Weekend 23rd, 24th Feb

[sbgawa]

Premier Division (All 19:45)

Friday 23rd

Drogheda v Waterford
Dundalk v Galway
Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers
St Pats v Bohemians

Saturday 24th

Sligo v Derry

First Division (All 19:45)

Friday 23rd

Cobh V Athlone
Finn Harps v Cork
Kerry v Bray
UCD v Treaty
Wexford v Longford

[sbgawa]

Rovers will be anxious to get the season started properly with a win but Tolka isnt where id be happy to go looking for it.
Assuming Clarke, Farrugia, McAneff, Pico and JAck B are all out (Maybe Burke back) i'll be traveling in hope rather than expectation.
Rovers already 1 point better off than last season, its all over when you think about it :)

Sligo v Derry will be interesting as will all the matches i suppose at this early stage.
First division not looking such a cakewalk for Cork after 1 round with UCD and Athlone looking decent , big test for Cork going up to Harps nd will maybe give Harps a good feel for where they are in relative terms.

[joey B]

Will be a good test for us after good start,unfortunately our squad is stretched massively already with 4 probable starters injured before Saturday,1 injured early on in the game the last night and our best player from last year AWOL and seemingly not for coming back,I’d take a narrow defeat if we get everyone through it unscathed….

[El-Pietro]

Torn between watching City on LOI TV or heading to the Cross to watch Cobh. Leaning towards the live football.

[2 Year Contract]

Torn between watching City on LOI TV or heading to the Cross to watch Cobh. Leaning towards the live football.
How long are Cobh playing there for?

[Calcio Jack]

Rovers will be anxious to get the season started properly with a win but Tolka isnt where id be happy to go looking for it.
Assuming Clarke, Farrugia, McAneff, Pico and JAck B are all out (Maybe Burke back) i'll be traveling in hope rather than expectation.
Rovers already 1 point better off than last season, its all over when you think about it :)

Sligo v Derry will be interesting as will all the matches i suppose at this early stage.
First division not looking such a cakewalk for Cork after 1 round with UCD and Athlone looking decent , big test for Cork going up to Harps nd will maybe give Harps a good feel for where they are in relative terms.

Bradley clearly stated last week that he’d expect Burke,Byrne, Towell and Kenny to be fit for this Friday and McEneff to most likely be available .

[Nesta99]

O'Donnell and Dundalk players that were around last season have some atoning to do from the cup game in ED Park last year. Its too early to really tell but we showed some fight and doggedness in the 2nd half in Tallaght compared with last seasons brittleness and tendency to capitulate. JC will hae Galway fired up with most of the players that hammered Dundalk still there. I dont envisage it being one for the purists as we find our feet as a team and well the Galway management's preference for the agricultural. 1st home game of the season so seeing if Dundalk fans can or will step up by attending the game will be woorth watching. There was a real disconnect between the team and the fanbase last season, wasnt helped by the club, or some performances so maybe with some fight and more football braking out as the weeks progress then a bounce in crowds could spread to Oriel....unless its raining, or too cold, or too hot...

[nigel-harps1954]

Given the depth of injuries at Finn Park, as alluded to by Joey B, I'd bite your hand off for a draw this week.

Conor Tourish, Kevin Jordan, Sean O'Donnell, Ryan Rainey, and now Aaron McLaughlin would all be expecting to be starting, or near the starting XI this Friday night if they were fit. On top of that, you've a goalkeeper who played his first competitive game in 7 months on Saturday, the sub goalkeeper off on international duty, and the departure of Ryan Flood last week unexpectedly, we're already down to the bare bones in an already small squad, with two very tough games against Cork and Athlone ahead.

[El-Pietro]

How long are Cobh playing there for?

I think its the first 3 or 4 games but could be extended depending on how the work goes at Colmans Park. They have tickets up for sale for the first three games right now.

[sbgawa]

[QUOTE=Calcio Jack;2177671]Bradley clearly stated last week that he’d expect Burke,Byrne, Towell and Kenny to be fit for this Friday and McEneff to most likely be available .[/QUOTE

He also said last week that Jack might make the dundalk game. Messing with other managers heads is part of the game. I'd be surprised if anyone who didn't figure starts next week having not been for for the bench this week. Hopefully unary right. Burke best chance I reckon

[Martinho II]

Torn between watching City on LOI TV or heading to the Cross to watch Cobh. Leaning towards the live football.

Are Ramblers doing much remidial work to their ground?

[Buckett]

New astro and floodlights

https://cobhramblers.ie/st-colmans-park-upgrade/

[Martinho II]

New astro and floodlights

https://cobhramblers.ie/st-colmans-park-upgrade/

Stephen Ireland blast from the past!

[joey B]

Wexford and Longford Town postponed tomorrow due to a waterlogged pitch.

