Friendlies 2022

[Neish]

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.

Longford looks nice at first glance but all those uncovered seats have been exposed to the Irish weather for too long and many are rotting away. And unless there has been big improvements in last 2 or 3 years its lacking in basic facilities not enough toilets and been there several time and can't remember anything but soup,sandwiches, tea, coffee and a small tuck shop being on offer. Really should be more considering its so far out of town.

I know some may think its a bit ironic that a Harps fans is saying this but there is always at least one chip van and at least stall for tea, coffee, soup & snacks in Finn Park

[sbgawa]

The soup and the lady who serves it is one of the things that makes the trip up there worth it.

[lofty9]

The soup and the lady who serves it is one of the things that makes the trip up there worth it.

The people are great there. Used to love Monaghan too for their hospitality, badly missed.

[Longfordian]

The club have been trying to replace the seats bit by bit over the last few years but yeah we really could do with some more cover if someone won the lottery. Ideally toilets the far side too but in fairness many grounds only have small toilets under the main stand. Overall considering we've never got any substantial government funding for whatever reason the ground has been a credit to a volunteer run club.

[DCWA]

I think being a wee bit over looked there that Institute do not want to play in the Brandywell and their presence to Derry City is an irrelevance, they will never tap into that support base and are a very small club that do very well within their means to even manage as they do.

Ultimately they have the money there to set up shop somewhere else and I believe now want to do so out in Newbuilldings but they are a glorified junior club and will always be so there are probably orher Derry teams currently that are or could be as good as them and play NIFL intermediate.

[A N Mouse]

Ultimately they have the money there to set up shop somewhere else and I believe now want to do so out in Newbuilldings but they are a glorified junior club and will always be so there are probably orher Derry teams currently that are or could be as good as them and play NIFL intermediate.


I'll admit to not following this too closely, but I've only heard Clooney mentioned before now. First I've heard talk of Newbuildings. How's that going down with one of the few clubs that would have ambitions of their own?

The main reason there aren't one or two more local clubs playing at the same level as Stute is the IFA. And now they seem to have got their house in order who wants to step up given the chance?

[Nesta99]

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..

So predominantly old differences then. Sad that! Irrespective of locations, leases, etc. Whatever about a ground, a joint venture training facility or academy could and maybe should be considered to help future fans difference be based purely on football rivalry.

[EatYerGreens]

tthere are probably orher Derry teams currently that are or could be as good as them and play NIFL intermediate.

Strabane Athletic are ambitious and looking to rise up the ranks. I think they won promotion to the IL third tier a few years ago, but couldn't go up because of their ground. The council have sorted that out now, so they should go up if they win their division, play-offs etc again. Which would be good news for the West of NI. Currently out of the 35 clubs in the IL's top 3 tiers only 7 are from the Western half of NI (Dungannon, Institute, Dergview, Ballinamallard, Tobermore, Moyola Park and Limavady. Excluding Portstewart for being the wrong side of the River Bann). And only one of them is in the top tier currently.

[EatYerGreens]

So predominantly old differences then. Sad that! Irrespective of locations, leases, etc. Whatever about a ground, a joint venture training facility or academy could and maybe should be considered to help future fans difference be based purely on football rivalry.

It's just the geopolitical reality of the north to be honest. A bit like Crusaders being stuck in the wrong place (a 'loyalist enclave', as one of their Directors put it, with declining population in a part of North Belfast that is demographically becoming more and more nationalist)

[Martinho II]

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.

Drumahoe I think is on the Enniskillen Road aint it Nigel? Think I passed through it before going to games to the Brandywell when we travelled via Enniskillen!

[Martinho II]

The club have been trying to replace the seats bit by bit over the last few years but yeah we really could do with some more cover if someone won the lottery. Ideally toilets the far side too but in fairness many grounds only have small toilets under the main stand. Overall considering we've never got any substantial government funding for whatever reason the ground has been a credit to a volunteer run club.

I think a major error we made over the Section O side of the ground was getting rid of the shelter which used to span the whole area of the pitch. Also over 20 years ago there was a small roof behind the goal where the dressing rooms used to be!

