Games weekend 6th to 8th August

[sbgawa]

Big win for waterford against Bohs , Bircham doing some job.

Sligo with a chance to turn things around tonight

Also great unexpected win for cabo in limerick.

[Nesta99]

RTE do manage to do things strangely, from errortel to how they have formated this table https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/soccer/premier-division/16051/tables/

If Harps can pull off a result and Dundalk follow up with a win tomorrow finish in a European spot isnt as improbable as it seemed earlier in the season.

[redarmyfaction]

Looked like 2 penos for us at the Showgs.

[littlebray]

RTE have made the same formatting error for the First Div., https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/soccer/1-division/16061/tables/

Wonder how that happened?

[placid casual]

Waterford the form team in Premier division at the moment it seems.
Rovers boez Cup game in a few weeks has taken on even more importance for boez if things stay as they are - will they overcome those above them and around them to get another crack at Europe next year, or is a cup win needed to qualify.
Long/Croly didn't invest in squad players and its now paying the price.
Sligo need a win to bolster their belief after a disastrous month.

[patrickccfc]

We've shown some very positive signs of improvement in recent weeks. 3-2 wins away to Galway and Sligo in particular. The UCD game felt very frustrating but maybe in hindsight was a good point. Too late for any kind of play off push that's for sure. But good to see progress and hopefully can see a better season next year with us challenging at the right end of the table.

[Bucket]

Congrats on yer win last night Patrick but I think Utd lost it moreso than Cork won it, if that makes sense. We missed some awful chances and McNulty made a couple of great saves. McGlade is a class act and when Morrissey and Beattie are back ye might take the 5th play-off place. Good luck for the rest of the season

[sbgawa]

Sligo really on a terrible run of form.
Harps deserve to be ahead.
8 points covering 4th to 9th,

[osarusan]

Cabinteely played us off the pitch last night. Kept their attackers wide and got behind us time and time again. They really pass the ball well.

[joey B]

We finally got a win,and not before time,battled well,couple of hairy moments including a world class save from McGinley got us over the line,Sligo looked a shadow of the side Ive seen earlier in the season though.......

[sulywaterfordfc]

Bircham has brought the club to back to life. We were a lost cause before he came in. Welcoming news too that he has signed a new contract until the end of 2023. Harps win tonight will keep us on our toes.

[Nesta99]

Dont know whether to be looking over the shoulder at Waterford or to be firmly focused on those ahead that are in freefall - such is the topsy turvy world of Dundalk FC the last 18 months. Dont want a club that isnt mine running away with the league but mé féín is all that really matters! Winning tomorrow is huge - winning on Thursday is huge - how to balance things for a basket case club like Dundalk.....

[Nesta99]

Bircham has brought the club to back to life. We were a lost cause before he came in. Welcoming news too that he has signed a new contract until the end of 2023. Harps win tonight will keep us on our toes.

Fair play to Bricham! Chirpy chappy that was a wind up merchant at heart is doing a great job at Waterford so far. Called that one wrong as a Lee Power made them and matched them type. Meet the fans night in due course will be all the easier with yarns backed up by results.

[placid casual]

Dundalk have the squad to take advantage of slip ups above them and push into euro contention. Question is are their players bothered to do it week in week out now.
Rovers should hopefully have too much for the culchie boez this afternoon but the previous 2 games against them this season have been tight affairs.

[placid casual]

Oh yeah, and Kellie Harrington!!
What a stone cold mutha-f##in legend that girl is. The pride of Dublin and all Ireland!

[nigel-harps1954]

We rode our luck at times, McGinley with an outrageous save to win the game for us being one example, but it was a real gutsy Harps performance in horrible conditions. Neither side were really able to play a whole lot of football, but it was a very enjoyable second half, all the same. It's a bit of a mad league this year. Anyone could go on a run of form and push up the table. Waterford proving that currently.

[Nesta99]

Oh yeah, and Kellie Harrington!!
What a stone cold mutha-f##in legend that girl is. The pride of Dublin and all Ireland!

under the circumstance I hope a wee bit of off-topic is tolerated!? Her natural nature and down to earth manner is so refreshing with so many big ego types about in sport. Wonderful achievement! Not a single mention of holy jebus.

