2018 season

[outspoken]

If I bought and donated a mannequin, do you think the club could get a decent picture of the kits?

A lot of people giving out about that. Surely someone could whip it on and take a few photos. Anyway in more positive news fair play to the club on season tickets. €100 is brilliant value, Galway charging €140

[outspoken]

Think it’s clear the main thing this squad is missing is a striker or two although judging by a few comments ive read from players/management it appears Mulhall has been signed as a striker and not a winger. If you could pick 1 striker to replace Sully (realistic) who would it be?

[hollocaine]

A small pool of options. Ger Pender

[outspoken]

A small pool of options. Ger Pender

He was one I mentioned recently alright, could be get us 20 goals tho? Really is limited options. I’d like to see us go for Swann and McCaffery from CABO.

[outspoken]

Aidan Friel gone to Harps, thought Fenn may have kept him as back up but never lived up to the hype sadly. Hopefully he doesn’t come back to haunt us

[Martinho II]

I will not relax until we get a quality striker in even if its from the non league. I am deeply worried with the amount of changes around the place so I am sceptical for next season already.

[outspoken]

I will not relax until we get a quality striker in even if its from the non league. I am deeply worried with the amount of changes around the place so I am sceptical for next season already.

Change is good as the old saying goes. Do feel Galway will be favourites after yesterday’s signings tho. Harps look in decent shape too.

[outspoken]

Games against Cobh, Harps and Shels early on in the season. Very tough start. Sh1t opening game in terms of trying to draw a crowd plus its one of the toughest openers we could’ve got

[L.T.F.C.]

So we've signed Darren Meenan from Rovers and Evan Galvin from Cabo?

[Longfordian]

Was going to post that here but frankly it’s pretty dead here nowadays. Meenan should be a great signing if his attitude is right. Don’t know much about Galvin but Fenn seems to have high hopes for him.

[outspoken]

Great business by the club. Meenan has 3 League medals he should tear up the FD. As for Galvin he’s a good ball player and we already have a packed midfield so competition for places should be superb.

[Martinho II]

absolutely made up with the signing of Darren Meenan. quality signing and loads of experience to offer too. He could be our Stephen Rice. now get us a good striker.
I hear Kevin O'Connor is going to retire and from what I have being hearing I dont think Don Cowan will be be with us anymore..

Dont know much about Galvin but would have heard of him all right.

[Martinho II]

speaking of our local lads I hear that Tristan Noack Hofmann wont be staying with us and I hear the chances of Aodh Dervan(who was superb towards the end of the season imo) resigning again is 99% certain.

[Acornvilla]

Tristan is about to or just did start college didn't he? So he might not want the hassle, it would be a pity to lose him, he played for my old underage club UCL Harps :D
Out of interest how good are the local kids that have been around the fringes, for the exiles like myself who don't get to see many matches?

[Longfordian]

From the limited bit I’ve seen of them both Aodh and Tristan are good enough for First Division football certainly. Would be a shame to lose either of them.

[outspoken]

From the limited bit I’ve seen of them both Aodh and Tristan are good enough for First Division football certainly. Would be a shame to lose either of them.

Aodh is definitely staying on, heard a rumour Tristan might not be commuting due to college as said above, hopefully that’s not the case

[Martinho II]

Aodh is definitely staying on, heard a rumour Tristan might not be commuting due to college as said above, hopefully that’s not the case

yep thats what I heard too. Paul Skinner has left us to return to his old club Drogheda.

[Martinho II]

I saw in star today that we are playing Bohs in a preseason friendly on the last date of this month in the AUL at 1945. Interesting to see how we line up.

[Martinho II]

heard today in town that Tristan is definitely staying with us which is superb news. Don Cowan has retired from the game. We also have a squad of 18 now which must include Tristan and Aodh. I know someone said we had a squad of 15 beforehand before today but stand corrected.

[Martinho II]

Jake Kelly has left us to return to Bray Wanderers for his third spell with them.

[Longfordian]

Turned out to be a major disappointment for us.

[L.T.F.C.]

Yea he was woeful. No loss. Delighted for Tristan that he's staying.

