Premier Review

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 1/33:
BOHS 1-1 SHAMROCK ROVERS
BRAY 2-1 ST. PATS. ATH.
DROGHEDA 0-2 DERRY
FINN HARPS 0-2 CORK
LONGFORD 1-2 WATERFORD
SHELBOURNE 1-1 UCD

Another Premier Division season started on St. Patricks weekend, with teams of new players, which led to some surprising results. There was just 1 home win, 2 draws, and 3 away victories after the first week of games.

There haven't been many seasons, when there has been a live tv game on the first week, but Bohs and Rovers is one of the league's glamour games in a season where league form goes out the window, and it had to be on tv. Personally, I thought it was crazy that the game was allowed to be played on a Friday night, after St. Patrick's Day, knowing what has happened before in previous meetings between the clubs. Despite the mounted police, and other cops in riot gear, mercifully there were no reports of crowd trouble in or around the ground this time.

Bohs started well, as Rovers struggled to settle. A Bohs goal had been coming for some time, when on 24 minutes, a poorly defended free-kick, allowed Jimmy Aggrey to tap home the opening goal. Bohs continued to press in the first half, and Rovers did well to keep it to 1 at half-time. The second half was more cagey, as Bohs decided to sit on their lead. Rovers had only one decent chance to score, when ex-Bohs man, Mark Rutherford rounded the keeper to curl an effort goalward, only for it to be cleared off the line by the Bohs defence. Ex-Rovers man, Mark O'Brien came on late on to secure the game for Bohs. Soon afterwards, Heary failed to control one of our many long balls, and out of nothing, Lee Feeney stabbed the ball home from the edge of the box for our equaliser. :) A 1-1 draw meant that bragging rights had to wait until the next league game between the two sides in the summer.

[mypost]

Many people reckoned that Bray would struggle this season. Pats have fallen from grace completely since they finished 3rd in the league in 2002. Bray went on to take a 2-goal lead, before Pats managed to get a late consolation. A trip to the seaside to play Bray, will be difficult for many teams this season, and they may well take people by surprise. Pats though will struggle to impress this season, and may spend most of it in the bottom half of the table.

Drogheda have now gone full-time. One would therefore expect them to see off Derry at home. However, Stephen Kenny's men won comfortably 2-0. Drogheda's last league win was against Rovers in October, so if they don't find their feet soon, they will do well to finish in the top six this season.

Finn Harps won the First Division last season, and many neutrals will welcome them into the Premier. With their first game back at home to Cork, they may well have plunged Cork into deeper crisis, after losing their manager near the start of the season. However, on the field, class told. Reality hit Harps, as Cork were 2 up after 50 minutes, meaning there was no way back, as Cork rewarded their fans who made the long journey north, by winning 2-0.

The meeting of Longford against Waterford, was a repeat of last year's cup final. Longford lost in the Setanta Cup in midweek, and suffered a hangover, after going behind to a penalty early on. They equalised, but Waterford went back in front before half-time, andheld out to win 2-1. Longford look set to continue to languishe in mid-table.

The champions, and many say champions-elect this season, Shelbourne opened the season with a home game against UCD. The Wednesday night kick-off, predictably led to a poor crowd. However, it was UCD who scored the season's first goal, from Frenchman Daniele Dupuy. UCD almost held out until Shelbourne won and scored a penalty with 5 minutes left from Stuart Byrne to claim a point. Shels said, that they had a hard game with new players in their team. Methinks, they were merely warming up for their first trip to Dalymount next week to take out their frustration on us. :rolleyes: Beware the backlash!

[pineapple stu]

The champions, and many say champions-elect this season, Shelbourne opened the season with a home game against UCD. The Wednesday night kick-off, predictably led to a poor crowd. However, it was UCD who scored the season's first goal, from Frenchman Daniele Dupuy. UCD almost held out until Shelbourne won and scored a penalty with 5 minutes left from Stuart Byrne to claim a point. Shels said, that they had a hard game with new players in their team. Methinks, they were merely warming up for their first trip to Dalymount next week to take out their frustration on us. :rolleyes: Beware the backlash!
That's nonsense! The crowd was much better than typical Shels-UCD (or Dublin City) crowds - twice what you would expect going on the last two seasons, in fact. The fact that it was Wednesday helped rather than hindered this, as there were no competing games on and a fair few neutrals turned out. Damien, not Daniele, Dupuy scored our goal. And everyone seems to be ignoring the fact that we had four debutantes as well as Shels...

[bambi]

The Champions elect couldnt beat a bunch of kids!!! :D ;)

[pineapple stu]

Sure you'll never win anything with kids! :D

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 2/33:
CORK 1-1 BRAY
DERRY 1-0 LONGFORD
S. ROVERS 0-2 SHELS
ST. PATS. 0-0 BOHS
UCD 0-2 DROGHEDA
WATERFORD 2-1 FINN HARPS

The second weekend of the league saw all games played on the same night on Easter weekend. There were only 5 games played, which featured another live tv game, 2 Dublin derbies, and just one home win, 2 draws, and 2 away victories.

Cork had their first home game against Bray, and you would have got long odds against a home win, but with both sides having won their opening games, a close game was in store in front of 7,000 people. Cork took a first half lead, and most people would have expected them to score more. However, Bray equalized with 10 minutes left, and held out for a point. Bray will be hard to beat this season, they have 4 points already, but Cork are a full-time outfit, and would have expected to collect 3 points at home to a promoted side, who are part-time.

Cork had a player called up to the international U-21 side at the weekend, but didn't postpone the game, unlike what Longford did, after they also had a player called up for U-21 duty. Who was right? Longford will play Derry in April. Derry won the game 1-0. Longford play Cork in Week 3.

Back to Dublin, and except for a home game against Bohs last season, it was Rovers' first home league game at Dalymount since we beat Sligo 2-1 on September 16th, 1990. It was a new experience for our fans to be able to sit in the Jodi Stand, and the expected mass boycott didn't materialise. As expected, Shels had most of the possession, with Rovers only creating 1 chance in the first half. Shels took the lead after 35 minutes. Richie Baker made mince meat of Keith Doyle, before laying the ball back for Stuart Byrne to lash the ball in from 20 yards. We had the chance to level it in the second half when Shels handled the ball in the box on the hour, giving us a penalty. Unfortunately, Stephen Gough thought he was playing in Croker instead of Dalyer, and skewed the penalty into the empty Des Kelly Stand. That was it of Rovers as an attacking force, as Shels began to dominate once again. On 74, Crowe, and Baker ran rings around the hapless Doyle again, Baker curling a fine shot into the net. The only other thing that happened was Roddy Collins getting himself sent off for arguing witht the ref near the end, as Shels started to showboat. To be fair, we aren't really expected to beat teams like Shels, they'll beat better teams than us this season, it's games like next week's trip to Donegal that will decide how we do. It's starting to look ominous however, as we are 9th in the league already, and we have a long summer ahead of us.

[mypost]

...And now for something completely different! TG4 showed their first ever live NL game this week. You would think it would be something like Galway-Sligo, but instead it was the other Dublin derby in Week 2, Pats-Bohs. Both sides hoping to do better than last week. The trouble was, nobody did. It finished 0-0, and it was probably even more boring to watch for most of the viewers, except for the few who could understand the commentators.

UCD are the Manchester City of the league. They play in the same colours, and are as inconsistent. With Drogheda losing badly at home last week, you would have thought that UCD had a great chance to build on their draw at the champions. However they came down to earth with a bump, losing 2-0. Drogheda scored early on, and won comfortably. UCD will continue to grind out results this season, but it's their inconsistency which will see them struggle in the league.

After playing in the Discovering Ireland Division for the last 5 seasons, Finn Harps should be used to long-haul away trips. And where do they have to go for their first away game back in the top division? Waterford!! Anyway, they took the lead on 15 minutes, but Waterford hit back with 2 goals in 4 minutes late in the second half. Bet that journey back wasn't enjoyed. Waterford are the surprise leaders, as they are the only side to have won both their games. It's the reverse situation for Finn Harps, but hey, they have to get their quota of defeats out of the way before their next game...against Rovers. :rolleyes:

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 3/33:
BOHEMIANS 0-1 DERRY CITY
BRAY WANDS. 1-0 UCD
DROGHEDA UTD 1-1 ST. PATS. ATH.
FINN HARPS 1-1 SHAMROCK ROVERS
LONGFORD 0-1 CORK CITY
SHELBOURNE 1-0 WATERFORD

Week 3 saw the first Thursday night game, no Dublin derbies, 2 home and away wins, 2 draws, and the first goal of the season to be scored in second half stoppage time. No prizes for guessing where, of course... :rolleyes:

Bohs had their third game of the season in Dublin, against Derry, who had an extra week to prepare for the game. They took advantage of it, and won 1-0, as Stephen Kenny got his revenge on the Bohs board, who fired him last season. Derry are the only side who still have a 100% record, while Bohs haven't won yet, and lie in the botttom half of the table.

