Games weekend 13th to 15th August

[sbgawa]

Premier Division
Friday 13th (19:45)

St Pats v Waterford

Saturday 14th (19:30)
Longford v Finn Harps

Sunday 15th (15:00)

Drogheda v Shamrock Rovers
Bohemians v Sligo
Derry v Dundalk

First Division
Friday 13th
Bray v Treaty (19:30)
Cork v Cobh (19:45)
Wexford v Cabo (19:45)
UCD v Athlone (19:45)
Galway v Shelbourne (19:45)

[sbgawa]

Pats and Sligo with tricky games against teams in form, chance for Rovers to stretch their lead if they can recover from the heat in Albania on Thursday with a win in Drogheda.
Longford have a must win match against Harps but a Harps win will bring just about everyone outside the top 3 within a few points of the playoff place (depending on other results).
Derry v Dundalk is a huge game for both as well in terms of needing to push on for Europe.
Athlones manager on the back of the dreaded board vote of confidence travels to UCD who need the points themselves and Galway need to beat Shels or we can officially declare Shels Champions.

[nigel-harps1954]

Season defining game for Longford really. A loss and they're surely as good as down already. Bit of renewed confidence about Harps, the bit of fight was evidently back in the team against Sligo, and hopefully less dreadful weather conditions this time out will make for a better game of football.

[Longfordian]

We're as good as down already. A great, committed bunch of players and staff but we just don't have enough players that are Premier Division level. Especially in attacking areas.

[pineapple stu]

UCD v Athlone may effectively sort the play-off places - gap would be up to 8 between us and them (well, 6 if Cabo beat a Wexford side who dumped them out of the Cup), and with 8 games to go, that looks a bit too much to bridge.

Add that to a 10-point gap between Shels and Galway/Treaty in second, and bizarrely, it looks like the First Division could be all over this weekend bar some shuffling for home advantage in the playoffs.

(Cue us losing now of course...)

[Finlay Harp]

We need Pats to do us a favour against what is now fast becoming a formidable Waterford team. I didn’t think I’d be saying that a couple of months back. Harps then need to start playing like we did earlier in the season were we played good fearless football. Without sounding like Ollie, Longford are a good team but one we need to be beating to get out of this godforsaken playoff spot.

[2 Year Contract]

Without sounding like Ollie, Longford are a good team

Are you sure you’re not Ollie? 'good' isn’t a word often used to describe a team with a 22 game winless streak :D

[Finlay Harp]

I’ll clarify that on Saturday night!

[D24Saint]

Entertaining game in Richmond. It was tight enough for most of the first half. It was a lovely finish by Matty Smith who went off injured soon after. In fairness to Waterford they are a much improved side since earlier in the season.

[joey B]

UCD 6-0 up on Athlone is a mad old scoreline considering some of the names in Athlones team…

[joey B]

Pats after being 2 up and cruising look a bit shaky in the last 10 minutes….

[Jack B]

Lee Desmond went down convulsing after a clash of heads and Eddie Nolan proceeded to start moaning to the ref about time wasting in one of the bigger scummy moves I've ever seen in the league. Fair play to him, hope the 0 points was worth it.

[joey B]

Lee Desmond went down convulsing after a clash of heads and Eddie Nolan proceeded to start moaning to the ref about time wasting in one of the bigger scummy moves I've ever seen in the league. Fair play to him, hope the 0 points was worth it.

That was scary for the couple of seconds they had the camera on Desmond, hopefully he’ll be ok…

[kksaints]

Lee Desmond went down convulsing after a clash of heads and Eddie Nolan proceeded to start moaning to the ref about time wasting in one of the bigger scummy moves I've ever seen in the league. Fair play to him, hope the 0 points was worth it.

Stream cut off before that was shown but geez what a crappy thing to do from Nolan, It was clear Desmond was badly injured.

[pineapple stu]

UCD 6-0 up on Athlone is a mad old scoreline considering some of the names in Athlones team…
Yeah, second half Athlone's defence just went to sleep in the second half and we had acres of room for our chances. Wasn't expecting that at all, but happy to take it. The four in the play-off spots now have a big gap back to Athlone in sixth.