[DCSIL]

Why is there Crystal Palace and Watford Badges shown every time there's a replay in the Rovers - Longford game? Odd...

[Jack B]

Hating this game so far. We've been poor and we're fortunate to go a goal up, the pitch is awful too which isn't helping matters. Dundalk even more fortunate to equalise as Hoban seemed quite clearly offside.

[joey B]

Pats lucky to be ahead,Dundalk look the better side to me but are not very secure at the back…

[CorribsideSteve]

Awful penalty decision in the Dundalk game.

[CorribsideSteve]

Dundalk will be wondering how they've gone on to lose this game.

[Jack B]

Absolute masterclass this. Could get very very ugly for Dundalk if we want it to.

[sbgawa]

95th minute winner for Rovers ....
I make that about 4 mins in total we've been ahead while winning all 3 matches against Longford this season:o

[placid casual]

That's why we're Champions.
So beautifully cruel against Longford, and very very enjoyable to watch.

[Nesta99]

Its one of those tells of a championship side, playing right up to the final whistle, probably winning while playing poorly. Dundalk just have lost any ruthlessness, there have been games this season that we've lost and been dominant. Lacked confidence and imploded after conceding but got back in to this game among others after going behind but still end up punsihed. Lack of options to change up the central defence has been a problem alog with that old lack of pace to cover Nattestads regular poor sense of positioning - he has built a career o recovering tackles that can get him in trouble with the ref at times. Missed opportunity today considering how other results were favourable. Still time to haul us back in to top four but that window is closing. Its hard to be too harsh domestically in the midst of the European runs but its s the old bread and butter stuff!

[Calcio Jack]

That's why we're Champions.
So beautifully cruel against Longford, and very very enjoyable to watch.

Late goal (yet again) but on another day could of been 5 - Stacey the Longford keeper gave an o/s display

[Martinho II]

Late goal (yet again) but on another day could of been 5 - Stacey the Longford keeper gave an o/s display

Steacy is my player of the season so far. Way too good for us!

[PartySaint]

Not sure what was worse in Oriel today, the pitch or Dundalk’s defending.

First league win up there since 2012 and that should secure Europe for us now, 13 points ahead of Bohs in 4th.

15 games to go, 3 points behind Rovers with a game more played and they have to come to Richmond, can we put up a title challenge?

[placid casual]

In a word, no.

[PartySaint]

In a word, no.

I tend to agree. It would be horrendously bad management from Bradley if anyone comes close to them from here with the squad he has available to him.

[placid casual]

Success breeds success.
Until pats put together a team capable of challenging in the biggest games they won't win the league. Would be a good bet for the cup tho.

[sbgawa]

The length of Rovers run in Europe will impact on the title race.
If we get knockd out this week i would expect us to go on and win comfortably.
If we make group stages and face weeks on end of two matches a week that could change.
Rovers form wobble came when we had loads of injuries and 11 fit senior pros for 5 or 6 weeks.
If that happened again while competing in Europe anything is possible.

[Nesta99]

Anything is possible including Dundalk winning every game from here on and pinching the league but its not probable. Injuries, hectic schedules with European games and travel, tired players and coping with it is part and parcel really. This Rovers squad is probably costing in the ball park of Dundalk's pre Peak6. Its a good squad that should have enough to manage to keep things on track domestically but I do think its a bit imbalanced where certain players if out makes a big impact. It was considered OTT when Dundalk nearly had two quality players for every position though of course there are players that you just cant replace if out but it is arguably necessary to have such a set-up (the issue for me as a Dundalk fan then was that SK didnt really rotate the squad so why have a big squad). If Rovers dont retain the title it will be more to do with having not brought a few more players in and gambling on keeping lads fit. Towell is a bt of a band-aid plugging a gap, his work ethic and energy will win games, he will score mostly from the edge of the box and arriving late no doubt but Rovers seem more battering ram that unlocking defences. Still lack a point man with Gaffney eg not really an answer. Burke is missed, Finn played out of a position where he can pull strings. Maybe there is some waiting for the academy to reap more rewards but the squad needs adding to for 2023. It will be how to keep Pats at arms length as they too are a bit limited beyond a starting 11 and theyll find it harder to fund a strengthened squad, Rovers have the financial clout. Few league titles are won without giving fans a scare or 3, Rovers will be fine, but there could be better value for money squad wise. Of course it isnt always easy to find the right players to sign but even in a battle of attrition Rovers should get there if not by a huge distance.

