2018 Predictions

[patsdad]

I think the high placing of Pats in so many predictions reflects the fact that after strengthening in the July transfer window they picked up points at a Top Three rate for the rest of the season - of the players that made the difference they have only lost Balk while picking up Madden, Toner, Ryan Brennan and others - and potentially the key player, Garvan, will now be much fitter than when he arrived. So it's not unreasonable to expect them to at least maintain their form of the last 14 or so matches. But that's the theory, We'll soon see how it is in practice. I don't expect another relegation struggle anyway.

[PartySaint]

I think they've the strongest squad now outside Cork and Dundalk



We don't, there's still a good few doubts about our squad, Turner and Clarke are not up to much, Doona and Thomas Byrne are sort of unknowns so they can go either way.

At the back we look fine but it'll depend on how Toner settles in coming back from England, Bermo and Madden are class so no worries there.

I think Garvan will be brilliant this season but I'd still prefer a Bolger like player beside him, we might get overrun in the middle if it's himself and Brennan in there as they're not the quickest.

and then a lot depends on which Fagan shows up.

I reckon we'll be 4th or 5th, hopefully do enough to get into Europe

[vinnie]

Premier Division
1st Dundalk
2nd Rovers
3rd Cork
4th Bohs
5th Derry
6th St Pats
7th Waterford
8th Sligo
9th Limerick
10th Bray

First Division
1st Drogheda United
2nd Finn Harps
3rd Cabinteely
4th Galway
5th Longford
6th Shelbourne
7th Cobh Ramblers
8th UCD
9th Wexford
10th Athlone

FAI Cup Bohs
EA Sports Cup Rovers

[Dalymountrower]

Premier Division
1st Dundalk Isotopes
2nd Rovers
3rd Cork
4th Derry
5th Sligo
6th St Pats
7th Wahafad
8th Bohs
9th Mid West Unmentionables
10th East Coast Redacteds

First Division
1st Drogheda United
2nd Galway
3rd Harps
4th UCD
5th Longford
6th Shelbourne
7th Cobh Ramblers
8th Cabo
9th Wexford
10th Athlone

FAI Cup Rovers
EA Sports Cup Derry[/QUOTE]

[dong]

Or arguably Cork so high, given how wojus they were once Maguire left. I think Pat's are so high because they finished the season strongly and seem to have built on that in pre-season in fairness.

This is what I think as well
Cork were bang average last season post Maguire and I dont see them improving.
Regarding Dundalk, I just have a feeling things will unravel there a bit this season. Hence my prediction.

[Longfordian]

1. Dundalk Rowdies
2. Cork
3. The Shamrocks
4. The Pats
5. Sligs
6. Derry
7. Waterford
8. Bohs
9. ........ ..
10. Democratic People’s Republic of Wicklow FC

First
1. Shels
2. Harps
3. LTFC
4. Galway
5. UCD
6. Cobh
7. Drogs
8. Cabinteely
9. Wexford
10. Athlone

To be honest outside the top 2 in the Premier there won’t be an awful lot between them. The First is wide open for 7 teams as everyone is saying. Should be interesting, and at least the play offs are back.

[micls]

This is what I think as well
Cork were bang average last season post Maguire and I dont see them improving.
Regarding Dundalk, I just have a feeling things will unravel there a bit this season. Hence my prediction.

We're adding Sadlier, McNamee and Cummins to the attack that struggled after Maguire left (Sadlier was here but didn't start a lot of games). I don't know where we'll finish, but if those players don't improve us I don't know what will!

[sbgawa]

It doesn't work like that in practise. Take a goal scorer out of a team and replace him with several good players isn't a winning combo.....look at Everton this year minus lukaku. That's not being critical of cork at the end of the day a guy as good as Maguire isn't going to co.e cheap or easy and not on a loi budget

[Ezeikial]

We might get some clues to the respective strengths of Cork and Dundalk in the Presidents Cup meeting on Sunday

[sbgawa]

Will be interesting but home advantage and little traveling support will provide all the excuses needed .
If dundalk start strong cork might not be to bothered.

[thebronze14]

1. Cork City
2. Dundalk
3. Shamrock Rovers
4. Pats
5. Derry
6. Sligo
7. Bohs
8. Waterford
9. Bray
10. Limerickshire Blues

Cup - Dundalk
League Cup - Shams

First Division:


1. Longford
2. Galway
3. Harps
4. Drogheda
5. UCD
6. Shels
7. Cabo
8. Cobh
9. Wexford
10. Athlone


Harps have the midfield/forward line to win the league but our defense looks very light atm. Top 8 could go any way!

