LOI fixtures - 16th to 19th March 2018

[Yossarian]

How reliant are Harps on the two O’Connors?

[sbgawa]

I'm not going to fall into the trap of having an argument with you - I've seen some of the other threads 

My point was that we are missing 7 of our most experienced players from an already small squad so it is easy to label us as limited. And ye created almost nothing from open play in the game.

i never said you were limited, just that we deserved the win, fair enough about being short of players there is enough quality in Limerick to make the talk of relegation at the begining of the season look far fetched.
Tommy Barret looks like a good appointment.

[nigel-harps1954]

How reliant are Harps on the two O’Connors?

Thankfully, not too much.

[Yossarian]

Thankfully, not too much.

Just as well.

[Sam_Heggy]

I'd not say reliant on them but they're definitely big players for us.
Both have been excellent this season.
Wouldn't go getting worked up over last night just yet.

[MattB11]

What happened last night?

[oriel]

I would've felt guilty if we'd managed to get a point! It was Richard Dunne v Russia stuff for a lot of the game. We've already exceeded expectations for our current points tally (I'd have been delighted with 8 so far) so if we'd taken a point there with so many missing, it'd have been taking the mick!

Have to say Dundalk were excellent. Great standard of football even if they weren't at their best. A lot better than Cork were against us and I'd be inclined to give them the nod over Cork just about as title favourites. Duffy was killing Kavanagh down the left and that's where the goal came from (poor Garry Comerford was in bits after conceding it). Rory Feely has been our find of the season at right back but he's going to be out for a few weeks. Vigouroux made a couple of exceptional saves. Browne and Webster were awesome, but we were under the cosh for most the game and not much we could do about it. Credit to Rennie for giving the Dundalk defence something different to think about by bringing on John Martin (a midfielder) up front and he did really well. We had one sub left, but two attackers and two kids left on the bench so we kind of had to sit tight even though Dean O'Halloran was out on his feet (he had moved from lone striker to right wing to help Kavanagh). Kenny Browne had a possible concussion at the end but had to stay on (not something I'm a fan of).

We've won four and lost two, but I don't think either defeat was a setback. Away to Dundalk and Cork, any points we get will be a massive bonus. The defeats would only have been a setback if we lost heavily in either. One dodgy thing is that Courtney Duffus missed the game despite being fit because he supposedly can't play on astro pitches after a hip injury - I'm taking it that it's part of his loan terms from Oldham (ironic for older fans!) so presumably he'll be out for Derry too. Hery and Akinade hadn't recovered from injuries and neither Keegan nor Aborah could do 90 on astro either so we were short-handed. On the plus side, Sander Puri looked back to his best. Apart from Feely, we should be back to full strength for Friday.

It was some attacking display by Dundalk particularly in the second half, wave after wave, but to be fair Browne and Webster coped very well marshalling the defence, the goal disallowed from Hoban was the correct decision as he was def offside. Had a good chat with a few Waterford fans at HT, they seemed to be enjoying the start to the season ok ! No pressure now on Friday, to prevent Rovers going top !

[Crosshead]

Big slices of luck put us 2 up, deflection and a bizarre handball by the Bohs defender, but we deserved the win.

Soccer Republic's analysis was nonsense. McNulty had one easy save to make from a speculative shot from outside the box, and our defenders blocked another attempt, but other than that Bohs did nothing. Despite this the panel on SR show passages of 'Good Bohs Play' and yet slate our midfield and totally get the reason for the early Buckley sub wrong. He was sick all last week and hadn't recovered.

[osarusan]

Big slices of luck put us 2 up, deflection and a bizarre handball by the Bohs defender, but we deserved the win.

Soccer Republic's analysis was nonsense. McNulty had one easy save to make from a speculative shot from outside the box, and our defenders blocked another attempt, but other than that Bohs did nothing. Despite this the panel on SR show passages of 'Good Bohs Play' and yet slate our midfield and totally get the reason for the early Buckley sub wrong. He was sick all last week and hadn't recovered.

I often wonder about the editing for highlights for Soccer Republic. One example that stood out for me was when we beat Bohs 1-0 last year. In the second half, we could have had 3 or 4. Ogbene alone missed two great chances, Tosi missed another. But the only highlight they showed was a late Bohs chance, and then the analysis was about how Limerick had 'kept them out' or similar insights.

On a few other occasions, I've wondered if there is a hint of a 'make it look like a close game' narrative creeping in.

[Crosshead]

I often wonder about the editing for highlights for Soccer Republic. One example that stood out for me was when we beat Bohs 1-0 last year. In the second half, we could have had 3 or 4. Ogbene alone missed two great chances, Tosi missed another. But the only highlight they showed was a late Bohs chance, and then the analysis was about how Limerick had 'kept them out' or similar insights.

On a few other occasions, I've wondered if there is a hint of a 'make it look like a close game' narrative creeping in.

Yeah I know what you mean, I've often questioned what they chose to put in/leave out of the highlights, but this was really odd. JC had told reporters right after the game why he withdrew Buckley, and yet hours later the panel still went on about "uncertainty" as to who is in our midfield.

Our midfield is Morrissey, McCormack, and McNamee. JC said after the Limerick game that he'd rotate for Bohs, he chanced Buckley after his illness last week. Buckley wasn't at the races yet, so he came off.

[Shearer]

Rovers fans, would love to know what ye thought of Willy Fitz yesterday evening?

