FAI Cup games

[Nesta99]

600 people seems small in a 20k modern stadium, yet it has been identified as a risk that wasnt worth it. Proportionately it'd be interesting to see the numbers to capacity ratio for Dalymount and other grounds and the indication is that this ratio needs to drop based on the experiences elsewhere. The main risks ate the chokepoints eg toilets, railings at steps entering/exiting a stand. If 100 people used the railing....would it be disinfected every 10 minutes as per protocols in shops1?

different country or planet - at times it feels like both and I am 8km away....no smart comments on Dundalk!!

[Martinho II]

I was listening to one of the LOi podcasts last week and it seemed awful strange when Pat Fenlon was comenting that they are allowed 600 at Linfield matches, its like its a different country or planet up there....

Not only that but see in England next week max of 2k fans will be allowed into grounds depending on what part of country were COVID is rampant. Very strange decision making imo.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

When’s the last time one of the cup semi finals wasn’t broadcast on RTÉ? Excluding replays which they never show.

[Martinho II]

When’s the last time one of the cup semi finals wasn’t broadcast on RTÉ? Excluding replays which they never show.

Its on RTE tmw seen it in sun today they are showing game in Lissywoolen!

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

They usually show both

[sbgawa]

They usually show both

Sligo not much of a draw these days :D

[sbgawa]

sligo got blown away just before halftime last time in tallaght but up to that point they had given us more of a game them most teams this season.
We should win tommorow with our best 11 out but as harps showed, its the cup anything is possible.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Can’t see anything other then a comfortable Shams win

[Charlie Darwin]

Can’t see anything other then a comfortable Shams win
It'll be closer than the league game, which I think was flattering on us. We were 2-0 down at half time against Harps and we will have to play better than that against a better side.

[placid casual]

Gonna be more difficult for Rovers today as both Greene & O'Neill are absent through Injury. I'd expect to see Dean Williams up front and maybe see Bolger in midfield. Also no Bradley on the sidelines. I'd take a scratchy 1 nil win now.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Bad enough that we’re losing but having to listen to Stuey Byrne makes it all the worse. He could at least try to hide his dislike for us. Sooner we can go to games the better.

[D24Saint]

Bad enough that we’re losing but having to listen to Stuey Byrne makes it all the worse. He could at least try to hide his dislike for us. Sooner we can go to games the better.

Does he actually like anyone, angry sort of man.

[oriel]

Tony...............I`m angry right now.

Consolation for Sligo fans, if Dundalk beat Athlone, you are in confirmed in Europe, even if we don't would be some odds on Athlone beating Rovers in the final for it not to happen.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Disappointed to give away 2 soft goals like that. Second half a non event.

[Brusher]

It appears there's a lack of leadership in that Sligo team..also maybe it's time for John Russell to step up to the hot seat next season...any Sligo fans agree ?

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Our squad is poor enough. Bucko has done a great job with them.

[sbgawa]

Jeez , poor athlone

[DCSIL]

Could be worse than Longford 0-7 Cork a few years back

[2 Year Contract]

I’d love to know what the logic was in behind putting this game on tv instead of the 1st v 4th premier division tie

[pineapple stu]

Could be worse I guess. Could be Shels v Dundalk instead

[TonyD]

Absolute massacre. Men against boys. You have to feel for Athlone.

[Longfordian]

Could be worse than Longford 0-7 Cork a few years back

I hope so.

[sbgawa]

I’d love to know what the logic was in behind putting this game on tv instead of the 1st v 4th premier division tie

Was wondering the same thing

[DCSIL]

Could be worse I guess. Could be Shels v Dundalk instead

Dundalk would have scored 10 by now.

[placid casual]

Anyone got a loan of a tenner?
Athlone are 375/1 to draw or win the game now.
How pish are shels😅😅😅

[Martinho II]

Bad enough that we’re losing but having to listen to Stuey Byrne makes it all the worse. He could at least try to hide his dislike for us. Sooner we can go to games the better.

When we beat Shels in the playoff final he was cringey to listen to! Hes simply awful. Hes have form for this aka 2006!

[Martinho II]

No mention of why Darren Meenan isnt playing for them or Lee Duffy either. Its a fierce young side Athlone have got tonight.

