Weekend games 19th , 20th March

[sbgawa]

Friday 19th March

Drogheda v Waterford 17:45
Shamrock Rovers v St Pats 19:45

Saturday 20th March

Finn Harps v Bohemians 18:00
Sligo v Dundalk 18:00
Midlands Development team v Derry City 18:00

[sbgawa]

Very wary of a strengthing Pats team and equaly i think Dundalk nead to pay Sligo a lot of respect.
Harps v Bohs will be interesting to see if Harps can beat expectations and id bohs have replaced Grant twardek and wright as well as Mandriou
Drogs Waterford and the midlands development team (i'll leave it after a week as their dopey people copped on after a week) look like favs for relegation so a good start is important

First weekend of competitive action and 10 optimistic sets of supporters

[D24Saint]

I’d be happy with a draw to start the year off. I’ve seen nothing of the new team bar goal clips on YouTube so it’s hard to tell where we are at. The squad on paper looks a lot better but it’s on the pitch that counts. I’ll go 1-1.

[hollocaine]

Friday 19th March

Drogheda v Waterford 17:45
Shamrock Rovers v St Pats 19:45

Saturday 20th March

Finn Harps v Bohemians 18:00
Sligo v Dundalk 18:00
Midlands Development team v Derry City 18:00

Hilarious. Obviously so giddy to get in that 'joke', you're posting about matches not starting for another 6 days. Clearly lockdown Saturday night's are some craic in the sbgawa household!

[joey B]

I’d be happy with a draw to start the year off. I’ve seen nothing of the new team bar goal clips on YouTube so it’s hard to tell where we are at. The squad on paper looks a lot better but it’s on the pitch that counts. I’ll go 1-1.

You reckon Stevie O'Donnell will be given time if you start badly, or is he under pressure if you do?

[2 Year Contract]

You reckon Stevie O'Donnell will be given time if you start badly, or is he under pressure if you do?

Obviously this is just based on opinion but I think if we start poorly the pressure would be from fans but the board seem like they’ll allow him time to build and rightly so IMO. The budget is way down this year and even some of the players that signed new deals are on less than they were last season. Of course that depends on how poor a start we’re taking and how long that continues for because with O'Donnell out of contract at the end of the season it makes it a cheaper option to pay him off than it would’ve last year had things gone very badly for example.

To be honest I wouldn’t say he’d be any more/less likely to be under pressure after a poor start than any other club aside from maybe Longford/Drogheda/Harps who would be given more time IMO

[D24Saint]

AFAIK this is SOD final year on his contract. If he has a poor year it will be hard to justify giving him a new one. I don’t think he would be under intense pressure if we have a poor start. The owner has backed him this year so he seems to have belief in him. I’d be on the fence , I think he should be given time this season but we have to see a good run a getting into europe.

[Nesta99]

I think Pats have fallen back enough for things to be called a good run and not make Europe. Ive nothing to back this up but I think Sligo have almost totally turned things around from last Spring to this and are dark horses. Drogheda I also think will overtake a couple of more established Premier sides. Assuming that the order of things wont change massively and wlil be Bohs, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers making up the top three it will be tough for Pats to sneak in to 4th and a top 3 cup winner helping them out. Waterford look in trouble which will save 1 side from autuomatic relegation. That leaves Longford Im sorry to say and imo Derry as the strugglers.

[nigel-harps1954]

I think Pats have fallen back enough for things to be called a good run and not make Europe. Ive nothing to back this up but I think Sligo have almost totally turned things around from last Spring to this and are dark horses. Drogheda I also think will overtake a couple of more established Premier sides. Assuming that the order of things wont change massively and wlil be Bohs, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers making up the top three it will be tough for Pats to sneak in to 4th and a top 3 cup winner helping them out. Waterford look in trouble which will save 1 side from autuomatic relegation. That leaves Longford Im sorry to say and imo Derry as the strugglers.

Always forgotten :(

[sbgawa]

I think Pats have fallen back enough for things to be called a good run and not make Europe. Ive nothing to back this up but I think Sligo have almost totally turned things around from last Spring to this and are dark horses. Drogheda I also think will overtake a couple of more established Premier sides. Assuming that the order of things wont change massively and wlil be Bohs, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers making up the top three it will be tough for Pats to sneak in to 4th and a top 3 cup winner helping them out. Waterford look in trouble which will save 1 side from autuomatic relegation. That leaves Longford Im sorry to say and imo Derry as the strugglers.

100% agree sligo have gone quietly about there business and i expect them to do well this season

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Usually starting a season in trepidation as we’re still trying to assemble a squad but we seem to be in pretty good shape. So we’ll probably be relegated.

[Nesta99]

Always forgotten :(

Certainly not!! I fear saying Harps will be more than safe Ollie will hunt me down!!

