Weekend games Friday 16th to Tuesday 20th

[joey B]

He got a little mugging, but we deserved to win, very good Finn Harps performance I thought, but a few limitations exposed, too reliant on set pieces, no final ball and no obvious striker.

I think you're being very kind to us, we could and should have lost by more, little in it in the first half but Sligo were well on top in the second....

[Sonny]

Rovers were awful in the first half today. A lot better in the second half, although there are still real concerns around creativity. It took a peno and a deflected long ranger to score and the Longford keeper wasn't tested much at all otherwise.

One thing is absolutely certain, Finn and McCann do not work as a centre midfield partnership. I don't think either of them start in the best Rovers XI tbh.

[placid casual]

Dreadful, lazy performance by Rovers who looked like they assumed they were going to win the game and applied very little in the way of urgency.
My god we really miss Joey O'Brien and his roaring and shouting, demanding the highest of players. Grace is a back up centro half at best now, and combined with Pico looking well off the pace meant we looked really porous at the back - Both Mandriou and McCann played poorly in my view.
in fairness to Bradley he didn't mess about and the changes at half time meant a more direct, forceful approach from Rovers, but it was a bit haphazard, and longford worked hard to close them down.
Glad of the 3 points that puts us joint top of the table, but a lot of work needed to be able to beat better opposition.

[Calcio Jack]

Rovers were awful in the first half today. A lot better in the second half, although there are still real concerns around creativity. It took a peno and a deflected long ranger to score and the Longford keeper wasn't tested much at all otherwise.

One thing is absolutely certain, Finn and McCann do not work as a centre midfield partnership. I don't think either of them start in the best Rovers XI tbh.

Still struggling to recover from loss of Jack and very late loss of McEneff .... still despite that are top of the league this evening albeit alphabetically .... we’ll get better and once we’re in the mix come July , then Towell hopefully will make the difference

[2 Year Contract]

Sick not to have left Oriel with the 3 points. Should’ve gone 2 up with a few good chances before dundalks equaliser. Brilliant piece of defending by Barrett at the end to stop Dundalk getting the smash and grab win.

Forrester not for the first time this season was the best player on the pitch.

[redarmyfaction]

I think you're being very kind to us, we could and should have lost by more, little in it in the first half but Sligo were well on top in the second....
Kenny made the difference, his goal is a real gem, he hustles a clearance making I think the left back and then the centre half unload a little quickly, then folllows in at cruising speed, then dosses, sees the keeper relax then accelerates and makes him panic. I don't know how good Kenny is ,but he doesn't lack for confidence.

[nigel-harps1954]

He got a little mugging, but we deserved to win, very good Finn Harps performance I thought, but a few limitations exposed, too reliant on set pieces, no final ball and no obvious striker.

Harps were pretty dreadful tonight I thought. It was our poorest performance of the five, by a long way, and probably the poorest we've played since about August last year.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Yeah thought Harps were very poor. We were also poor first half but much the better team in the second. Even though McGinley made a howler for the only goal he also pulled a number of good saves.

[Neish]

He got a little mugging, but we deserved to win, very good Finn Harps performance I thought, but a few limitations exposed, too reliant on set pieces, no final ball and no obvious striker.

You referring to Harps or Sligo there?, because Harps have the leagues top goal scorer 4 goal in 5 games this season and think its 6 in his last 10 games including last season.

[Strongbow10]

Athlone Town absolutely flying. Must have signed these lads using pandemic payment.

How is Jaros doing in goal for St. Pats?

[sbgawa]

Tuesday 20th (all 19:45)

Longford v Finn Harps
Drogheda v Shamrock Rovers
Derry v Dundalk
St Pats v Waterford
Bohemians v Sligo

Every game Tuesday has a sub plot beyond the 3 points.
Chance for Harps to put a big gap between themselves and Longford
Rovers need to find some convincing form in a place that doesnt suit their game
Huge game for both Derry and Dundalk who really need to kick start their seasons.
Pats Waterford , Can Pats win and show title credentials or will a Waterford side that have been a bit unlucky so far show soemth
Bohs need a result to keep in touch (with the derby up next)but for Sligo a win would bit like PAts show they have what it takes.

Although all the talk is of Fillipo leaving DFC youd wonder after an improved performance last night will Bill persuade him to stay for the next fixtures Derry, Longford, Drogs , Waterford 4 wins and the world looks very different

[sadloserkid]

Tuesday 20th (all 19:45)
Although all the talk is of Fillipo leaving DFC youd wonder after an improved performance last night will Bill persuade him to stay for the next fixtures Derry, Longford, Drogs , Waterford 4 wins and the world looks very different

I'd imagine this is exactly why the crackpot chairman wants him gone now. Could be trickier to justify if they win their next four.

[redarmyfaction]

You referring to Harps or Sligo there?, because Harps have the leagues top goal scorer 4 goal in 5 games this season and think its 6 in his last 10 games including last season.

I was talking about Harps performance on Saturday night.

[Neish]

I was talking about Harps performance on Saturday night.

