LOI Matches 17-18 August

[David BOHie]

Deserved win for bozos against a toothless Rovers.
Lopes had a mare the whole game which the manager chose to ignore.
If this boez side put in a similar effort against the rest of the league they would challenge for Europe in this distinctly average league. Instead they cannot stop looking over their shoulder at the teams below them in the table.
And to think Rovers fans feel they are being cheated....😉

Lowest budget in the league, playing great stuff and stuffing you lot 3 times is a good season.

How many cup matches have you lost this year? Drogheda last Friday and 3 against Bohs was it?

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Absolutely spineless performance from us yesterday, I can put up with playing badly and I can put up with many other things a team can do in a match but the lack of effort or any sort of passion last night was just disgusting to see.

Can blame the manager to an extent but the players have to shoulder a lot of the blame for yesterday's **** show

[pineapple stu]

What are you on about? other than the 1st team the club is doing fine both on and off the pitch and all because of long term planning. Granted getting a new manager in to generate hope optimism and season tickets sales is not Long term planning but is it a worse idea than sticking with our present manager. It is a no brainer IMO
Well they're in financial trouble again, so that's an issue. Their performances to date under Gerrard haven't been great; they've struggled to get by very moderate European opposition. They've withdrawn from the underage leagues, I think, which is an idiotic move. I'm not sure what they have going for them tbh apart from a bit of bog-standard new manager optimism.

And in general, Rangers are a notoriously badly-run club. Not ones to emulate.

[Kingswood Rover]

Well they're in financial trouble again, so that's an issue. Their performances to date under Gerrard haven't been great; they've struggled to get by very moderate European opposition. They've withdrawn from the underage leagues, I think, which is an idiotic move. I'm not sure what they have going for them tbh apart from a bit of bog-standard new manager optimism.

And in general, Rangers are a notoriously badly-run club. Not ones to emulate.
Nice one stu

[nigel-harps1954]

When your centre half scores a ridiculous volley.

326975874513453

[HarpoJoyce]

Great match at St. Colman's Park, three great goals from play. Conor davis getting his first League goal in his first fill league debut. Equalising with a goal-line toepoke and Daire O'Connor set up the shot.
Cobh U19s Gordon Walker's 35 yarder deceived Conor Kearns enough for him to lose his footing in muddy goal-mouth. The pitch looked in great knick. The sweeping misty rain added to the spectacle.

After a delay, UCD captain Gary O'Neill dispatched his peno with aplomb. Substitute Yoyo Mahdy had stormed into the Cobh box but was brought down before he could shoot.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1030912386847387649

UCD Fans on the road in fine voice as usual.

[Comic Book Guy]

Great match at St. Colman's Park, three great goals from play. Conor davis getting his first League goal in his first fill league debut. Equalising with a goal-line toepoke and Daire O'Connor set up the shot.
Cobh U19s Gordon Walker's 35 yarder deceived Conor Kearns enough for him to lose his footing in muddy goal-mouth. The pitch looked in great knick. The sweeping misty rain added to the spectacle.

After a delay, UCD captain Gary O'Neill dispatched his peno with aplomb. Substitute Yoyo Mahdy had stormed into the Cobh box but was brought down before he could shoot.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1030912386847387649

UCD Fans on the road in fine voice as usual.

Enjoyable game alright,
Pen looked harsh to me from an unbiased viewpoint:p all told UCD would have deserved their equaliser anyway and are the best footballing side in the division by a mile. Ramblers second goal was bizarre alright. College deserve to go up.

[hoops1]

Strange isn't it. If you listen to the "experts", away fans need a covered stand and pristine toilets in order to travel in numbers.


Neither of which Bray have.

You are around a long time white horse, are you telling me you can't see how not having basic facilities for fans is detrimental for all clubs and the league?

[nigel-harps1954]

Cobhs draw almost opens up the First Division race again. Could be twists there yet.

UCD last three games: Drogheda, Harps, Longford
Harps last three games: Galway, UCD, Cabinteely

If Drogheda can manage to beat UCD and Harps beat Galway, it'll set up a huge tie in Belfield a week later. I'd fancy one of Drogheda or Longford to beat UCD.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, this is exactly what I didn't want. A win against Harps - and we've beaten them twice so far - will do it. UCD v Drogheda last time in the Bowl wasn't a contest, but we did lose up there.

But in general we're still playing well, and Davis has scored in both his starts. I think we'll beat Drogheda, and that should do it.

But would rather have the extra two points in the bag.

[forza]

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/football-hooligans-hospitalised-following-organised-group-fight-before-shamrock-rovers-game-37230009.html

Rather disturbing, it's a shame to see a minority of idiots dragging their clubs names through the muck again.

