LoI 4th Oct - 8th Oct 2019

[ToberonaTornado]

First Div play-off 1st leg

Cabinteely FC v Longford Town

Premier Div -
friday

Dundalk FC v Derry City
Bohemian FC v Cork City *Live RTÉ2
St.Pats Ath v Waterford FC
Finn Harps v UCD 8pm

saturday

Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers

tuesday

Waterford FC v Sligo Rovers

[marinobohs]

Main interest around 3/4/5th and of course the Finn harps V UCD 6 pointer. Hopefully Dundalk are focused for their game although it wouldn't be that much of a shock to see Derry take a point.Cork are awful but have been Bohs bogey team for a while and I wouldn't be surprised to see another draw (although Bohs really need a win to rebuilt faltering momentum) - not a game I would have recommended for TV. Pats have steadied the ship a bit and I would expect them to beat Waterford.
would (just) favour harps to get a rare win, solely on the basis of home advantage.

with shams save in second and focused on the cup final, Sligo could get something from the Saturday night game.

[brendy_éire]

Hopefully Dundalk are focused for their game although it wouldn't be that much of a shock to see Derry take a point.

Dundalk being Dundalk, I can't imagine they'll switch off or take it handy on ourselves. They do have a few injuries and suspensions, but with their bench, that hardly matters.
I'd be happy to settle for our now traditional 2-2 draw.

Bohs should be putting three or four past that dreadful Cork side.
I'd expect Pat's to win as well, meaning Bohs will be up to third, and Pat's level with us on points.
All very tight.

[Ezeikial]

Dundalk being Dundalk, I can't imagine they'll switch off or take it handy on ourselves. They do have a few injuries and suspensions, but with their bench, that hardly matters.
I'd be happy to settle for our now traditional 2-2 draw.

Bohs should be putting three or four past that dreadful Cork side.
I'd expect Pat's to win as well, meaning Bohs will be up to third, and Pat's level with us on points.
All very tight.

All 3 contenders for the Euro places have to play Dundalk in the run-in. Apart from Derry tonight, St Pats also visit Oriel Park on the last night with a Bohs V Dundalk Dalymount fixture in between.

I would be surprised and disappointed if there was any element of "switch off" in any of these games, although it is inevitable that the intensity could drop a little, especially with any injuries or suspensions disrupting the team.

The other side of the same coin is that there are loads of lads eager to gain or retain a starting place in advance of the cup final. Among those who did not start in the cup semi-final last week against Sligo:

McCarey, Gartland, Boyle, Jarvis, Dummigan, Benson, Murray, Mountney, Flores & Georgie Kelly

Mountney and McEleney are currently injured while Jarvis & Cleary are suspended for tonight so at least some of the above will get a chance against Derry

[Nesta99]

Looks like a poor enough crowd in Oriel, 1800 maybe? *2106 announced!?

Pats putting themselves under early pressure in the race for 3-4th place. Waterford winning 0-1.

Shaping up to be a good night for Bohs as things stand.

Harps running out of time tonight and games in general to try and put some pressure on Cork. Harps get a late winner and it'll be a nervy few games left for Mr Fenn!

Even over Skor the PA at the end of the game in Oriel is deafening...Status Quo...why??? Ye cant even hear the players being applauded off!!

[sbgawa]

Great night for bohs.
With top 4 qualifying for Europe that should be enough
Pats have to play dundalk and are 5 points behind with a terrible goal difference.
1 point from last 3 matches for bohs should be enough

[marinobohs]

Main interest around 3/4/5th and of course the Finn harps V UCD 6 pointer. Hopefully Dundalk are focused for their game although it wouldn't be that much of a shock to see Derry take a point.Cork are awful but have been Bohs bogey team for a while and I wouldn't be surprised to see another draw (although Bohs really need a win to rebuilt faltering momentum) - not a game I would have recommended for TV. Pats have steadied the ship a bit and I would expect them to beat Waterford.
would (just) favour harps to get a rare win, solely on the basis of home advantage.

with shams save in second and focused on the cup final, Sligo could get something from the Saturday night game.

