Weekend Matches 9th April to 13th

[sbgawa]

Premier Division

Friday 9th
St Patricks Athletic v Derry City 17:45
Dundalk v Bohemians 19:45

Saturday 10th (all 18:00)
Finn Harps v Waterford
Sligo v Shamrock Rovers
Longford v Drogheda

Tuesday 13th
Derry City v Shamrock Rovers 19:45

First Division

Friday 9th (All 19:45)

Treaty v Cobh
Shelbourne v Wexford
Cork v Athlone
Cabinteely v Galway
UCD v Bray

[sbgawa]

Lots of interesting Matches
Pats v Derry , a chance for Pats to really push themselves forward as title challengers but also for Derry lose and they are becoming a story before the season even gets going.
Dundalk Bohs, pressure on both , bohs have looked poor so expect dundalk to win ...my record in predictions league should make dundalk nervous.
Harps Waterford , big chance for both clubs to cement a positive start to season against expectations for both.
Sligo v Rovers , a chance to see a) are Sligo as good as 7 points from 9 looks and b) have Rovers the strength to go and win in tough places like last year.
Longford v Drogs bit like Harps v Waterford, a chance to really make a good start into a great one for either club.

First division
third round of games will allow a few conclusions to start being drawn , are Galway going to put up a challenge, are Athlone dark horses.
Cabo are a surprise to me as apparently they have almost zero budget, might get found out.

[pineapple stu]

Fair dues to you for starting these each week btw - always good to get the bit of chat going early.

Cabo have played Wexford (probably favourites to finish bottom) and Cork (who knows what's going on there, but they scraped by at home to Cobh, who lost 4-0 at home to UCD), so their position may be a bit inflated early doors.

Bray is a big test for us - we've looked a bit more solid than last year, but our big issue was failing to take any points off the top half. If we can take a draw off Bray, I'd be happy we've improved on last year. But the FD is shaping up to be a genuinely tight division, so I think there's a long way to go yet before there's a bit of shape put on it.

[osarusan]

Treaty very lucky not to have conceded so far. As we improve in fitness we should have more legs in the final 30 mins of games, and we need to avoid silly red cards to stop being forced into a defensive effort also.

Very early days but Cobh seem to be pretty weak so far.

[Real ale Madrid]

Very downbeat about our prospects after the first two games and Friday night v Athlone might give us another harsh barometer of where we stand. Still early days mind. Very weird start to the season results wise.

[ger121]

I wouldn’t be confident of any sort of a result this weekend. Dundalk played well against Rovers, with the woodwork winning MOTM. While we don’t know who to play or how to play so far this season. So in summary we are probably going to play our best game of the season to-date and come home with all 3 points!

[ger121]

On a side note the Battle of the Rovers could and should be a cracking game. Very impressed with Sligo so far and they might be the surprise team this year.

[sbgawa]

Fair dues to you for starting these each week btw - always good to get the bit of chat going early.

Cabo have played Wexford (probably favourites to finish bottom) and Cork (who knows what's going on there, but they scraped by at home to Cobh, who lost 4-0 at home to UCD), so their position may be a bit inflated early doors.

Bray is a big test for us - we've looked a bit more solid than last year, but our big issue was failing to take any points off the top half. If we can take a draw off Bray, I'd be happy we've improved on last year. But the FD is shaping up to be a genuinely tight division, so I think there's a long way to go yet before there's a bit of shape put on it.

Cheers,
Yes i agree first division will be very interesting this year.
Your match against Bray will tell a lot, Shels were probably lucky to get a point against Bray so they will be a stiff test for you.
Shels and Galway were the smart calls for promotion and are both starting awfully slowly,

[joey B]

Pressure on a few teams in both divisions even this early,
Dundalk, Bohs and Derry in the Premier and Cork, Galway and maybe Shels in the first but you'd expect Shels to be comfortable against Wexford.

Looking at the odds Sligo at 4/1 at home be worth a punt and maybe Waterford nearly 4's against us after a decent result last week, but honestly you wouldn't be surprised with any result in any game with how the season has started.....

[Nesta99]

Pressure on a few teams in both divisions even this early,
Dundalk, Bohs and Derry in the Premier and Cork, Galway and maybe Shels in the first but you'd expect Shels to be comfortable against Wexford.

Looking at the odds Sligo at 4/1 at home be worth a punt and maybe Waterford nearly 4's against us after a decent result last week, but honestly you wouldn't be surprised with any result in any game with how the season has started.....

Ah the real pressure is on relegation threatened Ollie!

