments by both clubs this week, at least it's put the game in the news headlines so that may help.

[Ezeikial]

. On top of that, the usual fiasco with ticket sales

It is hard to understand how the Ticketmaster system could be worse. Amazing how no journo has sunk their teeth into this story

[nigel-harps1954]

It is hard to understand how the Ticketmaster system could be worse. Amazing how no journo has sunk their teeth into this story

Few of the journos have been pointing it out on Twitter this morning. Expect stories about it yet.

[oriel]

I'll be surprised if the attendance is more than 25k. I don't know what it's like in Cork but there doesn't seem to be same buzz in Dundalk as there was in the last two years. On top of that, the usual fiasco with ticket sales and next to no marketing by the FAI makes me think the attendance will be very modest. Whatever about the ridiculousness of the comments by both clubs this week, at least it's put the game in the news headlines so that may help.

I would be very disappointed if it does not exceed 25K. I don't think it will get to 30, but it should break the 25 mark, hundreds buy late and more on the day, including walk ups. I think TM have stalls around the grounds and around the main hotels. I think the build up locally is equal to previous years, LMFM even had a live broadcast from Oriel Park today for a few hours.

[patrickccfc]

Fella is the club shop down here told me we've over 10k sold

[White Horse]

Fella is the club shop down here told me we've over 10k sold

Excellent, league winners and a chance of an elusive double. Who wouldn't want to see that?

Hopefully, Dundalk will sell something similar and the Aviva will have a crowd to match the occasion.

[micls]

Fella is the club shop down here told me we've over 10k sold

You sure you heard him right?? Or he wasn't talking about both teams? Others were told 5k today

[patrickccfc]

You sure you heard him right?? Or he wasn't talking about both teams? Others were told 5k today

I was just going by what he told me anyway. We'll see tomorrow I suppose

[White Horse]

I was just going by what he told me anyway. We'll see tomorrow I suppose

Hopefully you are right.

Apart from the LMFM report, which Dan McDonnell says is incorrect, the club has said nothing.

LMFM reported that there are 88 buses going (that they know of) and one train. So it looks like a decent crowd from Dundalk.

As you said, we won't have long to wait to find out.

[patrickccfc]

Would be great if we could get in more than last year. Tough one to call tomorrow, dundalk probably favourites for most people. Can they be the second team from louth to deny us a double? Would be very special if we could do it though.

[sbgawa]

Hard for me to call a preference tommorow . By a shade I'd probably prefer cork to win because I think they need it to cone out of this season with credit. If the players playing tomorrow lose they will be the guys who won a league because of Maguire and Zippo credit. Very harsh judgement but one that will inevitably be made . Come on Cork........sort of :)

[placid casual]

Yeah, I'm going for cork to win. Just.
The sanctimoniousness (?) Of all at dundalk over the mcnulty thing has me wanting cork to win.
Sheppard to score the winner and then refuse to celebrate. That would pi$$ everyone off!