Should also link in the August match programme (http://www.ucdsoccer.com/airtricity-league/programme) for anyone interested; 40 pages this month with features on Mark Langtry, Theo Dunne, our away games in Belfield, Longford's never-ending 1958 season, Athlone's never-ending 2019 season, a look back at Euro 2020 and various other bits and bobs.

[2 Year Contract]

Horrible horrible stuff watching Desmond's injury at Richmond tonight. Waterford have some of the lowest of the low playing for them and on their coaching staff, they should be ashamed of themselves with their carry on during what was and is a very serious incident. John’s ambulance crew were disgracefully slow in attending to him also. Praying for good news on Lee’s condition.

[Fermoy Blue]

Horrible horrible stuff watching Desmond's injury at Richmond tonight. Waterford have some of the lowest of the low playing for them and on their coaching staff, they should be ashamed of themselves with their carry on during what was and is a very serious incident. John’s ambulance crew were disgracefully slow in attending to him also. Praying for good news on Lee’s condition.

Ffs come down off the cross…..in the heat of the moment the Waterford players who were unaware of the seriousness of the incident wanted to know why a free out was awarded for a clash between the home goalkeeper and center back meanwhile other blues players who were aware of the seriousness of the incident held their heads in their hands….best wishes to Lee Desmond.

[D24Saint]

https://mobile.twitter.com/McDonnellDan/status/1426299730758443025

I gave Waterford more credit than the likes of this.

[2 Year Contract]

Ffs come down off the cross…..in the heat of the moment the Waterford players who were unaware of the seriousness of the incident wanted to know why a free out was awarded for a clash between the home goalkeeper and center back meanwhile other blues players who were aware of the seriousness of the incident held their heads in their hands….best wishes to Lee Desmond.

The heat of the moment? After 5 and 10 minutes into blatantly obviously serious treatment being received? Whatever you say pal. I find it quite bizarre that you’re defending incidents you didn’t see happen also

[D24Saint]

The good news is that Lee Desmond was discharged from hospital after tests and is doing well apart from a wound to his face.

[Nesta99]

Any delay in treatment and indifference of some players to the injury has a root cause in so many feigned injuries. Not clips or going over easy but when players behave like they have a serious injury only to be trotting around minutes later with the odd mini limp just in case people think they were exaggerating. It's a scourge in the game and while things have been done to reduce the tendency eg having to go off if treatment is needed on the pitch and wait to be called back on, it doesnt really stop players react excessively to get another player carded. In bigger leagues with the amount of footage that can be analysed, retrospective bans should be considered for play acting - mainly due to the potential for delays in treatment for serious injuries as people take a moment to decide what course of action is actually needed. I think generally the reaction of players is the 1st indication of the more serious incidents but Ive always felt that players should have a duty f care to each other not to cry wolf. Convulsions in general will be distressing but after a clear head injury it is upsetting too.

Seems that what ever was said to the ref was was poorly timed and lacked some insight to the severity of the reason for the delay more than much being wrong with what was actually said. Probably asking for time added on or wh a decision went a particular way rather than being focused on the wellbeing of a fellow footballer in that moment. Which Id have thought the serious injury would have been copped pretty quickly by lads on the pitch?

[Nesta99]

Horrible horrible stuff watching Desmond's injury at Richmond tonight. Waterford have some of the lowest of the low playing for them and on their coaching staff, they should be ashamed of themselves with their carry on during what was and is a very serious incident. John’s ambulance crew were disgracefully slow in attending to him also. Praying for good news on Lee’s condition.


The would be under instruction from the clubs medical team(maybe both club doctors when a very serious injury). That said they should be prompt when called to enter the pitch and have their basic equipment close to hand ready to go so O2, defib, cervical collars, stretcher, frac-splits minimum. Just out of interest what grounds would an ambulance unit not be able to drive on to the pitch if needed. There's little as nervy as watching a group of volunteer medics struggling to carry a loaded stretcher with the injured taped in to head blocks etc the length of a pitch to the ambulance!!

[Jack B]

It's a tough one re: John's ambulance as they're volunteers, but in fairness they needed to move faster once it became clear how severe the issue was.

The defense of the Waterford players in question is gas. Lee was literally convulsing on the ground, everyone saw it and Nolan et al proceeded to moan several minutes into the treatment about time wasting etc as if it was justified. As I said, good for you if you wish to undertake the mental gymnastics required ro defend that behaviour. Enjoy your 0 points that comes with it.