Poor old Don. He made us a tidy sum back in the day. Never got back to where he was unfortunately.

[outspoken]

Did an interview with Fenn earlier for my podcast which will be online tomorrow but the main talking points to come out of it that answers most questions above are.......We’ve signed a new striker from an AUL club, Don and Kev have retired, Tristan and Aodh have re-signed. Also some very interesting friendlies lined up including a home tie against a team from America. Full details here - https://betweenthestripesblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/10/fenn-exclusively-reveals-new-signing-retirements-and-pre-season-fixtures-on-between-the-stripes-loi-podcast/

[hollocaine]

http://ltfc.ie/senior-squad/

Fair play for putting up the squad so early on in pre-season (although C Byrne's photo is beside Hollywood's profile and vice versa).

A couple of interesting points. The average age is only 22 and only 2 players have been with the senior squad for more than a year (Chambers and Tristan). Practically an entire new team.

[Longfordian]

Dean Byrne is an interesting one. The last striker we signed from non league worked out alright. Neale Fenn has obviously been doing his homework in relation to these young lads. I’d much prefer a squad of enthusiastic young lads with ability than a squad full of journeymen.

[Martinho II]

Dean Byrne is an interesting one. The last striker we signed from non league worked out alright. Neale Fenn has obviously been doing his homework in relation to these young lads. I’d much prefer a squad of enthusiastic young lads with ability than a squad full of journeymen.

agree with you. thats our youngest squad in a hell of a long time and is the right way to go! didnt realise we have two OReillys in the squad. saw online that Stephen Henderson in an interview said that we are favs to win it which is pressure in itself!

[Longfordian]

The experienced lads like O’Reilly, Mulhall and Zambra will be important in order to help the younger lads in difficult situations.

[outspoken]

AUL B is a fierce low standard but Fenn seems to know a good non league player when he sees on so let’s see what Byrne has

[Longfordian]

Excellent, nearly hour long, interview with Neale Fenn here from Des Curran. Curran had obviously done his homework and Neale speaks very impressively again. Looking forward to seeing how his team shapes up.

https://m.soundcloud.com/user-32378296/neale-fenn-iv-final-edit?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

[L.T.F.C.]

Anyone heading to Clonshaugh tonight?

[Martinho II]

Anyone heading to Clonshaugh tonight?

i am going and so is outspoken!

[L.T.F.C.]

i am going and so is outspoken!
FFS...


See you there!

[outspoken]

Lost 2-1. Both Bohs goals came from crosses, very soft. In the 2 games I’ve seen us we look weak in the FB positions. Tristan got took to the cleaners last night against a very sharp Bohs side. Verdon’s goal was a beauty, he’s going to be our main man. Meenan looked sharp but my God he’s got some short fuse. Expect a few reds this season. Young Dean Byrne impressed me but we are really lacking a goal scorer.

[Martinho II]

Lost 2-1. Both Bohs goals came from crosses, very soft. In the 2 games I’ve seen us we look weak in the FB positions. Tristan got took to the cleaners last night against a very sharp Bohs side. Verdon’s goal was a beauty, he’s going to be our main man. Meenan looked sharp but my God he’s got some short fuse. Expect a few reds this season. Young Dean Byrne impressed me but we are really lacking a goal scorer.

I was very impressed with Bohs last night. They are going to do well this year I think.

Tristan didn't look sharp at all last night. Sam Verdon was easily our best player on the pitch. Peter Hopkins looked sharp and fast when he came on as sub.
We have to get a proper striker otherwise I think Sam Verdon will be our top scorer this coming season!

[Martinho II]

see on twitter that Newbridge Towns Mick McDonnell has signed for us. Source:Paul Perth twitter.

[Longfordian]

Saw that. Not sure where he plays but I think it may be midfield according to a couple of reports from Google.

[L.T.F.C.]

Disappointed to hear we'll not be signing anyone else, we're light up front.

[outspoken]

Ah lads we’ve near a striker

[L.T.F.C.]

Dylan McGlade back? Black hair this time!