Well we have one of (if not the) most in form forward and most of out 2021 goals have come from open play, indeed a number of those against us have come from set pieces

[redobit]

Well we have one of (if not the) most in form forward and most of out 2021 goals have come from open play, indeed a number of those against us have come from set pieces

True enough there is a striker in form and that's what surprised me during the game. 60 seconds to take a long throw in and almost playing for the the draw straight from the off. Sometimes needs must, I get that, but think Ollie the Oracle got tactics wrong for that game especially given Harps form and squad this season.

[boynemunich]

Looking forward to tonight. Really think Drogheda have a good chance of getting something from this game. Narrow pitch won't suit Shams and we've been very solid at the back so far this season. They will need to improve massively from the weekend if they want to head home with 3 points.

[placid casual]

Let's just hope that the 2020 Champions Shamrock Rovers will be able to raise their game to be competitive against newly promoted Drogheda eh.
Really miss the away trip to Drogheda, a quick trip up the road, few pints in the windmill and into the cowshed to shout on the Hoops. I see Deegan has continued to go round kicking people on the pitch to justify his position in a team.
Enjoy the game.

[Sonny]

Let's just hope that the 2020 Champions Shamrock Rovers will be able to raise their game to be competitive against newly promoted Drogheda eh.
Really miss the away trip to Drogheda, a quick trip up the road, few pints in the windmill and into the cowshed to shout on the Hoops. I see Deegan has continued to go round kicking people on the pitch to justify his position in a team.
Enjoy the game.

Always enjoyed going to Utd Park over the years. It's been a fairly happy hunting ground for Rovers, and the shed is always good for a bit of atmosphere. Watching these games on a ropey stream with horrendous commentary is really starting to grate.

[redarmyfaction]

Well we have one of (if not the) most in form forward and most of out 2021 goals have come from open play, indeed a number of those against us have come from set pieces

Wait and I tell you, I haven't seen any of Finn Harps goals this year (except Webster's last minute strike) my comment and I repeat this was based on what I saw Saturday night.

[redarmyfaction]

Exciting stuff at Dayler.

[Nesta99]

Hope I dont regret this but I want to see a replay of that Lafferty effort - gave a chuckle live!

Thats more like it from Dundalk!!

*and that is more like Dundalk.......

[Calcio Jack]

Turgid crap from Rovers so far

[pineapple stu]

Another Abibi special in the Brandywell I hear?

Dundalk's player scouting has been about as bizarre as any LoI club ever I think.

[Jack B]

Comfortable for us. Outside of the Derry game we're making a bit of a habit of not killing games off when we have the chance to though which I hope doesn't start biting us more often than it already has.

Darragh Burns is looking a real prospect as well.

[Nesta99]

Well what can ye say, no luck at the moment. Keeper looked to fluff the equaliser (see on replay in due course). Zahibo is a big lad but wont be winning any sprints. Chris Shield was absolutely immense, practically getting on the end of his own throw in at the end. Cant agree that a draw was a fair result but desperation really is kicking in and becoming a monkey on the back. Seen enough though that a decent manager can do something.

[SeanDrog]

Drogs 0-1 Rovers 94min :( what can ya do .......

[Calcio Jack]

Turgid but still dug out the win - overall deserved the win but need to cut out the errors and speed up our play as playing at pedestrian pace too much of the time

[sbgawa]

Rovers deserved it on the night but Drogs worked hard and if they had held on we could have few complaints.
Thats two injury time winners in a row, big extra 4 points

[Sonny]

Rovers really struggling with creativity and there's a huge Byrne and McEneff shaped hole in the centre of the park, but not playing well and winning ugly is always a good sign for a side.

[joey B]

Poor game in Longford,Harps had the the better chances but didnt well play well,Longford offered very little for being the home team both keepers had very little to do tbf,but 11 points after 6 games with 4 of them away is a solid return for us,2 tough home games coming up for us though.....

[redarmyfaction]

I think we are getting better, but we are still a work in progress, Boh's fans must be sickened, it looked to be going their way for a good part of the second half but folded for pressure, very entertaining game with great goals, the best of which came from Burt.

[sbgawa]

Just saw the Derry goal , Abibi flapping at the ball ,
Dundalk need to sign a keeper.

[Longfordian]

Poor game in Longford,Harps had the the better chances but didnt well play well,Longford offered very little for being the home team both keepers had very little to do tbf,but 11 points after 6 games with 4 of them away is a solid return for us,2 tough home games coming up for us though.....

We were just happy to be on the same pitch as you guys. Anything else was a bonus. All joking aside we really needed to get something from the game and we did so I don't mind too much that it wasn't a good game.

[Charlie Darwin]

Narrow pitch won't suit Shams
Just wide enough for the free kick thankfully ;)

[Jack B]

It probably hasn't gone understated amongst Pats fans but I'd be surprised if there's been many - if any at all - players better than Forrester so far this season. It's great to see him performing more at the level he's capable of and looking levels above in the process.

[placid casual]

It's always said that last minute winners are a sign of a good team, and nothing would please me more than one in Friday, but Its clear that a Rovers midfield of Finn and Watts ain't gonna be good enough to get past most team's.
When the quality came offthe bench the game game for Rovers changed.
The pitch looked very bobbly on the TV, like it hasn't been watered-was that deliberate or is there a hosepipe ban in louth?
Some good young players playing for drogs-think they'll be alright for relegation worries anyway.