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

On a side note the Battle of the Rovers could and should be a cracking game. Very impressed with Sligo so far and they might be the surprise team this year.

I haven’t been that impressed with us. Thought we looked good against Dundalk alright but not sure how strong that form line is and we were not good against Waterford or Longford. Saturday will tell us a lot more.

[Charlie Darwin]

On a side note the Battle of the Rovers could and should be a cracking game. Very impressed with Sligo so far and they might be the surprise team this year.
I know it's only two games in but Sligo looks certs for Europe at least. This will be our toughest game so far.

[Charlie Darwin]

I haven’t been that impressed with us. Thought we looked good against Dundalk alright but not sure how strong that form line is and we were not good against Waterford or Longford. Saturday will tell us a lot more.
Winning games when you're not playing well is a sign of a good team, to be fair.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

As I said we’ll have a better idea of where we are after the game on Saturday. After 4 games last year we had 0 points and we ended up in Europe.

[redobit]

I haven’t been that impressed with us. Thought we looked good against Dundalk alright but not sure how strong that form line is and we were not good against Waterford or Longford. Saturday will tell us a lot more.

Three different performances from us so far alright.
Good against Dundalk.
Good in spells against what could be a decent Waterford side. I think Sheedy is getting them organised and they are going to be hard to beat this season. It was a good time to get them.
Against Longford there was a clear change in tactics, with our little bit extra in quality making the difference.
Id take your point that we haven't been impressive but we have been mixing it up and still doing well which is encouraging. Saturday will tell a tale as you said. Id still expect Shams to win the league this season.

[Nesta99]

As I said we’ll have a better idea of where we are after the game on Saturday. After 4 games last year we had 0 points and we ended up in Europe.

The season has yet to bed in and form will too, Dundalk fan clinging on here! This time last year to this is completely chalk and cheese so as a Dundalk fan I hope the same happens where the poor early season form is turned around. The interruption to last season I do think helped Sligo break the rut they were getting in to and Buckley got some time to work on things - is testament to him and the club that the job got done in the end and as per preseason predictions have kicked on again imo.

Dont know how to call Dundalk v Bohs but if a side loses its serious rot kicking in. Hard to see pressure on Long happening too quick, and Bill isnt going to admit to any issues with FG so Keegan on the edge with FG appointed as interim coach....

[Martinho II]

Three different performances from us so far alright.
Good against Dundalk.
Good in spells against what could be a decent Waterford side. I think Sheedy is getting them organised and they are going to be hard to beat this season. It was a good time to get them.
Against Longford there was a clear change in tactics, with our little bit extra in quality making the difference.
Id take your point that we haven't been impressive but we have been mixing it up and still doing well which is encouraging. Saturday will tell a tale as you said. Id still expect Shams to win the league this season.

Yeah have to agree with your analysis on the battle between midfield in our game against yerselves. AB and AD didnt do well for us and I thought GB had a great game. Hes key to ye having a great season. LB obviously trusts him from having him at Sporting Fingal and St Pats.

[Hulky]

St Patrick's vs Derry 1-0, 2-0 (or 1)
Dundalk vs Bohemians 1-0 (or 1)
Harps vs Waterford 1-0 (best 1X)
Longford vs Drogheda 1-1 (or X)
Sligo vs Shamrock 0-1 (or X2)

who knows? :)

[D24Saint]

Derry down to ten men after half hour.

[sidewayspasser]

Cabo vs Galway off due to Cabo having a Covid case. Didn't the FAI not want any Covid related postponements this season? Will Galway get a walkover so?

[gufct]

Fixture | @Cabinteely_FC v @GalwayUnitedFC OFF

Following discussions with the HSE & a positive COVID-19 case at the club, Cabinteely have informed the #LOI that they're unable to field a team tonight

This matter will now be referred to the FAI’s Disciplinary Control Unit | #LOI

[Jack B]

The camera work is so ropey whenever there's a shot at goal I can't tell if Gartside has made a couple of great saves or if we've not tested him enough.

Encouraging half from us but given the red card it'll be a real disappointment if we don't win it.

[Bucket]

Utd has to get the three points. They waited until Utd arrived in Dublin before they called it off. A bit petty perhaps after last year's appeal went against them?

[sbgawa]

I thought the rule was if u had 14 fit players in 19s u had to play. Can't see how Galway don't get the points.

[joey B]

The camera work is so ropey whenever there's a shot at goal I can't tell if Gartside has made a couple of great saves or if we've not tested him enough.

Encouraging half from us but given the red card it'll be a real disappointment if we don't win it.