[CorribsideSteve]

Even Oduwa couldn't have missd that one. 8-0. Jeez.

[Longfordian]

As full time professionals these Dundalk players owe it to their employers to keep the foot down and get as many as they can.

[pineapple stu]

Time to crack out the "Stop, they're already dead" gif.

11-0 now. I'm told that's a cup record?

[Longfordian]

Yes previous biggest win was by 10 goals. Though Derry scored 12 once. Even I'm feeling sorry for Athlone now that's enough.

[pineapple stu]

Derry 12-2 in Blarney of course. Only recently.

Result now. Weird one - Filippo with a point to prove after an indifferent run of form? Or Athlone just utter rubbish?

[joey B]

Ian Morris did not enjoy that!

[Longfordian]

Derry 12-2 in Blarney of course. Only recently.

Result now. Weird one - Filippo with a point to prove after an indifferent run of form? Or Athlone just utter rubbish?

I haven't seen the Athlone team but I suspect anyone they were actually paying wasn't kept on just for this game.

[da bishop]

That an embarassment to the league ,no team {even a div 1 team who finished almost bottom of their league}should lose by that score,Derry did beat Blarney 12-2 but Blarney were a junior outfit so anybody making excuses for that pitiful effort are fooling themselves,Athlone looked an absolute shambles in terms of organisation and fitness,tactically crazy setup which Dundalk had showed up 15 mins in.To be fair to Dundalk very professional performance all game but thats not the sort of history we want to see in our premier cup competition, athlone manager talking about starting a journey in interview afterwards he,s kidding himself.On another note what are Shels at.

[vinnie]

Dundalk should be ashamed of themselves, taking the foot off the pedal like they did ;)

[littlebray]

... a cup record?

In the Cup "proper", yes, but in the Qualifying Cup 1st Round on 6 Nov 1926, Cobh Ramblers knocked in 14 against Shandon without reply. I suspect there are others in "non-League" rounds later, but I haven't the time at the moment.

Coincidentally, McEneff, the only scorer in other SF today, got one of two hat-tricks in the Blarney-Derry match in 2018.

Data if anyone wants it:
St James's Gate 0-10 Dolphin in 1932 (10 Jan)
[Shiels 5, McKay og, Patterson 2, Stevenson 2]
Rialto 1-11 Waterford in 1972 (13 Feb, Kilcohan Pk)
[Demsey; Hale 5 (1p), Kirby 3, Matthews, Humphries 2]
Blarney United 2-12 Derry City in 2018 (11 Aug, O'Shea Pk)
[David Welch, Conor Cronin; Ronan Hale 4, Aaron McEneff 7, 31, 45, Ally Roy 8, 20, 38, Rory Hale 42, Shane McNamee 12, 53, Cathal Farren 70, Kevin McHattie 77 (McEneff m/pen)]

[redobit]

Hard to know which is more embarrassing! Athlone losing 11 nil OR the team at top of the premier with masses of cash have a crapper ground than the team bottom of the FD.

[Nesta99]

Hard to know which is more embarrassing! Athlone losing 11 nil OR the team at top of the premier with masses of cash have a crapper ground than the team bottom of the FD.

It's a very nice stand in Athlone indeed, tbh it's the first time that I have taken notice that are not a few pictures that dont do justice. I dont think the pitch is artificial unless new enough but if its a grass pitch it is in top class condition. It's certainly where Harps can hope to get with their project.

As for Oriel Park, it is both the fly in the ointment and is the ugly sister that ye wont have anyone say it out loud even though you know it is true!

[D24Saint]

It's a very nice stand in Athlone indeed, tbh it's the first time that I have taken notice that are not a few pictures that dont do justice. I dont think the pitch is artificial unless new enough but if its a grass pitch it is in top class condition. It's certainly where Harps can hope to get with their project.

As for Oriel Park, it is both the fly in the ointment and is the ugly sister that ye wont have anyone say it out loud even though you know it is true!

Looked an artificial pitch to me. It’s a fine ground , particularly for a first division side that tend to struggle. I was only in it the once but it can be seen from the motorway and looks impressive when passing by.

[Longfordian]

It is an artificial pitch as far as I'm aware. There was talk of the play off final being played there but one or both teams didn't want to play on the artificial pitch.

