Games 28/29 Feb

[pineapple stu]

Predictions for this evening?

I'd say 5 pages of Rovers/Dundalk bitching myself.

Also, when was the last time LoI games took place on 29th Feb?

[joey B]

Sligo v Waterford game is OFF tomorrow.

[sbgawa]

Good call Stu.
I'm determined to keep a bit of perspective tonight if we win lose or draw we are level 3 points ahead or 3 points behind with 32 games to go.
Full house , good game, great to be alive

[TheBoss]

Also, when was the last time LoI games took place on 29th Feb?

Doing a quick check, it may have been in 1976.

[pineapple stu]

Wasn't expecting it to be quite that far back!

[Longfordian]

Jordan Flores "what a hit, son", "unbelievable tekkers" etc.

[El-Pietro]

Liam Bossin taken off on a stretcher in a neck brace and being given oxygen after a clash with a harps player. He was down for over ten minutes and he never moved. I'm literally behind the towel about 8 rows back perfect view.

The circumstances around that injury were bizarre. The pitch is barely playable due to the rain. Ball holding up etc. Bossin makes a save. Harps strike slides into shoot the follow up. Ball holds up on the line. Slides in again and scores. Ref gives goal. It then becomes apparent how bad the injury is he goes to the linesman and then gives a free out. This about three minutes after he originally gave the goal. Clearly the injury is serious and clearly the red was scared by the injury into making a terrible decision

[Longfordian]

Town win away in Drogheda. Great result, sounds like they rode their luck at times but you couldn't ask for a better result for confidence.

[Calcio Jack]

Changing of the guards.... Jack Byrne class act both on and off the pitch RIP Mrs O’Neill

Long way to go but you can only break what’s in front of you

[pineapple stu]

Niall Quinn in UCD tonight. Witnessed a proper First Division game. Lots of hoofing, and decided by a scrappy goal in the end which was probably a free out for a barge on the keeper.

Still, good to be back.

[sbgawa]

Great match and exactly what we needed as well result wise.
Byrne and mceneff were excellent for rovers as was scales. Flores and Duffy excellent for dundalk.
Byrne and mceneff won the midfield battle and that was that. Great advert for the league , super crowd two food teams.
Great

[Weatherman]

Out in Tallaght tonite for Rovers v Dundalk. Great goals and what an advert for the league! Thought Rovers just about deserved the win aswell. No stand out players really. Think Farrugia is hard done by having to play LWB. When rovers pushed on 2nd half and got him higher up the pitch he started to come into the game alot more! Gaffney was excellent in his cameo. But who gave McEneff the MOTM?? Wasnt in the game at all

[Calcio Jack]

Great match and exactly what we needed as well result wise.
Byrne and mceneff were excellent for rovers as was scales. Flores and Duffy excellent for dundalk.
Byrne and mceneff won the midfield battle and that was that. Great advert for the league , super crowd two food teams.
Great

Re midfield once Shields was booked he was shown up for what he is because he couldn’t then engage in his usual cynical fouling and diving and he was made looking very second rate by Pico and Byrne as he failed to get near them as they scored

[total hoofball]

Dogged organised display from Shels tonight thrilled with that 3 points great start to the season. Pats had most possession but they look soft could do with a Gary Deegan type in the middle and they were blunt in the final third they won't trouble the Top 4 spots this season

[Ezeikial]

It's not too often that anyone scores three against the league champions. Hat tip to Rovers for managing to do that this evening.

The wonder boy was fairly quiet all match until his wonder goal that was a fitting winner in any match.

No doubt the choir will start up with some premature deluded notions of grandeur (although Johnny 'Hot Take' Ward might be a little cautious this time). This Dundalk team us full of character and will not lie down - a 13 points point deficit turned into an 11 point winning margin last season. 3 points behind after 4 games is a minuscule blip

[patrickccfc]

Massive win for us tonight. Harps goal rightly ruled out. Can't believe the ref gave it at first. Hope Bossin is ok, barely moved during around 10 minutes before he was eventually stretched off. Could be out for awhile. First half was poor from us but we were far better in the second. Dalling was causing havoc down the left. Best atmosphere at the cross in while too.

[hoopy]

It's not too often that anyone scores three against the league champions. Hat tip to Rovers for managing to do that this evening.

The wonder boy was fairly quiet all match until his wonder goal that was a fitting winner in any match.

