LOI fixtures 15th, 16th March [Archive]

sbgawa

15/03/2019, 8:17 AM

15th

Cork v Bohemians 7:45
Derry v Dundalk 7:45
UCD v Finn Harps 7:45
Waterford v St Pats 7:45
Rovers v Sligo 8:00

Bray v Athlone 7:45
Drogheda v Cabo 7:45
Limerick v Cobh 7:45
Shels v Wexford 7:45

16th
Longford v Galway 7:30

sbgawa

15/03/2019, 8:20 AM

I'm a bit nervous about the Sligo game, Bucko's teams love the wide open spaces in Tallaght.
If we arent 100% up for it could be tricky.
Need to tear into it like against Harps and Pats.

With so many out for Dundalk you would have to hope Derry can take a point at least, if Dundalk can dismiss Waterford and go up to Derry and win with the current injury list it will look pretty ominous.

Cork Bohs is an interesting match, Bohs beat us (same as last season) Harps and UCD...... , the performance in Cork will be a good indication of whether they can stay up challenging or is it just a good start.

Likewise Waterford Pats is an interesting match which id struggle to call.

UCD Harps id be hoping for 3 points for one of them to avoid a gap opening up

Ezeikial

15/03/2019, 8:37 AM

Even though all five of Dundalk's first choice midfield are unavailable (Sheilds, Benson, Mountney, McEleney and Duffy) the performance last week indicates that the squad can cope.

The replacements of Hoare, Murray, Dan Kelly, McGrath and either Flores or Jarvis have plenty of quality

It's a match I'm really looking forward to and hoping we can take all 3 points

marinobohs

15/03/2019, 9:47 AM

Interesting set of fixtures.

Bohs trip to Cork will be a real challenge, would take a point now ! I would expect Dundalk to have just enough to get the 3 points in Derry.Shams will be far too strong for Sligo and I expect Pats to edge the game in RSC - just. the UCD / Harps game has draw on it, with UCD more likely to be a winner (if there is one).

pineapple stu

15/03/2019, 8:33 PM

Long season ahead for Harps based on tonight's showing. We hit the woodwork twice as well. Think we're starting to click now though

marinobohs

15/03/2019, 8:56 PM

Bad result for Bohs, played OK but didn't create much and two goals from set pieces for Cork.

sbgawa

15/03/2019, 9:30 PM

joey B

15/03/2019, 9:48 PM

If we're getting tanked by UCD I fear the worst, from all accounts we should have lost by more,hard to see where the first wins coming from, depressing.......

passinginterest

15/03/2019, 10:14 PM

Completely one sided game in tallaght , could have been 5 or 6.
Jack Byrne was fantastic, gave a display that might see him called into Ireland squad. Mick and Robbie were in tallaght apparantly. Sounds mad but he was that good. Improving with every match.

Wouldn’t disagree with that. Byrne was on another level, the type of vision that just isn’t usually seen at this level. Sligo were atrocious though.

total hoofball

15/03/2019, 10:15 PM

Comfortable win in the end for Shels tonight following a difficult first half against Wexford who were well mobilised and working very hard off the ball. Wexford tired out in the 2nd half, Shels quality came through after the first goal and then started to play more confidently while also looking solid defensively

I still wouldn't be convinced Shels will win the division but there are some signs that things may start to click for Morris and the squad

sbgawa

15/03/2019, 10:38 PM

Wouldn’t disagree with that. Byrne was on another level, the type of vision that just isn’t usually seen at this level. Sligo were atrocious though.

Lol I actually said "**** me" after two of his passes, looked like he was trying stuff just for the craic

ToberonaTornado

15/03/2019, 11:02 PM

terrific win for Dundalk in the Brandywell.
Good game played at a high paced tempo in a packed stadium.What more could you ask for?
Dundalk soaked up all the early pressure(both GK's on top form) and hit Derry in the nuts with a brilliant strike from Sean Murray,who looks a great find for us.
The start of the second was again a bit frantic.Then Cherrie levelled Hoban in the box,stonewall penalty Dundalk,Cherrie got injured and had to go off.Hoban netted the pen & 2-0 Dundalk.
Dundalk seen it out handily enough after that.
Derry look a decent side,a work in progress and will win more than thet lose.Very good and well coached at set-pieces but a bit lacking of quality in the final 3rd i thought and a couple of their defenders seemed to drift in and out of the match at crucial times.

thebronze14

16/03/2019, 1:01 AM

We were very very poor. Ucd should have been 2/3 up in the first 15 minutes. We settled well then and had the best of the rest of the half. Didn't come out at all in the second half and the scoreline didn't flatter ucd who played some nice stuff. How Sean boyd was given 90 minutes ill never know. One of the worst strikers I've seen at harps and I've seen some very bad ones. Was a depressing journey back to donegal

micls

16/03/2019, 5:55 AM

Bad result for Bohs, played OK but didn't create much and two goals from set pieces for Cork.