[Longfordian]

Wexford clearly afraid of the hammering they were about to get.

[culloty82]

Tomorrow already feels like being a key game for Kerry, in that with last week having effectively been a "free hit", this will be the first occasion where expectations will have been raised from last season, due to the new signings and an actual pre-season. A draw will be the minimum return demanded, even if Bray tend to be unpredictable even to their own fans!

[oriel]

Dundalk need to back up a surprisingly very decent performance and result away to Rovers, with a win at home to Galway, this won't be easy as they will be direct, as all JC teams are.

I still fancy us to win 1 or 2-0, Galway are without their main striker, red card last week, but they won't make it easy that's for sure.

Interesting game at Drogs who are home to Waterford, hard to call that one, but one things for sure, our county cousins won't lose too many at home.

Pats should exploit Bohs weakness in defence, but will need to work hard too you'd imagine.

Shels v Rovers, another hard one to call, Rovers will prob grind out another draw, and same next week before eventually starting to win games in March and pull into the top 2 !!

[Calcio Jack]

Dundalk need to back up a surprisingly very decent performance and result away to Rovers, with a win at home to Galway, this won't be easy as they will be direct, as all JC teams are.

I still fancy us to win 1 or 2-0, Galway are without their main striker, red card last week, but they won't make it easy that's for sure.

Interesting game at Drogs who are home to Waterford, hard to call that one, but one things for sure, our county cousins won't lose too many at home.

Pats should exploit Bohs weakness in defence, but will need to work hard too you'd imagine.

Shels v Rovers, another hard one to call, Rovers will prob grind out another draw, and same next week before eventually starting to win games in March and pull into the top 2 !!

Byrne, McEneff, Pico, Clarke and Farrugia all missing so agree a draw most likely

[redarmyfaction]

Dundalk need to back up a surprisingly very decent performance and result away to Rovers, with a win at home to Galway, this won't be easy as they will be direct, as all JC teams are.

I still fancy us to win 1 or 2-0, Galway are without their main striker, red card last week, but they won't make it easy that's for sure.

Interesting game at Drogs who are home to Waterford, hard to call that one, but one things for sure, our county cousins won't lose too many at home.

Pats should exploit Bohs weakness in defence, but will need to work hard too you'd imagine.

Shels v Rovers, another hard one to call, Rovers will prob grind out another draw, and same next week before eventually starting to win games in March and pull into the top 2 !!

Just looking at Betfair and ye look a price @ 6/5 to 5/4ish, we are knocking on the door of 7/2 and seeing Derry haven't won here the last 2 seasons we might have a squeak, another home team at a slightly bigger price than us are Shels who might be value if Shamrock are slow out of the box again this season, though in both our cases the prudent bet is on the lay side at bits on.

[brendy_éire]

we are knocking on the door of 7/2 and seeing Derry haven't won here the last 2 seasons we might have a squeak

Sligo definitely do. The most pleasing wins we can get are away to Sligo and Drogheda. Poor records in both grounds. I know past records shouldn't count for much, but they seem to. Usually a goal would settle this match, but doubt it'll be as higher scoring as the 5-4 win for Sligo in pre-season.
Sold out away allocation for Saturday, presume the home allocation will sell out too?

Potential for a lot of draws in the other PD. Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk are close both even money, but wouldn't be tempted at those prices.
Will also be keeping an eye on Harps-Cork. Have Harps now moved their KOs to 7:45 instead of 8:00 for this season?

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Don’t think it’s sold out yet but expecting a big crowd

FAI made Harps change kick off time. Not sure why when Shams still play at 8.

[culloty82]

Can't imagine 15 minutes would make much difference to travel times for the away fans, at any rate!

[Stuttgart88]

Rovers already 1 point better off than last season, its all over when you think about it :)Was it not 1-1 in Sligo to open last season? Late Pico red card for next to nothing and very late equaliser. Psychologically though that was a point lost whereas last week was maybe a point gained!

What will the pitch be like? A heavy pitch will suit Shels more I'd say. It's been bucketing down in London all week so I suspect similar at home.

[nr637]

So much to look forward to this weekend for series 2 in the Airtricity League.
The obvious fixtures that stand out are the two Dublin derbies. Both games will attract full capacities to Richmond Park & Tolka Park of around 5,000+ with over 1,000 allocation taken up by both Bohs & Shamrocks. Great noise, atmosphere and colour generated by both sets of fans will be part of the attraction.
Can't wait! :)

[nr637]

How long are Cobh playing there for?

I think the club estimated the first three home fixtures, hopefully the new state of the art 3D pitch will be available by the end of March. :confused:

[LTFC]

Drogheda sold out for home fans, not sure about Waterford fans.
Dundalk and SLigo have tickets for home fans still on sale, although Sligo had 2500 sold by Monday so could be very close to full.

