Friendlies 2022

[Jack B]

Told you all that it was Alan Mathews pulling the strings the whole time.

[sbgawa]

Pats won the pre season last year were second in the league won the cup and are winning pre season again.......
Its Pats league to lose from here

[Longfordian]

Bring back the Italian fellas.

[D24Saint]

Bring back the Italian fellas.

Will be hard beaten as the most random managerial appointment in recent LOI history.

[sadloserkid]

Random is a very charitable adjective there D24!

[desaintsno.12]

ha ha ....Good man Stephen O'Donnell. Fantastic stuff.

[placid casual]

Very very amusing result, albeit only a friendly I suppose we have to say.
Bohs have lost a load of players but still showed up, which is more than can be said for a strong-is looking dundalk side.
Is their new keeper another abibi methinks..

[TonyD]

Very very amusing result, albeit only a friendly I suppose we have to say. ..

Well, I did allow myself just a little snigger. :cool:

Of course pre season friendlies mean nothing, as I’m sure the Dundalk lads will waste no time in reminding us.

[Martinho II]

Told you all that it was Alan Mathews pulling the strings the whole time.

Speaking of AM himself is he gone back to being a board member at St Pats Ath?

[Jack B]

Speaking of AM himself is he gone back to being a board member at St Pats Ath?

He's still involved with the first team as well, now has the title of Technical Director and has been helping Clancy/Daly with the training sessions.

[wonder88]

Went to the Galway v Shelbourne friendly game at the weekend. Saturday night 6pm KO and a good few at it, 500 plus my estimate. I think Galway should switch home games rather than have them on Friday as been the case for long while. It would suit the younger demographic(school going age) and visiting fans who may like to make an overnight trip. Nice style of play from Shelbourne which should attract some new followers to Tolka this year. Great to have the LoI back.

[2 Year Contract]

Just on the above, do any Galway fans on here know if the friendly against Pats this Friday night will be open to the public as the Shels one was last weekend?

[Nesta99]

He's still involved with the first team as well, now has the title of Technical Director and has been helping Clancy/Daly with the contracts.

This more like it!

We've been schooled by Drogheda early season never mind preseason in the past and did ok. I'd rather a good chastening result than coast through preseason and get found out when the league kicks off. Could loosen the purse strings if there is a glaring weakness in the squad. Little bit concerned on the right fullback position for one. Pace at the back could still be an issue. I'd say a few of the lads that have come in from abroad are thinking hard about the intensity of LoI, where there is quality mixed in with the frantic tempo. Very different from the lower levels in England or U23 leagues. I'd be first in line to be panicky but not just yet!!

[Nesta99]

Well, I did allow myself just a little snigger. :cool:

Of course pre season friendlies mean nothing, as I’m sure the Dundalk lads will waste no time in reminding us.

Malone Cup and President Trophy are big pieces of silverware to start any season so some preseason games definitely mean something!

[Jack B]

This more like it!



O'Donnell might be wishing he got the same help soon :)

[DCWA]

Derry City 5-0 Institute in the Brandywell last night.

Goalscorers

Louis Britton (trialist)
Mickey Duffy
Will Patching
Caoimhin Porter x2

[2 Year Contract]

Derry City 5-0 Institute in the Brandywell last night.

Goalscorers

Louis Britton (trialist)
Mickey Duffy
Will Patching
Caoimhin Porter x2

Did Georgie Kelly and the current Scotland international play well for Derry?

[DCWA]

Did Georgie Kelly and the current Scotland international play well for Derry?

A wee bit anonymous now you mention it

[EatYerGreens]

Seem to be good crowds at various friendlies around the country at the moment, which is encouraging for the new season.

[Candystripe]

Seem to be good crowds at various friendlies around the country at the moment, which is encouraging for the new season.

Estimated 1,300 at the Brandywell last night. It was Institutes home game and they don't normally open the Southend stand but before ko the Mark Farren stand was full so they hastily had to open the Southend stand. Probably the biggest attendance at this annual fixture in my memory.

[exiled_gufc_fan]

Galway 2 - 0 Pat's yesterday.
0-0 at half time. Rowe and Adayemo in second half. Pat's played 22 players, having started with a strong selection.

[Jack B]

Can't even remember the last time we lost a pre-season game. Clancy out.

[pineapple stu]

Shels 5-2 UCD today. Was 2-2 at half-time. No idea what sort of team we put out (or if there were changes, etc). Shels had a trialist in their starting XI so they were experimenting a bit too.

[total hoofball]

I think both UCD and Shels play again later so guessing two different sets of teams with mixtures in both teams of starting XI, fringe players and the odd trialists

3 friendly wins out of 3 for Duff promising start despite scepticism around over the strength of our squad

[2 Year Contract]

3 friendly wins out of 3 for Duff promising start despite scepticism around over the strength of our squad

Squad depth is something that’s tested/displayed over the course of a 36 game season when there’s injuries/suspensions etc, not 3 pre-season friendlies

[Nesta99]

Squad depth is something that’s tested/displayed over the course of a 36 game season when there’s injuries/suspensions etc, not 3 pre-season friendlies

Pats fans would know for sure!