[EatYerGreens]

Drumahoe I think is on the Enniskillen Road aint it Nigel? Think I passed through it before going to games to the Brandywell when we travelled via Enniskillen!

It's where the new A6 road to Belfast starts/ends . It's basically just a suburb of Derry, not a separate place.

If you were coming from Enniskillen direction you'd be taking the A5. So the unionist village on the edge of Derry there would be Newbuildings.

[A N Mouse]

So predominantly old differences then. Sad that! Irrespective of locations, leases, etc. Whatever about a ground, a joint venture training facility or academy could and maybe should be considered to help future fans difference be based purely on football rivalry.

You seem to have found the confirmation you were seeking in your original post, but while there a grain of truth to what was said in response the oversimplification seems to have brought you to a gross misrepresentation of the situation.

There is, barring the odd transfer bruhaha, little animosity between the clubs. People go to watch both teams. There a symbiotic relationship in terms of players development - by and large Stute take the cast-offs and Derry take the cream.

Derry could, if a suitable venue existed, move to the waterside tomorrow. And the majority of fans would grumble for a bit then get on with it. There would be a sizable minority who would take exception, most of whom would have gone thirty, forty or fifty plus years without ever setting foot on the other side of the river, only passing through on the way to Dublin or Belfast. But they live the black and white of the same oversimplification.

As others have said Stute are effectively a junior club who took their shot in a footballing wasteland. They're not going to get much bigger, and playing out of the Brandy when they should have their own home isn't doing them any favours. Should they fall to the third tier, without a home of their own, then they risk being passed by another local intermediate side with a proper setup, or just disappearing.

[joey B]

Sligo 1-1 Harps,Morahan for Sligo,Tourish with Harps goal.

[D24Saint]

Pats are playing Cork in Richmond on Saturday @3.

[Martinho II]

We are playing UCD next in Belfield on Saturday at 2pm.

[D24Saint]

1 nil v Cork in a pulsating end to end classic on a beautiful day in Richmond. The opposite it actually true.

[pineapple stu]

We are playing UCD next in Belfield on Saturday at 2pm.
2-1 to UCD. Tommy Lonergan with both goals.

[Longfordian]

Trialist A for us, part of the well known Trialist family.

[total hoofball]

Shels and Athlone was live on youtube earlier as a LOITV test, finished 3-1 to Shels with Dan Carr off the mark. As you would have expected both Duff and Russell had their teams drilled to play ball on the ground as much as possible despite the poor weather, Shels played too many crazy passes around the backline at times which resulted in Athlone's goal

[sulywaterfordfc]

We (Waterford) came from two down earlier today to draw 2-2 with Bohs

[sulywaterfordfc]

Waterford 1-1 Derry. Game was on in Abbotstown earlier today.

[pineapple stu]

UCD 3-1 Wexford. Duffy, Whelan and Kerrigan for us; Davis for Wexford

[SeanDrog]

Dundalk 1-2 Drogs Jim Malone Cup

[sbgawa]

Nothing much to be learned from the match in Tallaght tonight other than Pico is very important to us at the back and the Pats keeper looks like a bit of an Abibi.
The wind was swirling around making it very difficult, ball going backwards at times , didnt help what was a poor game at two thirds pace.
Bring on the start of hostilities
great crowd on a FREEZING night

oh and we won on penos, was kind of funny four or five of the players on the half way line started doing a pretend semi excited run to Alan Manus and the rest turned around and started shaking the Pats lads hands...

[Jack B]

Can't believe Rovers play in that ground every other week, absolute wind tunnel every time I've been there and considering how good they are it's surely a hindrance to them if anything.

Thought we were great until around the hour mark and then fitness and Rovers' quality in depth came to the fore. Encouraged nonetheless though, have a good feeling about Clancy.

[D24Saint]

Horrendous conditions tonight alright. I thought it was a entertaining game overall to tbh. I enjoyed our shape and attacking intent in the match. I wasn’t that impressed with Rovers until the second half substitutions and then they went up a gear. We need another body in midfield to bring off the bench Id reckon. I’ve no worries up front, e doyle scored a real poachers goal. The miss from M doyle in first half was a shocker but overall he played well. Then Tunde pops off the bench full of energy. It’s good to be back even if I have hypothermia.