[joey B]

Fantastic strike from Ryan Rainey in the first half at Longford,Harps 2 up….

[sbgawa]

Great result for harps if they hang on. Makes things very tight at the bottom

[sbgawa]

have longford decided to turn the lights out?

[Finlay Harp]

I’ll take that.

[sbgawa]

Harps just 5 points off a probable European place

[Nesta99]

Great result for harps if they hang on. Makes things very tight at the bottom

Certainly is, 6 points between 9th and 4th, well as said maybe not having additional European games is an overall positive for Dundalk. Games in hand can give a sense of complacency but give me points in the bag every time.

I understand what you are saying in relation to St Johns Jack B, impression is important to an extent but tbh I'd probably be more worried about a volunteer that is diving in to action, all business like than those who waited for direction from club medical team! If they were being called and were still like rabbits in headlights its a different story and should be part of a debrief. For all the training most stuff is going to be a 'wtf' moment for most of those volunteers.

[joey B]

Big win for us…

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

It's a tough one re: John's ambulance as they're volunteers, but in fairness they needed to move faster once it became clear how severe the issue was.

The defense of the Waterford players in question is gas. Lee was literally convulsing on the ground, everyone saw it and Nolan et al proceeded to moan several minutes into the treatment about time wasting etc as if it was justified. As I said, good for you if you wish to undertake the mental gymnastics required ro defend that behaviour. Enjoy your 0 points that comes with it.

I’ve never seen a St Johns Ambulance crew even break into a quick walk

[legendz]

Poor old new Treaty have gone through a bit of a wobble of late. I hope they can steady the ship and ensure a place in the free for all playoffs that the league has embraced after many years of resistance.

[CorribsideSteve]

Poor from Dundalk. Workmanlike professional performance from Derry, allowed Dundalk very little. Doubtful about the penalty, but you see them given. Three potentially nasty looking injuries for Dundalk too. They'l be waiting til 2023 for Europe again.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, some big results today alright - not panic time yet for Dundalk with 14 games to go, but getting close. 7 points adrift of fourth, and 11 off third and a not-waiting-on-the-cup European spot. Though funnily, I don't know about Dundalk fans, but my natural inclination is still to see how far off the top they are and not how close to the relegation playoff they are (two points, with Waterford playing Longford next week)

I can't see them losing a playoff, but still, it's time that squad started delivering something

[D24Saint]

Bucko’s post summer break blues continues , his teams often seem to wane after it.

[joey B]

Sligo are in free fall,looking over their shoulder instead of looking up now,Bohs and Derry will fancy 3rd looking at Sligos form,Dundalk will be looking at the cup as the best chance of getting Europe …

[Calcio Jack]

Sligo are in free fall,looking over their shoulder instead of looking up now,Bohs and Derry will fancy 3rd looking at Sligos form,Dundalk will be looking at the cup as the best chance of getting Europe …

Are Dundalk now entering twilight zone of “…. Too good to be relegated..” Stranger things etc

[Kingdom]

Impressive second half from Bohs, and a peach of a goal from Buckley. Mallon needs to be given a run in the side wide left. Playing Tierney out there didn't work for the while he was there.

[Nesta99]

We should be looking over the shoulder 1st and foremost! I'm willing to listen to the arguments about European and domestic games being tough to balance but that stops now so onwards and upwards......

[Nesta99]

Are Dundalk now entering twilight zone of “…. Too good to be relegated..” Stranger things etc

No such thing!

[Martinho II]

See ollie horgan got sent off yet again. Afterwards there was a kerfufle between him and our club photographer . I only found out when i got home. I was in section o side of ground did anyone have a good view of it?ref was too fond of producing cards last night imo

[placid casual]

Professional performance by the Champions. The 2nd team of McCann,Gannon, Hoare & Greene had enough about them to get the job done.

Other results went as expected, with sligo sliding down and bohs utilising their euro momentum to get closer to 3rd, which is where they should finish,imo.
Dundalks demise is ever so entertaining to watch -they need a reset button at that club next year or they'll be back competing with Cork sooner rather than later

[Nesta99]

Professional performance by the Champions. The 2nd team of McCann,Gannon, Hoare & Greene had enough about them to get the job done.