[sulywaterfordfc]

Earlier today the friendly in the RSC ran out; Waterford 2-1 Dundalk

[joey B]

Cork 1 Harps 1 at Abbotstown,Tourish for Harps ,Murphy for Cork.

[D24Saint]

Never nice to lose games. The fact is that friendlies are just training games to work on shape, fitness & experiment with players in various roles. The competitive edge of a proper match can’t be replicated. The score card for new managers such as Clancy , Duff & your man in charge of Dundalk won’t be in until the end of the first series of games.

[Martinho II]

We got battered 5-1 by Derry City at home. Returning striker Sam Verdon with the consolation! Cronin out!

[2 Year Contract]

Pats fans would know for sure!

Defo yeah. Pats win percentage in pre-season friendlies over the last 10 years is probably around 90-95%. During that time they’ve won everything there is to win but also had many years of being mediocre or very bad. The pre-seasons results have no correlation to those seasons

[sbgawa]

Rovers beat wexford and Treaty 3 nil each today.
Good to see Aydemo and Conan Nugent both on the scoresheet again this weekend.
I think we will see a lot more of them this season.

[oriel]

Rovers beat wexford and Treaty 3 nil each today.
Good to see Aydemo and Conan Nugent both on the scoresheet again this weekend.
I think we will see a lot more of them this season.


Ah sbgawa, reminds me one my fav print football stories, 'In sports, USA beat Trinidad & Tobago 1-0 today' (in early 80's)

A NY paper reported 'strange they had two games in the same day'

[2 Year Contract]

Good to see Aydemo and Conan Nugent both on the scoresheet again this weekend.
I think we will see a lot more of them this season.

Sorry to disappoint but I don’t think you will seen as neither of those players exist ;)

[Charlie Darwin]

Estimated 1,300 at the Brandywell last night. It was Institutes home game and they don't normally open the Southend stand but before ko the Mark Farren stand was full so they hastily had to open the Southend stand. Probably the biggest attendance at this annual fixture in my memory.
How does that work, do you alternate it each year?

[sbgawa]

Sorry to disappoint but I don’t think you will seen as neither of those players exist ;)
Lol mea culpa. Aidomo and Conan Noonan. We should see a lot of from these guys next season

[refjohn]

How does that work, do you alternate it each year?

Essentially yes albeit a mute point whilst institute search for new home venue. Gate to charity I believe as well,

[Nesta99]

Essentially yes albeit a mute point whilst institute search for new home venue. Gate to charity I believe as well,

Its a bit silly not to be happy sharing and newly renovated municipal ground in a fairly small city. Is their reasoning old differences and if so they should wise up, flegs, or do they think they can do a better job than the Brandywell, its is a bit too big for Institute's needs.

[refjohn]

Its a bit silly not to be happy sharing and newly renovated municipal ground in a fairly small city. Is their reasoning old differences and if so they should wise up, flegs, or do they think they can do a better job than the Brandywell, its is a bit too big for Institute's needs.

Way too big - even in Irish Premiership they only opened the older stand for 3 or 4 teams and even then rarely more than a block of it. They have the cash to build a ground (insurance payout) - and have eyes on a site - but sure all these things take time. Their old ground was perfect size and could generate decent atmosphere.

[Charlie Darwin]

Way too big - even in Irish Premiership they only opened the older stand for 3 or 4 teams and even then rarely more than a block of it. They have the cash to build a ground (insurance payout) - and have eyes on a site - but sure all these things take time. Their old ground was perfect size and could generate decent atmosphere.
Surely the obvious thing to do would be to stay at the Brandy and invest the money in a training facility?

[Nesta99]

And look to grow the fanbase.

[sbgawa]

Maybe Derry don't fancy sharing the bed

[D24Saint]

It must be unique in world football. That two teams share a ground and play in different league systems . I’d be surprised if it happens elsewhere.

[nigel-harps1954]

To be fair to them, Institute aren't from Derry City. They're from Drumahoe, effectively a little village outside the city. The brandywell is out the opposite side of the city, about 5 miles away.

All their support comes from that end of the city, and they're not going to build a support base in the Brandywell.

They had a brilliant little stadium in the Riverside, and if they can salvage any of it towards a new ground they'll be fine. The stadium they had would have been better than several LOI grounds as they currently sit.

[D24Saint]

To be fair to them, Institute aren't from Derry City. They're from Drumahoe, effectively a little village outside the city. The brandywell is out the opposite side of the city, about 5 miles away.

All their support comes from that end of the city, and they're not going to build a support base in the Brandywell.

They had a brilliant little stadium in the Riverside, and if they can salvage any of it towards a new ground they'll be fine. The stadium they had would have been better than several LOI grounds as they currently sit.

It’s always best to stay close to your support base rather than travel for better facilities. I always found the Longford situation a strange one for example . It’s a fine ground but it’s in the middle of nowhere. The location I’d say has an affect on causal fans , the have a few pints and go to a match on a Friday night types.