No doubt the choir will start up with some premature deluded notions of grandeur (although Johnny 'Hot Take' Ward might be a little cautious this time). This Dundalk team us full of character and will not lie down - a 13 points point deficit turned into an 11 point winning margin last season. 3 points behind after 4 games is a minuscule blip

Total bolix. 'Wonder Boy' was sensational. Hopefully Mick McCarthy in the stand can see he's the best Irish midfielder. BTW, technically, his good was the football tonight from both teams? This is why we support LOI.

[hoopy]

'How'

[sbgawa]

Just the one goal and one assist from jack tonight plus some fantastic passes and touches in midfield. Must try harder ��.
Gaffney looked good in his cameo.
Both Byrne and mceneff spoke well of dundalk in post match interviews on tv, good to see .

[mcgonigle]

Re midfield once Shields was booked he was shown up for what he is because he couldn’t then engage in his usual cynical fouling and diving and he was made looking very second rate by Pico and Byrne as he failed to get near them as they scored

Don't let your bias cloud your judgement. Shields has been the most consistent performer in the league for the last five years. If you really think Shields is second rate you know little about the game.

I don't like Rovers but I can appreciate players like Byrne, Finn, McEniff, Grace, even Bolger

[D24Saint]

Dogged organised display from Shels tonight thrilled with that 3 points great start to the season. Pats had most possession but they look soft could do with a Gary Deegan type in the middle and they were blunt in the final third they won't trouble the Top 4 spots this season

Id go along with that assessment.

[placid casual]

Decent win for Rovers against dundalk. On to sligo next week.

[mcgonigle]

Changing of the guards.... Jack Byrne class act both on and off the pitch RIP Mrs O’Neill

Long way to go but you can only break what’s in front of you

I hope Rovers players and management believe they've broken Dundalk.

As for changing of the guard... Rovers have only beaten Dundalk twice when it matters, tonight and in the cup final. Every other time over the last 6 seasons have been when nothing was at stake. If you win league, then defend it a few times we'll start talking.

What tonight shows is that it's going to be a good tussle for the league this year, some great quality on show tonight, the Flores goal was outrageous and the winner from Byrne was excellent. Hopefully sets up 3 more epic games this season

[Calcio Jack]

Don't let your bias cloud your judgement. Shields has been the most consistent performer in the league for the last five years. If you really think Shields is second rate you know little about the game.

I don't like Rovers but I can appreciate players like Byrne, Finn, McEniff, Grace, even Bolger

Responsible for two goals ... that’s second rate imo.... plus as I said once booked he couldn’t play his normal game .... anyway you like him and that’s your entitlement , it’s a game of opinions and that’s the joy of it ... but bias cloud that is laughable.... guess you’ll just have to take it on the chin 🤣

[thebronze14]

A strange game. Harps on top first half. Definitely a foul for the goal in first half. He was in his right to go for it but the follow through was a foul. The 3/4 minutes it took for the officials to talk to each other was farcical though! Never seen the like of it before. It had a galvanising effect on the cork players and fans and they were far the better team in the second half. We should have equilised late on but had one blocked off the line. Still impressed with the harps team but disappointed with the points lost tonight

[Candystripe]

A strange game. Harps on top first half. Definitely a foul for the goal in first half. He was in his right to go for it but the follow through was a foul. The 3/4 minutes it took for the officials to talk to each other was farcical though! Never seen the like of it before. It had a galvanising effect on the cork players and fans and they were far the better team in the second half. We should have equilised late on but had one blocked off the line. Still impressed with the harps team but disappointed with the points lost tonight

Just watched it. Red card every day of the week.

[Ezeikial]

Total bolix. 'Wonder Boy' was sensational. Hopefully Mick McCarthy in the stand can see he's the best Irish midfielder. BTW, technically, his good was the football tonight from both teams? This is why we support LOI.

I can only be in awe of the serene and composed way many Rovers lads elevate wonder boy to something he clearly is not.

A gifted footballer - yes. Scorer of a magnificent winning goal tonight - absolutely. But the best Irish midfielder - eh no!

Well done to Rovers on the win tonight - what is seldom is probably wonderful

[Asterix]

Id imagine its quite hard to play football when the opposition are focused on fouling you rather than tackling fairly. No suprise dundalk have a discipline problem with Perth as the manager. Not sure how hoare only got a yellow for his elbow on lopes.

