Matches weekend 14th to 15th May

[sbgawa]

Friday 14th

Premier Division
Finn Harps v Dundalk 17:45
Drogheda v St Pats 19:45

Saturday 15th (all 18:00)

Shamrock Rovers v Derry
Sligo v Waterford
Longford v Bohemians


First Division
Friday 14th

Bray v Cabinteely 19:30
Galway v Wexford 19:45
UCD v Cork 19:45
Treaty v Athlone 19:45

Saturday 15th
Cobh v Shelbourne 19:00

[sbgawa]

Big game for Finn Harps and Dundalk on Friday, Harps have been good this season and Dundalk need to start recovering sooner rather than later, chnace for Harps to recover from a bad loss to Bohs with a win that might make Europe more than a dream.

Pats need to recover from the late late show from Rovers with a win at Drogs but it isnt easy up there.
Sligo should beat Waterford handy but Longford Bohs is a big game for both teams, bohs to double down on a great win against Harps and Longford to try to not get cut adrift with Waterford.

Bray need to beat Cabo badly as they have drawn to many matches , the other matches look predictable enough

Did a table for the games of last season and the 10 for this season. Top was going to be obvious but just thought the rest was interesting.

Played 28 games
Shamrock Rovers 74
Bohemians 48
Sligo 44
St Pats 42
Dundalk 36
Finn Harps 34
Waterford 30
Derry 29

Last 18 games
Rovers 48
Pats 31
Sligo 29
Harps 27
Bohs 27
Dundalk 19
Derry 17
Waterford 16

Probably a better reflection of Harps "current form"

[nigel-harps1954]

Harps have been so up and down this season it's a bit mad that we're sitting fourth at all. If we could put together a decent run of form over the next 10 or 12 games then there's no reason we couldn't challenge for that fourth spot come the end of the season, but similarly, the run of 10 or 12 games could see us shoot down the table altogether. The Bohs game was a shocker of a performance, especially after being so solid against Derry. Injury problems had been stacking up though with four or five players injured, but a few of them starting to come back around the squad should help.

[sbgawa]

Harps have been so up and down this season it's a bit mad that we're sitting fourth at all. If we could put together a decent run of form over the next 10 or 12 games then there's no reason we couldn't challenge for that fourth spot come the end of the season, but similarly, the run of 10 or 12 games could see us shoot down the table altogether. The Bohs game was a shocker of a performance, especially after being so solid against Derry. Injury problems had been stacking up though with four or five players injured, but a few of them starting to come back around the squad should help.

Thats why i think this game is a big one , if DFC were to win drogs nick a draw at home to Pats and Bohs beat Longford you are down in 7th which doesnt reflect the start or the progress of the team. A win and you are firmly upper mid table for the foreseable

[sulywaterfordfc]

How does the COVID thing work re; players? By all accounts we’ll either have to play the 19s again this week or else give Sligo a walkover.

[pineapple stu]

That's weird given Cabo played UCD the week after having a confirmed case (and having to scratch) against Galway.

[nigel-harps1954]

Thats why i think this game is a big one , if DFC were to win drogs nick a draw at home to Pats and Bohs beat Longford you are down in 7th which doesnt reflect the start or the progress of the team. A win and you are firmly upper mid table for the foreseable

We'd only be in 6th in that scenario. We're four ahead of Dundalk.

[sbgawa]

We'd only be in 6th in that scenario. We're four ahead of Dundalk.

mea culpa

[SeanDrog]

Deegan has now 5 yellow cards I think that means he will miss the St Pats game (happy to be wrong), if so, that is a big blow to the Drogs and it will be a tough ask to take points off Pats.

[Longfordian]

Just reading the comments in the article linked below from Karl Sheppard, and it occurs to me are Waterford not better off in every way just giving Sligo the walkover? The FAI will give Sligo a 3-0 win most likely but the chances are they'd be beaten by a good few more if they play it which will hurt their goal difference plus potentially damage the development of the young lads.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0511/1220940-waterford-should-consider-walkover-in-sligo-sheppard/

[Nesta99]

Just reading the comments in the article linked below from Karl Sheppard, and it occurs to me are Waterford not better off in every way just giving Sligo the walkover? The FAI will give Sligo a 3-0 win most likely but the chances are they'd be beaten by a good few more if they play it which will hurt their goal difference plus potentially damage the development of the young lads.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0511/1220940-waterford-should-consider-walkover-in-sligo-sheppard/

I agree, when I saw th 0-7 result against Drogheda my initial reaction was how it affected Dundalk. Anyone in a scrap against relegation or for Europe/title will be impacted if a club has to field u19s and be totally thrashed rather than the standard 3 nil win for a walkover.

[pineapple stu]

Still don't understand though how Cabo could play the week after a confirmed case but Waterford can't?

[Nesta99]

I know restrictions have lessened but with Dundalk's training bubble breached do our u19s have to play....wishful thinking!

[sbgawa]

I know restrictions have lessened but with Dundalk's training bubble breached do our u19s have to play....wishful thinking!