[EatYerGreens]

Its a bit silly not to be happy sharing and newly renovated municipal ground in a fairly small city. Is their reasoning old differences and if so they should wise up, flegs, or do they think they can do a better job than the Brandywell, its is a bit too big for Institute's needs.

Institute are basically Derry's protestant team. They're not going to build a fanbase or grow community roots at Brandywell. It's a catholic area, and Derry City will always have more appeal there. Plus they can't make any money at the Brandywell apart from ticket sales, which by all accounts are very small. So Instituet want their own ground in a protestant part of the city where they can grow a fanbase and have facilities that they can use to generate income from. Which strikes me as a very sensible approach from a small club that will never progress or possibly even survive if its only income is ticket receipts in the Irish League's second tier..

[EatYerGreens]

Maybe Derry don't fancy sharing the bed

I doubt Derry care to be honest. Institute pose them no threat, and the ground is already used for all sorts of things as it's council-owned.

If anything having Stute at Brandywell probably helps Derry City as they want government funding for the stadium to be finished. Much more likely to get that with 2 senior teams using it than just one (especially if that one plays outside NI and the DUP have any say in the matter)

[A N Mouse]

To be fair to them, Institute aren't from Derry City. They're from Drumahoe, effectively a little village outside the city. The brandywell is out the opposite side of the city, about 5 miles away.

All their support comes from that end of the city, and they're not going to build a support base in the Brandywell.

They had a brilliant little stadium in the Riverside, and if they can salvage any of it towards a new ground they'll be fine. The stadium they had would have been better than several LOI grounds as they currently sit.

Stute are from the city, they chose to site their ground there for 'reasons' when seeking to progress from the intermediate league.

With the advent of the NIFL things may have changed, but it wasn't that long ago Oxford United Stars were refused entry to inagural Championship because they nominated the Brandy as their home ground. They did not own or have a long term lease on the venue. Now the apocryphal tale when I was growing was that this rule came about after Derry resigned from the league so that the IL clubs could have something to point to each year when Derry came back looking to reapply.

Now Stute 'own their own ground', or had some kind of long term arrangement. They were warned at the time about the potential risk but pressed ahead. There were better options, but like the Brandy most of the public/recreational space in the city comes with covenants on use or ownership. So they gave it a wide berth.

So whether the rules have changed, or something else has Stute are now eyeing up something closer to where they should have been these past twenty odd years. What comes it of remains to be seen, use and ownership would continue to be issues, but access will likely be a bigger issue than it would have all those years ago. And if that rule, or a variant of it, remains in place then the clock is ticking for them to find their own ground. Because a long term lease on the Brandy is not possible.

With the good talk, before the announcement about POD's business sale, about legacy and infrastructure then the sensible thing for both clubs would be some kind of joint football campus out of town, with a stadium. But thats another can of worms,if as seems likely was on donegal side of border

[EatYerGreens]

Stute are from the city, they chose to site their ground there for 'reasons' when seeking to progress from the intermediate league.

With the advent of the NIFL things may have changed, but it wasn't that long ago Oxford United Stars were refused entry to inagural Championship because they nominated the Brandy as their home ground. They did not own or have a long term lease on the venue. Now the apocryphal tale when I was growing was that this rule came about after Derry resigned from the league so that the IL clubs could have something to point to each year when Derry came back looking to reapply.

Now Stute 'own their own ground', or had some kind of long term arrangement. They were warned at the time about the potential risk but pressed ahead. There were better options, but like the Brandy most of the public/recreational space in the city comes with covenants on use or ownership. So they gave it a wide berth.

So whether the rules have changed, or something else has Stute are now eyeing up something closer to where they should have been these past twenty odd years. What comes it of remains to be seen, use and ownership would continue to be issues, but access will likely be a bigger issue than it would have all those years ago. And if that rule, or a variant of it, remains in place then the clock is ticking for them to find their own ground. Because a long term lease on the Brandy is not possible.

With the good talk, before the announcement about POD's business sale, about legacy and infrastructure then the sensible thing for both clubs would be some kind of joint football campus out of town, with a stadium. But thats another can of worms,if as seems likely was on donegal side of border

Derry City fans don't want a stadium on one side of the river and Institute don't want a stadium on the other side. So the two clubs can't and won't have a shared future.

Agree that with a rich Chairman Derry would be sensible to look at getting a stadium somewhere other than Brandywell. It's a very crammed in site, and they can't make any money from it or use it to build community links outside of matchdays as they don't control access.

[D24Saint]

Derry City fans don't want a stadium on one side of the river and Institute don't want a stadium on the other side. So the two clubs can't and won't have a shared future.

Agree that with a rich Chairman Derry would be sensible to look at getting a stadium somewhere other than Brandywell. It's a very crammed in site, and they can't make any money from it or use it to build community links outside of matchdays as they don't control access.

The Brandywell is an iconic ground be surprised if Derry ever leave it.