Anyway enjoy your cornflakes in the morning :rolleyes:

[Nesta99]

Fair play to Rovers! I hate the 'real advertisement for the league' coments generally but it was. Not like Dundalk to not close out a game after hauling back in to the game and getting in front. Super goal by Byrne! Asterix you are sounding like Cork fans a few years ago - lets ban tackles altogether. I felt there were a good few soft frees awarded to Rovers at the latter end of 1st half, but each to their own! Were there other games played tonight ;p

[joey B]

Great game in Tallaght a treat to watch as a neutral.
As for us it seems it was a game of 2 halves that turned on the Harps 'goal' which was rightly disallowed, but Doyle contrived to make a complete mess of coming to that eventuality,I have a funny feeling that if it had been McGinley in that goal it wouldn't have been ruled out,anyway we gave away a complete hash of a goal in the 2nd half and then huffed and puffed to try and equalise. Only Dundalk and Rovers up next for us !!!

[ToberonaTornado]

Defences win games and ours were way tooooooo slow tonight.To many stupid mistakes from a defence that usually doubles down and covers every loose ball back there - didn't happen this game .Our midfield couldn't slow the game down when it was needed.Shields needs calling out for his lack lustre start to the season and was poor. but there was a few along with him.(no excuse though)
Hopefully we can get McEleney back soon and also see what Colovic is all about.

Decent match all the same and a good crowd in ;)

[Nesta99]

Very important win for Cork tonight. Shels picking up points again as a promoted side nicely. Pats a tad meh so far - how many people had O'Donnell for the chop before Buckley? Could be very nip and tuck between Bohs and Derry.

[buzzkill]

Sorry now lads but all ye rovers fans are delusional regarding Byrne and Ireland, hes playing at league 1 level at best, do it in england and i cant argue with ye

[sbgawa]

I think tbf to JB he is on record as being not happy when he was away which effected him badly in terms of play, he also said he made a couple of bad moves for the wrong reasons.
He is capable of playing at a lot higher level as recognised not only by rovers fans but by mick McCarty a man not known for BS. :)
If JB isn't better than league 1 or 2 in the UK where does that leave the rest of the players in this league.

[sbgawa]

The attendance for our next home match against harps will be interesting,
5000 against cork in shocking weather was very good but you'd expect a big crowd for the first home game .
7500 against dundalk, excellent.
Against harps in 2 weeks will we be back to our core 3000 or will some of the 6700 rovers fans last night (dundalk brought 800 away) come back for more.

[CorribsideSteve]

Sorry now lads but all ye rovers fans are delusional regarding Byrne and Ireland, hes playing at league 1 level at best, do it in england and i cant argue with ye
ah, that old "England is the ultimate barometer for all Irish footballeers" chestnut.

[mcgonigle]

Responsible for two goals ... that’s second rate imo.... plus as I said once booked he couldn’t play his normal game .... anyway you like him and that’s your entitlement , it’s a game of opinions and that’s the joy of it ... but bias cloud that is laughable.... guess you’ll just have to take it on the chin 🤣

Byrne was responsible for Dundalks second, you're conveniently forgetting that. You're also conveniently forgetting that second rate Shields kept Byrne very quiet in each game last season.

Of course it's bias, you don't like Shields because he has consistently got the better of Rovers players for the last 6 years. You got one back last night. Let's see how our second rate captain fairs in the next one. I expect normal service to resume

[outspoken]

Brilliant game in Drogheda, standard wanst amazing but I haven't seen a FD game played at that tempo for quite a while it was break neck intensity from both sides.

Longford took their goal well, keeper probably should be doing better than pushing it straight into the line of fire but he's very young, Drogheda had enough chances to get at least a point, even with 10 men they put us under unbelievable pressure and while I think there's more to come from us this has got to be a massive mental boost especially to do it without Dean Byrne. Couldn't guess an attendance but healthy none the less and around 80 away fans.

On a side note, the prices into that Absolute dump are farcical, not even a drop of soap or hot water in the jack's, so much for regularly washing your hands.

[Kingswood Rover]

It's not too often that anyone scores three against the league champions. Hat tip to Rovers for managing to do that this evening.

The wonder boy was fairly quiet all match until his wonder goal that was a fitting winner in any match.

No doubt the choir will start up with some premature deluded notions of grandeur (although Johnny 'Hot Take' Ward might be a little cautious this time). This Dundalk team us full of character and will not lie down - a 13 points point deficit turned into an 11 point winning margin last season. 3 points behind after 4 games is a minuscule blip
Ah here Jack played very well. TBH there was not much between the teams with both being comprehensively on top for spells during the game. Dundalk are not going away as i keep telling folks and remain an outstanding side. As for us that was the 3rd and final massive psychological boost that they needed, they have ended the Bohs hoodoo, gotten a trophy and come back from behind to beat the countrys best team by a mile over the last 6 years. Is there a changing of the Guard, Not sure yet but one thing is for certain there is two big lads in the Guard house try to throw each other out. Also encouraging for us is our ability to cope with the loss of quality players through injury. Need to win in Sligo always a dodgy place for us we were horrendous there last season.