[D24Saint]

Can't believe Rovers play in that ground every other week, absolute wind tunnel every time I've been there and considering how good they are it's surely a hindrance to them if anything.

Thought we were great until around the hour mark and then fitness and Rovers' quality in depth came to the fore. Encouraged nonetheless though, have a good feeling about Clancy.

Us good Tallaght folk enjoy the wind that’s comes down from Dublin mountains normally. It’s a grand fresh breeze except tonight when it turned into an Antarctic weather front, the conditions this evening were shocking.

[sbgawa]

Can't believe Rovers play in that ground every other week, absolute wind tunnel every time I've been there and considering how good they are it's surely a hindrance to them if anything.

Thought we were great until around the hour mark and then fitness and Rovers' quality in depth came to the fore. Encouraged nonetheless though, have a good feeling about Clancy.

Its funny you say that about the wind , its not normally so bad , i was saying to one of the Lads with me its the Pats games always seem to be windy, i remember one really bad game , might have been a season opener against Pats about 5 or 6 years ago where one of the keepers took a kick out got it airborne and it went out for a corner behind him...

Conditions were terrible , made some of the players on both sides look prety stupid

[Jack B]

Its funny you say that about the wind , its not normally so bad , i was saying to one of the Lads with me its the Pats games always seem to be windy, i remember one really bad game , might have been a season opener against Pats about 5 or 6 years ago where one of the keepers took a kick out got it airborne and it went out for a corner behind him...

Conditions were terrible , made some of the players on both sides look prety stupid

I figured it was too many times to be a coincidence but suppose it makes sense because at the same time I can't imagine so many Rovers games would play out so farcical every other week (relatively speaking). Genuinely can't remember a time I've been there in recent history where the wind hasn't made it's presence known even if it hasn't had an enormous impact on the game.

[Charlie Darwin]

Can't believe Rovers play in that ground every other week, absolute wind tunnel every time I've been there and considering how good they are it's surely a hindrance to them if anything.
Honestly believe if we had a 1000ft-tall stadium the wind would still find a way to get in.

Rovers were poor but it was a pre-season game so you wouldn't expect them to be great. Pats look pretty good - Clancy looks a very clever appointment and I'd expect them to challenge.

[SeanDrog]

Honestly believe if we had a 1000ft-tall stadium the wind would still find a way to get in.

Rovers were poor but it was a pre-season game so you wouldn't expect them to be great. Pats look pretty good - Clancy looks a very clever appointment and I'd expect them to challenge.

After Drogs matches last season rovers were the team I happened to watch more of on loitv, it struck me how they seemed to find it very difficult to get out of third gear in a match (so to speak). Clearly the talent and setup is there but at times the urgency and fire in the belly was lacking. I know last night was a preseason but for most of the game rovers again lacked the bite. I do wonder if the management put all their focus on “process” and could benefit from a little bit of firing up the troops. I like Bradley (ex Drog), but I do think if rovers can up the urgency they would crush the league.

On Pats, I saw bits of Clancy style especially in the first half - high tempo and constant pushing forward - will be interesting to see how he does. I thought the Pats keeper was questionable but very early days to be fair.

[placid casual]

We won the league by 16 points and 11 points in the last 2 seasons. Are you suggesting Rovers obliterate the league by increasing their urgency.
The style of play Bradley and mgmt team have adopted is a patient, pass pass pass, method which grinds teams downs physically by moving them around the pitch and then waits for lapses in concentration.
Rovers have a squad that will look to peak around July (I hope) so don't expect them to be top of the league in the first few months. Presume Derry will start well. Hard to know about dundalk or bohs.
Pat's look capable, but they'll never, ever win a league with Forrester in the middle. He lacks the mentality, in my view.
Eoin Doyle will bang in the goals for them, and as mentioned above the keeper looked a bit dodge last night

[SeanDrog]