[vinnie]

Always forgotten :(

Always loved never forgotten

[DCSIL]

Friday:
Drogzonspor 2-1 Pub Team
Talacticos 1-0 Dundalk Tribute Act

Saturday:

PUP Harps 0-1 The Boys from the better land
Hardy Bucks 1-2 International Bright Young Things
Daireball 0-1 Devine Out

[sbgawa]

Hardy Bucks :)

Big night for Rovers in Tallaght tonight.
Will be interesting to see what Bradser sees as his first team in a competitive match.
I expect Watts , Kavanagh, Gary O Neill and Greene in as a minimum change from the presidents cup match.
First nights are always full of optimism and several teams have strengthened..
Good start is vital.

[passinginterest]

Decent preview from RTE here: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0316/1204386-league-of-ireland-change-afoot-but-top-2-remain-strong/

The champions versus the pre-season champions is a fitting opener to the season. I think the gap might be closed a bit between the top and the middle teams this season. It feels like Rovers and Dundalk could be a little weaker, while Pats and Sligo both look to have improved. Drogheda should be solid, Derry are hard to predict and missing Hodge is a blow already, Harps look to have strengthened, Waterford another unpredictable one and Longford look the weakest but are young and might be a surprise package if they can adapt quickly to the step up.

[Nesta99]

Hardy Bucks :)

Big night for Rovers in Tallaght tonight.
Will be interesting to see what Bradser sees as his first team in a competitive match.
I expect Watts , Kavanagh, Gary O Neill and Greene in as a minimum change from the presidents cup match.
First nights are always full of optimism and several teams have strengthened..
Good start is vital.

If only Sligo had a Frenchtoast O'Toole or Hammer Harrington playing them, great footballer's names!

St Pats winning preseason means they'll be a tough opener for Rovers. It will be a good gauge on how St Pat's season could go but Id expect Rovers to win, 2-1. It'd be no disaster either way with a full season scheduled.

[Sonny]

I think SOD is gonna be bringing two double deckers with him and would be concerned that if Rovers don't nick one early we're gonna see a carbon copy of the two league games last year.

[SeanDrog]

Drogs 1-0 Waterford , typical first game set up, unfamiliar players on both sides trying to find their feet. Late og from Drogs pressure and overall I think we deserved it as we have a few goal mouth scrambles.

Many years away from the premier so a win on our first game back is very satisfying indeed

[boynemunich]

Great win for Drogheda in a scrappy game, not a great performance but they were the better team. Deegan and James Brown the best on the night, Brown's engine is something else. Waterford's defense was very solid, they could be a hard team to break down this season.

[mcgonigle]

How many will be sent off here? Refs are shocking, listening to screams and moaning from the benches.

[Mr A]

Just tuned in and the first thing I heard was Rovers are probing and teasing St Pat's and I did not sign up for this FILTH

[Longfordian]

If I want that kind of thing there's plenty of cheaper sites than WatchLOI. You might even get a replay too.

[joey B]

The game is nothing special but the ref is not helping it at all....

[Jack B]

Ref is having an absolute disaster here.

[mcgonigle]

Interesting concept by RTE allowing a home fan to commentate on the game with them. Surprised they're letting him swear that much though

[Yossarian]

Interesting concept by RTE allowing a home fan to commentate on the game with them. Surprised they're letting him swear that much though

I wonder did he get talking to his mate at half time.

[TonyD]

The amount of free kicks killing the game. Thought we started very well. Took Rovers 20 mins to get out of their half. They’ve probably been the better side since then. Worryingly we still don’t look like making chances.

[Sonny]

Ronan Coughlan has spent more time on his back than on his feet in this game!

[Nesta99]

Two nailed on reds to Smith (well I thought it was Smith but he isnt listed as being booked on RTE) for the tackle on Hoare and Desmond later on was just shocking.....

Its interesting to hear the players and benches so clearly.

[CorribsideSteve]

At this stage, it seems any sort of fixture this year or any future year between Pats and Rovers will end 0-0

[Nesta99]

Great win for Drogheda in a scrappy game, not a great performance but they were the better team. Deegan and James Brown the best on the night, Brown's engine is something else. Waterford's defense was very solid, they could be a hard team to break down this season.

It was great for a promoted side to get that 1st win on the board day 1, it can become monkey on the back otherwise. Fortuitous winner but fortune favours the brave and the chance wasnt give up. Waterford were better than expected, Sheedy has them well organised so maybe an astute managerial appointment after all though early doors.

[pineapple stu]

Almost two games into the season and top scorer in the league is own goals.

Early days yet of course, but could do without a repeat of last season where most of the league could only manage a goal a game. If there's one thing wise than behind-closed-doors games, is behind-closed-doors games with no goals

[TonyD]

At this stage, it seems any sort of fixture this year or any future year between Pats and Rovers will end 0-0

Not quite. Thought we’d nicked it there. 1-1 will do me though.

[Jack B]

Rovers parking "two double deckers" at home until they conceded, feeble scenes.

Good results though, not much in it but despite the disappointment of conceding so swiftly after scoring we were out on our arses since the 75/80ish minute mark. Encouraging start though, the squad is small but strong enough to be expecting a real push for 4th*.





*if we can figure out how to score goals

[Sonny]

Gonna take time for Rovers to settle without Byrne and McEneff and I think creativity is going to be an issue. Uncharacteristically poor performance from Pico. I don't think that starting line up was the best available 11.

Young lad in goal for Pat's acquitted himself very well and looks really solid. They look like they are going to struggle for goals again.

[Nesta99]

Disappointing for Pats (and others) not to have taken that win with that late goal. I was about to say that Rovers still seemed to miss that clinical striker and Greene pops up with a great header not long after coming on. Minimum sort of performance expected of an O'Donnell coached side in their organisation and effort, the creativity will happen I think. Good to see Forrester looking a bit more like his old self, in general they look fitter. Jaros looks to be a very good loan signing. Barrett is solid for the most part but he will give St Pas fans those heart attack moments almost per game like the first half air kick per game. I think it was typical early season fare, lacking that sharpness and intricate plays not working but will come good. It was an intriguing game more than entertaining.

[placid casual]

Rovers didn't deserve to win purely on the team selection. Gaffney shouldn't be anywhere need the first 11, for a start. Watts and Kavanagh should be starting. Burke is a luxury player but complicates the midfield. I was more impressed with Danny than last week and its the 1st week of the season.
It'll probably be a 7 point gap this season instead of 11.😉

[Nesta99]

Almost two games into the season and top scorer in the league is own goals.

Early days yet of course, but could do without a repeat of last season where most of the league could only manage a goal a game. If there's one thing wise than behind-closed-doors games, is behind-closed-doors games with no goals

I was thinking that myself after watching both games tonight, teams are so well organised these days that its very hard to break down any half decent defense so there will more low scoring games. Its all the rage to play it out from the back all the time, pass it about a defense for a bit before getting forward - the odd ariel bombardment might do no harm n mixing up and keeping defenders guessing.

[joey B]

Pats look better than last season, more solid anyway, the new keeper looks a good pick up for them as well.

Rovers look like a team who've lost 2 of the best midfielders in the league and it'll take time too learn how to play without them, McCann looks a tidy operator though.....

Hopefully they keep that ref away from televised games in future, wanted to be the centre of attention for a lot of it......

[CorribsideSteve]

I stand corrected

[Calcio Jack]

Rovers didn't deserve to win purely on the team selection. Gaffney shouldn't be anywhere need the first 11, for a start. Watts and Kavanagh should be starting. Burke is a luxury player but complicates the midfield. I was more impressed with Danny than last week and its the 1st week of the season.
It'll probably be a 7 point gap this season instead of 11.😉

Happy enough with that with so many changes - agree the Gaffney , also Hoare can’t cross ( albeit Greene scored from the one cross he managed) ; Finn doesn’t have it anymore to play central mid but way better than Gannon as wing back; Mandriu in second half showed what he can do and once he settles will be brilliant assuming he keeps his attitude right, early days but we’ll get much better and then pull away from the mob once Towell comes in

[Dalymountrower]

Pat's keeper was motm for me.
Nice to see Git back on form, the only player with a bit of guile on the pitch.
Thought Finn at CM didn't work, Watts and Greene made a difference when they came on.
Pat's look to be carrying too many passengers again this season, they all looked knackered in the last 5 mins,

[mcgonigle]

It'll probably be a 7 point gap this season instead of 11.😉

Could Bradley survive an 18 point swing?

[pineapple stu]

And Bohs as champions? :p

[2 Year Contract]

I predicted 1-1 for that game before kick off and would’ve been happy with the point if offered it in the 85th minute but disappointed with it having taken the lead so late but that’s football I suppose.

Great result for Drogheda earlier, although I was in the same boat as someone above that looked away for 10 seconds and missed the goal :rolleyes:. I thought Markey played well, was surprised to see him taken off so early into the second half

[mcgonigle]

And Bohs as champions? :p

Who else? We'll be lucky to stay up

[Jack B]

Pat's keeper was motm for me.
Nice to see Git back on form, the only player with a bit of guile on the pitch.
Thought Finn at CM didn't work, Watts and Greene made a difference when they came on.
Pat's look to be carrying too many passengers again this season, they all looked knackered in the last 5 mins,

Think the last comment is harsh. Pressed them hard all game despite their quality, and on the first game of the season at that. Would be doing well for that to not have been the case, especially bearing in mind the likes of Barrett coming into pre season semi late.

[LOI101]

Great finish by Greene but thought Pats should have defended the cross better. Initial cross is blocked but there’s absolutely no pressure on the second attempt at the delivery. Surprised rovers didn’t make any changes to the starting 11 after last week. Jaros looks a great addition for Pats although I don’t remember goalkeeper being a huge problem area for them last season. As others have said they still look like they’ll struggle to score goals. We’re basing that on them playing against last years champions though. Will they be able to do it against Drogheda as Cawley asked numerous times. Enjoyed watching the game even if it wasn’t a great game. Great to have football back

[sbgawa]

at 85 minutes nil nil felt like a loss
1 v1 at the end felt like a draw and a half.
The league is going to be interesting this year.