Two of the promoted sides met in Week 3, as Bray played UCD. Bray have started well, while UCD continue to play "Jekyll & Hyde". Bray won 1-0, and are 3rd, while UCD are already struggling in 11th, a situation which is unlikely to change after they play Cork next week.

Many people tipped Drogheda as title contenders, while predicting that Pats would struggle. Pats took the lead at Drogheda, before the home side equalized in the second half. Pats were reduced to 10 men, but will have been happier with a point. Drogheda haven't won at home yet, but that may change, as Rovers come calling there next, who Drogheda beat 4 times last season.

And speaking of Rovers, we made the first of our 9 trips outside Dublin this season, to take on Finn Harps, in front of the Ballybofey Samba. Rovers began well, but Finn Harps gradually took control, especially in the second half, when one of their efforts hit the bar. In games like these, one goal often settles it. Rovers got it, on 76 minutes, as Paul Caffrey side-footed home from 6 yards, after a well-worked move. However with Rovers, one goal is rarely enough, and sure enough, disaster struck in injury time. A Harps free-kick from inside their own half, was punted forward into our box. Poor goalkeeping allowed Brown to nod in the equalizer. One point may not be enough for either side in the long-term, but it moves Harps off the bottom of the table for now.

Two of the Setanta Cup teams met on Week 3, as Longford played Cork. Longford's extra week's break didn't help much as they lost 1-0. Longford now move to the bottom, with no points. A sure sign, that a game against Rovers is on the way... :rolleyes:

The leaders Waterford, travelled to Dublin for the first time to play Shels. They got a boost early on, when Baker was red-carded for retaliation. Waterford won a penalty last week, but conceded one this week after 16 minutes. Shels scored, and won 1-0. Cork and Shels are now joint top, so normal service has resumed.

[BobtheDrog]

actually it was the drogs who were reduced to ten men

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

Week 4/33:
BRAY WDS. 2-2 DROGHEDA UTD.
CORK CITY 0-0 UCD
DERRY CITY 0-0 SHELBOURNE
SH. ROVERS 0-2 LONGFORD
ST. PATS. ATH. 2-0 FINN HARPS
WATERFORD UTD. 2-0 BOHEMIANS

Week 4 of the season, saw 2 home wins by the same score, 3 draws, including two 0-0 draws, and 1 away win this week.

Bray are the first club this season to have 2 home games in a row, while Drogheda have started the season erratically. The game was the only one in the league this week to have first-half goals. It was entertaining, finishing 2-2. Bray lose their place in the top three, while Drogheda move into mid-table.

UCD have the reverse set of fixtures as Bray, becoming the first team to have 2 away games in succession. After losing last week, a trip to Cork would have been even more daunting. Cork couldn't break them down however, and drew their second home game of the season 0-0. Cork lose their top spot, while UCD move into 10th with their point. Not many teams will get a point at Shels and Cork this season.

Derry were the last team to have a home game this season, having to wait 4 weeks for the opportunity. Facing the champions, they couldn't have asked for a harder game to open their home programme. Both sides cancelled each other out, and will have been happy to have a point. It ends Derry's 100% record, and knocks Shels out of second.

In contrast, Longford were the last team to have an away game, travelling to Dublin for the first time to play Rovers at Dalymount Beach. Even though, there are many cagey games when these two play, Longford will struggle to have an easier away game this season. Rovers were toothless, and the visitors dictated the play. Rovers came out to coloured firecrackers from the fans in the second half, it's a pity the players didn't have the same fire in the belly. Longford got the breakthrough following a corner on 69 minutes, after what can only be described as Sunday league defending. Steven Paisley nodded in at the near post completely unchallenged. Longford's second soon followed on 77. Dessie Baker received a long ball several kilometres offside but, aided by a blind linesman, he went on to round the keeper, and score from an acute angle. Rovers offered no response, and on this week's performance, our next home game against Cork is a write-off. We move down to 11th after an awful display, while Longford move away from the bottom.

Pats motor has struggled to get started this season. However, they had a great chance to get their first win of the season against Finn Harps, who faced their first trip to Dublin this season, basking in the glow of getting their first point last week. Reality check! Pats won comfortably 2-0. Finn Harps remain on one point, and drop back down to bottom.

Waterford, who along with Bray are the early-season surprise packets, faced a Bohs side, who are still an enigma. Waterford played well winning 2-0. They move back to the top of the table, while Bohs remain level with Rovers on 2 points in the lower half. So for now, both of the Dalymount teams share more than a home ground. :)

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 5/33:
BOHS 0-2 CORK CITY
DROGHEDA UTD 2-1 SH. ROVERS
FINN HARPS 0-2 DERRY CITY
LONGFORD TOWN 2-1 BRAY WDS.
SHELBOURNE 3-1 ST. PATS. ATH.
UCD 1-0 WATERFORD UTD.

Week 5 saw 3 home and away wins, a Dublin derby, and a Northern derby to boot.

Bohs lost 9 players from last season, and have struggled, while Cork are formidable away, and poor at home. Cork won 2-0 with 2 second half goals, at both ends of the half. Bohs have just 1 goal, and 2 points so far this season, haven't scored for 4 games, and are 11th. It's just as well for them, that they have Finn Harps at home next, for scoring practice. Cork are 3rd.

After all the club's latest financial difficulties, few would have expected Rovers to come away from Drogheda without a pasting. Rovers started well though, taking the lead after 7 minutes, following McCourt's run, and shot from an acute angle. Drogheda woke up, and peppered the Rovers goal for the remainder of the half. They equalized on 52 minutes, Reilly slotting in a penalty. 7 minutes later, they took the lead, as another corner wasn't properly defended. You're supposed to have a man on both posts when defending corners! :mad: Once again we didn't, and they scored. Gartland rising highest to head home. Rovers tried to come back into it, but Drogheda got their first home win of the season, and their 5th straight win against us. The only consolation for Rovers' fans was to see us move above Bohs into 10th, on goals scored :) ...
...for the moment!

There was a Finn Harps-Derry game in the league for the first time, since 2000. Derry dominated and won 2-0 with 2 first-half goals. Stephen Kenny must be laughing loud at the Bohs board these days. Bohs would have gone bottom, if the home side had won.

Longford played Bray. Bray have surprised most people this season, while Longford have spluttered. Longford won 2-1, and won their first home game of the season.

The Dublin derby saw Shels at home to Pats. Shels won comfortably 3-1, and move into second in the league, while Pats continue to be mediocre.

UCD are a bogey side for many clubs, and will be hard to break down this season. Waterford, however have started well. UCD won 1-0, as ex-Ireland boss Mick McCarthy, watched. Waterford were top, but have since slipped out of the top 3. Derry lead the way with 13 points, from Shels and Cork, while Finn Harps remain bottom, still celebrating their sole point this season, against Rovers. :rolleyes:

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 6/33:
BOHEMIANS 1-0 FINN HARPS
BRAY WANDS. 2-1 WATERFORD
CORK CITY 0-1 DROGHEDA UTD.
DERRY CITY 2-3 SHAMROCK ROVERS
LONGFORD TOWN 0-2 SHELBOURNE
ST. PATRICK'S ATH. 3-2 UCD

Week 6 saw 1 Dublin Derby, 3 home and away wins, and 17 goals scored.

The bottom two met at Dalymount, and while it's no surprise to see the away side down there, it certainly is to see Bohs there. Bohs had only scored 1 goal so far this season, and Finn Harps had only got 1 point. It still looked like a home banker, and an own goal after 35 minutes settled it for Bohs. However, it didn't change their positions in the table.

One game started later than the others, as a floodlight failure delayed the start of the Bray-Waterford game. The away side took the lead, but Eamonn Zayed helped the home side to win, as they scored 2 in 4 minutes near half-time. Bray continue to impress, while Waterford gradually lose their early season momentum.