[Nesta99]

Was some talk of why an artificial pitch couldnt have been installed on ground outside the main area, keeping the grass pitch or have I mixed that up with another club? Either way it still looked the better of the artificial surfaces in the league.

Its a pity Athlone havent kicked on over the years. That stand was a major millstone around the neck until the stadium debt was cleared by an unknown benefactor but they havent made use of that opportunity really.

Just watching the game again, opposition aside, there is a definite upping of tempo in the Dundalk passing which had been laboured when the league resumed. Playing it out short continues but it is mixed up after that with the occasional long ball or crossfield pass. The way the wide men went both inside and outside has helpd with being less predictable also. Looking forward to this week's football. Hopefully the game v Molde wont have a major impact on the cup final and that game time = sharpness rather than fatigue. Depending on who lifts the cup will determine that ;p

General question for people - is it useful for a young side to get hammered like yesterday, to see what sort of level they need to get to or completely sould destroying. Thoughts?

[Longfordian]

At least 90% of them will never be good enough to reach that level no matter how hard they work so I don't think it'll do them much good at all to be honest.

[thebronze14]

It's a very nice stand in Athlone indeed, tbh it's the first time that I have taken notice that are not a few pictures that dont do justice. I dont think the pitch is artificial unless new enough but if its a grass pitch it is in top class condition. It's certainly where Harps can hope to get with their project.

As for Oriel Park, it is both the fly in the ointment and is the ugly sister that ye wont have anyone say it out loud even though you know it is true!
No it's not. A one stand ground would have us in the doldrums with Athlone. One stand and a couple of terraces would be perfect but one stand and nothing else is a disaster for a club

[nigel-harps1954]

Athlone have one fantastic stand, but it's a horrible watch of a barren ground otherwise.

[sbgawa]

I went to an Athlone match a few years ago and id agree with Nigel its a pitch with one decent stand and nothing else.
Id rather have small terrace all around then one stand.

Confidence and momentum are huge, even though Athlone are awful DFC players will benefit from this run out given the poor run they are on.
Rovers havent convinced since coming back from the "mini covid" break so the cup final is hard to call.
Aaron Greene and Pico both missed yesterdays match

[wonder88]

Went to Athlone for a game against Shamrock R few years back, Pat Fenlon first in charge I think. The guy at Bohs now was the Athlone manager. Nice stand indeed, and I really liked the little tea/coffee shop underneath. However I agree with others, that the ground needs further development. Way too open and barren feel to the place, and that was a nice August evening. Because it was a night game, that aspect of the ground didn't come across on telly last night I suppose.

[Nesta99]

Is there a suggestion there that Oriel Park would be preferred?

[Martinho II]

Went to Athlone for a game against Shamrock R few years back, Pat Fenlon first in charge I think. The guy at Bohs now was the Athlone manager. Nice stand indeed, and I really liked the little tea/coffee shop underneath. However I agree with others, that the ground needs further development. Way too open and barren feel to the place, and that was a nice August evening. Because it was a night game, that aspect of the ground didn't come across on telly last night I suppose.

Ours is the same as Athlones only difference is we have seats all around it. I just wish that there was another stand opposite the main stand in our ground thats the only thing lacking imo but its not up to me to decide!

[Charlie Darwin]

Just watching the game again, opposition aside, there is a definite upping of tempo in the Dundalk passing which had been laboured when the league resumed. Playing it out short continues but it is mixed up after that with the occasional long ball or crossfield pass. The way the wide men went both inside and outside has helpd with being less predictable also. Looking forward to this week's football. Hopefully the game v Molde wont have a major impact on the cup final and that game time = sharpness rather than fatigue. Depending on who lifts the cup will determine that ;p

General question for people - is it useful for a young side to get hammered like yesterday, to see what sort of level they need to get to or completely sould destroying. Thoughts?
I hadn't really watched Dundalk very closely outside of our games under Perth, but it seems like what you're describing above is Dundalk in 2019? Perth obviously has different ideas about football than Kenny and would play more direct, did that change in the first half of this season?

As for the kids being destroyed, I think it will certainly have an effect but they've been hammered before, albeit not this badly. I'm sure there are few players in there who will learn and grow as players from it. Ronan Manning in particular looks like he's destined for better things.