Tonight's games

[placid casual]

bye, enjoy the 1st division:bye:

[IsMiseSean]

That's way OTT to be fair. Most were well ****ed. It's not as if they ran over to our section taunting us.

I've said twice now it was a tiny minority maybe 16/17 idiots. The rest of the Shamrock Rovers fans were bang on, no problems with them. And in fairness to them they brought a good atmosphere.

[oriel]

With the the fai cup every two weeks, that cork v dlk match will probably be moved to October.

Anyway I've no idea why any cork fan should be in any state of panic, they can lose at least 3 more games and still win it comfortably.

Dundalk probably have runners up spot sorted it's all about the margins now, see you next year etc.

[Charlie Darwin]

Jesus, Sean must be some saint if he can judge people to be scumbags based on running onto a field for a few seconds. I'd hate to hear what he calls his enemies.

Anyway, good win. Didn't really see what happened with Shaw and Ludden but if he deliberately shoved him into a wall he deserves a ban and owes Ludden a huge apology.

[brendy_éire]

Jesus, Sean must be some saint if he can judge people to be scumbags based on running onto a field for a few seconds.

Maybe slightly harsh, but it's certainly moronic behaviour. I don't think it should be so causally dismissed as innocent.
For comparison, pitch invasion is a criminal offence in the north. There's been prosecutions and lifetime bans fired out.
And regardless of all that, it gives the FAI another excuse to fine clubs.

[White Horse]

Hopefully that game against yourselves is not arranged for the midweek after that cup final, as I'll be in Krakow. It would take a massive collapse but I just want points on board sooner rather than later to get it sealed.

I know how you feel. When the media are using terms like "champions-elect", it makes fans nervous, as we know there is no such thing and nothing can be taken for granted in football. It reminds me of the 2015 season. We were so far ahead, not as much as Cork now though, but our form started to falter. Richie Towell grabbed an equaliser in Tallaght to seal the title.

With so many teams fighting for their lives this season, it will not be easy picking up wins. But 14 points and a game is a huge advantage. Even if Corks form collapses, I still expect them to fall over the line.

[oriel]

I think the only real mover this weekend in the title run is that the winning margin by Cork will be significantly reduced.

They may have to wait a little longer, but they only need 8 more points from 8 games, assuming we win all of ours.

What do they need to be worried about?

[redobit]

Maybe slightly harsh, but it's certainly moronic behaviour. I don't think it should be so causally dismissed as innocent.
For comparison, pitch invasion is a criminal offence in the north. There's been prosecutions and lifetime bans fired out.
And regardless of all that, it gives the FAI another excuse to fine clubs.

Exactly. It only helps the FAI. As far as I know both clubs get a fine when away fans do a pitch invasion.

[PartySaint]

Pat's will be sound.


Our next 2 league games are Dundalk away and Rovers at home, we could find ourselves back in the relegation zone with 5 games to go, far from safe just yet

4-0 was harsh on Harps on Friday night, it was only 1-0 in the 85th minute and they missed a sitter, we then went up and got the second and their heads dropped followed by the sending off and then 2 goals in injury time.

Sligo winning was a kick in the teeth, we would have been 5 clear of them with a game in hand had Cork done their job, we could have relaxed a bit with that lead.

[Martinho II]

Jesus, Sean must be some saint if he can judge people to be scumbags based on running onto a field for a few seconds. I'd hate to hear what he calls his enemies.

Anyway, good win. Didn't really see what happened with Shaw and Ludden but if he deliberately shoved him into a wall he deserves a ban and owes Ludden a huge apology.

I am very surprised to hear about Gary Shaw as he never did any of this whilst with us. What on earth happened during this match?

[jinxy lilywhite]

I am really beginning to believe that Cork are holding out until they play dundalk for clinching the league

[pineapple stu]

I think the only real mover this weekend in the title run is that the winning margin by Cork will be significantly reduced.

They may have to wait a little longer, but they only need 8 more points from 8 games, assuming we win all of ours.

What do they need to be worried about?
The worst case scenario now is one of the most amazing collapses in LoI history, maybe even European club history.

It's entirely improbable of course, but every tonight looks like another toothless performance. If Harps can nick a goal, then the vision of that embarrassing collapse grows that big larger.

They'll win it of course, but it's entirely understandable given the way they've been playing over the last 5/6 games that Cork they want to get the last win or two out of the way now.

[pineapple stu]

And as I type, Cork go 1-0 up, and I'll wager there's a lot less clenching going on Leeside.

[Philosophizer]

George Hamilton and Brian Kerr have got it wrong. Gallagher had the ball in his hands and Buckley kicked the bottom of Gallagher's hands. Gallagher's palms were facing the sky and the ball has just landed on his palms when Buckley's boot kicked his hands from underneath.