Damian Richardson is whinging again. This time it's about visiting teams tactics down in Cork. As they haven't won at home yet, he may have some grounds for complaint this time. The latest team to defend like tigers in Cork were Drogheda, keeping the home side at bay, annoying their fans, one of which took out his frustration by firing a bottle at the Drogheda keeper. So what happened? Drogheda went up the other end and scored, through Damian Lynch's penalty after 70 minutes. Gartland was sent off for the visitors, but their fans won't care too much about that on the long journey home. Cork still haven't won at the South Pole yet, and it's allowing Shels to slowly build up a lead at the top of the league.

Meanwhile at the North Pole, the league leaders Derry hosted Rovers. It appeared to be another home banker, against a side who haven't won yet, with their manager suspended for the game, fined, and reprimanded by TPTB. Rovers have only scored 15 goals up in Derry before the game, however 2 arrived in 15 minutes, from Mooney, and McCourt, stunning the home side. They replied just after the half hour, even though it looked suspiciously offside. In first half injury time, McCourt challenged and won the ball on the halfway line, proceeded to run unopposed into the home penalty area, and scored from an acute angle. 3-1 up, and our fans were in dreamland. We continued to boss the home side in the second half, and Derry didn't look like scoring once, never mind twice. That was until the 76th minute, as Martyn scooped the ball up in the 6-yard box into the corner of the net. It was backs to the wall stuff after that, but Derry only hit the post while a player was being flagged offside. It's our first win of the season, only our 6th ever win at the Brandywell, and the first there since the 12th July game in 2002. However, we stay 10th, while Derry lose top spot. Maybe Collins should be suspended more often! :D

Two of the Setanta Cup teams, Longford and Shels, met at Flancare Park. Both of them wanted extra time to prepare for their next Setanta Cup games. Longford haven't quite got the gist of Thursday night home games yet, and their second one of them, and second in a row, ended in a comprehensive 2-0 defeat. Shels regain top slot, and are starting to go on a run.

Pats, and UCD met in the Dublin derby. UCD amaze me. How can they get points at Shels and Cork, then find themselves 3 down at Pats in half an hour? :confused: They recovered somewhat, limiting the damage to just a 3-2 scoreline. However, both sides continue to be an enigma this season.

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 7/33:
DROGHEDA UTD. 2-2 BOHEMIANS
FINN HARPS 0-0 LONGFORD TOWN
SHAMROCK ROVERS 1-3 CORK CITY
SHELBOURNE 4-1 BRAY WDS.
UCD 1-0 DERRY CITY
WATERFORD UTD. 1-0 ST. PATS. ATH.

Week 7 saw 3 home wins, 2 draws, and 1 away win, with 15 goals scored.

Drogheda have finally got going after a slow start, while Bohs have struggled badly all season, with just 2 goals scored before Week 7. That was how many they were behind mid-way through the first half. However, they got one back before the break, and equalized in the last quarter. Drogheda lie in mid-table, while Bohs move up to 10th with their point.

Someone else really struggling for points are Finn Harps, who played a Longford side this week, who are struggling to score goals, with only 5 so far. The two clubs who play at home on Saturdays fought out a goalless draw in the North-West. It doesn't change much for either side, but Finn Harps claim their second point of the season.

Returning from the North Pole last week with a very unexpected victory, it was time for Rovers to play host to the team from the South Pole the following week. It would prove to be TM's last game in charge of Rovers. With Rovers' next 8 games being played in Dublin, it could be a vital sequence of games for us. Bad start as Cork scored two in two minutes early in the second half, from O'Callaghan, and Doyle. Rovers pulled one back with a Gavin McDonnell header from a free-kick on '73, before O'Callaghan sealed the defeat on '86. My personal bugbear, time-wasting at the corner flag by Cork, led to 2 players been sent off in injury time, for their part in a 15-man brawl. It's Rico's second win at Dalyer in two weeks, who described Rovers as "our" club to the fans at Rovers' POTY awards in January. Rovers' latest bout of homesickness means we drop back to second from bottom.

Riding high as expected in the league, Shels took on the league's surprise package Bray, at home. Shels ran out easy winners 4-1, and continue to lead the league.

Stephen Kenny's Derry team travelled to Dublin again to play "Jekyll & Hyde". They are still suffering the effects of their defeat to Rovers at home, as Robbie Martin scored on 10 minutes for UCD, who held out to win 1-0. UCD remain inconsistent, while Derry slip further away from the leaders.

Waterford played at home to Pats. Pats won at home last week, but haven't been too clever away from home. They proceeded to lose their third away game this season, as Pat Purcell scored on 72' for Waterford to win 1-0 at the RSC fortress. Pats have picked up just one point on the road so far.

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 8/33:
CORK CITY 3-1 ST. PATS. ATH.
DERRY CITY 1-0 WATERFORD UTD.
LONGFORD 1-1 DROGHEDA UTD.
SHAMROCK ROVERS 3-2 BRAY WDS.
SHELBOURNE 3-0 FINN HARPS
UCD 1-1 BOHEMIANS

Week 8 saw 1 Dublin derby, no away victories, 4 home wins, and 2 draws. 17 goals were scored this week. 3 Dublin clubs completed the second game of their successive home games, while 2 other Dublin clubs and Bray completed their successive away games.

One of them, Pats, made their second journey down to Munster in a week, to play a Cork side suffering from a severe bout of homesickness this season. They found a cure with 2 goals in the opening 25 minutes. Another goal sealed the game for them, despite O' Callaghan's late own goal for Pats. Cork won 3-1, and finally win at home, while Pats are warming up for next week's derby against Rovers.

Both Derry, and Waterford were early season leaders, but while Waterford blow hot and cold, Derry have suffered two shock defeats in their last two games. They got off to a great start with a Shane Hargan goal on 9 minutes, and kept it for the rest of the game to win 1-0, ensuring a very long, miserable journey home, for the Suir lads.

Drogheda, like Waterford blow hot and cold. For prospective title contenders, they haven't produced much so far, only 3 wins from 7 games. The draw specialists, Longford would contend for the title if they could turn more of their draws into wins. They don't score or concede many, but did one of each in this game, as it finished 1-1. The result doesn't do either much good, as Drogheda continue to lie in mid-table, and Longford remain 8th.

The first Rovers game, post-Maguire, was another home game against Bray. It didn't promise to be exciting, but plenty happened. Bray took the lead on 28' through James, but Pat McCourt showed why he has been one of the league's best players this season, by scoring two wonderful, individual goals before half-time. He added a penalty in the second half after 62 minutes to complete his hat-trick too. Bray pulled one back with 10 minutes to go, but we held on against one of our bogey sides to win 3-2. Bray have now lost 2 in a row away, while Rovers' second win of the season moves us up to the heady heights of 9th! :)

Something far more expected happened at Tolka, where Shels played Finn Harps. The league's bottom club coped well until the 37th minute, when Shels opened the scoring. It didn't stop there either, as Shels ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, whilst giving the men from Donegal a rough examination.

What's it like watching Bohs this season? Not much fun I guess, seeing a big club struggle at the wrong end of the table. Having failed to score for 4 games, they showed some character to retrieve a point from Drogheda last week. Watching UCD however, is never fun. While Belfield is one of the nicest grounds to watch a game in the NL, the atmosphere is almost always non-existent. No surprise that these two played out a draw then. Bohs scored first, early in the second half, but UCD equalized with 10 minutes remaining, as it finished 1-1. Dropping to 11th, Bohs should be nowhere near that position. Meanwhile Shels have 20 points so far, 3 points clear of Cork, at the top of the league.

[pineapple stu]

Watching UCD however, is never fun. While Belfield is one of the nicest grounds to watch a game in the NL, the atmosphere is almost always non-existent. No surprise that these two played out a draw then.
Eh? :confused:

Watching UCD is fun. If you're a UCD fan.

Belfield is not one of the nicest grounds in the league to watch football from - even I'll admit that.

Can't really comment on the atmosphere, but how does a poor atmosphere mean that it's "no surprise" that the match ended in a draw?

Do you do the Aertel reports? :rolleyes:

[Krstic]

Do you do the Aertel reports? :rolleyes:


I think you're right.

'Shane Hargan'?????

[BohDiddley]

Eh? :confused:

Watching UCD is fun. If you're a UCD fan.