We won the league by 16 points and 11 points in the last 2 seasons. Are you suggesting Rovers obliterate the league by increasing their urgency.
The style of play Bradley and mgmt team have adopted is a patient, pass pass pass, method which grinds teams downs physically by moving them around the pitch and then waits for lapses in concentration.
Rovers have a squad that will look to peak around July (I hope) so don't expect them to be top of the league in the first few months. Presume Derry will start well. Hard to know about dundalk or bohs.
Pat's look capable, but they'll never, ever win a league with Forrester in the middle. He lacks the mentality, in my view.
Eoin Doyle will bang in the goals for them, and as mentioned above the keeper looked a bit dodge last night

You see them a hell of a lot more than me so I appreciate the perspective - just my observations in a few games. The point tally is fact as you outlined but I do honestly think the squad is good enough to have a much wider margin (it’s a compliment :) )

[2 Year Contract]

Pat's look capable, but they'll never, ever win a league with Forrester in the middle. He lacks the mentality, in my view.

Forrester left Bohs 10 years ago, so any Bohs instilled losing mentality is long gone by now ;) He’s already got a league winners medal and 6 cup medals with Pats to date so questioning his winning mentality is a pretty strange take

[2 Year Contract]

Decent game last night, was good to be back. Pats should’ve been 2 or 3 nil up at half time with some big chances from the two Doyles missed as well as a wonder save from Mannus and a goal line clearance. Rovers were as poor as I’ve seen them play against pats in a long time. Mandroiu's effort in the first half was the only proper chance they created in the entire game (goal was a gift). Took their penos well though in fairness. Once it hit full time I’d a feeling we’d lose the shootout based on the law of averages, I’m pretty sure that’s the first shootout pats have lost since a 2012 league cup game against rovers in Richmond

[Candystripe]

Waterford 1-1 Derry. Game was on in Abbotstown earlier today.

Derry also drew 1-1 with Bray yesterday in Abbotstown.

[joey B]

Harps beat Longford 2-1 in Bishopgate

[Kingswood Rover]

Wind made the game really difficult. Rovers were not great by any means and settling on a core of 9 or 10 fixed starters is going to be the challenge for Bradser this season. Some of defensive passing out was poor but the wind has to be considered it was very strong and somewhat across. Pats looked good and on last nights performance have to be in with a shout. Kinda glad we were poor thb as it will give the team a sense of wow we need to up our game.

[Martinho II]

Harps beat Longford 2-1 in Bishopgate

Ryan Graydon scored a belter of a goal to equalise. Heard that the wonderfully named Ronald McDonald got the winner for Harps. Wasnt at game but one of lads was!

[oriel]

Dundalk 1-2 Drogs Jim Malone Cup

I couldn't make this game, but heard DFC were dreadful and Drogs were worthy winners.

Overall our pre-season has been less than impressive to say the least, 2 wins v Cobh and Galway both away, that was it really as the plus points, lost to Bohs, Waterford and last night to Drogs.

[D24Saint]

I couldn't make this game, but heard DFC were dreadful and Drogs were worthy winners.

Overall our pre-season has been less than impressive to say the least, 2 wins v Cobh and Galway both away, that was it really as the plus points, lost to Bohs, Waterford and last night to Drogs.

Not every new squad hits the ground running. It could take your new set up time to gel. Have Drogs won the Malone cup in recent years ?

[oriel]

Drogs first win since 2014. Look, its a re-build job for DFC no doubt about that after the mess than P6 caused.

I think most fans are happy that its back to local owners in StatSports and Andy Connolly, also his brother returned last week too (see below), so good structures back and club will be in good shape.

However I think it will take until 2023 for the team to challenge, stronger squad to assemble, and this season will be more a case of stabilising, but most will be happy with this, at least it will be enjoyable to look forward to going to oriel park again with a positive mood around the club.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/connolly-returns/

[joey B]

Glebe North beat Bohs 2-1,I don’t put much stock in friendly results but that’s a surprising one a week out from the new season…

[EatYerGreens]

Glebe North beat Bohs 2-1,I don’t put much stock in friendly results but that’s a surprising one a week out from the new season…

Makes you wonder what the score would've been had they faced the whole of Glebe, rather than just the north.