Games Friday 12th to Monday 15th May

[sbgawa]

So ...big games tonight.
Hopefully Rovers can take the 3 points against Pats who seem to be responding to the interim manager.
Hugely interesting game in Derry , Dundalk on the back of 4 wins would be a good scalp for Derry but ditto for Dundalk.
A win puts Dundalk firmly into joint second a loss and they are mid table with Shels / PAts and a few tough matches coming up

Trevor Clarke is suspended which is a pity given he is in a rih vein of form but Farrugia didnt play against UCD so i guess he will come in

[pineapple stu]

No mention of how Colm Whelan's doing in the previews I see - any Derry fans got any update?

Not sure if the silence is good or bad... Coleman's injury was the same night but we've long gotten word as to when he's likely to be back

[Stiof]

No mention of how Colm Whelan's doing in the previews I see - any Derry fans got any update?

Not sure if the silence is good or bad... Coleman's injury was the same night but we've long gotten word as to when he's likely to be back

Still no news...

From here: https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/james-mcclean-told-would-need-29980775

But Higgins is still waiting to know the full extent of striker Colm Whelan’s knee injury amid growing fears of a second cruciate injury in 12 months.

Higgins added: “I’m not spinning you a load of nonsense, there’s no real clarity and there might not be for a couple of weeks.

“He has been to see the specialist again and they’re coming up with a plan. I don't know what the plan is. It's a bit inconclusive at the minute, so we just have to wait.”

[total hoofball]

Not legendary but they looked competitive and dangerous throughout the game and I wouldn't put it down to us playing poorly as I would with others games we conceded or dropped points in. They just looked like the best team we've played. Maybe Tallaght just suits them as it did Dundalk at one point.

Shels should probably get a bit of the same credit from us. They've consistently played well against us and Moylan has levelled them up. Some run they are on now. Best they've had since 2003 I think I heard? Any Shels fans know?
In the Premier Division this current 8 game unbeaten run is our best run since our title winning team back in 2006 when we went on a 9 game unbeaten run that season including 8 consecutive wins, for all competitions and First Division I would have to do some digging

This seasons unbeaten run started off with a really poor 0-0 draw away to UCD in April it was the first game under Duff some boos started but the performances since that game have been mostly excellent efficient with a huge workrate all across the starting XI, we're not brilliant by any means but we're a stubborn team to win any points off

[Nesta99]

I think you fancy me Nesta. I'm very flattered.

Oh its your love of Dundalk FC that has me completely enamoured PC!

[joey B]

Rovers better hope Mannus isnt out for too long......

[Jack B]

We must be the best team to have played in Tallaght since the famous Sligo team of 2023.

Shame we're so soft.

[Knocklyonhoop]

Ye were decent tonight alright if a little naive at times but that’s young players. Great game and atmosphere and best Monday night in Tallaght this season.

it’s mad what’s happened to Sligo since that match. Genuinely, they were brilliant that night!

[placid casual]

Scoreline flattered pats.
A mad deflection and some woeful keeping was your only attempts on goal.
As for Eoin Doyle... Mrs Doyle would have been more dangerous.
Ref was awful for both teams.
Onwards.

[Philosophizer]

Very enjoyable game tonight in Tallaght. Deserved win for Rovers. I happened to be sitting beside an Aberdeen scout in the west stand who was watching Farrugia and Sam Curtis.

[D24Saint]

Very enjoyable game tonight in Tallaght. Deserved win for Rovers. I happened to be sitting beside an Aberdeen scout in the west stand who was watching Farrugia and Sam Curtis.

Scottish clubs won’t pony up the cash LOI clubs are after. I remember Hibs thinking they could get Burns for Mickey Mouse money when he had time left on his contract. We got more from Mk Dons when it had only six months left.

[Philosophizer]

Scottish clubs won’t pony up the cash LOI clubs are after. I remember Hibs thinking they could get Burns for Mickey Mouse money when he had time left on his contract. We got more from Mk Dons when it had only six months left.
Glad to hear it. With the growing attendances and a bit more stability at LOI clubs now they should only accept proper offers.

[2 Year Contract]

Went to Tallaght expecting to see Pats get pasted but the performance was a lot better than expected, although that doesn’t make the kick in the face any easier to take. As mentioned defensive nativity is a real killer at the moment and Joe Redmond's long term injury has had a major effect on the team and was made worse by Tom Grivosti's 2 month injury also but it’s good to have him back now at least.

[ontheotherhand]

We must be the best team to have played in Tallaght since the famous Sligo team of 2023.

Shame we're so soft.

You've a long way to go to reach the heights of the Sligo team of 8pm-10pm, April 28th, 2023 Jack.

Decent performance by Pat's all the same but you're obviously missing Desmond at the back and probably need to find a good striker. Midfield options all looked pretty good but weren't getting much help from either end. Lennon was very good and Forrester is lovely to watch when on song.

Thought we controlled most of the second half and probably would have been more comfortable if not for Gaffney and Burke having their worst games in a long time. Thankfully Richie stepped up and put in another great performance. It was like watching prime Towell from his Dundalk days. Great to see so thank you to the Pat's fans for winding him up!

Curtis has so much talent but his naivety showed on a few occasions. I wonder would you be better off with a more experienced right back or perhaps he was just a bit exposed without Desmond in there?

Is Daly doing enough to be considered for the job?

[Candystripe]

One of the easiest wins for Derry city tonight, Dundalk will struggle to get top four.