Other results went as expected, with sligo sliding down and bohs utilising their euro momentum to get closer to 3rd, which is where they should finish,imo.
Dundalks demise is ever so entertaining to watch -they need a reset button at that club next year or they'll be back competing with Cork sooner rather than later

And here we thought you cared PC, but your Bohs streak is now getting worrying!!

[nigel-harps1954]

Don't say it often anymore, but an enjoyable win for Harps last night. Played some decent football, and Ryan Rainey scored a goal of the season contender (1:30 in the video here). The angle from behind McGinleys goal just shows how incredible the strike was.

Feel sorry for Longford now. They're left with pretty much nothing to play for but pride by now. Would take a huge collapse for someone else to get sucked into it.

Harps with three wins and three clean sheets in successive games in all competitions. It'd be a good time to put together a run of form again.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkQKztnPbFk

[Nesta99]

Feel sorry for Longford now. They're left with pretty much nothing to play for but pride by now. Would take a huge collapse for someone else to get sucked into it.


*cough* no pressure Nigel:eek:

[nigel-harps1954]

*cough* no pressure Nigel:eek:

My blood pressure levels are high enough without having to deal with that too...

[placid casual]

And here we thought you cared PC, but your Bohs streak is now getting worrying!!
I couldn't care less about bohs, but care even less about dundalk.
I'm an old Rovers fan Nesta - the Rovers bohs rivalry was contrived by billy young in the 80's after all their decent players left to go to Milltown.
The rivalry Rovers had/have with dundalk is far greater for fans like me, mainly due to memories of the animals both on and off the pitch in Oriel in the early 80's. When I was 10 the worst insult for us when playing football on the road was to be compared to Martin Lawlor - aka the missing link.. 😊

[Calcio Jack]

I couldn't care less about bohs, but care even less about dundalk.
I'm an old Rovers fan Nesta - the Rovers bohs rivalry was contrived by billy young in the 80's after all their decent players left to go to Milltown.
The rivalry Rovers had/have with dundalk is far greater for fans like me, mainly due to memories of the animals both on and off the pitch in Oriel in the early 80's. When I was 10 the worst insult for us when playing football on the road was to be compared to Martin Lawlor - aka the missing link.. 😊

Maybe I’m older but the Bohs/Rovers rivalry was well established when I started attending matches from 70s onwards- the memory of the likes of Turlough O’Connor ,Hughie Brophy, Tommy Kelly scoring against us and the sheer vitriol hatred from the main stand towards us when they scored/beat us even as a small boy astounded me- I quickly came to understand that being the best and most successful club brings with it the petty jealousy of lesser clubs - and in 50 years nothing has changed as we remain still the most successful

[Dalymountrower]

Maybe I’m older but the Bohs/Rovers rivalry was well established when I started attending matches from 70s onwards- the memory of the likes of Turlough O’Connor ,Hughie Brophy, Tommy Kelly scoring against us and the sheer vitriol hatred from the main stand towards us when they scored/beat us even as a small boy astounded me- I quickly came to understand that being the best and most successful club brings with it the petty jealousy of lesser clubs - and in 50 years nothing has changed as we remain still the most successful
You have an imperfect memory of your "successes" of the 70's, no league titles as far as I remember.
The over celebration of results v Rovers in those days was less about your "success""( 1 senior trophy out of 20 available) and more down to the thuggishness of your fan base In the 70's.

[Nesta99]

I couldn't care less about bohs, but care even less about dundalk.
I'm an old Rovers fan Nesta - the Rovers bohs rivalry was contrived by billy young in the 80's after all their decent players left to go to Milltown.
The rivalry Rovers had/have with dundalk is far greater for fans like me, mainly due to memories of the animals both on and off the pitch in Oriel in the early 80's. When I was 10 the worst insult for us when playing football on the road was to be compared to Martin Lawlor - aka the missing link.. 

Fondly known as The Hulk which was the no.1 compliment kicking about the street for us!;) Whatever about animals on the pitch ive seen a fair few ambling down the street in hoops too often over the years and some lilywhites try to ape them, poorly! Well at least your rationale is sound, a lot better than stuff like 'subconscious anti Rovers bias?!! My own bias is firmly built by experiences from about '85/86 on, i was about 7 then and possibly more sensible than i am now!!

Im as concerned about Dundalk sliding in to the playoff battle Nigel.