[micls]

It doesn't work like that in practise. Take a goal scorer out of a team and replace him with several good players isn't a winning combo.....look at Everton this year minus lukaku. That's not being critical of cork at the end of the day a guy as good as Maguire isn't going to co.e cheap or easy and not on a loi budget
I was talking about the comments saying we won't be better than we were after Seani left.

There's no replacement for Maguire, that's not happening again.

But Sadlier and McNamee had 10 each last year, Cummins should score that many too you'd hope, so our attack should be stronger than how poor it was after Seani left.

Obviously, it will depend if our front 4 click. If they do, I've no doubt we'll be pushing to win the league. But as you said, in practice you never know.

[micls]

Will be interesting but home advantage and little traveling support will provide all the excuses needed .
If dundalk start strong cork might not be to bothered.

Our players will never not be bothered about losing to Dundalk. They haven't beaten us in 2 years. Losing that would hurt the lads, glorified friendly or not.

[sbgawa]

Fair enough but I still don't think the result will tell us much. Roll on the league.

[Ezeikial]

Fair enough but I still don't think the result will tell us much. Roll on the league.

The respective performances will tell us more about the teams than anything else so far in preseason.

It will not define anything (except who chats to Mickey D) but it is a match that both teams are eager to win.

That said, the following weeks league openers are way more important

[Philosophizer]

1. Dundalk

2. Cork
3. Rovers
4. Derry

5. Pats
6. Sligo
7. Waterford
8. Bohs

9. Limerick

10. Bray


Top Scorer: Murray
First sacked: Mackey

First Division:

1. Galway

2. Finn Harps
3. Cobh
4. UCD
5. Shels
6. Longford
7. Drogs
8. Cabo
9. Wexford
10. Athlone

[El-Pietro]

At half time today I was worried but that second half has given me more confidence. I'm sure it will still be close, and I think Rovers will be closer this year.

I think Pats and Derry will be fighting it out for the final European place, adrift from the top 3 but ahead of the rest.

Sligo, Bohs and Waterford are all flawed. I could have any of these in any of these spots. Theres potential for any of them to put a run together and close down Derry but equally a bad start could see them sucked into a relegation battle.

Bray and Limerick are a complete mess.

Premier Division

1. Cork City
2. Dundalk
3. Shamrock Rovers

4. St. Pats
5. Derry City

6. Sligo Rovers
7. Bohemian F.C.
8. Waterford

9. Bray Wanderers
10. Redacted FC

First Division

Honestly I haven't got a clue.

1. Finn Harps
2. Galway
3. Cobh
4. UCD
5. Longford
6. Drogheda
7. Cabinteely
8. Wexford
9. Shelbourne
10. Athlone

FAI Cup
Dundalk - Lets give them something

League Cup - Cork City - Lets complete the set

Top Goalscorer
Ronan Murray - two finishes today and probably the best goalscorer left in the league

POTY - If Sadlier is here all year hes a shoe in. Hes a gem. I can't wait to see him and Barry McNamee build up a partnership.

First sacked: Dave Macky.

[EnzoScifo10]

Prem:

1 Cork
2 Dundalk
3 Derry
4 Shams
5 Pats
6 Bohs
7 Sligo
8 Lims
9 Bray
10 Waterford

1st Sacked Gerrard Lyttle

Top Scorer Ronan Murray

1st Div:

1 Harps
2 Galway
3 Drogs
4 Longford
5 Cobh
6 Cabin
7 Ucd
8 Shels
9 Wexford
10 Athlone

1st Sacked Shane Keegan

Top Scorer Danny Furlong

League Cup Derry

Fai Cup Dundalk

[outspoken]

Prem:

1 Cork
2 Dundalk
3 Derry
4 Shams
5 Pats
6 Bohs
7 Sligo
8 Lims
9 Bray
10 Waterford

1st Sacked Gerrard Lyttle

Top Scorer Ronan Murray

1st Div:

1 Harps
2 Galway
3 Drogs
4 Longford
5 Cobh
6 Cabin
7 Ucd
8 Shels
9 Wexford
10 Athlone

1st Sacked Shane Keegan

Top Scorer Danny Furlong

League Cup Derry

Fai Cup Dundalk

Strange choice for first sacking given your prediction for Galway being top 2 and Furlong top scorer. A poor start could definitely see him in trouble though.