[ger121]

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/football-hooligans-hospitalised-following-organised-group-fight-before-shamrock-rovers-game-37230009.html

Rather disturbing, it's a shame to see a minority of idiots dragging their clubs names through the muck again.

These clowns are not fans of either club. They can call themselves what they like but they are nothing but scumbags.

[Charlie Darwin]

Scumbags. I've no problem with lads thumping the head off each other in their own time but these ********s don't even go to games and don't represent either club.

[patrickccfc]

We're currently one down at home to pats. Needs to be 3 points tonight or that's that in regards to the title.

[Charlie Darwin]

Finished 1-1. It's Dundalk's title to lose now.

[Ezeikial]

It's a bit premature for Cork fans to be throwing in the towel, but it has been looking ominous for Cork in the league race for some time now

A win for Dundalk away to Sligo now assumes even greater importance to copper-fasten the advantage

[dundalkfc10]

Booed off at the end!

Disgraceful by the Cork fans

[Charlie Darwin]

Booed off at the end!

Disgraceful by the Cork fans
Perhaps they were booing because one of their players most unsportingly committed a minor foul.

[patrickccfc]

Booed off at the end!

Disgraceful by the Cork fans

I've seen some very bad performances during my time supporting city, but I've never once booed them off.

Major set back tonight, sligo taking points off dundalk tomorrow would be most welcome

[dundalkfc10]

We have to drop points in 3 or our last 9 games while you have to win all 7 of your games.

You need Sligo to get something tomorrow. Thank God you signed all their best players last while 😛

[White Horse]

Booed off at the end!

Disgraceful by the Cork fans

After travelling back from playing Rosenborg on Thursday! Very bad form if true.

[Jack B]

Highly enjoyable Twitter output from Cork tonight, accusing Ryan Brennan of feigning injury as he was "looking to halt City’s momentum" even though he was forced to get taken off with the same injury. I'm drowning in salt.

[dundalkfc10]

It was loud and clear on skorlive at full time

[Ezeikial]

sligo taking points off dundalk tomorrow would be most welcome

It's possible, based on the moderate form that Dundalk have displayed in the last few matches.Even through Dundalk will be seeking a 13th consecutive league win on Monday the result is far from a foregone conclusion.

[Ezeikial]

Booed off at the end!

Disgraceful by the Cork fans

I suspect that the negative reactions and in particular the anti-Caulfield sentiments will grow if the season peters out for Cork.

It's one thing putting up with longball negative anti-football tactics if they are producing results, but the mood could turn quickly with poor results

[CorribsideSteve]

If they finish second but win the cup, he'l be alright, but i agree overall about the voices of discontent that could grow as the season wears on.

[Charlie Darwin]

I suspect that the negative reactions and in particular the anti-Caulfield sentiments will grow if the season peters out for Cork.

It's one thing putting up with longball negative anti-football tactics if they are producing results, but the mood could turn quickly with poor results
Rovers fans were pioneers in this area as usual. We wanted Michael O'Neill out while we were playing in the Europa League.

[oriel]

It’s probably advantage Dundalk at this stage, but that’s about it. Both teams still on same points, and we still have to play away in TC.

I think it’s a good position for Dundalk to be in though with 2 games in hand, no doubt about that, need to get 3 points tomorrow though.

[El-Pietro]

We were absolutely awful yesterday. Don't think we forced a single save from Clarke. Looked tired/leggy. I walked out at the final whistle in anticipation of the boos. Could hear them clearly from all around the area surrounding the ground.

[White Horse]

What is the point of the boos? The players must have been knackered; they probably missed a nights sleep on Thursday, and their confidence is dented by two comprehensive away defeats in Europe.

I remember Dundalk running on empty in 2016, and being beaten 3-0 at home by a poor Sligo slide. The players need support, not boos.

[brendy_éire]

Another day, another pathetic defensive display at the Brandywell.

We know the craic with Waterford at this point. A physical side, with a smattering of decent players, who aren't afraid to get a wee bit dirty if needs be.
Then there's Derry City. Fairly young, small, weak defensively, and going into the game with one single tactic; to play it out from the back.

Waterford, as expected, pressed up from our kick outs. That limited us to playing inside our third, and after five minutes the result was pretty much assured.
Waterford's first was well worked, but we made it so easy.
The second was a direct result of a short pass out from Gerard Doherty to Seabourne, a painfully slow player, who immediately loses possession. It's hard to blame either of them really, they're only doing what they've been told to do.