I heard Abibi is injured anyway , apparently dropped his beer on his foot

[Nesta99]

I heard Abibi is injured anyway , apparently dropped his beer on his foot

Heard that too and was being real diva!


.....leaving now!!

[joey B]

Waterford forfeiting their game in Sligo,right decision.....

[sbgawa]

Heard that too and was being real diva!


.....leaving now!!

Thats put the cherrie on top

[nigel-harps1954]

Waterford forfeiting their game in Sligo,right decision.....

Your call, Dundalk.

[sbgawa]

I guess the tests will be back tomorrow so it will either go away or blow up then.

[Longfordian]

Bohs shouldn't bother taking a risk travelling to Longford given recent events down here. If they'd like to forfeit the game we'd understand.

[Dalymountrower]

Bohs shouldn't bother taking a risk travelling to Longford given recent events down here. If they'd like to forfeit the game we'd understand.
Another marquee event in Longford.

[Hulky]

I guess the tests will be back tomorrow so it will either go away or blow up then.

Any news on the tests results?

[ArFella]

All negative, club have issued a statement saying players have apologized, no further action to be taken by them. As for the FAI we'll just have to wait and see what the magic 8-ball they use to make decisions tells them what to do...

https://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-fc-statement-2/

[sbgawa]

Id say that will be an end of it, if it wasn't a club sanctioned event the FAI cant sanction the club they would have to charge the individual players with misconduct. Cant see there being an appetite for that as you will have every player from every club that happens to stand closer than 2m from a member of the public being photographed and "shopped" on social media.
Just as well they all tested negative can you imagine the poor Dundalk u19's heading up to Ballybofey, the poor lads would have nightmares about Ollie shouting at them and the big bad Harps players pushing them around ;)

[mcgonigle]

All negative, club have issued a statement saying players have apologized, no further action to be taken by them. As for the FAI we'll just have to wait and see what the magic 8-ball they use to make decisions tells them what to do...

https://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-fc-statement-2/

Some very disappointed journalists this morning.

Time to move on, nobody cared when Rovers players were having Covid parties so this should be no different. I don't remember Rovers having to issue any statements apologising? They were smarter though, all phones in a bowl at the front door.

If the rumours are true that Harps contacted the FAI demanding Dundalk players isolate so they couldn't play, that's poor form from them. Let the tests be done and if they come back positive than they are out anyway. It was stupid from the players but if every player in the league was followed around with a camera I bet you would see multiple breaches of the rules. Most of us probably do it daily without thinking.

Not sure what Harps would be worried about anyway, the 19s would be a bigger threat to the at the moment. Hopefully it's used as a motivator for Friday but I won't hold my breath.

[Calcio Jack]

Some very disappointed journalists this morning.

Time to move on, nobody cared when Rovers players were having Covid parties so this should be no different. I don't remember Rovers having to issue any statements apologising? They were smarter though, all phones in a bowl at the front door.

If the rumours are true that Harps contacted the FAI demanding Dundalk players isolate so they couldn't play, that's poor form from them. Let the tests be done and if they come back positive than they are out anyway. It was stupid from the players but if every player in the league was followed around with a camera I bet you would see multiple breaches of the rules. Most of us probably do it daily without thinking.

Not sure what Harps would be worried about anyway, the 19s would be a bigger threat to the at the moment. Hopefully it's used as a motivator for Friday but I won't hold my breath.

What parties proof/facts please ? And even if true doesn’t in any way mitigate behaviour of Dundalk players ; sometimes in life we all have to put our hand up apologise and move on , which is what Dundalk has done ; plus thankfully all players tested negative

[Eminence Grise]

nobody cared when Rovers players were having Covid parties so this should be no different. I don't remember Rovers having to issue any statements apologising? They were smarter though, all phones in a bowl at the front door.

Sounds like someone's being accused of hosting a wingers' party out in suburbia.:cool:

[mcgonigle]

What parties proof/facts please ? And even if true doesn’t in any way mitigate behaviour of Dundalk players ; sometimes in life we all have to put our hand up apologise and move on , which is what Dundalk has done ; plus thankfully all players tested negative

I've put an FOI request into A Greene Events Ltd to get their invoices and guest lists, I'll let you know when I have them. Not saying it mitigates it, just highlights the imbalance, was there an investigation by the FAI into how the Rovers players contracted Covid within their bubble? Or Derry, or Waterford, or Cabinteely? These clubs had actual cases.

As I say lets follow all players around for a week and see how many breaches there are. The league would be cancelled pretty quick.

[nigel-harps1954]

Some very disappointed journalists this morning.

Time to move on, nobody cared when Rovers players were having Covid parties so this should be no different. I don't remember Rovers having to issue any statements apologising? They were smarter though, all phones in a bowl at the front door.

If the rumours are true that Harps contacted the FAI demanding Dundalk players isolate so they couldn't play, that's poor form from them. Let the tests be done and if they come back positive than they are out anyway. It was stupid from the players but if every player in the league was followed around with a camera I bet you would see multiple breaches of the rules. Most of us probably do it daily without thinking.

Not sure what Harps would be worried about anyway, the 19s would be a bigger threat to the at the moment. Hopefully it's used as a motivator for Friday but I won't hold my breath.

