Premier Division fixtures 20/21 October.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Pats had a bigger advantage playing a B team who had been on the **** since Tuesday night

[Bunny Kelly]

The motivation of the sides at the end of the season, can't be controlled, Galway have a much better chance next week at home to Dundalk than they would have at any other time of the season, however the league should try level the playing field where it can.

This is a general point that all the last three rounds should be on at the same time, not anti Sligo one, Derry could be more motivated to finish third now they know Shams have lost

[mcgonigle]

Think it was mentioned previously, dundalk won the league last year, the next game was against St pats away, they lost 5-2. Drops mic...

Slightly different circumstances given our schedule at the time. JC has the right to put out whatever team he likes, they're earned that. As mentioned above this happens most seasons and the teams at the bottom have had 30+ other games to pick up points

[outspoken]

It has to be the stupidest argument going around at the moment regarding Cork’s integrity. The teams at the bottom are there because they’ve been sh1te all year. Cork city got the job done early and have a cup final to focus on, if I was a cork fan and caulfied was playing full 11’s and sadlier and Bennett for example picked up injuries I’d be absolutely bulling. It’s JC’s job to do what’s right by cork city and nobody else. Any team that goes down has themsleves to blame not cork city fielding a second xi that would probably still beat most teams. Didn’t hear too many complaining when they were 2-0 up.

[TonyD]

It has to be the stupidest argument going around at the moment regarding Cork’s integrity. The teams at the bottom are there because they’ve been sh1te all year. Cork city got the job done early and have a cup final to focus on, if I was a cork fan and caulfied was playing full 11’s and sadlier and Bennett for example picked up injuries I’d be absolutely bulling. It’s JC’s job to do what’s right by cork city and nobody else. Any team that goes down has themsleves to blame not cork city fielding a second xi that would probably still beat most teams. Didn’t hear too many complaining when they were 2-0 up.

Exactly, and we still had to drag ourselves back into it from 2 down. No easy task no matter who you are playing. Having said that I was relieved that Cork wrapped it up on Tuesday. Didn't want them coming to Inchicore last night looking for points. That's just the way the cookie crumbles. Limerick and Derry are not exactly desperate for points either at the moment, just to point that out.

[micls]

Did they really make 8 changes as posted by someone? Regardless of intensity or being on the rip, that is effectively fielding a B team. I wouldn't give them a pass for that
10 changes really, 8 new starters and 2 positional.

Slightly different circumstances given our schedule at the time. JC has the right to put out whatever team he likes, they're earned that. As mentioned above this happens most seasons and the teams at the bottom have had 30+ other games to pick up points

We've played 3 games this week, not as sustained as ye're issue but still hard on players. Benno was never gonna start, Buckley and Beattie are injured apparently. The other changes were just to give lads a run out I'd imagine. I can see both sides of it, I'd be frustrated being on the other end of it.

[pineapple stu]

Sligo 1-0 up already, which would relegate Harps

[CorribsideSteve]

2-0 up now. Bad news for us. Vinny Faherty of all people gets the second.

[sbgawa]

Wonder what the odds were for Derry dundalk rovers and cork all losing this weekend

[WoodquayBoy]

Thinking ahead to next season, is it handy enough to get to Cabinteely for a game?

[brendy_éire]

Well, that was a strange first half.
The wind has certainly impacted on the game.
Without sounding GAA-ish, Derry have the wind in the second half. We'll see what happens.

[Finlay Harp]

Hopefully three goals or a storm Brian abandonment!

[total hoofball]

Anthony Buttimer's bizarre/stupid antics last night over Limerick's sleeves is second only to Galway's decision to transfer one of their strikers with a history of goal scoring bursts to a direct relegation rival

[sbgawa]

Thinking ahead to next season, is it handy enough to get to Cabinteely for a game?
Easy as pie handy bus route from town. Nice bar to have a pint in.

[osarusan]

FT: Sligo 3-0 Derry

Harps are relegated. Galway need to win and hope either Sligo lose away to Drogheda, or St. Pats lose away to Derry.

[Finlay Harp]

Farewell Premier League. You've got what you wanted.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

FT: Sligo 3-0 Derry

Harps are relegated. Galway need to win and hope either Sligo lose at home to Drogheda, or St. Pats lose away or Derry.

We’re away but the rest sums it up

Crazy wind. Would have taken a point at half time.