[Yossarian]

Premier Division:

1. Dundalk
2. Cork City
3. St Patrick’s Athletic
4. Derry City
5. Shamrock Rovers
6. Bohemians
7. Waterford
8. Sligo Rovers
9. Bray Wanderers
10. Limerick

First Division:

1. Galway United
2. Finn Harps
3. Drogheda
4. Cobh Ramblers
5. Longford Town
6. Shelbourne
7. Cabinteely
8. UCD
9. Wexford
10. Athlone Town

FAI Cup: Dundalk
League Cup: Bohemians
Play-Off: Finn Harps

First Manager Sacked: Stephen Bradley
Top Scorer Premier: Ronan Murray
Top Scorer First: Michael O'Connor

[White Horse]

Premier Division:

1. Dundalk
2. Cork
3. Derry
4. St Patrick’s Athletic
5. Bohemians
6. Shamrock Rovers
7. Waterford
8. Sligo Rovers
9. Bray Wanderers
10. Limerick

First Division:

1. Drogheda
2. Finn Harps
3. Galway
4. Cobh Ramblers
5. Longford Town
6. Shelbourne
7. Cabinteely
8. UCD
9. Athlone
10. Wexford

FAI Cup: Derry
League Cup: Cork
Play-Off: Finn Harps

First Manager Sacked: Tommy Barrett
Top Scorer Premier: Ronan Murray
Top Scorer First: Michael O'Connor

[Briuk]

Premier Division:

1. Dundalk
2. Cork
3. St Patrick’s Athletic
4. Shamrock
5. Derry
6. Sligo
7. Bohs
8. Waterford
9. Limerick
10. Bray Wanderers

FAI Cup: Cork
League Cup: Cork

First Manager Sacked: Tommy Barrett
Top Scorer Premier: Ronan Murray

[WoodquayBoy]

Premier Division:

1. Dundalk
2. Cork
3. Pats
4. Shamrock Rovers
5. Derry
6. Bohs
7. Waterford
8. Bray
9. Limerick
10. Sligo

First Division:

1. Harps
2. Drogheda
3. Longford
4. UCD
5. Galway Utd
6. Shelbourne
7. Cabinteely
8. Cobh
9. Wexford
10. Athlone

FAI Cup: Shamrock Rovers
League Cup: Dundalk
Play-Off: Drogheda

First Manager Sacked: Gerard Lyttle
Top Scorer Premier: Ronan Murray
Top Scorer First: Michael O'Connor

[Ezeikial]

I'm amazed at the number opting for Ronan Murray as top scorer. He has looked sharp in preseason but is not yet guaranteed an automatic starting spot.

[Partizan]

Premier Division:

1. ****ies
2. Dawk
3. Rovers
4. Pats
5. Bohs
6. HMS Londonderry
7. Blues
8. Sligo
9. Lims
10. DPRK

First Division:

1. G-G-Galway
2. Harps
3. Drogs
4. Students
5. Queenstown
6. the Banjo players
7. The Club formerly known as $hel$
8. Cabinteely Roight
9. Waxford
10. D'Athlone

[PartySaint]

Premier Division

1) Dundalk
2) Cork
3) Rovers
4) Derry
5) Pats
6) Waterford
7) Sligo
8) Bohs
9) Limerick
10) Bray

First Division
1) Harps
2) Drogs
3) Galway
4)Longford
5) Cobh
6) Cabo
7) UCD
8) Shels
9) Athlone
10) Wexford

FAI Cup - Dundalk
League Cup - Cork
Top Scorer PD - Sadlier
Top Scorer FD - Michael O'Connor
First Sacked PD - Barrett
First Sacked FD - Heary

[micls]

I'm amazed at the number opting for Ronan Murray as top scorer. He has looked sharp in preseason but is not yet guaranteed an automatic starting spot.

There's a dearth of decent, proven strikers in the league right now

[nigel-harps1954]

Average predictions of the Foot.ie fraternity.