[De Town]

First time seeing us last night. While Newbridge were decent, it's probably not worth taking anything too seriously, bigger tests lie ahead etc. In saying that, I was impressed with the McDonnell chap who we got off Newbridge. Big centre half who can play. Won everything in the air too. RB Elworthy looked decent too, especially going forward. Peter Hopkins looked sharp on the right, had the beating of their left full. Thought Dean Byrne looked seriously sharp when he came on up top for the last 30/35 mins or so. Some lovely touches and link play, and won and scored the winning pen. Again, hard to get too over excited given the opposition but I'd be hopeful he could be a gem that Fenn has unearthed if he keeps that sort of performance up. As for McGlade being back, he still doesn't know how to pass a ball and would rather beat a man 4 times before doing nothing at the end of it than just beat him once and pass/cross.

[hollocaine]

McDonnell looks strong alright, legs like tree trunks. Him and Dan O'Reilly could form a good CB partnership. Kehoe looked good against Limerick and could get in ahead of Tristan. Shane O'Connor looked like he was carrying a few extra pounds in Limerick game. I heard he's training mainly on his own as he's based down south. He arrived up too late for the team photo which is just shoddy. But, hopefully he can continue his form from last year. I think we'll get the most out of Meenan if he's playing in a more central role, but Fenn might have to keep him out wide. Verdon like to roam as he can come too deep at times which he'll have to cut out. Otherwise Mulhall will be completely isolated.

Here's to a solid start to the season unlike last year's dross. I do think we've been unlucky with having Harps, Shels and Galway away twice. It really means we need to be chalking up the home wins regularly, starting Saturday.

[Martinho II]

has Dylan McGlade signed for us again does anyone know?That was a surprise that he was playing the other night. I was impressed with McDonnell in Ashbourne.

[De Town]

McDonnell looks strong alright, legs like tree trunks. Him and Dan O'Reilly could form a good CB partnership. Kehoe looked good against Limerick and could get in ahead of Tristan. Shane O'Connor looked like he was carrying a few extra pounds in Limerick game. I heard he's training mainly on his own as he's based down south. He arrived up too late for the team photo which is just shoddy. But, hopefully he can continue his form from last year. I think we'll get the most out of Meenan if he's playing in a more central role, but Fenn might have to keep him out wide. Verdon like to roam as he can come too deep at times which he'll have to cut out. Otherwise Mulhall will be completely isolated.
Kehoe didn't play in Newbridge but I liked the look of him at the back end of last season. As much as I want to see Tristan doing well, I think he's a bit of a liability at LB and offers next to nothing going forward. Haven't seen him really play CB before but could turn out to be the position for him long term I reckon. O'Connor looked off the pace for the 60 mins or so he played the other night. Hopefully he can get back to somewhere like last years form. I'd agree about Verdon too, he's playing 10 but at one stage ended up at CB picking the ball up the other night. Mulhall left all alone with nobody near him. I think Verdon's decent but needs to be more disciplined positionally.

[outspoken]

100% agree that Tristan should be used as a CB. Kehoe is one of the quickest full backs about I really like him and I think he’ll start the season. Who played in nets the other night? Personally feel Jack has been a little off his game in pre season but definitely has he ability. Kelly drops fierce easy ones for a big man at times. I think Verdon is our key this season. In the first 4 pre season games I saw I actually thought Meenan didn’t stay wide enough he was coming deep to get on it and was getting frustrated when he didn’t receive it. Haven’t been impressed with O’Connor but hopefully he can get fit and firing. Byrne looks a tidy little player. Loads of potential in this team but might take time to gel. It’s a brand new team really.

[outspoken]

So tonight’s the night. I’d expect us to line up 433 with
Brady
A.O’Connor Elworthy O’Reilly Kehoe
Verdon Zambra S.O’Connor
Meenan Mulhall Hopkins

Slightly worried about Zambra in centre mid, doesn’t seem to have the legs to get around but hopefully o’Connor will stick close by and we can snuff Cobh out. If our front players click we will beat most sides but defensively we are a new side from last season so that’s always a worry.