You can see why I’m so, ahem, popular with the local bookies 😁
Great night for Bohs, good home win, somewhat fortunate goal but hell at this time of season I’ll take anything ! Very young side and I think we deserved the break.
Surprised at Pats result, as I thought they were picking up a bit of form.
Europe would be an amazing achievement for Long/Crolly and all involved with Bohemian FC.

[Nesta99]

No league is easy to predict but LoI is impossible and why I dont wreck my head with the predictions thread. Id have had Harps down for a 1-0, Pats to beat Waterford, I expected Bohs to beat Cork at home and Dundalk was looking like a draw for me. Watching the game or what I could make out online it was a sloppy performance especially by Dundalk. Derry had almost double the shots but they were mostly wayward. Derry tried to press high but Dundalk were cute to it and tried the longer pass behind in to space a few times to push Derry back. Hoban again worked his socks off closing. Thought there was a nasty collision near the end with both players out cold. It wasnt much but during the injury to Soggett the Dundalk players headed toward the bench to take on fluids, it looked like Hoban had a good rant at Shields. Shields just dismissed it and that was that. But Hoban's frustration is obvious and creeping in more and more with grumbles on being subbed or on the balls being played to him. In fairness tonight he probably had a case as the final third things were poor. Aside from the win and another goal from young Kelly it was good to see Lido and Mark Hanratty getting decent time off the bench after coming up from U19s. Its been a while since we have had players in to the 1st team from the youth teams. They have plenty still to do but proper competative game time against a team chasing a Euro spot is great experience - lets hope they are the leagues next young stars!!

[patrickccfc]

Very unlucky to concede a goal like that tonight. Thought we played really well and could've picked up a point, if not all three.

Great achievement by bohs as european football is looking likely for next year.

[wonder88]

A good job by RTE in their coverage tonight. As mention a good night for Bohs, a European place will be a boast for the club. However they should not let the ground issue dominate. I disagree with the RTE lads, in that there is no need to rush into things regarding Dalymount, much better to get it right. The property market is probably at its peek now, so better value to be got in 3/4 years time. Also Stephen Kenny's comments should be taken on board also. Could Tolka Park even at this late stage not be saved?
Sad to see a small crowd in Dundalk,

[White Horse]

Derry passed up a great opportunity to beat Dundalk. That is the poorest Derry have been against Dundalk this season. Dundalk rested a lot of players and looked very disjointed and missing creativity.

Bohs took advantage. I feel sorry for the Cork keeper though. That penalty area is like a hill, no wonder he lost his footing.

[marinobohs]

A good job by RTE in their coverage tonight. As mention a good night for Bohs, a European place will be a boast for the club. However they should not let the ground issue dominate. I disagree with the RTE lads, in that there is no need to rush into things regarding Dalymount, much better to get it right. The property market is probably at its peek now, so better value to be got in 3/4 years time. Also Stephen Kenny's comments should be taken on board also. Could Tolka Park even at this late stage not be saved?
Sad to see a small crowd in Dundalk,

Dalymount sold to DCC and development plans pretty much agreed (subject to planning), not sure what’s to delay ? Or property market ? Part of redevelopment is the demise of Tolka. Unless some private entity comes forward it is gone (any public money going into Dalymount).
Only question is when development of Dalymount begins.

[TonyD]

Surprised at Pats result, as I thought they were picking up a bit of form.
.

We were awful and got what we deserved. Very strange line up from O'Donnell.

[Ezeikial]

Bohs nearly there, it is hard to see both Derry and St Pats passing them out.

While Rovers have a match in hand, I see that the gap between them and Bohs is now only 12 points as opposed to the current 18 point gap to the top. Maybe Rovers fans should be more focused on the threat from Bohs for next season?

[Finlay Harp]

It was hard to watch Harps tonight. Both keepers played well which tells a tale.