[patsdad]

I agree Pats don’t have a squad to compare with Rovers but “a bit limited beyond a starting 11” is under-estimating us a bit. Today we were missing Robbie Benson and Darragh Burns, probably our two best players this season, and had Jamie Lennon, Ronan Coughlan, Billy King, Sam Bone and a 20-cap current Maltese international on the bench.

[Knocklyonhoop]

Anything is possible including Dundalk winning every game from here on and pinching the league but its not probable. Injuries, hectic schedules with European games and travel, tired players and coping with it is part and parcel really. This Rovers squad is probably costing in the ball park of Dundalk's pre Peak6. Its a good squad that should have enough to manage to keep things on track domestically but I do think its a bit imbalanced where certain players if out makes a big impact. It was considered OTT when Dundalk nearly had two quality players for every position though of course there are players that you just cant replace if out but it is arguably necessary to have such a set-up (the issue for me as a Dundalk fan then was that SK didnt really rotate the squad so why have a big squad). If Rovers dont retain the title it will be more to do with having not brought a few more players in and gambling on keeping lads fit. Towell is a bt of a band-aid plugging a gap, his work ethic and energy will win games, he will score mostly from the edge of the box and arriving late no doubt but Rovers seem more battering ram that unlocking defences. Still lack a point man with Gaffney eg not really an answer. Burke is missed, Finn played out of a position where he can pull strings. Maybe there is some waiting for the academy to reap more rewards but the squad needs adding to for 2023. It will be how to keep Pats at arms length as they too are a bit limited beyond a starting 11 and theyll find it harder to fund a strengthened squad, Rovers have the financial clout. Few league titles are won without giving fans a scare or 3, Rovers will be fine, but there could be better value for money squad wise. Of course it isnt always easy to find the right players to sign but even in a battle of attrition Rovers should get there if not by a huge distance.

Dundalk winning every game from here on in is not possible!!

[ger121]

Post European game hangovers most certainly a thing this season. We’ve been brutal. Could cost us a place in Europe for next season.

[sbgawa]

Your in 4th place now with two games in hand on the teams behind you, you should be ok unless Dundalk win the cup.
That being said , man for man DFC have a first 11 that could go on a run ....it just needs to happen soon

[ontheotherhand]

Anything is possible including Dundalk winning every game from here on and pinching the league but its not probable. Injuries, hectic schedules with European games and travel, tired players and coping with it is part and parcel really. This Rovers squad is probably costing in the ball park of Dundalk's pre Peak6. Its a good squad that should have enough to manage to keep things on track domestically but I do think its a bit imbalanced where certain players if out makes a big impact. It was considered OTT when Dundalk nearly had two quality players for every position though of course there are players that you just cant replace if out but it is arguably necessary to have such a set-up (the issue for me as a Dundalk fan then was that SK didnt really rotate the squad so why have a big squad). If Rovers dont retain the title it will be more to do with having not brought a few more players in and gambling on keeping lads fit. Towell is a bt of a band-aid plugging a gap, his work ethic and energy will win games, he will score mostly from the edge of the box and arriving late no doubt but Rovers seem more battering ram that unlocking defences. Still lack a point man with Gaffney eg not really an answer. Burke is missed, Finn played out of a position where he can pull strings. Maybe there is some waiting for the academy to reap more rewards but the squad needs adding to for 2023. It will be how to keep Pats at arms length as they too are a bit limited beyond a starting 11 and theyll find it harder to fund a strengthened squad, Rovers have the financial clout. Few league titles are won without giving fans a scare or 3, Rovers will be fine, but there could be better value for money squad wise. Of course it isnt always easy to find the right players to sign but even in a battle of attrition Rovers should get there if not by a huge distance.