The goals were set pieces, but it was a very comfortable performance from us. You didn't threaten at all, and our midfield controlled the game. Seemed a good bit weaker than when we played you towards the end of last season.

micls

16/03/2019, 5:57 AM

Daire O Connor was absolutelyagoc first half. The skill this kid has with the ball at his feet is incredible, had the whole crowd on their feet a couple of times. Then of course he goes and dislocates his shoulder! Hopefully he's not out too long.

pineapple stu

16/03/2019, 6:58 AM

Agoc?

trevy

16/03/2019, 7:10 AM

Good win for Waterford v St Pats last night. It was needed after a slow start to season. Drinan headed in after a free kick wasn't cleared fully. Pats put us under a lot of pressure for next 15 minutes or so but we held out and then Elbouzudi hit the post for us so 1 0 at halftime . J Lunney went on a great run and crossed low for Drinan to score. Pats were disappointing and Forrester and McCabe had 2 comically bad shots in 2nd half to sum up their night. Drennan put ball in net after a shot came back off post to him but flag went up for offside. Other than that they didn't threaten much in 2nd half.

Kingswood Rover

16/03/2019, 7:39 AM

Well, this is getting interesting, Rovers and Sligo felt each other out for the first 35 minutes or so as Sligo sat back giving no space for Clarke, Greene and Carr to run into. That Changed when we scored with Sligo then having to come out. Bolger and Byrne were able to pass the ball down the lines and in between Sligo's defensive shield to more effect all through the 2nd half as Sligo tried to get a goal themselves. The passing of the Rovers midfielders was as good as i have seen in years. When Rovers loose the ball now the hunger and desire to get it back is immense. Carr had his best Game so far but he still worries me as he missed a complete sitter but hopefully he will get back to some of that form he showed last year.

patrickccfc

16/03/2019, 10:21 AM

Goals from our game last night.

https://youtu.be/iDu_ntoT9-U

Nesta99

16/03/2019, 5:05 PM

Agoc?

Im sure he ment agog, but you probably knew that stu?

pineapple stu

16/03/2019, 5:43 PM

Agog doesn't make sense though

I thought maybe "a God"?

oriel

16/03/2019, 7:13 PM

Solid performance by Dundalk last night, and even though Murray went off early in the second half he is some player, putting in 8/10 performances week in week out.

Still 4 players out injured and 3 who would be definite starters, good to have Duffy back, seems to have been managed well, leaving him out last week. I like the look of Harkin in MF for Derry, good player.

My first visit to the Brandywell in prob 15 years, lovely new stadium, very friendly folk all over the city, good few of us stayed up for the night.

Curry chips were nice, and it was baltic at HT so very welcome indeed, but Turners Cross still the best curry chips in the league IMO.

Nah Nah Nah Nah

16/03/2019, 8:02 PM

Agog doesn't make sense though

I thought maybe "a God"?

Was thinking magic myself

Ezeikial

16/03/2019, 8:12 PM

I like the look of Harkin in MF for Derry, good player.

I was surprised to learn he is 23 (he looks about 18). He has loads of talent and screens the defence well, while also being neat on the ball. He really needs to seriously bulk up as the lacks the physicality required to make a big impact.

marinobohs

16/03/2019, 9:08 PM

The goals were set pieces, but it was a very comfortable performance from us. You didn't threaten at all, and our midfield controlled the game. Seemed a good bit weaker than when we played you towards the end of last season.

Cork didn’t create much either. Poor game but from first goal it was pretty much a done deal. Wasn’t overly impressed with Cork either, lots of scope to improve for both.

micls

16/03/2019, 10:20 PM

Cork didn’t create much either. Poor game but from first goal it was pretty much a done deal. Wasn’t overly impressed with Cork either, lots of scope to improve for both.

Apart from the goals, and the offside goal from Cummins, we'd another 3 good chances anyway. Took the foot off after the 2nd went in but never looked in trouble. Solid at the back (for once this season).

Definitely room for improvment but played some lovely stuff when we upped the tempo at times, especially down the wings and through Daire.

Jack B

16/03/2019, 11:26 PM

It's since been proven that Drennan was onside for our disallowed goal, not sure if it would have counted for much in the end but frustrating all the same as it would've given us a bit more of a lifeline at 2-1 and a needed boost in momentum during what was an awful second half.

First half was possibly the best we've played all season and although we were perhaps a bit unlucky to go in a goal down there wasn't much in it to be fair, the second half was a shambles by comparison and yet another cause for concern.

Almost happy there's no game next week as it gives Harry more time to work things out. And they need sorting quickly at this rate.

pineapple stu

17/03/2019, 6:40 AM

Was thinking magic myself
Yeah, that makes far more sense alright. Good shout!

Pablo Escobar

17/03/2019, 7:35 AM

I definitely expected more from Bohs on Friday night as they were undefeated. They had a few chances in the first half which, but we were, in general, well on top. The 2nd half was much more even for the first 25 mins or so, but then we got on top again. Graham Cummins got a fantastic header ruled for offside in the first half, but it was difficult to see how he was. My guess was that it was Sheppard that was offside while not interfering. I'd like to see it again.