You'd get sea sickness watching it!!

[pineapple stu]

UCD programme v Bray online now (http://www.ucdsoccer.com/airtricity-league/programme)

Saw Pat's had their one v Derry online too. Good chance for clubs to advertise their programmes I guess

[SeanDrog]

Drogs late defeat doesn’t look too bad vs Pats given Pats form to date.

Derry lose 3 in a row with Rovers up next :0 then they have Drogs.

[DCWA]

Then Dundalk then away to Sligo and Bohs there is every chance we are a full series of games through with 0/1 maybe 2 points and cut adrift already. I know I have been saying this for some time but we have been truely awful for some time... we need to change manager and very, very quickly.

[pineapple stu]

Dundalk drop Abibi for tonight and Cherrie is back in.

1-0 down already though against Bohs; a Georgie Kelly peno.

Long way to go in the match yet, but if they lose again and if their goalkeeper problems persist, then the pressure has to be building there.

[SeanDrog]

Dundalk drop Abibi for tonight and Cherrie is back in.

1-0 down already though against Bohs; a Georgie Kelly peno.

Long way to go in the match yet, but if they lose again and if their goalkeeper problems persist, then the pressure has to be building there.


Bohs still 6/5 to win even at goal up?? Watch match Bohs look very threatening.

[pineapple stu]

1380597045162049536

That's the foul - Dundalk twitter reckoned it "looked like a perfectly clean tackle"...

[Nesta99]

Dundalk drop Abibi for tonight and Cherrie is back in.

1-0 down already though against Bohs; a Georgie Kelly peno.

Long way to go in the match yet, but if they lose again and if their goalkeeper problems persist, then the pressure has to be building there.

One of those wild moments thats in Cleary with a lunge in the box. Was against the run of play though Bohs have been smart on the break and mixing it up with the odd punt to Kelly. Not panic stations for Dundalk yet as playing ok and creating chances too.

[SeanDrog]

1380597045162049536

That's the foul - Dundalk twitter reckoned it "looked like a perfectly clean tackle"...

Geez easy one for the ref.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Treaty United with another red card. Three in a row! What's going on?

[SeanDrog]

Treaty United with another red card. Three in a row! What's going on?

Oh nice - I took Cobh at 4-1 in live betting when they went behind - come on Cobh

[Straightstory]

Peter Cherrie has played fro Drogheda, according to the commentator.

[joey B]

Treaty have decided to change the game,10 men only!

[pineapple stu]

It's working for them, in fairness. Never finished a game with 11 men. Never conceded a goal. Pep will be keeping an eye on further tactical advances.

[Jack B]

SOD must be telling the lads it's still pre-season. Absolute nosebleed scenes.

[placid casual]

The biggest worry for pats at the moment is probably the fact that there's a fair chance your manager will be poached in the next week or two to go to Oriel.

[Burnsie]

the Dundalk boss has got to be feeling the pressure, whoever he is

[placid casual]

Yer man Burt looks a real player. He's roasting the dundalk defence, albeit that's a shambles of a defence, to be fair.

[TonyD]

The biggest worry for pats at the moment is probably the fact that there's a fair chance your manager will be poached in the next week or two to go to Oriel.

Alan Matthews ? ;);) Ah, they can have him.

[ger121]

Living a bit dangerously now.

[Longfordian]

Alan Matthews ? ;);) Ah, they can have him.

It's the extra knowledge he picked up on his Pro Licence course back in the day that's making all the difference now.

[pineapple stu]

Fairly dull 0-0 in the Bowl between UCD and Bray. But given Bray won 3-1 and 2-0 against us last year, that has to count as more progress for us.

[ger121]

I wouldn’t be confident of any sort of a result this weekend. Dundalk played well against Rovers, with the woodwork winning MOTM. While we don’t know who to play or how to play so far this season. So in summary we are probably going to play our best game of the season to-date and come home with all 3 points!

What did I tell you :p

[NeverFeltBetter]

Treaty hold out for a draw. 5 points this season with ten men.

[Calcio Jack]

Genuine question :

What is going on in Dundalk ?

Is it simply that the management team are clueless ( the comparison with how Long/Croly have organised a team of decent older players and talented youngsters into a cohesive unit was such a contrast) or is there more to it - some of the established players looked like they were simply going through the motions and some ( Boyle and Shields) look like they’re past it .

Or maybe it’s simply the final throes of a cycle coming to its investable end

PS - I’d say Richie Towell is glad he dodged a bullet

[D24Saint]

Tough times at Turners X , have Athlone ever won there versus Cork City ?