[Nesta99]

A good job by RTE in their coverage tonight. As mention a good night for Bohs, a European place will be a boast for the club. However they should not let the ground issue dominate. I disagree with the RTE lads, in that there is no need to rush into things regarding Dalymount, much better to get it right. The property market is probably at its peek now, so better value to be got in 3/4 years time. Also Stephen Kenny's comments should be taken on board also. Could Tolka Park even at this late stage not be saved?
Sad to see a small crowd in Dundalk,

Not sure what you mean here!? Unless Bohs/DCC are looking to sell Dalymount the value of the property is irrelevant. If the development was relying on the sale of Tolka to add to funding then I can see reason to pause. But imo, irelevant or not clubs/developers/ LAs need to take a plunge irrespective of property value with a social amenity. Its not all about the value of the plot!

[joey B]

We started with no striker on the pitch and Raff Cretaro up front on his own which tells its own story,very much a game between the 2 bottom sides in the division,plenty of effort with zero quality,
Play off and relegation story is 99% set now,UCD will need a miracle to avoid the drop now....

[nigel-harps1954]

Sh!të game in Finn Park. Truly awful

[trevy]

Waterford on a good run now with 3 away wins in a row. Good finish to the season and could even catch Sligo for 6th but need to beat them on Tuesday night and win our last 2 v Finn Harps and UCD.
It's the 2nd time Waterford have won at Richmond Park this season and fans are happy at damaging St Pats Europa League hopes!

[brendy_éire]

Derry passed up a great opportunity to beat Dundalk. That is the poorest Derry have been against Dundalk this season. Dundalk rested a lot of players and looked very disjointed and missing creativity.

Agreed. Frustrating stuff. A bit more accuracy in front of goal could have seen us win that. We've been saying that all season, mind. Badly need a striker.
Could have had two penalties in the second half, but that's no excuse.

I'd also second the mention of the PA being far too loud last night. No need for that.

I think Bohs will be ok for Europe, but wouldn't count on it just yet. The fact we've to play Pat's still means it makes things easier for them.

[Dalymountrower]

Getting 3 points against Cork last night was the most important win all season.
Bohs have been in poor form since the mid season break, injuries, tiredness and a lack of confidence has meant that we have been clinging on to euro qualification.A point away to Pats and Pats to drop points away to Derry and Dundalk will qualify us for Europe.
Derry fully deserve the other slot.
Good crowd in Dalymount last night 2,500 plus despite liveTV.Should get 3,000 for Dundalk game next week, about a 1000 more than were at Oriel last night.Shocking crowd.

[wonder88]

You should get more value for money if the property market is off the top of its cycle, would be my point.
Of course social amenities should always have public money available to them, but professional soccer clubs need to bring something extra to the table, which I think Bohs do. But still there is always a question there when public money is funding a private enterprise. There is a big debate about sport funding in Ireland, too big to go into it now.
My own view is that good to excellent facilities will not solve the difficulties of LOI clubs, they are important but I am not convinced that super new stadiums all over would bring a huge increase in crowds.

[Ezeikial]

Getting 3 points against Cork last night was the most important win all season.
Bohs have been in poor form since the mid season break, injuries, tiredness and a lack of confidence has meant that we have been clinging on to euro qualification.A point away to Pats and Pats to drop points away to Derry and Dundalk will qualify us for Europe.
Derry fully deserve the other slot.
Good crowd in Dalymount last night 2,500 plus despite liveTV.Should get 3,000 for Dundalk game next week, about a 1000 more than were at Oriel last night.Shocking crowd.

There is no doubt that St Pats have a mountain to climb and that Bohs are within touching distance of euro qualification.

But there is work still to be done and it seems that the early season form is long gone - if Bohs lose their next two matches, St Pats will sit only 2 points behind with a game in hand

[wexfordned]

There is no doubt that St Pats have a mountain to climb and that Bohs are within touching distance of euro qualification.