[Kingswood Rover]

Have you seen Jack play Buzzkill? actually at a match. Jack Byrne is currently the best creative midfield association football player eligible to play international football for the country name a better one. Might be harder more defensive minded players but when it needs a instep curling pass to the feet of a teamate between to opposition players who else can do it for us. Wes used to but now we have Jack. If i thought he could not play at that level i would call it out, he can, should but probably only will when he goes back to play in a UK league.

[Ezeikial]

Ah here Jack played very well.


Jack Byrne is currently the best creative midfield association football player eligible to play international football for the country

Thats quite a leap in just a few minutes

I get the idolatry stuff and the exhilaration for the win last night, especially after consistently being league also-rans in recent years and constantly getting beaten.

Jack Byrne scored a cracking winner last night, but was otherwise very ordinary.

Congrats on the win

[Calcio Jack]

Thats quite a leap in just a few minutes

I get the idolatry stuff and the exhilaration for the win last night, especially after consistently being league also-rans in recent years and constantly getting beaten.

Jack Byrne scored a cracking winner last night, but was otherwise very ordinary.

Congrats on the win

Idolatry ...... glad to see you finally get it .

[patrickccfc]

Now I see what it was like here for others when we were challenging with Dundalk. Entertaining if not very petty.

[ToberonaTornado]

Sorry now lads but all ye rovers fans are delusional regarding Byrne and Ireland, hes playing at league 1 level at best, do it in england and i cant argue with ye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f68VXKMZT1Q

[sbgawa]

Thats quite a leap in just a few minutes

I get the idolatry stuff and the exhilaration for the win last night, especially after consistently being league also-rans in recent years and constantly getting beaten.

Jack Byrne scored a cracking winner last night, but was otherwise very ordinary.

Congrats on the win

I feel your pain, been there

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Great game in Tallaght, between two top class teams playing free flowing football supported by two loud sets of fans in top facilities. What it's all about really.

That Flores goal was something special that all 7600+ in the ground will remember but I'd feel fairly safe in saying he won't give a **** about it considering the result.

As for criticism of Jack Byrne, give your head a shake lads, he was top class. Can say he gave the ball away for the second Dundalk goal all you like but at the end of the day he's a creative midfielder so not everythings expected to come off.

As for Chris Shields, on a booking he is ordinary, when he's not he's very decent don't get me wrong but when he's been booked like a lot of defensive midfielders he's very ordinary because his game is based around being a thorn in the side of the oppositions attacking players and he can't do that on a yellow and you could see once he got on the yellow he was giving that extra yard, there was one point when Byrne was going across the box and you could see both Shields and Flores go to take him out and both realise they were booked and pull out, luckily for them Sloggett was there to make the tackle. It's situations like that though where Shields looks ordinary once he's booked and can't put the challenge in.

[sbgawa]

I turned to the guy beside me after 10 mins and said it's a step up from cork and bohs.
Dundalk are strong everywhere which is what makes th erm so hard to beat. The squad strength is frightening there.

[mcgonigle]

I turned to the guy beside me after 10 mins and said it's a step up from cork and bohs.
Dundalk are strong everywhere which is what makes th erm so hard to beat. The squad strength is frightening there.

Do you think Dundalk have a stronger squad than Rovers? And in what areas?

[Kingswood Rover]

Thats quite a leap in just a few minutes

I get the idolatry stuff and the exhilaration for the win last night, especially after consistently being league also-rans in recent years and constantly getting beaten.

Jack Byrne scored a cracking winner last night, but was otherwise very ordinary.

Congrats on the win
Cheers, answering to different posts, i do not think that i idolize anyone, except maybe Morrissey Creatively he is the best we have at the mo....eh byrne not morrissey except perhaps for the sing song after

[The Lilywhites]

The Jack Byrne obsession is tiresome. He did nothing last night up until the goal, except gifting Dundalk the lead when we were totally out of the game. His finish was good fair play but Shields was shown up badly there.

Rovers deserved winners, should have won by a couple. It's all well and good beating the lower end teams but Dundalk looked way off Rovers level last night. Shields and Massey are getting on, probably should have kept Jarvis instead of Massey as back up to Leahy but that was the owners decision. Sloggett isn't up to it at that level - again grand if you're playing Cork or Harps etc. Perth's subs were questionable too. Is Patching a footballer?!