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

[sbgawa]

To be fair i think you are being a bit paranoid, when Waterford , Rovers, Derry , Cabo had cases it was assumed that it was just community transmission as there was no evidence to the contrary.
I said in an earlier post if the DFC lads had been outside a pub in Dundalk having a legal takeaway pint then no one would have made anything of it.
It was the fact that they were in Belfast which was a clear breech of the rules that did them, the FAI had to comment when confronted with it as they are lobbying Government to allow us reopen based on how careful the LOI clubs are being.

Its over now thanks to the negative tests, they can go on the booze in Dundalk next Sunday instead

[Dalymountrower]

I've put an FOI request into A Greene Events Ltd to get their invoices and guest lists, I'll let you know when I have them.

.

There's an old piano
And they play it hot behind the Greene door
Don't know what they're doing
But they laugh a lot behind the Greene door
Wish they'd let me in so I could find out
What's behind the Greene door

[Calcio Jack]

I've put an FOI request into A Greene Events Ltd to get their invoices and guest lists, I'll let you know when I have them. Not saying it mitigates it, just highlights the imbalance, was there an investigation by the FAI into how the Rovers players contracted Covid within their bubble? Or Derry, or Waterford, or Cabinteely? These clubs had actual cases.

As I say lets follow all players around for a week and see how many breaches there are. The league would be cancelled pretty quick.

So unlike Dundalk zero facts or proof - as I said sometimes it’s best to simply move on

[Yossarian]

So unlike Dundalk zero facts or proof - as I said sometimes it’s best to simply move on

And unlike Rovers, zero cases. 😉

[mcgonigle]

To be fair i think you are being a bit paranoid, when Waterford , Rovers, Derry , Cabo had cases it was assumed that it was just community transmission as there was no evidence to the contrary.
I said in an earlier post if the DFC lads had been outside a pub in Dundalk having a legal takeaway pint then no one would have made anything of it.
It was the fact that they were in Belfast which was a clear breech of the rules that did them, the FAI had to comment when confronted with it as they are lobbying Government to allow us reopen based on how careful the LOI clubs are being.

Its over now thanks to the negative tests, they can go on the booze in Dundalk next Sunday instead

That's not legal either, which is why some clubs players do it behind closed doors ;)

[sbgawa]

That's not legal either, which is why some clubs players do it behind closed doors ;)


Takeaway pints are legal at least in Dublin they are....or i need to keep an eye over my shoulder

[Longfordian]

Provided they're consumed an appropriate distance away from the premises then they're legal alright.

[Bucket]

100 yards, luckily there's a pub every 100 yards in Galway!

[Nesta99]

100 yards, luckily there's a pub every 100 yards in Galway!

Damn hard to find a legal spot thats more than100yds away from a Pub in any town or city to legally consume a takeaway pints!! Spoilsport health officials knew what they were doing.......

[Jack B]

Expecting a very tough one for us this evening. Drogs are a good side as it is but despite the club being tight-lipped as always on team news it seems likely that we'll be missing quite a few bodies in what is already a small squad. Big test for us especially after last week.

[Nesta99]

If Dundalk cant beat Home Farm we are in serious trouble!

[sbgawa]

If Dundalk cant beat Home Farm we are in serious trouble!


Thats fighting talk

Edit: Just heard the TOD Home farm mistake, did think you were tempting fate alright :)

[Nesta99]

Thats fighting talk

Edit: Just heard the TOD Home farm mistake, did think you were tempting fate alright :)

Strange one, not to be edited as it wasnt live surely. its an oddly random memory glitch!

[D24Saint]

Lovely goal by McNamee to put Harps one up.

[Jack B]

That Belfast session wasn't enough, Dundalk need to book a tour of Kilmainham Gaol and quickly.

[CorribsideSteve]

Drinking bingo; Whenever the co-commentator in the Harps-Dundalk match says "he'll be disappointed" / "he'll be disappointed with that one", have a shot. On a serious note, fantastic goal from McNamee. Poor miss from Duffy just there. More chance of him referring to Dundalk when mentioning disappointment. Really poor for the goal despite the brilliant execution. They're starting to pick it up a bit now though.

[joey B]

I thought Harps were a big team,theres some monsters in that Dundalk side....

[sbgawa]

fair result 1-1 in the end.
Harps better first half , Dundalk on top in second half.

[pineapple stu]

UCD missing Kerrigan and Healy for this one. Healy (keeper) on the bench for some reason though he's been one of our best players this season.

Suddenly less confident about this evening.

[joey B]

Rode our luck second half after being on top in the first,Dundalk be wondering how they failed to get a second after a few hairy moments for us,we missed Sadiki for his presence in the air,McNamee scored a cracker for us too,well worth a look....

[placid casual]

Logged in for 2 mins apiece to both games today and saw 2 cracking goals. Great free kick from Massey and great finish my McNamee. He's a great signing for harps, imo.
If I was nasty I'd go hard on dundalk and rip their club apart, but I'm actually feeling sorry for their real lifetime fans who are a witness to this farce.