[dublinred]

We’re away but the rest sums it up

Crazy wind. Would have taken a point at half time.
Heard Storm Brian scored the first from a McCabe corner.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Yeah and very nearly scored for Derry at the start of the second half. Would have been a much different game if they had managed to get a goal early in the second half.

[WoodquayBoy]

Easy as pie handy bus route from town. Nice bar to have a pint in.
Cheers

[CorribsideSteve]

Pats and Sligo guarantee safety with 1 point. Massive motivation for Pats especially - Don't lose and they stay up. For Galway it's going to come down to needing to beat Dundalk while hoping Derry beat Pats or the remote unlikleyhood that Drogs beat Sligo.

[sbgawa]

Farewell Premier League. You've got what you wanted.

Third bottom could stay up with the carry on in bray

[WoodquayBoy]

Anthony Buttimer's bizarre/stupid antics last night over Limerick's sleeves is second only to Galway's decision to transfer one of their strikers with a history of goal scoring bursts to a direct relegation rival
The way Faherty was playing this season, he wouldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. Ayunga to us was working well until he broke his leg against Pats. Keegan’s decision to stick with 3 at the back week after week after f****** week trumps the entire universe of stupid decisions. We are getting what we deserve for sacking a manager who got us promoted in his first year, and kept us up for 2 season

[total hoofball]

FT: Sligo 3-0 Derry

Harps are relegated. Galway need to win and hope either Sligo lose away to Drogheda, or St. Pats lose away to Derry.

Sligo not going to lose to Drogheda

If Derry could not pull anyway decent performance tonight to grab 3rd spot then forget about it next week

If Galway pull survival out of their arse next week it will be the greatest ever

[total hoofball]

The way Faherty was playing this season, he wouldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat.

Doesn't matter how shyte any of your players are rule 1.01 from the relegation battle book at any level of football is not to sell ANY of your shyte players to relegation rivals because inconsistent muck like Faherty are suddenly motivated to pull 3 important goals out of nowhere for their next club. That's not all Keegan's fault your board would have had to sanction that idiotic decision.

[Redzer]

Doesn't matter how shyte any of your players are rule 1.01 from the relegation battle book at any level of football is not to sell ANY of your shyte players to relegation rivals because inconsistent muck like Faherty are suddenly motivated to pull 3 important goals out of nowhere for their next club. That's not all Keegan's fault your board would have had to sanction that idiotic decision.
If we survive, and it's looking a lot better now than previous. Then, the transfer market has been our bale out. Faherty has been solid rather than outstanding. But, already he has attracted praise from every fan I have spoken to. He works hard and came up with a few very very important goals. The decision by Galway to release him, could be the differance in which club stays up.

[WoodquayBoy]

Doesn't matter how shyte any of your players are rule 1.01 from the relegation battle book at any level of football is not to sell ANY of your shyte players to relegation rivals because inconsistent muck like Faherty are suddenly motivated to pull 3 important goals out of nowhere for their next club. That's not all Keegan's fault your board would have had to sanction that idiotic decision.
I’d have driven him to Sligo myself. That’s not what we will be relegated

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

His goals are a huge reason we are ahead of ye though

[WoodquayBoy]

He wasn’t doing the job for us. Maybe he needed a change of scene and good luck to him, lot of time for him but when Ayunga was with us for that brief time, I thought we had the better of the 2 deals. Can’t legislate for Ayunga breaking his leg 4 games in, could have just as easily been Vinny picking up a season-ending injury and then everyone would be on Lyttle’s case for a daft transfer. That’s football.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Well if we had stuck with Ayunga and ye had kept Flaherty we would be way worse off

Vinny, McCabe and Sharkey are 3 excellent signings Lyttle made in the window.

One defeat in 11 since we last played Derry. At that stage if you told me that we could go to Drogheda last game knowing a point would make us safe Id have bitten your hand off.

[Partizan]

Farewell Premier League. You've got what you wanted.

Yep and one less long distance with a crumbling wreck of a ground to visit.

[Finlay Harp]

Aye sure it's great to be condescending when you've the council providing your facilities.

[brendy_éire]

Yeah and very nearly scored for Derry at the start of the second half. Would have been a much different game if they had managed to get a goal early in the second half.