Premier:

1. (1.55) Dundalk
2. (1.84) Cork
3. (3.03) Shamrock Rovers
4. (4.45) St Pats
5. (4.58) Derry
6. (6.88) Waterford
7. (7.00) Sligo
8. (7.06) Bohemians
9. (9.09) Limerick
10. (9.55) Bray

First:

1. (2.07) Galway
2. (2.13) Harps
3. (3.31) Longford
4. (4.21) Drogheda
5. (5.24) Cobh
6. (5.90) Shels
7. (5.97) UCD
8. (6.55) Cabinteely
9. (8.97) Wexford
10. (9.86) Athlone

[El-Pietro]

I'm amazed at the number opting for Ronan Murray as top scorer. He has looked sharp in preseason but is not yet guaranteed an automatic starting spot.
There aren't a lot of out and out goal scorers this year. Go through it team by team and you see how almost every club is looking for someone to get them 15-20. There will be a break through player most likely but its hard to pick one out right now.

Cork City have Cummins who has struggled for goals in the 6 or 7 years hes been away, and a bunch of players who will hopefully be in the 10-14 range.

Dundalk have Murray who got 14 I think last year and people would expect him to do better in a better team along with Hoban who got20 in his last season but hasn't played much since leaving Dundalk.

Rovers have Shaw who got 10 or 12, and an unknown quantity in Carr.

Derry have R Patz who is a goal scorer but is getting on in years.

Bohs have Corcoran who you would expect to maybe get 14-16 in a good season.

Bray have McCabe and thats about it and people expect them to struggle in general.

Pats have Fagan who can get 20 but injuries and have been an issue.

Limerick are a mess in general.

Sligo have Morgan who is probably a good dark horse for it but you don't know how hes going to settle or how Sligo will do in general.

Waterford have Akinade who maybe, maybe could do it, but hes had injuries in the past and I don't think hes ever scored prolifically, though I could be wrong on that.

[Ezeikial]

Hoban should start in the No 9 position once fit. His style fits with Stephen Kenny's preferred formation. Although Murray has played there in preseason, he appears to be more likely to play as a No 10 or second striker (which would be an unusual formation for SK). There is intense competition there and any player will have their work cut out to nail down a regular attacking spot

I obviously hope that Murray bangs in the goals, but at 6/1 is poor odds. Hoban is a better 6/1 shot

Dinny Corcoran is more likely to start every game for Bohs. Adam Morgan could be a wild card.

[Lilywhite77]

1. Dundalk
2. Cork City
3. Shamrock Rovers
4. Derry
5. Pats
6. Sligo
7. Bohs
8. Waterford
9. Limerick
10. Bray

Cup - Dundalk
League Cup - Cork

First Division:


1. Longford
2. Galway
3. Harps
4. Drogheda
5. UCD
6. Shels
7. Cabo
8. Cobh
9. Wexford
10. Athlone

[bennocelt]

I am going for Cork City to win the Premier and Galway for the first (a tenner on a 9/1 double). I think it comes down to strikers, as always. Graham Cummins over Hoban for me, and if they do get him, Danny Furlong surely will be decent again in the first.

Would go with Limerick for relegation, and maybe Cobh to come second and beat Bray in the playoffs.

[Ezeikial]

I). I think it comes down to strikers, as lways. Graham Cummins over Hoban for me,

Have you seen either of them play recently or are you going on a hunch?

[Risteard]

1. City
2. Dundalk
3. Rovers
4. Derry
5. Pats
6. Bohs
7. Waterford
8. Sligo
with Bray bottom.


Top Scorer: Kieran Salier
First sacked: Reynolds moved to one side.

First Division:

1. Galway

2. Finn Harps
3. Longford
4. Cobh
5. Drogs
6. UCD
7. Shels
8. Cabo
9. Athlone
10. Wexford

[El-Pietro]

I can't see Murray playing as a ten given the sheer volume of attacking midfielders that Kenny has at his disposal. Unless he plans to play with one "holding" midfielder hes already a little overwhelmed at that position. Is Chevdukas (thats an appalling attempt) more of a Stephen O'Donnell or a Benson? The Dundalk squad to me looks a little unbalanced. Lots of quality but lacking depth at full back and central midfield.

[bennocelt]

Have you seen either of them play recently or are you going on a hunch?

