Games weekend 1st 2nd October

[sbgawa]

Friday 1st Oct
Premier Division

Drogs v St Pats 19:45
Finn Harps v Dundalk 20:00
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City 20:00

Saturday 2nd
Longford v Bohs 19:30
Sligo v Waterford 19:45

Friday October 1st
First Division
Bray v Cork 19:30
Wexford v UCD 19:45
Shels v Treaty 19:45
Athlone v Cabo 19:45
Cobh v Galway 19:45

[sbgawa]

Every match this weekend in the Premier Division is a big one for different reasons.
Drogs need a win to avoid drifting into relegation trouble with Harps , Waterford and Dundalk all showing form
Bohs also need a win in Longford to keep hopes of catching Sligo alive but also bizarrely to avoid coming into the relegation equation as well.
Sligo badly need a win to try to stay top 3 but Waterford need it every bit as much and are on better form
Harps v Dundalk in a relegation 6 pointer, can this Dundalk team do it on a rainy night in Ballybofey.
Rovers v Derry , Derry on a great run of form pushing for Europe, interesting side angle to this one with Derry positioning themselves for next year. Rovers need to follow up last weeks huge win against Pats by turning up against Derry and marching on.

Firt Divison:
Season over , match practise for playoffs

.

[PartySaint]

A Pats win coupled with a Rovers win would all but secure Europe for us and let us focus fully on the cup.

Dundalk seem to have got their act together and could end the weekend 5 points off 4th. I wouldn't put it past them to finish the season there.

[Mr A]

Firt Divison:
Season over , match practise for playoffs

.

By jove you have cracked it, the way to make the first division sexy and appealing! Rebrand as the Flirt Division!

And on a day you're looking so well!

[Bohs11]

Question for the Longford fans on here: with the match on Saturday, did the local Superintendent put a cap on the number of away fans, or was it down to the club not wanting to loose home advantage?

[TonyD]

A Pats win coupled with a Rovers win would all but secure Europe for us and let us focus fully on the cup.

Dundalk seem to have got their act together and could end the weekend 5 points off 4th. I wouldn't put it past them to finish the season there..

As disappointing as it was to lose last week (especially so late on) realistically second was probably beyond what we could have expected at the start of the year, so if we could secure that it would be a good season.

Dundalks upturn in form is a concern with the cup semi looming. I would love another cup final. Will be a tough semi though.

[sbgawa]

A Pats win coupled with a Rovers win would all but secure Europe for us and let us focus fully on the cup.

Dundalk seem to have got their act together and could end the weekend 5 points off 4th. I wouldn't put it past them to finish the season there.

Be funny if Dundalk knock you guys out in the semi then finish 4th and miss out on Europe by losing the final to Bohs/Waterford.
They might be better throwing the semi if they are looking like getting 4th :eek:

They are looking good again

[Martinho II]

Question for the Longford fans on here: with the match on Saturday, did the local Superintendent put a cap on the number of away fans, or was it down to the club not wanting to loose home advantage?

To answer your Q Bohs11 I am part of the matchday security staff but not on the club board. I know in Dundalk game there was similar amount of away support too. I think it has to be a bit of both as I noticed on our website that if Bohs fans bought in the home end and they were caught and escorted out of the ground they wont get a refund.

[Bohs11]

To answer your Q Bohs11 I am part of the matchday security staff but not on the club board. I know in Dundalk game there was similar amount of away support too. I think it has to be a bit of both as I noticed on our website that if Bohs fans bought in the home end and they were caught and escorted out of the ground they wont get a refund.
Thanks for clearing it up a bit. Genuinely not trying to kick the club here, but it looks like you're probably going down. At this stage of the season, would it not make sense to have let Dundalk and Bohs to bring as many as they wanted, and re-invest the couple of grand extra on players to get promoted next year?

[Longfordian]

I think it's safe enough to say we're not just "probably" going down. Personally I'd have given them as many tickets as they want but there could be pressure from the guards alright. They never like large crowds coming down, more work for them in their eyes. They're usually more bothered about Shamrock Rovers than anyone else though.