[pineapple stu]

Just saw the Derry goal , Abibi flapping at the ball ,
Dundalk need to sign a keeper.

https://media.giphy.com/media/1jzIc5YZIwXtLbJzlY/giphy.gif
Jaysus. Looks like he punches it on to the Derry guy's hand actually. Is that handball these days? Hard to keep up with that rule. Wojus keeping regardless.

[mcgonigle]

https://media.giphy.com/media/1jzIc5YZIwXtLbJzlY/giphy.gif
Jaysus. Looks like he punches it on to the Derry guy's hand actually. Is that handball these days? Hard to keep up with that rule. Wojus keeping regardless.

Looks like the Derry player tries to punch it, not deflecting from horrendous goalkeeping but that is handball. But you couldn't expect Hennessey to see that from 15 yards away, like Harvey being 10 yards away for the Bohs handball. Zero luck at the moment but it's still not good enough. Who was doing the co-commentary of the game last night? Woeful to listen to, not even trying to be slightly impartial, even celebrated the goal.

[2 Year Contract]

Bad keeping again for the Derry goal, surely he could’ve caught that with both hands and hit the deck with it. I think a fear of getting clattered is the reason why he didn’t try that but fear is the one thing a goalkeeper can’t have. Of course Abibi would channel his inner Buffon on the weekend to pull out 2 great saves from Billy King ;)


It probably hasn't gone understated amongst Pats fans but I'd be surprised if there's been many - if any at all - players better than Forrester so far this season. It's great to see him performing more at the level he's capable of and looking levels above in the process.

It’s probably gone under the radar for fans of other clubs not watching full pats games because he hasn’t scored goals but my god he’s been an absolute joy to watch week in week out, brilliant to see him perform at this level again

[Dalymountrower]

I think we are getting better, but we are still a work in progress, Boh's fans must be sickened, it looked to be going their way for a good part of the second half but folded for pressure, very entertaining game with great goals, the best of which came from Burt.

Sligo stuffed us in the first half and we probably outplayed them for most of the second, created a bucket of chances, but only one on target. Sligo bided their time and took their two chances against the run of play. Between the two Rovers and Pats for the league

[nigel-harps1954]

Pretty crap game in Longford last night. Don't think McGinley had a save to make. Boyd could have had a hat trick, we created enough to win the game five times over, but could be there until next week and not score.

Would worry about Pats and Shamrock Rovers next two games. Both at home though, so hopefully a chance to bounce back again.

[joey B]

Looks like the Derry player tries to punch it, not deflecting from horrendous goalkeeping but that is handball. But you couldn't expect Hennessey to see that from 15 yards away, like Harvey being 10 yards away for the Bohs handball. Zero luck at the moment but it's still not good enough. Who was doing the co-commentary of the game last night? Woeful to listen to, not even trying to be slightly impartial, even celebrated the goal.

I think I seen somewhere it was Gareth McGlynn.

[redobit]

Five of the team that finished game are players from our academy. Which is really pleasing. Great mixture of academy/ experienced LOI players and imports in our squad.

Playing well but not sure we had the squad size for a title push. Looking forward to finding out though.

[Bucket]

As a neutral, it's great to see Forrester back to his best again and delighted for my old buddy Steve O'Donnell. A lot of Pat's fans would have been happy to see him sacked last year. I can't remember who the last Galway man was to manage Utd(Tony Mannion?) but there's now two Galwegian managers and an assistant in the Premier.
Sligo look like title challengers this year and their new young lads look the business. There's enough Mayo players in the league now that they could form their own team. Hopefully we see it soon.

[bluemovie]

This will come as no surprise to anyone, but Waterford have absolutely nothing this year. The lads work hard and compete and have been difficult to finish off, but never look like we could score any goals. Four goals so far - all from set-pieces and rarely threatening from play. Derry handed us a win, but Saturday's game at home to Longford already looks a must-win given we finish out the first round by playing Rovers and Dundalk. Can't knock the effort from a young team who are just left to their own devices by management. The only thing we're discussing is whether this is better or worse than the Mike Kerley season in 2006. Dundalk's off-field might be a circus, but ours is a freakshow.

[pineapple stu]

Have to say I'd like to see Waterford do well just because of the Kevin Sheedy factor...

[mcgonigle]

I think I seen somewhere it was Gareth McGlynn.

Thanks, that rings a bell alright. There are highlights of the goals on the Soccer Republic twitter, have a listen to the shout of "YES" from him when Derry equalise. It was funny for a while but got quite tiresome as the game drew on. I like that co-commentators have been added and appreciate it is usually a local or past player of the home side but they should at least try and be slightly balanced even for a few minutes.

[bluemovie]

Have to say I'd like to see Waterford do well just because of the Kevin Sheedy factor...

Give us Colly Whelan back then please!!! Ah it ain't happening unfortunately. I feel bad for Kevin who'll be the scapegoat even though it's a Filippo/Alan Matthews set-up and we were screwed before he ever took over anyway.