[FTA-1895]

In the Premier Division this current 8 game unbeaten run is our best run since our title winning team back in 2006 when we went on a 9 game unbeaten run that season including 8 consecutive wins, for all competitions and First Division I would have to do some digging

This seasons unbeaten run started off with a really poor 0-0 draw away to UCD in April it was the first game under Duff some boos started but the performances since that game have been mostly excellent efficient with a huge workrate all across the starting XI, we're not brilliant by any means but we're a stubborn team to win any points off

I think there was also a win against Dublin City that was expunged in the middle of that run in 2006.

We had a number of long unbeaten runs in the first division over the years since then which I think were all over ten games at least, including off the top of my head in 2008 (twice), 2009, 2011, 2019 and the longest I can think of is the 2021 which we were unbeaten in the first two rounds of fixtures until Galway beat us so probably 18 games.

[Jack B]

You've a long way to go to reach the heights of the Sligo team of 8pm-10pm, April 28th, 2023 Jack.

Decent performance by Pat's all the same but you're obviously missing Desmond at the back and probably need to find a good striker. Midfield options all looked pretty good but weren't getting much help from either end. Lennon was very good and Forrester is lovely to watch when on song.

Thought we controlled most of the second half and probably would have been more comfortable if not for Gaffney and Burke having their worst games in a long time. Thankfully Richie stepped up and put in another great performance. It was like watching prime Towell from his Dundalk days. Great to see so thank you to the Pat's fans for winding him up!

Curtis has so much talent but his naivety showed on a few occasions. I wonder would you be better off with a more experienced right back or perhaps he was just a bit exposed without Desmond in there?

Is Daly doing enough to be considered for the job?

Clancy by his own admission was well backed but the recruitment has been poor really. Very few new additions would be getting into the team at all were it not for injuries, and while you're right regardless about Desmond, more currently Redmond being out is killing us at times. Think we've conceded the most goals in the top 8 and it's no coincidence that he and Grivosti have been missing for a large chunk of the season. Curtis has an extremely high ceiling but by the nature of his age will make mistakes, but you can apply that to McGrath (who had a bit of a shocker for the 3rd) and Lewis too so there hasn't been much cover for one another.

Hard to call with Daly, he's not hurting his chances anyway. After having a single shot on target in Clancy's last three games to scoring eight in the three he's been in caretaker charge of he's at least addressed things on that front, and from what I can tell a lot of the fans have really taken to the way he speaks. Jury would still be out for me, ultimately in the three games he's been in charge of Clancy actually took more points from the corresponding fixtures and we've not exactly had convincing performances in them either. Shels on Friday should be more of an indicator with it being against a side that we're more so in direct competition with than Rovers/Drogs/Cork.

[sbgawa]

Thought the Curtis Farrugia battle last night was entertaiing.
On balance Farrugia won the battle but they are two very talented young men who have a big future in front of them

[kksaints]

Thought the Curtis Farrugia battle last night was entertaiing.
On balance Farrugia won the battle but they are two very talented young men who have a big future in front of them

Curtis had done very well on Farrugia until his clanger at the end of the 1st half. Struggled a bit at times in the 2nd half but he dealt with Farrugia fairly well bar one very costly mistake. Farrugia is class and if he stays fit he'll be on the way to the Championship soon enough although he did make one terrible error that allowed Atakayi clean through but the finish was dreadful. It's possible that he didn't expect Atakayi to be able to match his pace.

Disappointing result particularly after equalising late on. We were the better team for most of the first half until the aforementioned clanger. 2nd half was much more Rovers and the 2nd goal was coming. Then after the equaliser we just gave Rovers far too much space and they could easily have scored before the penalty. Lennon had a good game and Grivosti makes a big difference to our defence. Thought Murphy as talented as he is was outmuscled too often and Breslin had a poor game and didn't get out quick enough to close down for the 2nd goal. Eoin Doyle was dreadful also. Thought we dealt with Gaffney well and he clearly was frustrated at times.

[oriel]

One of the easiest wins for Derry city tonight, Dundalk will struggle to get top four.

Dundalk were muck last night, and based on that performance would agree top 4 will be a tough ask.

It may have been first league defeat to Derry in the last 7 games (5 draws 1 win) but after 5-10 mins last night, and from team selection it was fairly clear it would be a comfortable Derry win.

Only positive was, no more away league trips to Derry for this season !

[2 Year Contract]

Saw an interesting stat this morning in relation to last nights game. Other than UCD, shamrock have conceded the most amount of goals at home this season and other than Cork, Pats have conceded the most amount of goals away from home

[ontheotherhand]

Clancy by his own admission was well backed but the recruitment has been poor really. Very few new additions would be getting into the team at all were it not for injuries, and while you're right regardless about Desmond, more currently Redmond being out is killing us at times. Think we've conceded the most goals in the top 8 and it's no coincidence that he and Grivosti have been missing for a large chunk of the season. Curtis has an extremely high ceiling but by the nature of his age will make mistakes, but you can apply that to McGrath (who had a bit of a shocker for the 3rd) and Lewis too so there hasn't been much cover for one another.

Hard to call with Daly, he's not hurting his chances anyway. After having a single shot on target in Clancy's last three games to scoring eight in the three he's been in caretaker charge of he's at least addressed things on that front, and from what I can tell a lot of the fans have really taken to the way he speaks. Jury would still be out for me, ultimately in the three games he's been in charge of Clancy actually took more points from the corresponding fixtures and we've not exactly had convincing performances in them either. Shels on Friday should be more of an indicator with it being against a side that we're more so in direct competition with than Rovers/Drogs/Cork.

Thanks Jack. I actually meant Redmond. He's looked excellent when I've seen him. Plays like he has been around for a long time and you just looked a bit fragile at the back without him. He might have seen Towells run or death with Grace a bit better.