Well he did hit the ground running last week, and I think Hoban is not fully fit yet. He has also played upto a decent level recently with St Johnstone whereas Hoban didnt get upto a whole lot in England. Would that not be more than a hunch? I like Hoban but I feel Cummins will fit in quicker. :)

[wonder88]

1. Dundalk
2. Cork
3. Derry
4. Shamrocks
5. Sligo
6. Bohs
7. Waterford
8. Pats
9. Limerick
10. Bray

Murray top scorer


First Division:

1. Galway

2. Finn Harps
3. Drogs
4. Cabo
5. longford
6. UCD
7. Shels
8. Cobh
9. Wexford
10. Athlone

[passinginterest]

Ah the annual embarrass yourself thread. I always do well at that!

1. Cork
2. Shamrock Rovers
3. Dundalk
4. St. Pats
5. Bohs
6. Waterford
7. Sligo
8. Derry
9. Limerick
10. Bray

First
1. Longford
2. Galway
3. Finn Harps
4. Cabinteely
5. Cobh
6. Wexford
7. UCD
8. Drogheda
9. Shelbourne
10. Athlone

I’d say picking the names out of a hat would be an equally accurate way to predict the top 9 in the first. First series of games will be crucial.

FAI Cup: Waterford
League Cup: Bohs

Top Scorer: Christy Fagan
First Sacked: Kenny Shiels

[Ezeikial]

Hoban should start in the No 9 position once fit. His style fits with Stephen Kenny's preferred formation. Although Murray has played there in preseason, he appears to be more likely to play as a No 10 or second striker (which would be an unusual formation for SK). There is intense competition there and any player will have their work cut out to nail down a regular attacking spot

I obviously hope that Murray bangs in the goals, but at 6/1 is poor odds. Hoban is a better 6/1 shot

Dinny Corcoran is more likely to start every game for Bohs. Adam Morgan could be a wild card.

I don't know what sort of odds bookies are currently offering on the leagues top goalscorer, but if Hoban is still available at anywhere near 6/1, its worth putting on the confirmation money now that he is also taking penalties.

On current form he is likely to surpass the 20 league goals he got last time around

[oriel]

Good shout on Hoban and especially as he has taken on pens now, 5 goals in 7 starts is impressive. Cummins wont be far off mind and Sadlier too.

On the team predictions, I think unless Waterford drop silly points in series 2 they have to be considered for a surprise euro spot now, they impressed me on the game up in Dundalk a few weeks ago, but there is a long long way to go, plus Derry are getting into gear now too. I wouldn't rule them out for the euro spot.

On the title, Dundalk definitely appear to be playing the much better stuff, but Cork obv on top, could be very little separating both come end of season, the head to heads will be key. Was looking at the league table in the DFC programme earlier, if Dundalk had lost to Cork earlier in the month we would be 7 points behind now as opposed to one, so these games will more than likely define the eventual winners.

[micls]

I took Sadlier e/w at 25/1. 7 goals already is impressive, although most are penalties. Being the penalty taker makes a huge difference.

[mcgonigle]

He should get at least another 15 in that case 😉

[micls]

He should get at least another 15 in that case ��

Thats the plan. One brown envelope at a time.

[mcgonigle]

Thats the plan. One brown envelope at a time.

You've upgraded from crisp packets?

[micls]

You've upgraded from crisp packets?

The crisp packet were Kennys thing. I think he just got a bit confused.

[bluemovie]

On the team predictions, I think unless Waterford drop silly points in series 2 they have to be considered for a surprise euro spot now, they impressed me on the game up in Dundalk a few weeks ago

Europe would be a dream....we've been waiting 32 years for it! But even if we fall away a bit, the people predicting us to finish bottom already look a bit naive.

[outspoken]

Europe would be a dream....we've been waiting 32 years for it! But even if we fall away a bit, the people predicting us to finish bottom already look a bit naive.

Has anyone been able to clear up if Waterford FC will be eligible for Europe as they aren’t 3 years old? I know FM Ireland raised this on Twitter and nobody could seem to give a concrete answer

[Charlie Darwin]

Has anyone been able to clear up if Waterford FC will be eligible for Europe as they aren’t 3 years old? I know FM Ireland raised this on Twitter and nobody could seem to give a concrete answer
I assume it's the same club as Waterford United so it's a lot more than three years old.

[pineapple stu]

Didn't they go bust and reform though?

Wexford did, and I seem to remember Fran Gavin implying at the start of last year that another club (could only be Waterford) had done the same

[nigel-harps1954]

Yeah, Waterford FC are technically a new entity. They wouldn't be eligible for European competition next season.