Anyone that’s thirsty before the game call into Milos, Section O meet up from 4pm on. Cmon de Town

[sulywaterfordfc]

McDonnell looks strong alright, legs like tree trunks. Him and Dan O'Reilly could form a good CB partnership. Kehoe looked good against Limerick and could get in ahead of Tristan. Shane O'Connor looked like he was carrying a few extra pounds in Limerick game. I heard he's training mainly on his own as he's based down south. He arrived up too late for the team photo which is just shoddy. But, hopefully he can continue his form from last year. I think we'll get the most out of Meenan if he's playing in a more central role, but Fenn might have to keep him out wide. Verdon like to roam as he can come too deep at times which he'll have to cut out. Otherwise Mulhall will be completely isolated.

Here's to a solid start to the season unlike last year's dross. I do think we've been unlucky with having Harps, Shels and Galway away twice. It really means we need to be chalking up the home wins regularly, starting Saturday.

Is OConnor not based in Dublin working full time?

[L.T.F.C.]

Thought there would be more on here about that performance on Saturday.
First half was fine, but really disappointed by some. I really like Verdon, I think he is a great player, and will get better, but I thought he was poor on Saturday. Some poor touches and passes made me wonder why it wasn't him taken off instead of Meenan, who I thought played well.
Whoever it was who played right back was horrendous. Really poor positioning, passing and his longer passing was woeful.
Really disappointed with the result, and how we threw it away. The decision-making needs improvement across the board.

[outspoken]

Thought there would be more on here about that performance on Saturday.
First half was fine, but really disappointed by some. I really like Verdon, I think he is a great player, and will get better, but I thought he was poor on Saturday. Some poor touches and passes made me wonder why it wasn't him taken off instead of Meenan, who I thought played well.
Whoever it was who played right back was horrendous. Really poor positioning, passing and his longer passing was woeful.
Really disappointed with the result, and how we threw it away. The decision-making needs improvement across the board.

Elworthy was the RB and yes he was awful, as he was in pre season but at CB for most of it. No A.O’Connor in squad on Saturday, must be injured, hel surely start over Elworthy when fit, not that he was much better in Pre season.

I thought we were decent first half but Fenn thought we were poor, love how honest he is. Two soft goals but hopefully we learn from that. Would’ve taken a point before game.

[Martinho II]

theres so much uncertainty with my work life these days I don't have time to think!
I thought we were superb first half but very poor second half. Love the fact that Stephne Roche claims credit for Dean Zambras goal. after all its his first ever for us! we dropped pace loads in second half and dropped more and more back..

thought that initiative to get the schoolkids out was brilliant. I brought my nephew to the players tunnel at full time and Daire Doyle recognised him from his visit to Melview NS and was simply superb with him. I think Kyle will go to more matches this time. He for some reason still thinks Davy is still playing so I will have to explain to him some day..

I am glad I went to the game as I wasn't well exactly a week before hand and wish to thank all the lads that wished me well on twitter and facebook.. It perked me hugely and I should resume normal service in two weeks time in doing stuff for the programme.

There are a few new faces in the match programme since the last week anyone know much about them?

[outspoken]

theres so much uncertainty with my work life these days I don't have time to think!
I thought we were superb first half but very poor second half. Love the fact that Stephne Roche claims credit for Dean Zambras goal. after all its his first ever for us! we dropped pace loads in second half and dropped more and more back..

thought that initiative to get the schoolkids out was brilliant. I brought my nephew to the players tunnel at full time and Daire Doyle recognised him from his visit to Melview NS and was simply superb with him. I think Kyle will go to more matches this time. He for some reason still thinks Davy is still playing so I will have to explain to him some day..

I am glad I went to the game as I wasn't well exactly a week before hand and wish to thank all the lads that wished me well on twitter and facebook.. It perked me hugely and I should resume normal service in two weeks time in doing stuff for the programme.

There are a few new faces in the match programme since the last week anyone know much about them?

I think Zambra scored last season? Could be wrong tho. As for the match programme Andrew Dempsey is one of the new contributors, he works for extratime and Between the Stripes. Lovely fella