[PartySaint]

Be funny if Dundalk knock you guys out in the semi then finish 4th and miss out on Europe by losing the final to Bohs/Waterford.
They might be better throwing the semi if they are looking like getting 4th :eek:

They are looking good again

Alternatively, McEleney, Duffy and Patching's (if the rumours are true) best chance of playing in Europe next season might be Pats to win the Cup if Derry finish 4th. Hopefully that is in the back on their minds in a few weeks time...

[Yossarian]

Alternatively, McEleney, Duffy and Patching's (if the rumours are true) best chance of playing in Europe next season might be Pats to win the Cup if Derry finish 4th. Hopefully that is in the back on their minds in a few weeks time...

I’ve no doubt you’re hoping that but realistically I’d imagine the players will be fairly motivated to get to a cup final and play in front of a big crowd in the Aviva and potentially win a trophy. The more interesting game will be the last league game when Derry come to oriel as at that stage both teams will know what’s required for their respective final league position.

[Bohs11]

I think it's safe enough to say we're not just "probably" going down. Personally I'd have given them as many tickets as they want but there could be pressure from the guards alright. They never like large crowds coming down, more work for them in their eyes. They're usually more bothered about Shamrock Rovers than anyone else though.
Fair enough, it just seemed more like a club decision on home advantage because of the Google Form to get tickets, and tweet about not issuing refunds to away fans travelling. Look, if the guards made the decision though, there's nothing much which could be done.

[Nesta99]

By jove you have cracked it, the way to make the first division sexy and appealing! Rebrand as the Flirt Division!

And on a day you're looking so well!

Now that would be some spectator sport, watching a bunch of LoI nerds trying to flirt at a LoI game...hold yer thought there the ref is going to do something nuts....etc up there with the never go on a date to the cinema to a film you actually want to see!

Already dreading tonights game in Donegal!!

[Longfordian]

Fair enough, it just seemed more like a club decision on home advantage because of the Google Form to get tickets, and tweet about not issuing refunds to away fans travelling. Look, if the guards made the decision though, there's nothing much which could be done.

It could be purely a club decision. I genuinely don't know. But I do know that in years gone by we always used to get instructions from the guards as to how they wanted the away crowd managed.

[sbgawa]

Now that would be some spectator sport, watching a bunch of LoI nerds trying to flirt at a LoI game...hold yer thought there the ref is going to do something nuts....etc up there with the never go on a date to the cinema to a film you actually want to see!

Already reading tonights game in Donegal!!

UCD are in the first divison and we all know those student types are mad for it.

More importantly can DFC do it on a cold and windy night in Ballybofey?
Local derby for McEleney, Duffy, Patching and Slogget ;) so loads of motivation

[placid casual]

I think it's safe enough to say we're not just "probably" going down. Personally I'd have given them as many tickets as they want but there could be pressure from the guards alright. They never like large crowds coming down, more work for them in their eyes. They're usually more bothered about Shamrock Rovers than anyone else though.
They should use the bohs game as practice for the Rovers game down there in a few weeks time, when the Rovers fans will be coming down, irrespective of how many tickets are available.

[brendy_éire]

Rovers v Derry , Derry on a great run of form pushing for Europe, interesting side angle to this one with Derry positioning themselves for next year. Rovers need to follow up last weeks huge win against Pats by turning up against Derry and marching on.

Are we on that great a run though? Last five games; won two, lost one, drawn one; scored 10, conceded seven. We're doing alright, but are finding it difficult to keep a clean sheet.

I'd expect a loss by a couple of goals tonight. Shams were outstanding in the second half up in the Brandywell in July, they took us apart with ease. It was blindingly obvious how great the gulf in quality was. If we get anything out of tonight, I'd be delighted.

[Nesta99]

UCD are in the first divison and we all know those student types are mad for it.

More importantly can DFC do it on a cold and windy night in Ballybofey?
Local derby for McEleney, Duffy, Patching and Slogget ;) so loads of motivation

Is it possible to flirt with nobody around?