What?

[Sonny]

What?

What is right! That post contains some of the most baffling analysis I have ever read on here, and there is stiff competition!

[Sonny]

Also the absolute neck of Daire Doyle complaining about 6 minutes added on when his side have been brazenly wasting time since the first half!! The current application of the rules rewards and incentivises time-wasting, and 6 minutes was more than justified after watching Steacy standing over kick outs for about 20 minutes of the second half.

[Dalymountrower]

Your in 4th place now with two games in hand on the teams behind you, you should be ok unless Dundalk win the cup.
That being said , man for man DFC have a first 11 that could go on a run ....it just needs to happen soon

By and large , the season will be decided for Bohs in August. PAOK on Thursday , v Sligo next Sunday and Rovers in the cup at the end of the month. So either challenging for third or nervously holding on to 4th

[sadloserkid]

I agree Pats don’t have a squad to compare with Rovers but “a bit limited beyond a starting 11” is under-estimating us a bit. Today we were missing Robbie Benson and Darragh Burns, probably our two best players this season, and had Jamie Lennon, Ronan Coughlan, Billy King, Sam Bone and a 20-cap current Maltese international on the bench.

Yeah but he can't really diminish Rovers winning the title if he doesn't downplay their closest rivals.

[desaintsno.12]

Awful penalty decision in the Dundalk game.

it really wasnt an awful decision at all.

I know it has been said a lot, but jesus that dundalk pitch is an absolute disgrace, it shouldnt be allowed.

[D24Saint]

it really wasnt an awful decision at all.

I know it has been said a lot, but jesus that dundalk pitch is an absolute disgrace, it shouldnt be allowed.

On first glance it looked like the Dundalk keeper ran off his line and barged straight through the Pats player. I’ll look again , in that scenario the ref didn’t have much choice.

[Sonny]

I know it has been said a lot, but jesus that dundalk pitch is an absolute disgrace, it shouldnt be allowed.

It's genuinely not fit for a game of five a side. Artificial pitches shouldn't be allowed at elite level in a country with some of the best grass growing conditions in the world. There also should be consequences for failing to maintain grass pitches to an appropriate standard.

[Calcio Jack]

What is right! That post contains some of the most baffling analysis I have ever read on here, and there is stiff competition!

To understand it ; it has to be viewed through a filter of wishful/hopeful thinking influenced by a large dollop of sub-conscious bias ….. in other words Rovers will win the league but hoping we’ll somehow trip up

[D24Saint]

There is a picture starting to form on how the league will play out, its not crystal clear just yet with the games in hand here and there. I think Rovers are looking good for another title, the quality and depth of their squad will see them through I reckon. As for ourselves becoming I'm very optimistic that we wont fade away and will be able to secure a European place for next season. The additions to the squad in the window has helped and with injuries and suspension clearing up we were able to have strong bench yesterday. The race for third is a little unclear at the moment with Sligo's poor run of form. Its safe to assume that buoyed by their European run that Bohs will push for third. I still reckon the top four will wrap as they currently stand and from our point of view that would do very nicely indeed and would represent a massive step forward.

[ger121]

Your in 4th place now with two games in hand on the teams behind you, you should be ok unless Dundalk win the cup.
That being said , man for man DFC have a first 11 that could go on a run ....it just needs to happen soon

The way the Cup is playing out this year, it could be that rare thing that 4th won’t get you Europe. The Top 3 could be out after this round depending on how results go.

[Nesta99]

To understand it ; it has to be viewed through a filter of wishful/hopeful thinking influenced by a large dollop of sub-conscious bias ….. in other words Rovers will win the league but hoping we’ll somehow trip up

There is nothing sub-concious about it!! The anything is possible was a directly reply to sbgawa similar comment with tongue firmly stuck in cheek in relation to Dundalk. But fill yer boots lads cant just slate a post without backing up why -where's the fun in that?