So, that's 13 points from the last 48. The club record for goals conceded in a season keeps ticking on up (54 now), coming in at a frightening 1.9 goals conceded per match.

Thing is, we score well enough, the third best in the league at 1.5 per match. But when you effectively start every match 2-0 down, you're fecked.

This isn't going to change whilst we have Shiels in charge. He insists on this tactical madness despite it being blindingly obvious that we don't have the players capable of making it work. So we can only deduce that we have a manager who isn't interested in the result, merely playing 'the right way'.
He's very quickly losing support amongst the fans, and Friday was the final straw for me.

Fair play to the Waterford fans who came up. There was a decent squad of them and they made plenty of noise. Good to see.

[Ezeikial]

I remember Dundalk running on empty in 2016, and being beaten 3-0 at home by a poor Sligo slide. The players need support, not boos.

I remember it well - it was a big shock at the time as it allowed Cork to close to within 1 point of Dundalk with only 6 games left. Despite the unexpected big defeat the team and management got applauded and cheered off the pitch in what was obviously a show of support and belief in the team.

Stephen Kenny and some of the players have referenced this moment on a number of occasions as being hugely significant to them.

Dundalk had two further league games that week, beating Cork 2-1 a few days later and then winning 3-0 in Tallaght.

The relationship between fans and the team / management was strong and built on a few years of excellent performances. It is something of a surprise that the relationships do not appear to be similar in Turners Cross considering the successes in the last couple of years.

[White Horse]

An interesting comment from Stephen Bradley in the Independent this morning.

Bradley did not appreciate the suggestion that a scoreless draw on Friday would have been viewed as a bad result as well.
"None of the derby games have been good games, we know that, so obviously 'yeah' is the answer," he said, when asked if there was a reason why they toiled against Bohs. "Nobody was creating chances. The game was finishing 0-0. We lost concentration. Why wouldn't it (0-0) have been a good result? That's sometimes the way it goes."
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/no-issue-with-rovers-character-says-bradley-37231519.html

That is not a attitude that impresses fans. A home draw with a team much lower down the table being considered a good result?

[El-Pietro]

I remember it well - it was a big shock at the time as it allowed Cork to close to within 1 point of Dundalk with only 6 games left. Despite the unexpected big defeat the team and management got applauded and cheered off the pitch in what was obviously a show of support and belief in the team.

Stephen Kenny and some of the players have referenced this moment on a number of occasions as being hugely significant to them.

Dundalk had two further league games that week, beating Cork 2-1 a few days later and then winning 3-0 in Tallaght.

The relationship between fans and the team / management was strong and built on a few years of excellent performances. It is something of a surprise that the relationships do not appear to be similar in Turners Cross considering the successes in the last couple of years.
Come down off your high horse. There is a very good relationship between the players and fans at Turners Cross. We were abysmal yesterday on the back of a European exit. People were frustrated to see our title challenge dispensary so meekly.

[oriel]

Was it a completely flat performance EL P or did you only really get going in the last 20? Also did you have any chances to win it,or did the team not manager to raise it for the last 6 mins or so ? Usually you see a barnstorming finish to a game when a team equalises so late.

I think it's a fair point the Dundalk lads are making btw. That 3-0 home defeat by Sligo could def have been a turning point in that years league title race. We all knew the game was up even at 2-0 down such was the dreadful display. Rogers made a howler by trying to trap it for one of them also, 3-0 just rubber stamped it, the reaction from the fans at FT certainly lifted the team. Rogers was dropped for the Cork 2-1 win shortly after but regained his spot afterwards. That display v Cork was top class.

[Ezeikial]

Come down off your high horse. There is a very good relationship between the players and fans at Turners Cross. We were abysmal yesterday on the back of a European exit. People were frustrated to see our title challenge dispensary so meekly.

High horse? Did you even read the post?

I simply expressed surprise at the reactions of Cork fans. Maybe there is a wonderful relationship between fans and team, but booing them off is a poor way to express it.

It contrasts strongly with the reaction I outlined

[sbgawa]

To be fair to El P (did I say that ? ) contrasting one match where Dundalk fans reacted well to a defeat with a match where some Cork fans didn't react well and implying there is some underlying disconnect with one team and their fans compared to the other is a bit of a leap, Cork have been getting great crowds and they were disappointed at throwing away the league to Pats. The defeat by Sligo in your case had you guys still on top of the league....
In all probability losing the league at home to Pats is not the same as clapping a team off who are top of the league.

[sbgawa]

An interesting comment from Stephen Bradley in the Independent this morning.