I am hoping that the players on the move will want to drive on for the remainder of the season rather than go through the motions 'cause they are on the move. Again there are local rumours of some deals not absolutely done, I doubt it myself if there are secure longer term contracts on offer at Derry where Dundalk is eh unstable at the moment. Pre contracts are pretty useless if there is a change of heart. Higgins has a rep for getting on very well with players but that dynamic will change when he is boss, I do think he will overcome the issue. VP was also very popular with players as an assistant but maybe didnt navigate the change so well. Cold and windy night in Ballybofey could undo Real Madrid fully on song but at least DFC players are showing soe fight so ye never know. The Harps ability to be more physical in poor conditions mean I think they are favourites though maybe we learned something from coughing up 3-1 lead in 10 minutes.

[placid casual]

I think the notion of Harps playing uppen-attem hoofball on a crap pitch is a bit out of date - the last few times I've seen Harps play, both live and on telly, they are playing a good brand of football on a decent surface - if anything dundalks better players should relish playing on a pitch that at least tries to be reliable.

[Nesta99]

Ah when I said Harps ability to be more physical I didnt mean old fashioned hoof ball. They have a physicality that can cope with adverse conditions, heavy pitch eg. whereas Dundalk are a lighter side that may not cope as well. The old Oriel pitch rhetoric is quite boring at this stage, may be some common ground between yerself PC and Brian Kerr!. Does the Oriel pitch thread need reviving?

[Longfordian]

If there were 40k tuning into this Drogs-Pats game at the start of the match I expect it's even less now. Poor game.

[sbgawa]

Rovers very comfortable, should have taken our chances and made it safe earlier.
Gaffney was superb , deserved the motm

[Bucket]

Congrats to Shelbourne on winning the First Division at the first attempt after their relegation. I'm not sure we could beat a Premier team in a play-off if we got that far. Oh well, what's another year?

[oriel]

Ah when I said Harps ability to be more physical I didnt mean old fashioned hoof ball. They have a physicality that can cope with adverse conditions, heavy pitch eg. whereas Dundalk are a lighter side that may not cope as well. The old Oriel pitch rhetoric is quite boring at this stage, may be some common ground between yerself PC and Brian Kerr!. Does the Oriel pitch thread need reviving?

I was never a fan of the pitch in Oriel Park, at any level when all of its versions went in, maybe the new one in 2017 I think it was, maybe it was ok for 1-2 years, but the one in the Brandywell is just horrific, and gets far less criticism than it deserves.

On the game tonight, decent match apart from the stream, and a fair result, good turnaround by Dundalk to pick up 7 of the last 9 points. That Harps striker looks the part, took his two goals well.

[2 Year Contract]

Just in from the Pats game. A tough watch, I’m pretty sure Jaros in goal for us didn’t have one save to make all night and Odumosu didn’t have many more to make himself. Having said that if one team deserved to win it, it was Pats. Cracking injury time winner from Alfie Lewis who I thought was our best player second half even before the goal. Brilliant to see Lee Desmond back on the pitch and an excellent first appearance back when he came on

[joey B]

Good point for us again,played well in spells and Dundalk played well in spells ,Tunde is a real handful and took his goals well
We’re cursed with free kicks and penalties against Dundalk recently but it was a penalty and Duffy is Duffy over a free kick…..

Hopefully Sligo wake up and get the win tomorrow to make it a better weekend….

[Jack B]

I'm already gutted for when Alfie Lewis leaves. He's such a Pats player it's untrue but can definitely cut it at a higher level.

Side note but Ian Ryan is doing a fantastic job at Wexford. Already interested in seeing how he gets on next season.

[Nesta99]

I was never a fan of the pitch in Oriel Park, at any level when all of its versions went in, maybe the new one in 2017 I think it was, maybe it was ok for 1-2 years, but the one in the Brandywell is just horrific, and gets far less criticism than it deserves.


When the Derry Galacticos start pushing Shamrock Rovers next season it will obviously be due to the pitch in the Brandywell!!