Belfield is not one of the nicest grounds in the league to watch football from - even I'll admit that.

Can't really comment on the atmosphere, but how does a poor atmosphere mean that it's "no surprise" that the match ended in a draw?

Do you do the Aertel reports? :rolleyes:
I can understand your taking umbrage there. On Friday's evidence, UCD are not to be sneezed at. I was impressed at how you came back into it, and I was relieved to be leaving with a point.
That said, I think most of the atmosphere was imported, and wore black and red.
Still on atmosphere, your 'stadium' announcer is a hoot. I went to UCD, and I never encountered anyone that super-posh in my time there! Sounded like he had never heard of any of the players, he read them out so s-l-o-o-w-l-y. Was he doing it for a dare?

[Schumi]

That said, I think most of the atmosphere was imported, and wore black and red.
In fairness, there wasn't much of that either.

your stadium announcer is a hoot. I went to UCD, and I never encountered anyone that super-posh in my time there! Sounded like he had never heard of any of the players, he read them out so s-l-o-o-w-l-y. Was he doing it for a dare?
:D No, he's always like that.

The slow (and repeated) team listing is actually handy, some places lash through them too quickly to be able to mark them on the programme. You missed out on an own-goal though unfortunately. :D

[pineapple stu]

That said, I think most of the atmosphere was imported, and wore black and red.
Which is why I said I can't comment! ;)

[mypost]

Damien, not Daniele, Dupuy scored our goal.

Shane Hargan?????

Do you do the Aertel reports?

Does it really matter whether Daniele/Damien Dupuy, or Shane/Sean Hargan scored goals? :confused: This is meant to be a review, not a spelling test!! Most posters here understand that. :mad:

You get the right scores and league positions here, which is more than what can be said for Aertel!! :)

[pineapple stu]

Does it really matter whether Daniele/Damien Dupuy, or Shane/Sean Hargan scored goals? :confused: This is meant to be a review, not a spelling test!! Most posters here understand that. :mad:
OK, the names is a bit (but not very) pedantic. But the stereotyping in the "factual" parts - Shels' crowd against UCD being very low (even though it wasn't), the poor atmosphere in Belfield Park meaning that "No surprise that these two played out a draw then" - this is more what I'm on about. Fair enough doing a review, but at least try and make it not so obvious that you weren't at the match or that you aren't just making random stuff up to fit the result...!

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 9/33:
BOHEMIANS 2-0 LONGFORD TOWN
BRAY WDS. 0-1 DERRY CITY
DROGHEDA UTD. 0-0 SHELBOURNE
FINN HARPS 1-0 UCD
ST. PATS. ATH. 1-1 S. ROVERS
WATERFORD UTD. 2-2 CORK CITY

Week 9 saw 1 Dublin derby, a Munster derby, a points deduction, 2 home wins, 3 draws, 1 away win, and 10 goals scored.

Bohs were looking to continue their recent improvement, at home to struggling Longford. Both sides are capable of doing better. Bohs won 2-0 with 2 second half goals, and are now unbeaten in 4 games while putting on the scoring boots. Both teams still lie in the bottom half of the table.

Bray are starting to slip, with 2 straight defeats, while Derry make steady progress. Derry won at the seaside 1-0 with a first-half goal, notching up the only away win of the weekend. They remain in the top 4, while Bray have slipped back into the pack following their third loss on the bounce.

Drogheda are another team suffering from homesickness with 1 win from 4 home games, while Shels are as expected, top of the table. The pretenders to the throne could only manage a 0-0 draw at home, although it was somewhat better than their 5-2 defeat to their visitors last season. Shels will be content with their point, while Drogheda have now won only once from 5 home games.

Two of the promoted sides, Finn Harps and UCD, met in the last game of the weekend, at Finn Park. "Hyde" turned up this week, and lost 1-0. It's Finn Harps first win of the season, and moves them away from the bottom.

Pats, and Rovers met in the Dublin derby, in the first game of the weekend. A poor match was brought to life in the strangest way, with a Payne o.g. giving Pats the lead with 20 minutes left. However, Rovers got an equalizer as the home defence dozed off in injury time, allowing Dave Mooney to crash a volley in under the bar. The point initially kept Rovers in 9th, before the news came through that Rovers had been deducted 8 points for club licence application irregularities. Rovers now have just 1 point, relegating the club to the bottom of the table, and the season effectively restarts now for the club. :(

The Munster Derby saw Waterford face Cork. The game had everything, 4 goals, a red card, and a penalty, as it ended up 2-2. Bragging rights in Munster will have to be postponed until the next meeting in week 20, but the Cork fans could get home from an away game in less than 4 hours for a change. :)

[Schumi]

"Hyde" turned up this week, and lost 1-0.
Spot on. :(

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 10/33:
BRAY WDS. 1-2 BOHEMIANS
DERRY CITY 2-2 ST. PATS. ATH.
DROGHEDA UTD. 1-0 FINN HARPS
LONGFORD TOWN 1-0 UCD
SHAMROCK ROVERS 0-0 WATERFORD
SHELBOURNE 0-2 CORK CITY

Week 10 saw 5 games played during the weekend. There was just a single away win, with 2 home wins, and 2 draws, producing just 9 goals. The Shelbourne - Cork game was originally postponed due to Shels' Setanta Cup commitments.

Bray's season has run aground lately, and a home game against a resurgent Bohs, isn't the fixture you want when you're on a losing streak. Zayed gave them an early lead, but Bohs hit back, and won in injury time. Bray slide into mid-table following 4 straight defeats, while Bohs move well away from the relegation zone.

Pats were the second Dublin team to make the trip to the North pole to face Derry this season. Derry could have gained ground on the leaders with a win, but went behind, before recovering to take the lead in the second half. A Pats equalizer late on, grabbed them a point, and Derry had to settle for been only second in the table, with those above them having a game in hand.

Drogheda were disappointed to only draw 0-0 with Shels at home last week, and this week played a Finn Harps side who have lost all of their away games this season. Another one followed as Drogheda won 1-0. Drogheda get their second home win this season, while Finn Harps are 11th, because of Rovers' points deduction.

UCD were the visitors for the last game of this, and last weekend, to face an erratic Longford side. Longford won 1-0 to move above UCD, who are anxiously looking over their shoulders at the teams below them.

The most one-sided game of the weekend was in Dalymount, as Rovers played Waterford. Waterford dug a trench at the 18-yard line, and Rovers couldn't break them down all night. A poor game finished 0-0. Waterford have 14 points, while Rovers' point moves them to within one game of catching Finn Harps' total, despite remaining bottom.

The leaders eventually took on Cork, which was live on tv. Cork scored twice in the second half to win 2-0. Cork win once again away from home to move top of the league, while Shels lose their first league game at home this season, just in time of course, for their next home league game against SRFC. :rolleyes:

[dancinpants]

Derry had to settle for been only third in the table, with those above them having a game in hand.


Ye might want to check the table again chief!!! ;) . Point ahead of Cork .

[mypost]

Ye might want to check the table again chief!!! Point ahead of Cork .

Not anymore!! :)

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 11/33:
BOHEMIANS 2-1 SHELBOURNE
CORK CITY 2-0 DERRY CITY
FINN HARPS 1-2 BRAY WDS.
ST. PATS. ATH. 0-1 LONGFORD
UCD 0-0 SHAMROCK ROVERS
WATERFORD UTD. 0-3 DROGHEDA UTD.

Week 11 of the Premier Division, can only mean only two things. It was the end of the first round of games, and because of how the fixtures fall this season, it meant that it was the start of back-to-back home and away games, for many clubs. Cork, Pats, UCD, and Waterford began 2 home games, while Shelbourne, Bray, Longford, and Drogheda began a set of successive away games this week.

Week 11 saw 2 Dublin derbies, 2 home wins, 3 away wins, and a 0-0 draw. There were 12 goals scored.

Bohs against Shels used to be a top-of-the-table clash, but because of Bohs' slip down the pecking order recently, it became just another derby. With all of the winter recruits from Bohs available, Shels took an early lead through Alan Moore, but Bohs fought back and took the lead before the break, with Ken Oman on the scoresheet. Bohs won 2-1, as Shels lose their second game in a row, on their second visit to Dalymount this season.

The length of Ireland may separate Cork and Derry geographically, but not much separates them in the table this season. For many seasons, this fixture had a Sunday afternoon kick-off at 12.00, but an evening kick-off is the norm now, since the 2002 FAI Cup semi-final. In the game, Derry held out until the 55th minute, when their resistance broke. They shipped another goal on 81', as Cork won 2-0, as they begin to turn the Cross into the fortress it used to be, which should account for Finn Harps next week. Derry now lie fourth, while Cork lead the table.

Finn Harps have claimed all their points at home so far, and up against a Bray side facing into 4 away games in their next 5, on the back of 4 straight defeats, they must have fancied themselves to get some more here. Reality check required! Bray were two up, until late in the game, when the home side pulled one back. Bray stem their recent bad run, while Harps can look forward to the long trip to Cork next week. Enjoy!

Pats are one of the teams who can't go on any run at all this season, good or bad. They did very well to scrap a point from Derry last week, but threw 2 away, at home to Rovers in injury time. Up against a side who'll kick anything that moves, i.e. Longford, it never promised to be an entertaining spectacle. Longford duly had 2 men sent off, while Pats couldn't help getting in on the act either, and they had one off too. Amidst the disciplinary difficulties, there was actually a goal scored. Longford got it, and won 1-0. Both sides however, are capable of doing much better than hanging around in mid-table.

UCD played Rovers off the park at Belfield. Roddy Collins described the Rovers performance as the worst from a side he's managed. UCD squandered many chances, and the second Rovers game in a week finished 0-0. For Rovers, it was very much a point gained, rather than 2 lost.

Waterford were still reminiscing on how they got out of jail last week at Rovers, and went behind to Drogheda after 3 minutes. Time for Waterford to come out of their shell and attack, which left gaps at the back. Drogheda scored another on 22', and Pat Purcell completed a miserable evening for the home side, by putting the ball in his own net in the second half, as Drogheda won 3-0. Waterford remain in mid-table, while Drogheda climb into third, and begin to click into gear. After their trip to the South-East, they will try to avoid a double defeat to Derry this season, at the Brandywell next week. But take heart Drogs fans, you only have to go there once this season. ;)

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 12/33:
CORK CITY 2-0 FINN HARPS
DERRY CITY 3-0 DROGHEDA UTD.
S. ROVERS 1-2 BOHS.
ST. PATS. ATH. 2-0 BRAY WDS.
UCD 1-1 SHELBOURNE
WATERFORD UTD. 0-3 LONGFORD

Week 12 saw the first round of the second series of games this season, which saw 2 Dublin derbies, 3 home wins, 2 away wins, and a 1-1 draw. In all, there were 15 goals scored.

Finn Harps can count themselves fortunate that they only have to travel to the South Pole once this season. Cork started slowly at home, but have gone on a winning run there lately. Harps had a 'mare, losing 2-0 to two first-half goals from Kevin Doyle, had a player dismissed, stay second from bottom, but go home in the knowledge that Waterford will follow them up to Donegal next week. Cork move an impressive 4 points clear, and head off to the Bray beach next. 3 seasons ago, the trip to Bray was the nearest they had to a "derby". :D

Fresh from their win down south last week, Drogheda headed to the North Pole on the back of 10 unbeaten games, moving towards the top of the league. They were sent back home with a 3 goal thrashing from Derry, who continue to blow hot and cold. But they have now beaten the Drogs twice already this season.

And now to the real Dublin derby, coming 51 weeks since Rovers were last at "home" to Bohs in Dalyer, which was the last time we won. Bragging rights amongst the fans were postponed in March, when it finished 1-1. Ireland reject Dominic Foley scored the opener for the gypos on 34', and Rovers reject T. Grant scored another on the hour mark. Rovers responded well, getting one back through Will McDonagh on 77'. It wasn't enough however to prevent a third loss to Bohs in the last 4 derbies, on a 1-2 scoreline. Apparantly, there was an incident at the end of the game, which even though the Gardai quickly sorted, was predictably highlighted in the media. However, if Rovers don't find an investor to take over the club soon, this derby could be the last one. You'd have to ask Bohs fans whether they relish the prospect of that, or not.

Pats lost again last week, while Bray are losing ground, and slipping down towards the relegation zone, despite last week's win at Finn Harps. It won't go down as a classic, but Pats scored two second half goals to win 2-0, and get revenge after their opening day defeat to Bray. Bray face the leaders next week in trepidation.

Surely a side like Shels wouldn't drop more points to UCD this season! :eek: It's not meant to happen, but they went behind early on, before managing to find an equalizer midway through the second half. The game finished 1-1 again, Shels collect a point, but haven't won in 3 games, and are 4 points behind Cork in second. There must be a game against Rovers coming up, to take their frustration out on. (again) :rolleyes:

On Day 1, Waterford won at Longford, but they have only claimed 11 more points since. 11 games later, Longford hammered them in their own backyard 3-0. Waterford's defence has taken time off in their last two home games, they must have thought they were overworked at Rovers, having promptly shipped 6 goals in 2 home games, and no doubt they hope to get another night off at Finn Harps next week. Longford meanwhile are starting to pick up some form after their defeat to Bohs, and following 3 wins on the spin, stay in mid-table.

[BohDiddley]

Premier Division Results:


And now to the real Dublin derby, coming 51 weeks since Rovers were last at "home" to Bohs in Dalyer, which was the last time we won. Bragging rights amongst the fans were postponed in March, when it finished 1-1. Ireland reject Dominic Foley scored the opener for the gypos on 34', and Rovers reject T. Grant scored another on the hour mark. Rovers responded well, getting one back through Will McDonagh on 77'. It wasn't enough however to prevent a third loss to Bohs in the last 4 derbies, on a 1-2 scoreline. Apparantly, there was an incident at the end of the game, which even though the Gardai quickly sorted, was predictably highlighted in the media. However, if Rovers don't find an investor to take over the club soon, this derby could be the last one. You'd have to ask Bohs fans whether they relish the prospect of that, or not.

I see you're not letting objectivity get in the way of a little hooped self-indulgence. What a pity: your Premier Review is an otherwise valuable production and should not need an intervention to set the record straight.
I'm happy to let you away with the to-be-expected 'Rovers responded well' and other natural Rovers delusions, but some parts of your report cannot be allowed to stand.
For the record, T. Grant rejected Rovers, not the other way round.
Also for the record, but more importantly, your mealy-mouthed 'an incident at the end of the game' is a deliberate attempt to fudge the unpleasant truth. By the accounts on your MB and on the Bohs MB, there was a charge by a large number of hooped thugs towards Bohs fans, who did not respond. This, in hoops-speak is, of course, entirely the fault of the gardai, Bohs (because we own Dalymount) and the media. Once again, SRFC dragging the name of Irish football through the mire, and once again refusing to accept any blame. I didn't see a single post on your MB condeming the charge, which may see you evicted from Dalymount as a direct consequence. This version of Rovers will not be missed if you don't survive, and there won't be too many misty-eyed Bohs fans having difficulty adjusting to Bohs v. $hels as the real Dublin derby.
Finally, your labelling of Dominic Foley, a talented player who scored a superb goal last Friday, is mean-spirited and ill-befits a message board for a league that has enough people outside it dedicated to doing it down. What EL player is not an 'Ireland reject'?

[dancinpants]

Shels collect a point....and are 4 points behind Cork in second.

And again...ye might want to check the table again pal - DERRY CITY are 4 points behind Cork in second, Shels are 5 points behind Cork in THIRD. :rolleyes:

[mypost]

I'm happy to let you away with the to-be-expected 'Rovers responded well' and other natural Rovers delusions.

Also for the record, but more importantly, your mealy-mouthed 'an incident at the end of the game' is a deliberate attempt to fudge the unpleasant truth. By the accounts on your MB and on the Bohs MB, there was a charge by a large number of hooped thugs towards Bohs fans, who did not respond. This, in hoops-speak is, of course, entirely the fault of the gardai, Bohs (because we own Dalymount) and the media. Once again, SRFC dragging the name of Irish football through the mire, and once again refusing to accept any blame. I didn't see a single post on your MB condeming the charge, which may see you evicted from Dalymount as a direct consequence. This version of Rovers will not be missed if you don't survive, and there won't be too many misty-eyed Bohs fans having difficulty adjusting to Bohs v. $hels as the real Dublin derby.


I wasn't at the game, but from what I've heard, what is alleged to have happened was nothing new. I've attended many Bohs-Rovers games in the past at Dalyer, where aggro after the game was a regular occurence, between both sets of fans. Unfortunately, as the games continue to kick-off on Friday nights, I can't see any change in the situation in the near future. When Bohs-Rovers games were played on Saturday/Sunday afternoons, there was never any trouble afterwards. After one derby, Bohs fans came on to the field after the game and also attempted to reach our fans looking for trouble, while I've attended games in Inchicore where Pats fans have ran over to where the majority of Rovers fans were housed, attempting to provoke our fans into a reaction, then blame the whole incident on us. The truth is that about 50 of our fans attempted to reach the opposition fans after the game, and while I'm not condoning such actions, the Gardai dealt with the problem. But the media have taken to it, like flies around lights. In a few weeks time, it will all blow over as usual, and everything will return to normal.

As regards Dancinpants, he likes everything to be in proper order. Like I said, Cork are indeed 4 points clear of second. Btw, why don't you confirm that the games on "next week", are actually cup games, while you're at it? :rolleyes:

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 13/33:
BOHEMIANS - ST. PATS. ATH.
BRAY WDS. 1-2 CORK CITY
DROGHEDA UTD. 1-2 UCD
FINN HARPS 2-0 WATERFORD UTD.
LONGFORD TOWN 0-0 DERRY CITY
SHELBOURNE 1-2 SHAMROCK ROVERS

After the break for cup games, week 13 saw what could turn out to be the decisive week of the season at the top of the table. As Bohs are (wrongly) suspended from playing League games at the moment due to their European commitments, 5 games were played, there was 1 home win and 1 draw, with 3 away wins from the weekend, and 11 goals scored. Shels against Rovers was broadcast live on satellite tv.

Bray have won 1 and lost 5 games in the last 6, which isn't good form to take into a game against the league leaders. Cork are on a good run, with 4 wins from their last 5. They hit the front at Bray before half-time, and extended their lead in the second half. Zayed got one back for Bray, but they couldn't repeat their heroics at Cork in March, and claim another point. Cork won 2-1, and are beginning to move away from the others at the top of the table. Bray meanwhile, prepare for another set of away games, but if it's any consolation for their fans, they are visits to relatively local sides.

UCD got 2 points from their back-to-back home games, and went up to Drogheda, a side who blow hot and cold this season, and should be doing better, given their set-up. Not much happened until early in the second half, when Drogheda broke the resolute UCD rearguard. Drogheda's defence promptly fell asleep, and within 5 minutes, the visitors were level. Both sides chased the winner, but UCD nicked it in the last minute, to claim revenge for their home defeat to Drogheda earlier in the season, while having another set of home games coming up, against two teams who played against each other this week, Bray and Cork.

There isn't an official summer break this season, but it would seem that there is some sort of siesta going on in Waterford. Their forwards went on one after scoring twice against Cork. Phew!!! Their defenders deferred their holiday for another week, and ground out a draw at Rovers. Physically, they're on the field, but mentally, they are elsewhere. Since then, they have shipped 3 at home twice, and gone out of the cup too. The reward for that "endeavour", was a long-haul trip to Finn Harps, who were eager to exploit any Waterford lapses. Harps went two up before the break, and held on comfortably to the final whistle, at which Alan Reynolds lost the plot, and got himself sent off. All joking aside, there are serious problems at Waterford now, with cashflow difficulties, no chairman, and no manager, as Reynolds resigned after the game. Those defenders better get proper rest before taking on the champions back at base next week. They can't afford to remain on holiday for that one!!

Longford faced Derry, bouyant from their cup win at Shels, but who couldn't reproduce the wining formula against a dogged and determined Longford. It ended 0-0, Derry consolidate second position, but drop 2 more points to Cork, and are 6 behind them.

Fireworks at the Dublin derby and not in the stands. :eek: OB took comments from RC before the game the wrong way, threw 3 punches at the Rovers boss in the tunnel, and ended up on the floor with a head wound to boot!! The game started disasterously for Rovers, after just 4 minutes. In the first game of last season, Shels played Rovers at Tolka, and Rovers' defensive policy at corners of not putting players on both posts allowed J. Byrne to head in from a corner. Lightning struck twice up the other end this time, as the same defensive tactics allowed Shels' rebel player Dave Rogers, to nod home at the unmarked back post, from another corner. When will we ever learn? :rolleyes: Unlike the game last season, Rovers came back to equalise through Dave Mooney on 33', followed by a lead goal, from Will McDonagh on 42'. Rovers missed a penalty in the second half, and had 2 players harshly sent off; McDonnell was sent off for aiming a kick at Caffrey despite not making any contact, McDonagh went for the "crime" of winning a tackle. Despite 7 minutes of injury time, we held on for only our third win of the season, ideal preparation for next week's relegation six-pointer against Finn Harps. RC said before the game, that Shels could end up with nothing this season. Shels lost the Setanta Cup final, are already out of the FAI Cup, have lost 3 games in 4, and are now 8 points behind Cork. Even at this stage, it's difficult to see how Shels will make up that amount of points to the leaders. Was this the weekend when the title was decided?

[pineapple stu]

Even at this stage, it's difficult to see how Shels will make up that amount of points to the leaders. Was this the weekend when the title was decided?
Ah come on! Shels have to play Cork twice yet - there's six points they could easily make up! Far too early to talk about things being decided...

[mypost]

Following the recent appalling, ludicrous, dangerous, and unprecedented policy set by the above mentioned club, relating to the fact that not all NL clubs' away fans are welcome to attend games played at their home ground, in what is frankly a grotesque, and hysterical over-reaction to the "actions" of a minority of visiting fans at their ground, it is with considerable and sincere regret that, with immediate effect, the above mentioned club shall be excluded from reference in the "Premier Review", until the club's policy regarding this matter is reviewed.

[De Town]

Following the recent appalling, ludicrous, dangerous, and unprecedented policy set by the above mentioned club, relating to the fact that not all NL clubs' away fans are welcome to attend games played at their home ground, in what is frankly a grotesque, and hysterical over-reaction to the "actions" of a minority of visiting fans at their ground, it is with considerable and sincere regret that, with immediate effect, the above mentioned club shall be excluded from reference in the "Premier Review", until the club's policy regarding this matter is reviewed.
ya might aswell stop altogheter, whats the point???

people know what the scores were :rolleyes:

[joeraki]

ya might aswell stop altogheter, whats the point???

people know what the scores were :rolleyes:


True :D :D

[mypost]

people know what the scores were :rolleyes:

That's not the point!!

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 14/33:
DERRY CITY 3-1 BOHEMIANS
SH. ROVERS 1-4 FINN HARPS
ST. PATS. ATH. 0-2 DROGHEDA
UCD 3-2 BRAY WDS.
WATERFORD UTD. 2-4 SHELBOURNE

Week 14 saw 18 goals scored, with the Pats-Drogheda game shown "as live" on satellite tv.

Derry played Bohs at the North Pole, after Week 19. The home side won 3-1, with Ciaran Martyn continuing on his scoring run, and Mark Farren scoring against Bohs for the second time this season, as Stephen Kenny completed the double over his previous employers. Bohs went out of Europe, following this week's games, :D :) and so no more of their games were postponed due to European commitments.

The relegation six-pointer at Dalymount, saw Rovers take on Finn Harps, who were bouyant following their facile win over Waterford last week, but who had yet to win a point on the road so far. A win over the champions the previous week, should have seen Rovers in the same mood for this crucial clash, but once again, events off the pitch leading up to the game, saw Rovers' concentration disrupted, and the resulting performance was as bad as the weather. Harps went in front halfway through the first half through McHugh, but Rovers hit back with a 40-yard screamer from McCourt at the restart, but failed to push on, and Harps went back in front from McGrenaghan on 36', to lead 2-1 at the break. Any thoughts of a comeback were dashed on 57' when Breen added a third for the visitors, were deteriorated further with a red card for McCourt on 67' for a wild two-footed lunge, and were demolished completely when Capper slammed home Harps' fourth on 75'. Harps will struggle to score 4 goals in a game again all season, but move 5 points clear of Rovers for now. On a disasterous night for Rovers, there was one bright spot at half-time, when Harps's supporters club presented a small but very generous donation to the 400 Club. :) When you contrast that generosity to the attitude of the club who Rovers play next week, who have declared an indiscriminate ban on all our fans from attending the game, you know who your friends are in a time of crisis, even in football. After the latest failed takeover bid, if the club don't find a backer(s) in the very near future, the next game for Rovers could be our last away game in senior football. :( :(

Pats played Drogheda at Richmond, the first of this season's games to be shown "as live" on tv. Conditions were poor, but Drogheda dealt with them better, a goal in each half from Mark Leech in the 28th, and 60th minutes, giving them a 2-0 win. Pats however, can't find any consistency at all, and are alarmingly close to the relegation zone, just above Finn Harps. The two sides play each other next week in Donegal, in another relegation six-pointer.