Not even sure it would have been. We were brutal. Just brutal.
The wind was very strong, balls getting blown along at set pieces strong.
I thought we'd use it to our advantage in the second half, but we just didn't do anything. Dreadful mistake from Cole for the third too.
We've more than likely blown any chance of third place now.

Sorry to see Harps go, but we all expected it really. Huge weekend coming up now again. Going to be very difficult for Galway, wouldn't be so sure we'll be Pat's.

[sbgawa]

Yep and one less long distance with a crumbling wreck of a ground to visit.
Or a friendly club with committed supporters who are trying to get their ground finished.

[TonyD]

Sorry to see Harps go, but we all expected it really. Huge weekend coming up now again. Going to be very difficult for Galway, wouldn't be so sure we'll be Pat's.

No, we'll be Pats ;)

Thrilled with Friday night, but feeling nervous again now. I think Galway will beat Dundalk if what I'm hearing about them playing a weakened team is right, so we will need to do the job ourselves. I think we're capable, but it will be squeaky bum time for sure. Very easy for something to go wrong.

[MattB11]

Fully expect Pat's and Sligo to get what they need next week

[MeathDrog]

Aye sure it's great to be condescending when you've the council providing your facilities.
Absolutely amatuerish stuff from Finn Harps calling off the game on Friday right before kickoff when teams and a handful of Drogs fans had already travelled. Considering the state of the pitch and the weather forecast that game was never going to be played.

[pineapple stu]

Surely the ref, not Harps, called the match off?

[WoodquayBoy]

Surely the ref, not Harps, called the match off?
Don’t let logic and facts get in the way of a whinge

[MattB11]

Pitch passed an inspection earlier on Friday then it rained from about 3 o clock onwards the ref landed carried out a pitch inspection and called it off , definitely amateurish on our part though we knew of the bad weather forecast and never closed the roof

[sbgawa]

Pitch passed an inspection earlier on Friday then it rained from about 3 o clock onwards the ref landed carried out a pitch inspection and called it off , definitely amateurish on our part though we knew of the bad weather forecast and never closed the roof

Good one lol. In fairness to drogs their place is top class

[fieldofmarkets]

You don't want to be opening and closing those stadium roofs too often. Sometimes they get stuck halfway and then you are really goosed.

[MeathDrog]

Surely the ref, not Harps, called the match off?
The ref deemed the pitch unplayable before the game of course. Could Harps have looked at any news outlets beforehand, took into consideration the amount of rain expected, their awful pitch and the length of travel for the opposition and saved the officials the hassle of making a call that everyone knew was going to happen?

[bluewhitearmy]

I really like Cabos approach of taking the entire ground away, like one of those pitches that can be wheeled out in some stadiums.

[micls]

The ref deemed the pitch unplayable before the game of course. Could Harps have looked at any news outlets beforehand, took into consideration the amount of rain expected, their awful pitch and the length of travel for the opposition and saved the officials the hassle of making a call that everyone knew was going to happen?

You understand that clubs can't unilaterally call a fixture off, right? If it passed an inspection at 3, at that point harps have no control over it. They cannot choose to call off the game. Only the FAI can do that.

[MeathDrog]

You understand that clubs can't unilaterally call a fixture off, right? If it passed an inspection at 3, at that point harps have no control over it. They cannot choose to call off the game. Only the FAI can do that.
Fair enough I hold my hands up. I didn't know that and apologies. Unfortunate that it was called off.

[nigel-harps1954]

We should all start calling off games because Met Eireann says it's going to rain a bit.

I'm sure Drogheda fans will recover from their 7 day long trek to reach the farthest corners of the country.

[bluewhitearmy]

So will Harps be able to keep most of their squad together or are they at risk of losing many? Imagine McCourt will be out the door anyway.

[nigel-harps1954]

Can't imagine us holding on to much of the squad. There's already plenty of rumours up here about who is gone and who isn't. We'll likely go out with a lot of young players next season.

Not sure about McCourt either. He may have options, but won't want to go too far from home either. There were plenty of rumours of a move to Sligo, but he'll certainly not travel up and down there for training, whatever about matches.

[Martinho II]

Easy as pie handy bus route from town. Nice bar to have a pint in.

what is the bus no if you are going from city centre? made mistake of getting on 145 bus to Bray and getting off at Leopardstown junction. didnt realise its a good 40 min walk down to ground! handy for next year.