[Nesta99]

Drogheda sold out for home fans, not sure about Waterford fans.
Dundalk and SLigo have tickets for home fans still on sale, although Sligo had 2500 sold by Monday so could be very close to full.

Capacity of Oriel is between 4 and 5k, will definitely be nowhere near selling out!!! Stand will already have been. 1st home game i'll go with 3100 as a top end estimate as there seems to be a small enough travelling support. Realistic estimate of 2800 and some change.

[TonyD]

So much to look forward to this weekend for series 2 in the Airtricity League.
The obvious fixtures that stand out are the two Dublin derbies. Both games will attract full capacities to Richmond Park & Tolka Park of around 5,000+ with over 1,000 allocation taken up by both Bohs & Shamrocks. Great noise, atmosphere and colour generated by both sets of fans will be part of the attraction.
Can't wait! :)

Heading to Richmond later. Looking forward to it. Hopefully 3 more points.

[placid casual]

So much to look forward to this weekend for series 2 in the Airtricity League.
The obvious fixtures that stand out are the two Dublin derbies. Both games will attract full capacities to Richmond Park & Tolka Park of around 5,000+ with over 1,000 allocation taken up by both Bohs & Shamrocks. Great noise, atmosphere and colour generated by both sets of fans will be part of the attraction.
Can't wait! :)

Your cheery disposition is most welcome, though I cynic might suggest that implies your not long in LOI!!:).
A point tonight in tolka will be fine for Rovers I feel, before our inevitable loss at home to drogs next week...

[NeverFeltBetter]

Off to the Bowl tonight. The UCD ticket site lists the game as starting an hour later than it actually is, but I have a feeling there won't be too many latecomers.

[sbgawa]

As expected none of Burke byrne towell or Kenny start , Byrne not even on bench. I'd take a point happily

[El-Pietro]

Very small crowd at the Cross tonight. Hard to estimate as everyone is essentially in the Donie Forde but I would be surprised if it's more than 500.

Pitch is cutting up early as well after a fair bit of rain this week. It's likely going to be very rough by the time Cobh are out of here

[Calcio Jack]

Rovers sleepwalking through first 15 mins , Shels missed a peno and now one score to go one up- way worse than last years start , at least then we were playing well , so far we look like a disinterested mid table outfit….

[Calcio Jack]

Shels now two up and deservedly so- worst performance by Rovers in years , absolutely embarrassing the lack of effort and clueless hoofing

[CorribsideSteve]

Beautiful headed goal by Aodh Dervin. Dundalk 2 down inside 30 mins

[sbgawa]

Very poor by Rovers but 100% expected tbh. Take Burke byrne farrugia and Clarke out of our team and we are 100% bang average.

[SkStu]

This is nearly as mad as that thing about the loaves and the fishes, Ted.

[redarmyfaction]

Shels now two up and deservedly so- worst performance by Rovers in years , absolutely embarrassing the lack of effort and clueless hoofing

It occurred to me earlier that after all the success the last few years it might be hard to get ye motivated.

[culloty82]

Thunder and lightning at Mounthawk Park.

[Calcio Jack]

It occurred to me earlier that after all the success the last few years it might be hard to get ye motivated.

Hoare off injured and replaced by Burke - suddenly we’re a different team and unlucky not of pulled at least one back - should be a decent second half

[NeverFeltBetter]

Even enough at the Bowl. UCD making more chances though. Don't see Treaty scoring. Good crowd, Treaty fans making all the noise.

[RealJohn91]

Bohs fans throwing fireworks and flares at our own players. Shameful night for the club.

[redarmyfaction]

Dundalk very lucky to be keeping it looking respectable.

[CorribsideSteve]

They're lucky to still be at a full compliment. Nasty shin high tackle on McCormack a few mins ago that wasn't even seen to be a yellow with the referee mere yards away.

[culloty82]

Certainly an eventful game in Kerry - after the resumption, Nathan Gleeson is dismissed with two yellows, but then Kevin Williams gives us the lead!

[redarmyfaction]

Bad night all over on Louthside, Drogs 4-1 down.

[El-Pietro]

Cracking second half at the cross. Two great goals, Connolly floating a shot into the top corner from outside the box for Athlone and Dale Holland hitting a low drive from 20ish yards at the other end.

[SkStu]

The Bohs title charge is on.

[SPXcyan]

A comfortable victory for the Blues tonight, 1-4 it finished, we looked thoroughly comfortable throughout the park and Drogheda simply had no clue how to play against us.
Very happy with the result/performance in the end, be a tough one next week against Galway however, a real challenge.

[redarmyfaction]

The referee tried his very best for Shamrock tonight, 2 minutes Fergie time on top of the original 6.