UCD and Bray played at Belfield. UCD are doing well at the moment, while Bray are in freefall. The game see-sawed, with UCD opening the scoring, before falling behind to the visitors in the second half. Bray couldn't hang on however, and conceded not just an equalizer, but the winner too. It's all going wrong for the Seagulls at the moment, and having got nothing from their last three games, face a trip to Drogheda next.

Waterford played Shels at the RSC, both sides struggling lately. Waterford's defenders did rise from their slumber for 12 minutes, and lo and behold, their forwards brought their scoring boots with them, and scored a goal at long last, Yelverton on 12 minutes. You wouldn't begrudge the delight of fans who have been waiting for 5 games to see their side score a goal, at which point, their defenders over-celebrated, switched off, and went back to their siesta. Crowe scored the equalizer from the restart. Stuart Byrne put Shels in front on 25', and they led 2-1 at half-time. Yelverton equalized on 57', before Heary scored a hand-of-God goal to regain Shels' lead. Fitzpatrick added the clincher in injury time, as Shels ran out winners as expected, 4-2. Following Cork's 0-0 draw in their game, Shels move into second. All that Waterford, like Rovers have to look forward to, is the revolving entrance/exit door of the transfer period. It will be a busy time throughout the league.

[Poor Student]

Following the recent appalling, ludicrous, dangerous, and unprecedented policy set by the above mentioned club, relating to the fact that not all NL clubs' away fans are welcome to attend games played at their home ground, in what is frankly a grotesque, and hysterical over-reaction to the "actions" of a minority of visiting fans at their ground, it is with considerable and sincere regret that, with immediate effect, the above mentioned club shall be excluded from reference in the "Premier Review", until the club's policy regarding this matter is reviewed.

I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Longford crack now that you've put the squeeze on them. :rolleyes:

[fitzknows]

Offical statement to be announced tomorrow at Flancare Park.
:D :D :D

[mypost]

I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Longford crack now that you've put the squeeze on them. :rolleyes:

Well, it worked, didn't it??? :D :D, or at least, contributed to it, in some way!! :)

Following the reversal of the decision taken by Longford Town FC, they are now welcomed back to the Premier Review, with immediate effect. Hopefully, the earlier decision made, won't happen again.

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 15/33:
BOHEMIANS 2-1 WATERFORD UTD.
DROGHEDA UTD. 3-0 BRAY WDS.
FINN HARPS 0-2 ST. PATS. ATH.
LONGFORD 2-1 SHAMROCK ROVERS
SHELBOURNE 1-2 DERRY CITY
UCD 1-5 CORK CITY

Week 15 saw 3 home and away wins, with 20 goals scored. The game at Tolka Park was shown "as live" on satellite tv.

Waterford made their second visit to Dalymount where they got their last point, 5 weeks ago. Bohs meanwhile, had just returned from going out of Europe. Normally, that leads to a hangover effect for a club, and maybe it would have happened if they were playing stronger opposition, but this was a home banker, with Waterford in the form they're in, and so it proved. Bohs edged it to win 2-1. Waterford are staring at the relegation zone, following this latest defeat.

Drogheda played Bray at United Park, eager to make up for their last home game, when they lost in the last minute to UCD. Against Bray, who can't buy a point lately, it was a facile job. The home side won 3-0, wrapping up the win early. Bray are enduring a Waterford-esque run instead.

Following their win last week, and Pats defeat, Harps would have fancied their chances going into their home game against the team directly above them. They would be crestfallen though, as two second-half goals gave Pats a comfortable win. Pats have the players to move away from the bottom, but will they ever go on a consistent run?

After all the hulla-baloo off the pitch in the build up, eventually there was a game played at the Flansiro. Despite allowing Rovers fans to attend the game, Longford were determined to not take ANY chances. Not only did they make our security go to supervise our fans, some security genius decided to put an 8ft high barrier around the Rovers fans as well. :rolleyes: Since when were fences permitted to be used in football grounds? I thought they belonged to another era entirely. Our security insisted it be taken down, which it relunctantly was. Then the steady rain before the game, turned heavy, then thundery, which wouldn't be an enticing prospect to stand in for 2 hours. Mercifully, it stopped just as the game was about to kick-off. As expected, Longford shaded the first half, without overrunning the visitors. Longford fell asleep at the start of the second half, and Gavin McDonnell powerfully headed home from 12 yards. Rovers continued to dominate and could possibly have added another one, but just when you think you might nick 3 crucial points, you're reminded that when you're bottom of the league, you get no luck of the green. On 72', Paisley hit a Hail Mary shot from 35 yards, which took a violent deflection of a Rovers defender, and went in off the post. :( 5 minutes later, Longford were ahead, after a free-kick was only partially cleared, allowing Sean Dillon time and space to pick his spot, and find the net. That was that. Rovers were unluckly to not get at least a point, but it is possible for the club to beat the drop, if they can put a couple of wins together.

Shels against Derry was on the telly for the second time in 3 weeks, and like in the first game, Derry flew out of the traps. They were 2 up by the half hour, and despite Shels' attempt at a comeback in the second half, Derry held on once again to win 2-1. There were incidents involving both Shels staff, and fans again at the final whistle, but Rovers fans were behind that as usual, weren't they?? :rolleyes:

In Week 4, Cork were very frustrated as UCD set out their stall at Turners Cross, rigidly stuck to it, and nicked a point. Cork weren't too happy, and took this opportunity to exact revenge. UCD were all over the place, and were 2-1 down at the break. Cork didn't let up in the second half, and had fun with the hapless home defence, to romp away with a 5-1 victory, maintaining their sizeable advantage at the top of the table. They're clearly the best team around at the moment. Watch out Bohs!! :D

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 16/33:
BRAY WDS. 1-1 LONGFORD TOWN
CORK CITY 2-1 BOHEMIANS
DERRY CITY 3-2 FINN HARPS
SHAMROCK ROVERS 1-0 DROGHEDA UTD.
ST. PATS. ATH. 0-1 SHELBOURNE
WATERFORD UTD. 0-0 UCD

Week 16 saw 3 home wins, 2 draws, and 1 away win, which came at the live Satellite tv Dublin derby game. 12 goals were scored.

Bray finally had a home game, but haven't had a good time lately, losing 4 on the bounce, while Longford warmed up for Europe. It finished 1-1 at the seaside, Bray will be happy to avoid defeat for a change, while Longford won't be that disappointed either. Bray are 8th.

The best game on paper was Cork at home to Bohs. If Bohs had started their season like they're playing now, the game would be crucial as regards the championship. But, after their last game at the Cross, Cork re-inforced home rule here. Cork were 1 up at the break, and went two up after it, before Bohs pulled one back which turned out to be merely a consolation. Cork remain well clear at the top, while Bohs head home, before heading to the other end of the country next week, to face Finn Harps.

A home banker would have being forecast in Derry before their game, but as it was a rare Northern derby against Finn Harps at home, the visitors would be up for it. Bringing a defence might have helped their cause also, especially as Derry shot out of the blocks to take another early 2-0 lead. McHugh pulled one back for the visitors on the half hour, and kept in touch 'till half time. Derry restored their two goal advantage early in the second half, before Harps reduced the gap again. But that was as close as they got, as Derry celebrate the double over their neighbours this season, while trying to ensure that, expansion or no expansion, there will be 4 teams in next year's Setanta Cup from Northern Ireland.

Rovers faced Drogheda at Dalymount. A close, but entertaining game was decided by Mooney's goal just after half time, as Rovers finally end the 5-game losing streak against Drogheda. Rovers close the gap at the bottom to 2 points once again.