But there is work still to be done and it seems that the early season form is long gone - if Bohs lose their next two matches, St Pats will sit only 2 points behind with a game in hand

Bohs are 5 clear of Pats with 3 games to go (for both sides) and a far superior goal difference.

Pats realistically have to win their remaining 3 games to have a chance and those games are Derry, Bohs and Dundalk. Can't see that happening based on their form. Do you know something about upcoming games that everyone else doesn't?

[Ezeikial]

Bohs are 5 clear of Pats with 3 games to go (for both sides) and a far superior goal difference.

Pats realistically have to win their remaining 3 games to have a chance and those games are Derry, Bohs and Dundalk. Can't see that happening based on their form. Do you know something about upcoming games that everyone else doesn't?

There is no doubt that the Bohs are strong favourites now, but I disagree with your analysis that Pats need to win all 3 remaining matches as Bohs poor form could yet see them throw it away.

If Bohs lose their next 2 matches (home to Dundalk, away to St Pats), it would then leave Bohs vulnerable to be overtaken by both Derry & St Pats

Bohs 35-53
Derry 33-51
St Pats 34-51

In this scenario St Pats could then make it by winning one of their last two matches. Bohs are in the driving seat and don't need to rely on others to lose, but it's far from over yet.

[wexfordned]

Up on your high horse in your fantasy world with rainbows and sunshine were Dundalk keep winning the league things must be great. Bohs fans are living in the real world unlike you. 4th place is good enough for Europe. 1 point or worst case scenario 3 points will be good enough.

[Ezeikial]

Up on your high horse in your fantasy world with rainbows and sunshine were Dundalk keep winning the league things must be great. Bohs fans are living in the real world unlike you. 4th place is good enough for Europe. 1 point or worst case scenario 3 points will be good enough.


What about reading the post for what it actually says? I have no idea what you are on about with the high horse and fantasy nonsense - the scenario I painted is factually correct if Bohs lose the next two matches

I agree with you that another 3 points will certainly be enough for Bohs and 1 point would probably suffice. Even if the form has dipped recently, european qualification would be fully deserved and a remarkable achievement by Long & Croly.

[Nesta99]

Up on your high horse in your fantasy world with rainbows and sunshine were Dundalk keep winning the league things must be great. Bohs fans are living in the real world unlike you. 4th place is good enough for Europe. 1 point or worst case scenario 3 points will be good enough.

You need a bit of sweetening up too, you and a couple of Rovers fans have at least that in common! Dundalk keeping on winning the league is currently not a fantasy but a very enjoyable reality.

[Ezeikial]

Rovers close to within 17 points after 0-0 draw in Sligo

[marinobohs]

You should get more value for money if the property market is off the top of its cycle, would be my point.
Of course social amenities should always have public money available to them, but professional soccer clubs need to bring something extra to the table, which I think Bohs do. But still there is always a question there when public money is funding a private enterprise. There is a big debate about sport funding in Ireland, too big to go into it now.
My own view is that good to excellent facilities will not solve the difficulties of LOI clubs, they are important but I am not convinced that super new stadiums all over would bring a huge increase in crowds.

What ? Bohs sold Dalymount to Dublin City Council - done. DCC have developed a plan for the area with a redeveloped Dalymount as its centre piece. Bohs and Shels will have long term tenancies in the new Dalymount (already agreed).
No ground sale. No public funding of either club and rent to DCC already agreed so no dependency on “huge increases in crowds”.

[Kingswood Rover]

Rovers close to within 17 points after 0-0 draw in Sligo
So much for me within 10 theory:wilt:i will just me Johnston's;) baby oil so you can rub it in.

[marinobohs]

So much for me within 10 theory:wilt:i will just me Johnston's;) baby oil so you can rub it in.
Shams the new Cork but still a considerable gap to Dundalk. Football is cyclical and Dundalk will falter but it may take a while !

[oldfan]

Rovers close to within 17 points after 0-0 draw in Sligo
Which Rovers? Shams or Sligo ?

[joey B]

Waterford 2 Sligo 0
585 at the game!!