It was definitely our best display so far though, but there wasn't exactly a high bar to reach. I still have question mark around our defence. Some of the chances we gave up in the first half were real calamity stuff. I'm also sure I'll worried about our ability to create chances and that IMO stems from an inconsistent strategy of playing 2 high wingers and a striker that has a liking to get the ball in behind. We'd be much more effective if Cummins came short and brought the midfield into it. There's no denying his aerial prowess though. Superb header of the ball.

sbgawa

17/03/2019, 5:02 PM

Yossarian

17/03/2019, 5:14 PM

Glad to see Mick took my advice. :)

Will Rovers postpone the game against Harps now?

sbgawa

17/03/2019, 5:19 PM

I assume so but I think we should play it. We have Dylan watts and Sean kavanagh to come in.

White Horse

17/03/2019, 5:39 PM

Fair play to Jack Byrne. Transfer to Preston in the summer, I presume.

oriel

17/03/2019, 5:43 PM

Seriously, do you think Rovers will look to postpone for just one player not available?

Nice one for him and the club getting the call up, amazing if he got on even for a few mins v Gibraltar, the last LOI player to play in a competitive game, is still Pat Byrne v Denmark in 1985?

sbgawa

17/03/2019, 5:45 PM

Trevor Clarke is also out as he is with the under 21's

White Horse

17/03/2019, 5:49 PM

Nice problem for Rovers to have. The players are getting recognition and will be buzzing off the back of it.

Ezeikial

17/03/2019, 7:53 PM

Great timing by Jack Byrne to have a MOTM performance on Friday.

7 games into his debut LoI season and he gets an international call-up. It reflects well on him, his club and the league.

oriel

17/03/2019, 8:31 PM

Great timing by Jack Byrne to have a MOTM performance on Friday.

7 games into his debut LoI season and he gets an international call-up. It reflects well on him, his club and the league.

Is everything ok Ezeikial, I was tabbing down waiting for the dig, nothing ?

Ezeikial

17/03/2019, 8:41 PM

Is everything ok Ezeikial, I was tabbing down waiting for the dig, nothing ?

All good, thanks for checking.

Normal service will be resumed on sight of next Bradser interview

sbgawa

17/03/2019, 10:34 PM

Or you could grow up ....

No just dreaming

sbgawa

18/03/2019, 6:08 AM

At the risk of agreeing with EZ I think Byrne getting called up does reflect well on th e league. Hopefully some players will choose loi over league 1 and 2 going forward.
Although being completely honest I think Byrne has been called up because of a lack of quality in the Irish midfield as much as anything else.

19 league matches between now and the end of July.

RathfarnhamHoop

18/03/2019, 12:02 PM

All postponed games this week will now take place on Monday April 15th. Sligo vs Dundalk on Saturday 13th April is also moved to Friday the 12th to allow for this.

Typical FAI though, person behind the official LOI twitter account can't count and said 4 Premier division games were rescheduled when 5 were.

joey B

18/03/2019, 12:47 PM

Daniel McDonnell on Twitter seems to believe our fixture on Friday is going ahead.....

RathfarnhamHoop

18/03/2019, 1:05 PM

Daniel McDonnell on Twitter seems to believe our fixture on Friday is going ahead.....

It wasn't in the list of rescheduled games so i think it is. Probably suits Rovers to have the game go ahead more than to reschedule it and risk a build up. Also probably suits Harps too I'd imagine.

Ezeikial

18/03/2019, 1:30 PM

Daniel McDonnell on Twitter seems to believe our fixture on Friday is going ahead.....

It probably suits both teams to play on Friday.

Harps for the obvious fact that Rovers will be missing Byrne and Clarke; Rovers will probably see it as being the lessor of two evils to avoid a fixture pile-up that other clubs will have to endure between the end of March and early May

SkStu

18/03/2019, 1:56 PM

Yeah, that makes far more sense alright. Good shout!

I'm sticking with agoc.

micls

18/03/2019, 2:12 PM

It wasn't in the list of rescheduled games so i think it is. Probably suits Rovers to have the game go ahead more than to reschedule it and risk a build up. Also probably suits Harps too I'd imagine.
Definitely suits rovers in a number of ways. They've got huge cover in that area, of a high quality. They get one less game in the mess of April where others play 7 games. And they have the chance to go 7 points clear. Yes, 2 extra played, but it's still a big psychological boost for a team who haven't been there for a while.

Sensible call to play regardless.

sbgawa

18/03/2019, 2:54 PM

Is it to late for other teams to agree to play Friday instead of postponing? Chances are come April you will have injuries and suspensions anyway

Nah Nah Nah Nah

18/03/2019, 3:28 PM

Ezeikial

18/03/2019, 4:45 PM

Is it to late for other teams to agree to play Friday instead of postponing? Chances are come April you will have injuries and suspensions anyway

Bohs in particular. As a part-time team the run of 6 games in a 17 day period is likely to hit them hard.

Going ahead away to Dundalk next Friday without Dan Mandroiu and Darragh Leahy might seem like an unlikely call, but they would be arguably no more likely to pick up the points with them in the middle of a difficult run of 2-games-a-week in April. The fatigue involved for part-timers could actually lead to more dropped points, especially as it will be their third away trip in 10 days