Bradley did not appreciate the suggestion that a scoreless draw on Friday would have been viewed as a bad result as well.
"None of the derby games have been good games, we know that, so obviously 'yeah' is the answer," he said, when asked if there was a reason why they toiled against Bohs. "Nobody was creating chances. The game was finishing 0-0. We lost concentration. Why wouldn't it (0-0) have been a good result? That's sometimes the way it goes."
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/no-issue-with-rovers-character-says-bradley-37231519.html

That is not a attitude that impresses fans. A home draw with a team much lower down the table being considered a good result?

Bradser could have revealed the third secret of Fatima after the match and the fans wouldn't have been impressed :)

[redarmyfaction]

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/football-hooligans-hospitalised-following-organised-group-fight-before-shamrock-rovers-game-37230009.html

Rather disturbing, it's a shame to see a minority of idiots dragging their clubs names through the muck again.

Why do they have to have it on a street, is there no forest they can go to?

[oriel]

In all probability losing the league at home to Pats is not the same as clapping a team off who are top of the league.

Losing the league ? At this precise point in time, Cork are still joint top, they lost a bit of ground, that's it really. Most are assuming Dundalk will win the two games in hand. I hope we do, but points not in the bag yet.

[pineapple stu]

Given that Dundalk have won 16 of their last 17 domestic matches - the defeat in Cobh the bizarre exception - it seems fair to say the league is likely over, and the two points dropped against Pats are big ones as it means Dundalk can afford to lose a game and be comfortable


I agree the booing seems excessive though

[Kingswood Rover]

"You take whats on offer and what was on offer was a drew" absolute crap Mr Bradley.

[White Horse]

Dundalk one up through Duffy.

[Ezeikial]

Dundalk are favourites to win the league - as they have been for most of the season - but the league is far from over.

If Dundalk maintain their current average points per match they would finish on 86 points. Cork can exceed this total.

The league is not over, unless the Cork City team and management believe it to be and that attitude translates into performances

If supporters continue to turn on the team, it certainly won't help the players.

[White Horse]

Hoban makes it two. What a season he is having.

[The Donie Forde]

What is the point of the boos? The players must have been knackered; they probably missed a nights sleep on Thursday, and their confidence is dented by two comprehensive away defeats in Europe.

I remember Dundalk running on empty in 2016, and being beaten 3-0 at home by a poor Sligo slide. The players need support, not boos.

Any boos I heard were reserved for Clarke (unbelievable timewasting during the game) and Hennessy (atrocious as referee, but not to blame for [Cork] City performance). Plenty of negative shouting during the game, plenty of it, but didn't witness booing of the team. Some may have done, of course, but I wouldn't say it was representative of the majority by a long way.

[redobit]

Dundalk deserved winners. Took their chances when they came and are best team in the league imo. Which makes ya wonder why they never stop whinging and cribbing to the ref and rolling around like they are shot. Its not necessary for a good team.

[placid casual]

It comes from the manager.
I agree they are the best team in the league, but they've spent their way this season so anything other than a league title should be considered a failure. They will need to recruit a defence if they want to make a mark in Europe next season tho.

[Ezeikial]

It comes from the manager.
I agree they are the best team in the league, but they've spent their way this season so anything other than a league title should be considered a failure. They will need to recruit a defence if they want to make a mark in Europe next season tho.

Stephen Kenny has earned any budget he has created, building from next to nothing in 2013.

Of the players who started last night, only the returning Patrick Hoban was not at the club last season.

With only 13 goals conceded in 28 league games (along with a goal difference of plus 57), this indicates a phenomenal domestic defensive record, especially for a team focused on attacking football (70 league goals already) - but I agree that progress in Europe will require improvements in the squad.

I expect Stephen Kenny to strengthen further in the close season.

[disgruntled]

To be fair to El P (did I say that ? ) contrasting one match where Dundalk fans reacted well to a defeat with a match where some Cork fans didn't react well and implying there is some underlying disconnect with one team and their fans compared to the other is a bit of a leap, Cork have been getting great crowds and they were disappointed at throwing away the league to Pats. The defeat by Sligo in your case had you guys still on top of the league....
In all probability losing the league at home to Pats is not the same as clapping a team off who are top of the league.

Like every other club in the league we have our share of muppets following us as well.
I heard a few boos but whether they were aimed at Clarke for his constant time wasting or that clown of a referee Hennessy for being so inept or the players is hard to say.
I'm not blaming Hennessy for our inability to beat Pats but he was god awful.
I think that's at least three times we have had him this year & each time was worse that the previous.
Its sad when you look at the fixtures that the first thing you look for is who the referee is going to be :rolleyes: