Games Weekend Friday 26th March

[sbgawa]

Premier Division

Friday 26th
Dundalk v Finn Harps 17:45
Waterford v Sligo 19:45

Saturday 27th
St Pats v Drogheda 16:00
Bohemians v Longford 16:00
Derry v SRFC (postponed)
First Division

Friday 26th (all 19:45)
Wexford v Cabinteely
Cork City v Cobh
UCD v Athlone
Galway v Shelbourne

Sunday 28th (15:00)
Bray v Treaty United

[sbgawa]

First weekend of the season could be summed up as we have a title race on our hands with nobody looking like runaway winners and the likes of Sligo and Pats looking way stronger than last season.
Longfords and Droghedas opening day wins at home to Derry and Waterford will be tested for how good they were with tough away matches against Bohs and Pats.
Anything less than wins for Dundalk and Bohs will start to put the pressure on early , Harps deserved their win against Bohs so it wont be easy.

Galway Shels as an opener in Division one is an early chance to lay a marker down for two teams expected to be chasing automatic promotion.
Still cant get used to Cork being in Division 1 and no real idea how they will do.
Great to have so many matches to discuss / Watch.
Shame about Derry canceling the Rovers match, is the reserve keeper that bad? they have ensured a 3 games in 9 days gig with the reschedule,

[DCWA]

Shame about Derry canceling the Rovers match, is the reserve keeper that bad? they have ensured a 3 games in 9 days gig with the reschedule,

18 year old who has never played a senior game. It’s simply not worth the risk.

[lofty9]

Shame about Derry canceling the Rovers match, is the reserve keeper that bad? they have ensured a 3 games in 9 days gig with the reschedule,

Jack has just signed a pro contract and is 20. I think the problem is that there isn't proper back up to him. Although it would have been a great test for him if they'd have played and put Gartside under pressure for his place. If I was manager I'd have sent the team out with the young keeper, they are expected to lose anyhow, might as well get the kid experience. Shows a lack of balls from Devine. Not as if Rovers didnt do it with Bazuna.

[sbgawa]

Jack has just signed a pro contract and is 20. I think the problem is that there isn't proper back up to him. Although it would have been a great test for him if they'd have played and put Gartside under pressure for his place. If I was manager I'd have sent the team out with the young keeper, they are expected to lose anyhow, might as well get the kid experience. Shows a lack of balls from Devine. Not as if Rovers didnt do it with Bazuna.

Bradser played Bazunu in 4 league games and two euros before letting Manus take the number 1 jersey, Manus from memory was there for at least 3 of the games but Bradser stuck with Bazunu as he was excellent.

[Nesta99]

First weekend of the season could be summed up as we have a title race on our hands with nobody looking like runaway winners and the likes of Sligo and Pats looking way stronger than last season.
Longfords and Droghedas opening day wins at home to Derry and Waterford will be tested for how good they were with tough away matches against Bohs and Pats.
Anything less than wins for Dundalk and Bohs will start to put the pressure on early , Harps deserved their win against Bohs so it wont be easy.

Galway Shels as an opener in Division one is an early chance to lay a marker down for two teams expected to be chasing automatic promotion.
Still cant get used to Cork being in Division 1 and no real idea how they will do.
Great to have so many matches to discuss / Watch.
Shame about Derry canceling the Rovers match, is the reserve keeper that bad? they have ensured a 3 games in 9 days gig with the reschedule,

Dundalk have to target 3 points on Friday, especially considering the 2 games after. If we do, it ramps up the pressure on Rovers for Friday week. It will be a must not lose game for Rovers which in itself has its pressures. Of course that is completely flipped if Dundalk fail to beat Harps. It's a bit early for make or break games but putting down an early marker is important. If we end up with 1 or 2 points from the fist 4 games considering the opposition, its heading badly in the wrong direction for Keegan.

[2 Year Contract]

Dundalk have to target 3 points on Friday, especially considering the 2 games after. If we do, it ramps up the pressure on Rovers for Friday week. It will be a must not lose game for Rovers which in itself has its pressures. Of course that is completely flipped if Dundalk fail to beat Harps. It's a bit early for make or break games but putting down an early marker is important. If we end up with 1 or 2 points from the fist 4 games considering the opposition, its heading badly in the wrong direction for Keegan.

Bit of a contradiction there but the second point is correct. No league on the planet has a club that will have a 'must not lose game' in their second game of the season. It’s a big game yes but even if rovers were to lose it I’m sure they could close the gap from the remaining 102 points up for grabs

[placid casual]

Deary me Nesta, that pressure windup looks like it came from the pat hoban school of windups. As has been said,its far too early to be making games make or break. Paining the a€€é that Rovers won't play this weekend, but the presidents Cup game was recent enough for the emotional muscle memory to kick in when Rovers take on dundalk the week after. Hopefully Pico makes it back from his camel trek in time.

[sbgawa]

Momentum and confidence is everything in Sport, i always felt when DFC were at their best teams turned up expecting to lose.
Establishing a "presence" this year with all the new players is important and that only comes from winning.
While i would agree Rovers Dundalk is not a must not lose game for Rovers it is a chance particularly if DFC drop points to Harps to stop Dundalk establishing a fear factor, losing would be a million miles from fatal to our chances of winning the league but it is a huge opportunity to put a marker down just like early last year.
A draw which will probably leave us both in bottom half after 3 games (depending on Harps results) will just emphasize how open the league is this year.

[Nesta99]

Ok it will feel like a must not lose game. Going on some previous recent seasons some clubs have been pretty relentless, eg Rovers last year albeit in a shortened season. I would not be ok with Dundalk potentially being 6 pints adrift of Rovers after 4 games no matter what. As has been acknowledged generally, there are a lot of unknowns this season so imo early form and results will be key definers of the season as much from a psychological angle. Whomever builds up a bit of momentum first (nether Dundalk, Rovers, Bohs look like clicking in to that winning habit yet) will be hard to overhaul. If Dundalk have 10 points by game 4 id be worried if a Rovers fan and yet it early season. On Wk 1 performances Harps should be made favourites - though if Ollie was standing with the league trophy he would still talk about avoiding relegation.

[2 Year Contract]

Hopefully Pico makes it back from his camel trek in time.

Will he not have to self isolate (for whatever amount of days it is now), upon his return?

[Nesta99]

Deary me Nesta, that pressure windup looks like it came from the pat hoban school of windups. As has been said,its far too early to be making games make or break. Paining the a€€é that Rovers won't play this weekend, but the presidents Cup game was recent enough for the emotional muscle memory to kick in when Rovers take on dundalk the week after. Hopefully Pico makes it back from his camel trek in time.

Pressure windup? I was replying to Sbgawa who I think makes a valid point on early pressure, but conversely can be flipped. If people think early season results do not involve 'pressure' or do not count in some way as gaps can be overturned later in the season then so be it - I hope such levels of confidence lead to complacency. If I was from the Pat Hoban school of wind-ups i'd just dismiss things wind-ups and maybe follow up with 2020 not being a real league season (but then there wouldnt have been a proper cup competition either by such logic).

[sadloserkid]

that pressure windup looks like it came from the pat hoban school of windups.

This amused me waaaaaay more than it should have. :D

[sbgawa]

Will he not have to self isolate (for whatever amount of days it is now), upon his return?


Nope Elite athletes are exempt unlike bogball players

[sbgawa]

Ok it will feel like a must not lose game. Going on some previous recent seasons some clubs have been pretty relentless, eg Rovers last year albeit in a shortened season. I would not be ok with Dundalk potentially being 6 pints adrift of Rovers after 4 games no matter what. As has been acknowledged generally, there are a lot of unknowns this season so imo early form and results will be key definers of the season as much from a psychological angle. Whomever builds up a bit of momentum first (nether Dundalk, Rovers, Bohs look like clicking in to that winning habit yet) will be hard to overhaul. If Dundalk have 10 points by game 4 id be worried if a Rovers fan and yet it early season. On Wk 1 performances Harps should be made favourites - though if Ollie was standing with the league trophy he would still talk about avoiding relegation.

Id probably be happy enough taking another draw now and then just get on with the season.
The head to heads wont matter as much this season i think as it looks like a few teams have a bit about them this season

[SeanDrog]

First weekend of the season could be summed up as we have a title race on our hands with nobody looking like runaway winners and the likes of Sligo and Pats looking way stronger than last season.
Longfords and Droghedas opening day wins at home to Derry and Waterford will be tested for how good they were with tough away matches against Bohs and Pats.
Anything less than wins for Dundalk and Bohs will start to put the pressure on early , Harps deserved their win against Bohs so it wont be easy.

Galway Shels as an opener in Division one is an early chance to lay a marker down for two teams expected to be chasing automatic promotion.
Still cant get used to Cork being in Division 1 and no real idea how they will do.
Great to have so many matches to discuss / Watch.
Shame about Derry canceling the Rovers match, is the reserve keeper that bad? they have ensured a 3 games in 9 days gig with the reschedule,


Summed up nicely - looking sooooo forward to it.

[Nesta99]

I would agree with that and week 1 is an early if limited indication.

[El-Pietro]

First Cork derby since 2008 and no one can go. Gutting.

[Martinho II]

First Cork derby since 2008 and no one can go. Gutting.

Jaysus is that long? That was in the top flight if I am correct!

[TonyD]

Summed up nicely - looking sooooo forward to it.

Will be quite a telling game for Pats too. We did well in games against Rovers and Dundalk last season, only to come unstuck against perceived “lesser” teams. If we can beat Drogheda, and particularly if we could score some goals, it will be a sign of progress.

[El-Pietro]

There was an MSC cup game or two over the years and regular friendlies.
But no real competitive games. Which is mad because the league Cup is seeded regionally and we never got them and played Wexford almost every year for half a decade (unless I'm forgetting a game).

[sidewayspasser]

There was an MSC cup game or two over the years and regular friendlies.
But no real competitive games. Which is mad because the league Cup is seeded regionally and we never got them and played Wexford almost every year for half a decade (unless I'm forgetting a game).
League Cup 2019, second round.

[vinnie]

I love the way everyone is talkin about Rovers, Dundalk & Bohs for the league, I still think one or two of our 'Regional' teams will have a big say in this league year

[ToberonaTornado]

I love the way everyone is talkin about Rovers, Dundalk & Bohs for the league, I still think one or two of our 'Regional' teams will have a big say in this league year
So do i,.....so do i

[Longfordian]

I love the way everyone is talkin about Rovers, Dundalk & Bohs for the league, I still think one or two of our 'Regional' teams will have a big say in this league year

It's ours to lose now.

[Dalymountrower]

I love the way everyone is talkin about Rovers, Dundalk & Bohs for the league, I still think one or two of our 'Regional' teams will have a big say in this league year

I think that pretty much everyone has tipped Sligo Rovers to push on from fourth place last season. Unrealistic to expect Longford Drogs and Harps to be top four , given the limited back up to key players in their panels. They will take points from everyone though, particularly from Bohs judging from last Saturday.
Derry should be up there given their resources, but wont be . Waterford look to be a bit of a mess but could surpise people when Sheedy has time to work with them.

Between SDCC, North Louth and Sligo Regions for the title.

[sbgawa]

I think that pretty much everyone has tipped Sligo Rovers to push on from fourth place last season. Unrealistic to expect Longford Drogs and Harps to be top four , given the limited back up to key players in their panels. They will take points from everyone though, particularly from Bohs judging from last Saturday.
Derry should be up there given their resources, but wont be . Waterford look to be a bit of a mess but could surpise people when Sheedy has time to work with them.

Between SDCC, North Louth and Sligo Regions for the title.

Bit early for a concession :)

I wouldn't rule Pats out either , a lot will depend on them keeping their first 11 fit

[Dalymountrower]

Bit early for a concession :)

I wouldn't rule Pats out either , a lot will depend on them keeping their first 11 fit

Was focussing on the comment about the challenge from clubs in the Regions, not the city clubs.

[sbgawa]

Was focussing on the comment about the challenge from clubs in the Regions, not the city clubs.


;) good one

[Sonny]

Bit early for a concession :)

I wouldn't rule Pats out either , a lot will depend on them keeping their first 11 fit

This seems similar to lots of people saying Pat's were dark horses last season and will look just as ridiculous as that did by the end of the season imo. I really don't understand what people are looking at. They've a pretty thin squad that looks nailed on to badly, badly struggle for goals again. I'd be stunned if Pat's finished above 5th.

[Nesta99]

;) good one

Walked in to that one lol


This seems similar to lots of people saying Pat's were dark horses last season and will look just as ridiculous as that did by the end of the season imo. I really don't understand what people are looking at. They've a pretty thin squad that looks nailed on to badly, badly struggle for goals again. I'd be stunned if Pat's finished above 5th.

The old cliche of a team looking decent on paper is probably why people thought Pats could have had a better 2020 season. Wouldnt take a whole lot to be better this year, being more consistent is a start, but yup hard to see where a regular goal threat will be, a big contribution is needed from midfield unless they find a prolific hat stand somewhere. They'll be hard to beat and will draw a lot of games.

[PartySaint]

This seems similar to lots of people saying Pat's were dark horses last season and will look just as ridiculous as that did by the end of the season imo. I really don't understand what people are looking at. They've a pretty thin squad that looks nailed on to badly, badly struggle for goals again. I'd be stunned if Pat's finished above 5th.

Agree 100%, scoring goals has been our issue for the last few years and it doesn't look like we've solved that problem, after the starting 11 and maybe 2 subs it's basically a squad of kids.

[SeanDrog]

My predictions

Friday
Dundalk v Finn Harps 1-0
Waterford v Sligo 0-2

Saturday 27th
St Pats v Drogheda 1-1
Bohemians v Longford 2-0
Derry v SRFC (postponed)

First Division
Friday 26th (all 19:45)
Wexford v Cabinteely 1-1
Cork City v Cobh 0-2
UCD v Athlone 2-0
Galway v Shelbourne 1-2 (this looks like a great match!)

[B][U]Sunday 28th (15:00)
Bray v Treaty United 3-0

[pineapple stu]

If only we had some sort of a league for predicting the results of games each week :)

[SeanDrog]

If only we had some sort of a league for predicting the results of games each week :)

Ah for some reason I thought that section was no longer in use - thx Stu I’ll post there 👍

[pineapple stu]

The more the merrier!

[Bohtastic]

Tough to know what will happen this weekend - Will say a lot about whether expectations were realistic. Some of the fancied teams need to topic a win beside their draw/loss last week. Otherwise nerves could have an effect. If Bohs, Dundalk, Pats, Sligo don't pick up 3 points then the rot could start.
I'd say Derry are mighty relieved at the postponement.

[pineapple stu]

Dundalk 1-1 Harps the score after an hour in the early start.

First Division also kicking off tonight; I think that's as clear as mud as it usually is at the start of the season.

UCD are doing online programmes this season (as are many clubs I'm sure); tonight's is available now (http://www.ucdsoccer.com/airtricity-league/programme). Features Peter Lorimer, Robbie Benson, Kevin Moran, Aymen Ben Mohamed, Brian Lenihan and lots of other stuff.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Will Shane Keegan get Dundalk relegated as well?

[Jack B]

Will Shane Keegan get Dundalk relegated as well?

He heard everyone saying that at least this wouldn't be another on his CV and said "challenge accepted".

[D24Saint]

Entertaining game of football. I expect Dundalk to get something out of the game.

[placid casual]

There's really only one Ollie Horgan.
There's a few Mrs Doyles in Oriel pk.

[Finlay Harp]

Top of the league!

[Jack B]

Say the boys on commentary - to be expected with Rogers to be fair - will be gutted with that, they were getting more excited for Dundalk crosses there than Harps' goals.

Great shift from Harps anyway, kind of chose to start riding their luck and needed to once they took the lead but they were well worth it up until that point and really put it up to Dundalk for the most part. Seems like we'll be seeing less teams show respect to Dundalk and Rovers for the full 90 and I'm all for that.

[Straightstory]

Dundalk 1-1 Harps the score after an hour in the early start.

First Division also kicking off tonight; I think that's as clear as mud as it usually is at the start of the season.

UCD are doing online programmes this season (as are many clubs I'm sure); tonight's is available now (http://www.ucdsoccer.com/airtricity-league/programme). Features Peter Lorimer, Robbie Benson, Kevin Moran, Aymen Ben Mohamed, Brian Lenihan and lots of other stuff.

Nice effort!

Like the piece on Lorimer. Especially the fact that a game was brought forward fifteen minutes so that he could get a flight back to Britain.

[lofty9]

Well done Harps. Look a proper team, playing for Ollie and Higgsy.

[2 Year Contract]

Great result and performance for Harps, commiserations to Ollie

[Longfordian]

Incredible number of sponsors on the Sligo shirts. Fair play to them. Some finish from Parkes.

[passinginterest]

Waterford Sligo is a really good game on tv. Some decent quality in both teams and and absolute smashing volley from Parkes for the equaliser.

[DCWA]

Lucky Fillipo isn’t manager of Dundalk or he could be looking at the sack soon.