[Guitd]

Shocker of a game cork aren't playing great but harps brutal bad advert for Loi place looks shocking on tv especially the dug outs covered in rust 🤔

[Philosophizer]

Shocker of a game cork aren't playing great but harps brutal bad advert for Loi place looks shocking on tv especially the dug outs covered in rust 🤔
It's not the best looking stadium but I think the quality of the match is actually quite good. It's definitely better than the match on Friday.

[Philosophizer]

It's not the best looking stadium but I think the quality of the match is actually quite good. It's definitely better than the match on Friday.

Just as I posted that there was a calamitous period of play that resulted in Buckleying skyping it over an open goal, but overall the match was entertaining. But I take the point that Finnpark doesn't look great on TV.

[patrickccfc]

Massive win that. Better performance than Friday. Sadlier improving every week was very good tonight. 2 wins away now. What a difference a win makes, I'm not worried at all now ha

[rebel]

George Hamilton and Brian Kerr have got it wrong. Gallagher had the ball in his hands and Buckley kicked the bottom of Gallagher's hands. Gallagher's palms were facing the sky and the ball has just landed on his palms when Buckley's boot kicked his hands from underneath.

I see.So Hamilton and Kerr were at the game but you know more from watching it on TV.

[Philosophizer]

I don't see how that makes their opinion more valid than mine - they were standing about 50/60 yards from the incident. It happened so quickly there's no way they could clearly see what happened with the naked eye. I had to watch the replay to see exactly what happened. The footage clearly shows that Gallagher had the ball in his hands and Buckley kicks his hands.
But it's happened in a millisecond so I can see how it was given.

[oriel]

Another dreadful match following on from Friday, but Cork won't care about that, 3 more points is all they wanted.

[brendy_éire]

It happened so quickly there's no way they could clearly see what happened with the naked eye. I had to watch the replay to see exactly what happened. The footage clearly shows that Gallagher had the ball in his hands and Buckley kicks his hands.
But it's happened in a millisecond so I can see how it was given.

Spot on. Harsh on Harps, Gallagher was pulling off some great saves. But it'd be very difficult for any ref to see the kick.

Of course, if we allowed the use of video replays......

[LK37oldskool]

For LOI there should only be video refs as the real ones are pure s***é and contribute nothing to the game.

[joey B]

We can argue all we like about the goal but end of the day Cork were vastly superior,but we paid them far too much respect,left Morrissey completely isolated first half and just hoofed balls up.he had no chance of winning,Keita improved us slightly but I don't think Mcnulty made a save,worrying times.......

[Sam_Heggy]

Cork were very poor for a side going to win the league.
Harps were pish and I do worry about our chances of survival after the recent performances. McAleer was a huge loss for us going forward but our defence is extremely poor, from being solid and the main reason we stayed up last season to being a horror show this.

[Charlie Darwin]

Harps were always going to run out of gas in this so I guess Ollie figured the best plan would be to sit right back and try to nick it. And, as you say, Harps aren't the solid side they were. It won't be games like this that decide Harps' fate although, perversely, it may be Sligo's win in Cork that relegates you.

[Hitman]

Spot on. Harsh on Harps, Gallagher was pulling off some great saves. But it'd be very difficult for any ref to see the kick.

Of course, if we allowed the use of video replays......

It'd be some fun making decisions using the Trackchamp coverage.

[sbgawa]

Happy with Cork getting 3 points last night (although sorry it was against Harps) i was starting to think the 4 in a row was on again.
Should be a good crowd up for the match in Tallaght Friday week as they could be crowned champions if Dundalk don't beat Pats that night and they take the 3 points in Tallaght.
After all the whinging over the EA semi final neither side will be pulling any punches...

[nigel-harps1954]

There's no point disputing the result at all. Harps were awful for most of the game and invited pressure on for the entire game. We look like a really terrible team when we defend for 90 minutes.

The goal is one of those that the referee could never really have been able to see properly. Buckley did kick Gallaghers hand as opposed to the ball, and it probably shouldn't have stood, but it would have been next to impossible for the referee to have seen it clearly.

At the same time, we didn't have a single shot on target, despite having a couple of decent half chances, especially the one on one that Timlin ballooned over the bar.

We badly missed McAleer, are badly missing Molloy in midfield, could really have done with Dsanes energy up front, and our defence have been brutal for the entire season.

We have a couple of huge games coming up at home to Sligo and Drogheda, and we simply have to win both of those to stay up.

[outspoken]

I am very surprised to hear about Gary Shaw as he never did any of this whilst with us. What on earth happened during this match?

He was involved in a few barneys here Marty. He has a hot head when he gets a bit of rough treatment

[outspoken]

I don't see how that makes their opinion more valid than mine - they were standing about 50/60 yards from the incident. It happened so quickly there's no way they could clearly see what happened with the naked eye. I had to watch the replay to see exactly what happened. The footage clearly shows that Gallagher had the ball in his hands and Buckley kicks his hands.
But it's happened in a millisecond so I can see how it was given.

The rule isn't whether he has it in his hands it's whether he has control of the ball, he clearly didn't, correct decision from referee

[nigel-harps1954]

The rule isn't whether he has it in his hands it's whether he has control of the ball, he clearly didn't, correct decision from referee

So, if the defender had the ball at his feet, and Buckley kicked through his leg to the ball, it would still be a correct decision to award a goal?

[MattB11]

Slow motion replay shows Buckley clearly kicking Gallagher's arm...that's a free out, not that you can blame officials for not seeing it and Cork were fully deserving of the 3 points

[outspoken]

So, if the defender had the ball at his feet, and Buckley kicked through his leg to the ball, it would still be a correct decision to award a goal?
Il have to see it again but not sure he kicked his hand, if he did obviously a foul but that's a hugely misunderstood rule.

[patrickccfc]

Definitely kicked his arm.. got a bit of luck for sure but we'll take it. Harps looked decent, and if not for some bad finishing, could've won that game. Liked the look of that fella Keita(I think)

[nigel-harps1954]

Il have to see it again but not sure he kicked his hand, if he did obviously a foul but that's a hugely misunderstood rule.

http://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=2587&stc=1

[Philosophizer]

The rule isn't whether he has it in his hands it's whether he has control of the ball, he clearly didn't, correct decision from referee
But he does have control of the ball. Its only for a split second but there is a moment when he has the ball in his hands. Then Buckley kicks his hands from underneath and the ball goes in the net. Like I said, it all happened so quick I can see how it was given coz it's almost impossible to see it in real time and cork totally outplayed Harps. But it was clearly a foul.

[Yossarian]

But he does have control of the ball. Its only for a split second but there is a moment when he has the ball in his hands. Then Buckley kicks his hands from underneath and the ball goes in the net. Like I said, it all happened so quick I can see how it was given coz it's almost impossible to see it in real time and cork totally outplayed Harps. But it was clearly a foul.

Was there a crisp packet in the vicinity?

[Charlie Darwin]

The rule isn't whether he has it in his hands it's whether he has control of the ball, he clearly didn't, correct decision from referee
The rule is that you can't kick people.

[micls]

Happy with Cork getting 3 points last night (although sorry it was against Harps) i was starting to think the 4 in a row was on again.
Should be a good crowd up for the match in Tallaght Friday week as they could be crowned champions if Dundalk don't beat Pats that night and they take the 3 points in Tallaght.
After all the whinging over the EA semi final neither side will be pulling any punches...

The earlier kick off time for this is a disaster. We could be potentially waiting around for 15 minutes after the game in the stand to see if we won the league.

[joey B]

After 12 years what's 15 minutes!!

[patrickccfc]

Ha yeah this is true. I don't think dundalk will lose though. Tough game for us to win also

[El-Pietro]

After 12 years what's 15 minutes!!
Whats definitely going to happen is Dundalk will be drawing and get a last minute winner to steal the moment from us for another few weeks.

[placid casual]

You neednt worry. Dundalk will hammer pats and cork will lose to Rovers

[Ezeikial]

You neednt worry. Dundalk will hammer pats and cork will lose to Rovers

Or even battered?

[micls]

After 12 years what's 15 minutes!!

Ah in the big scheme of things it's nothing, but it's a bit anticlimactic to be waiting in a nearly empty stadium, just in case! But yeah, I don't think it's likely

[micls]

You neednt worry. Dundalk will hammer pats and cork will lose to Rovers

You might batter us, but you won't beat us if we have 11 men on the pitch (I've totally just jinxed it haven't I)

[PartySaint]

Ah in the big scheme of things it's nothing, but it's a bit anticlimactic to be waiting in a nearly empty stadium, just in case! But yeah, I don't think it's likely

If there's a chance of you winning the league they'll have you out of the stadium well before full time in our game

[sbgawa]

Or even battered?
We are so due a penelty

[El-Pietro]

If there's a chance of you winning the league they'll have you out of the stadium well before full time in our game

Honestly think the opposite. They won't want us hanging around the streets of Tallaght. It takes ten or fifteen minutes to get out of the ground there normally anyway.