[D24Saint]

I'm already gutted for when Alfie Lewis leaves. He's such a Pats player it's untrue but can definitely cut it at a higher level.

Side note but Ian Ryan is doing a fantastic job at Wexford. Already interested in seeing how he gets on next season.

Define a higher level I don’t think he would make a crust at L2 L1 in England. He plays too much football but isn’t up to championship etc. He should stick with the LOI for another season IMO.

[ToberonaTornado]

I was trying to summarise the Harps v Dundalk match from last night but some guy on RTÉ beat me to it :eek:
With Drogs losing, seems a decent result for both sides. Dundalk now have 7pt/9pts from their last 3 league games - a very welcome return for us.


Tunde Owolabi scored twice as Finn Harps and Dundalk ended all square in a Premier Division match that might've gone either way.
In the end, everyone enjoyed their evening and headed off into the night rain happy enough with what they had, whilst optimistically claiming they might’ve got that little bit more.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/1001/1250162-owolabi-bags-brace-as-finn-harps-and-dundalk-draw/

All Eyes on the Saturday fixtures now. - How will Waterford respond?

[placid casual]

Rovers keep on doing what Champions do. Win.
Onto dundalk next friday.

[nigel-harps1954]

Draw was probably fair enough last night in Finn Park.

The rain hammered down, Vinny Perth complained about everything, a couple of cracking goals, and a good game of football in the conditions.

[patsdad]

I'm already gutted for when Alfie Lewis leaves. He's such a Pats player it's untrue but can definitely cut it at a higher level.
Watching Kian Corbally boss midfield in the u19 Champions League v Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday, I reckon we have our replacement waiting.

[2 Year Contract]

Define a higher level I don’t think he would make a crust at L2 L1 in England. He plays too much football but isn’t up to championship etc. He should stick with the LOI for another season IMO.
His uncle said on Twitter that he had an option to join Plymouth (currently 4th in League 1) in the summer but opted to sign a permanent deal with pats instead

[D24Saint]

His uncle said on Twitter that he had an option to join Plymouth (currently 4th in League 1) in the summer but opted to sign a permanent deal with pats instead

L1 & L2 are tough leagues. I think he should build up more first team experience before taking the leap. He has only played underage before Pats. He is a good young player but is far from the finished article.

[2 Year Contract]

L1 & L2 are tough leagues. I think he should build up more first team experience before taking the leap. He has only played underage before Pats. He is a good young player but is far from the finished article.

Yeah that’s probably why he opted to stay here, gain more first team experience so when he does go back over he’s more prepared

[ontheotherhand]

Draw was probably fair enough last night in Finn Park.

The rain hammered down, Vinny Perth complained about everything, a couple of cracking goals, and a good game of football in the conditions.

Vinny's interview was something else. Didn't realize Harps had moved the dugouts in a cunning plot to thwart Dundalk. Well played Nigel.

[Nesta99]

Vinny's interview was something else. Didn't realize Harps had moved the dugouts in a cunning plot to thwart Dundalk. Well played Nigel.

If dugout positions were a major bugbear of Kenny Shiels then its a legit issue to moan about!!

[nigel-harps1954]

To be fair, the dugouts were actually moved in Finn Park this year, but that was at the request of the FAI who said the dugout positions weren't covid compliant.

I would have preferred not to have moved them at all because they were a nightmare to move.

[sbgawa]

Longford winning 1 nil against Bohs.
Any chance of a contract extension for Crolly, he only has 3 years left

[Longfordian]

Ended 4-1 Bohs. That's all your fault.

[joey B]

Watched the Sligo/Waterford game,Sligo so laboured going forward but apart from the goal didnt get much trouble from Waterford,1-1 fair enough in the end,neither keeper had many saves to make.....

[PartySaint]

A Pats win coupled with a Rovers win would all but secure Europe for us and let us focus fully on the cup.

Dundalk seem to have got their act together and could end the weekend 5 points off 4th. I wouldn't put it past them to finish the season there.

Europe secured. Bring on the Cup.

[sbgawa]

Ended 4-1 Bohs. That's all your fault.

Sorry about that :(