[Ezeikial]

the goal disallowed from Hoban was the correct decision as he was def offside.

Maybe you are correct, but it did not seem that way to me at the time. While the TV footage is not absolutely conclusive it looks very much as Hoban came from an onside position behind Browne to tuck away the rebound off the keeper.
See around 1.55mins onwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZA354mRTo

[micls]

Maybe you are correct, but it did not seem that way to me at the time. While the TV footage is not absolutely conclusive it looks very much as Hoban came from an onside position behind Browne to tuck away the rebound off the keeper.
See around 1.55mins onwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUZA354mRTo

Impossible to tell from that angle, but first thing Hoban does is to turn to look at the linesman after scoring, so he obviously thought it was a possibility it would be called. Didn't seem to argue either.

[Charlie Darwin]

No doubt the pitch a problem however still does,n excuse the lack of chances created ,whatever about a young,inexperienced home team ,Rovers should be producing more.They only got the 3 pts due to rash reckless effort of Kelly who was hooked after it and needs to be benched anyway.TBF the players gave everything tonight and deserved more.Rovers dressingroom will have been buzzing after those 3 pts.
Do you reckon there might be a link between your players giving everything and Rovers being restricted to long shots? Limerick dug in and tried to grind out a result and they did it very well. The very best teams like Dundalk of two years ago would still create a few chances but we're not at that level.

[disgruntled]

Impossible to tell from that angle, but first thing Hoban does is to turn to look at the linesman after scoring, so he obviously thought it was a possibility it would be called. Didn't seem to argue either.

I thought the Waterford right back might have played Hoban onside but its hard to see it in the video.

[NeverFeltBetter]

The Athlone GK situation is weird. They can't play the U-19 keeper apparently? I wasn't aware of that regulation at all. And the third choice is working for the army?

Edited

[sulywaterfordfc]

The Athlone GK situation is weird. They can't play the U-19 keeper apparently? I wasn't aware of that regulation at all. And the third choice is working for the army?

Edited

They hadn’t registered the U19s keeper to play for the first team by all accounts

[D24Saint]

They hadn’t registered the U19s keeper to play for the first team by all accounts

Shouldnt have to once a player is registered for the u-19 he suhould be available for the first team, it would encourage managers to try out promising players & allow for situations like Athlone.It has no draw backs imo , the FAI just want their registration fee.

[Ezeikial]

Any reliable eye-witness views on the Sean Kavanagh red card in Limerick?

If I read it correctly it was a straight red card, although Bradser seems to suggest that everyone, including the ref, thought it was either "a little kick" or "nothing in it"



“I spoke to the ref and he said he had a little kick off the ball. I spoke to their player and our and there was nothing in it both of them said.
“Hopefully the ref's report helps Sean out as he is not that type of player. I thought some of Sean’s passing was unbelievable in the first half.”
It means that Kavanagh will miss Rovers third trip to Munster in a dozen days this coming Friday.

http://www.extratime.ie/articles/20577/bradley-on-beating-the-blues-and-the-march-madness-weather/

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Any reliable eye-witness views on the Sean Kavanagh red card in Limerick?

If I read it correctly it was a straight red card, although Bradser seems to suggest that everyone, including the ref, thought it was either "a little kick" or "nothing in it"


http://www.extratime.ie/articles/20577/bradley-on-beating-the-blues-and-the-march-madness-weather/

I haven't actually heard anybody say it was a red card, even the Limerick commentary i was listening to thought it was Dennehy getting a second yellow. I haven't seen and footage of it myself yet though so could go either way. Even if it wasn't a red and it's rescinded the FAI's joke of a system means he'll miss waterford away anyway.

[Finlay Harp]

What happened last night?

A storm in a teacup!

[osarusan]

Dennehy had the ball and cleared/passed it, Kavanagh was near him alright, but my eyes followed the ball. I don't think Dennehy went down. If he did, he got up straight away. There was no lunge, nothing from Dennehy, no reaction from the crowd.

Ref stopped it very quickly, and ran over and gave him a red straight away. He didn't complain at all really, just walked off. Nobody complained actually.

[sbgawa]

Any reliable eyewitness account of the sending off in Derry?

[Lim till i die]

Dennehy had the ball and cleared/passed it, Kavanagh was near him alright, but my eyes followed the ball. I don't think Dennehy went down. If he did, he got up straight away. There was no lunge, nothing from Dennehy, no reaction from the crowd.

Ref stopped it very quickly, and ran over and gave him a red straight away. He didn't complain at all really, just walked off. Nobody complained actually.

It was his second time kicking out in less than five minutes, he just looked stupid more than malicious.

On balance, Shamrock did alright out of Graham Kelly that night!

[outspoken]

A storm in a teacup!

Allegedly damaging peoples cars is a bit of a trampy move all the same. Not surprised really though.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Dalymount, Turners Cross and Galway’s pitches that I’ve seen have all been poor this year. Markets Field is absolutely terrible but I don’t think anyone’s surface is top notch considering the winter we’ve had.

Tallaght is like a carpet, could say goalmouth is a bit bare but only in comparison

[Nesta99]

Tallaght is like a carpet,

Well Oriel Park is a carpet!!:p:p;)

[Lim till i die]

The Markets Field is like my carpet.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Well Oriel Park is a carpet!!:p:p;)

Touche

[Dundalk daz]

Another clean sheet tonight for Dundalk that’s some going not a single league goal conseeded so far . Impressive