Pats faced Shels in the live tv game at Richmond. Both sides met in the League Cup earlier in the week, and Pats wanted to bounce back after another defeat to Shels. Wasn't to be though, as Baker's goal on half time won it for Shels, He was sent off in stoppage time, but his team got their third win over Pats this season. Pats continue to struggle, while Shels head off to play in Europe well, Belfast actually. :D

Waterford against UCD was put back to the Saturday evening at 6.00. The game finished 0-0, as both sides ground out a point. In the long term, it does neither side much good, but Waterford will enjoy seeing the return of their defence from holiday, to claim their first point in 6 weeks.

[TonyD]

Slight correction, Hoolahan scored for Shels, not Baker. Class finish I have to admit. It was definitely Baker that was sent off though, good enough for the little git :D

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 17/33:
DROGHEDA UTD. 0-1 CORK CITY
FINN HARPS 1-3 BOHEMIANS
SH. ROVERS 0-2 DERRY CITY
SHELBOURNE 1-0 LONGFORD TOWN
UCD 1-0 ST. PATS. ATH.
WATERFORD UTD. 1-2 BRAY WDS.

Week 6 of the second round of games, means that at Week 17 of the championship, it's the halfway mark. The Rovers-Derry game was shown live on Satellite tv, there were 2 home wins, and no less than 4 away wins this week.

Because of Cork's European commitments, their game at Drogheda was put back to the last game of the weekend on Sunday, complete with 41-year old Phil Harrington in goal. Not the greatest game, but Cork didn't suffer a European hangover, as George O' Callaghan's goal on 51' won it for the visitors, who maintain their sizeable lead at the top of the league, while Drogheda have lost 2 in a row, and 2 from their last 3 at home. They remain fourth, but Bohs have 2 games in hand in fifth.

Time for Bohs to get used to long journeys now. After making their annual trip to Cork last week, they faced another trek this week to Ballybofey to face Finn Harps. They went 2 up early on, before Harps pulled one back, and according to Aertel pulled another one back. They didn't though, instead it was Bohs who scored again, to run out 3-1 winners. Bohs' early season form has handicapped their progress this season, while Harps are currently suffering from a bad dose of the "we beat Rovers" bug, as they have followed up their win at Dalymount with 3 straight defeats, and continue to lie 11th.

Speaking of Rovers, it was a rare opportunity this season to achieve a double over Derry, after the win at the North Pole in April. The game was shown live on Satellite tv, and it was a contest for 27 minutes until Will McDonagh, having just come back from a three-game suspension, got himself sent off for dissent. After that, the two sides were Poles Apart in quality terms. Ciaran Martyn scored the opener for Derry on 48', and they secured their win on 80'. Derry lie 7 points off Cork, and are relying on Rovers to do them a favour next week, when we go to the South Pole. How it might happen is a different story altogether. The club remain bottom at halfway, but at least, the 400 club saved the club from extinction, ..again!! Things could have been a lot worse.

Because of both clubs European commitments, the Shels-Longford game was brought forward 3 weeks. Jason Byrne scored the winner on 51', to leave Shels 9 points off Cork, ...in the Intertoto Cup position!

UCD played Pats at Belfield. Pats' boss, was upset at his players attitude during the game, and there was no sign of their blistering start against UCD at Richmond in April. UCD won 1-0. Both clubs have surprised this season, but for different reasons. Pats should not be 9th, and UCD are usually miles away from 7th at the halfway mark of the season.

Waterford and Bray was the first game to take place at the weekend, but if you were late, you would have missed a fair bit. All the goals were scored in the first half-hour, and Bray ended up winning it 2-1. Waterford continue to struggle, while Bray head into successive home games, with an easy start, as the champions are the first visitors to the seaside!!

After Week 17, Cork lead the league with 40 points, Derry are second with 33, while Shels lie third with 31. At the bottom, Finn Harps and Rovers scrap it out for the play-off spot with 11, and 9 points respectively. How will it all end up after the second half of the campaign?

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 18/33:
BOHEMIANS 3-2 DROGHEDA UTD.
BRAY WDS. 2-2 SHELBOURNE
CORK CITY 3-0 SHAMROCK ROVERS
DERRY CITY 3-0 UCD
LONGFORD TOWN 1-0 FINN HARPS
ST. PATS. ATH. 1-0 WATERFORD UTD.

Week 18 saw a good week for the home sides, 5 home wins, with Shels being the only away team to snatch a point away from home. 17 goals went in this week, with late drama at Dalymount Park, shown "as live" on Satellite tv.

It's there where we go to first, as 5th place hosted 4th. Bohs were one up at half time, through Dom Foley on 35'. Drogheda scored two in two minutes just after the hour to lead, and looked to be heading for victory until Harkin's equaliser with two minutes left. Drogheda then slumped to their third defeat in a row, and their second in 2 weeks at Dalymount, when Foley nicked the winner for Bohs in injury time. The barstoolers who tuned in were surely entertained by that game.

Shels had won their European tie, only 2 days before their trip to Bray. The party mood continued as they went 2 up early on. Then they retreated into their shell, and Zayed struck again to half the deficit, before Tresson equalised with 9 minutes left. Shels had better learn to defend a 2-goal lead in Europe if they get one in the next round, but if they don't pull their socks up soon, they could be staring at the glamour of the Intertoto Cup next season. With their next game postponed, they could be an incredible 14 POINTS behind Cork with 14 games left, before they play again. Even 11 points looks too much for them to pull back at this stage.

Top v bottom in Cork, and you would have got long odds on Rovers doing a favour for Derry before the game, which became even longer when Rovers' defence could only last 3 minutes, before Joe Gamble nodded in. It looked like a long night for the visitors, but the defensive damage was limited to one goal at half-time, thanks to O'Callaghan's missed penalty. Like at Longford 3 weeks ago, the home side went asleep at the start of the second half, and McCourt's deflected shot hit the bar, but unlike in Longford, the ball stayed out of the home side's goal this time. It was a wake-up call for Cork, who got their second on 61' through John O'Flynn, at which point it really did become damage limitation. Despite that, Cork got a third on 80', when for the third time in three weeks, a goal was deflected into the net off a Rovers defender, this time, Doyle. But all in all, I think Rovers were happy and lucky to keep it to 3-0, as this one was the proverbial home banker, and so it proved, while Cork provided their fans in The Shed with a good send-off, before it serves it's European suspension in midweek.

As Rovers headed for Cork, UCD headed in the opposite direction to Derry, having won the earlier game in Week 7. No chances of the same happening here though, as Derry ruthlessly put away the students, winning 3-0, with Ciaran Martyn scoring against his old club twice in the second half. Derry keep Cork honest at the top, and the gap remains at 7 points.

Their last trip to Derry was their shortest this season, and this week Finn Harps made their second shortest trip of the season for the Saturday night derby at Longford. They continue to suffer from "we beat Rovers" syndrome, and lost 1-0 thanks to Gareth Cronin's winner on 70' for the home side. As if losing 4 in a row wasn't bad enough, Finn Harps' manager was later sacked, and they know that if Rovers win next week, they're back at the bottom. But as they were due to play Shels, it may not be such a bad thing for them to have the game called off, and have the game in hand instead. But the long, long away trips resume from here on for them.

Pats began their set of home games with the visit of Waterford to Inchicore, with the home side looking for revenge for their defeat earlier in the season. The visitors were also looking for revenge, after losing to Pats in the Cup. The kudos went to Pats this time, who won 1-0, and gear up for their clash with Cork next week. That looks to be the pick of next week's games.

[pineapple stu]

UCD are usually miles away from 7th at the halfway mark of the season.
No we're not. Just the last two seasons in the Premier under Doolin. In fact, the previous few seasons, we were usually around mid-table. Your anti-UCD bias is really irritating at this stage. I suppose now our 1-1 draw in Dalyer will be due to us putting ten men behind the ball, playing hoofball and hanging on for the draw? :rolleyes:

[BohDiddley]

I suppose now our 1-1 draw in Dalyer will be due to us putting ten men behind the ball, playing hoofball and hanging on for the draw? :rolleyes:
Well ... :p

[De Town]

oh the tension is killing me......I just can't wait for mypost to tell us the results from the weekend :rolleyes:

[mypost]

I can't wait for mypost to tell us the results from the weekend. :rolleyes:

Like I said before, this a review of the week's games, not a scoreboard, nor a spelling test. It's not scientific, but it's the only thread here that has all the results from this season, whilst reviewing all the games in one thread. It is also a useful reference point for statisicians searching for results from earlier in the season. That's why it's here.