Weekend 1st to 4th of March 2024

[Jack B]

We have been astonishingly poor, increasingly so by the game.

Friday against Dundalk should be a fun one. The job security derby at this rate.

[sbgawa]

And now Burke is off.
Good to see Pico back at least.
Bottom of the league with Dundalk .
Still think we will climb out though but got tonget lucky with injuries going forward

[Jack B]

We have been astonishingly poor, increasingly so by the game.

Friday against Dundalk should be a fun one. The job security derby at this rate.

And yeah not to mention despite wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt initially I think Pitaluga looks well on course to be potentially the worst keeper we've ever had.

[sbgawa]

And now Burke is off.
Good to see Pico back at least.
Bottom of the league with Dundalk .
Still think we will climb out though but got tonget lucky with injuries going forward

And my prediction of climbing out of it didn't take long :)

[Nesta99]

Could be worse, there's a fine view of Longford and Athlone down here! Remember tradition trumps all....signigs, players, injuries, nope its about the tradition of not being relegated since whatever year!

[kksaints]

Terrible performance. Waterford were well worth the win. Can't believe how bad we were in the 2nd half, awful awful football, loads of aimless balls to no-one. Shocking from the keeper for Waterford's 2nd, thought at first he dropped because he was hit by the falling defender but he had dropped it before then, his kicking was really poor also. But some of our more experienced players need to take a long look at themselves after tonight also. Forrester was dreadful, his shocking defending cost us the first goal and he was non-existent for the second half. Joe Redmond was poor for the third and has looked a bit out of form so far this season. Really, really bad stuff so far from us.

[joey B]

Enjoyed the Rovers/Derry game,both teams tried their best to play on a really heavy pitch,Higgins will be tearing his hair out not to win though,I think he had every CB he has on the pitch at the end and still conceded from a high ball into the box,fine header from Poom all the same…..

[SwanVsDalton]

Annoying. If the last couple of years told us anything, it's that we need every single result. Having said that coming from behind twice to get four points against tough opponents - particularly in Tallaght - is very encouraging.

The league looks like it's going to be dog-eat-dog so eight points from 12 and no defeats with five injured midfielders - you'd take it.

[sbgawa]

Jaysus just saw the pats keeper in Waterford. What was he even thinking??

[redarmyfaction]

Should be another full house in the Showgrounds on Saturday.

[D24Saint]

Terrible performance. Waterford were well worth the win. Can't believe how bad we were in the 2nd half, awful awful football, loads of aimless balls to no-one. Shocking from the keeper for Waterford's 2nd, thought at first he dropped because he was hit by the falling defender but he had dropped it before then, his kicking was really poor also. But some of our more experienced players need to take a long look at themselves after tonight also. Forrester was dreadful, his shocking defending cost us the first goal and he was non-existent for the second half. Joe Redmond was poor for the third and has looked a bit out of form so far this season. Really, really bad stuff so far from us.

Absolutely shocked how awful we are so far. The tactics are a disgrace, no effort to play football its national league stuff.

[Calcio Jack]

Seems that the effort in Tallaght was a blip, we are in trouble already imo!!

Indeed just the usual case of a team raising their game against us

[sbgawa]

Jesus dundalk keeper for the third was potentially worse

[vinnie]

Ref in Rovers v Derry was poor, Lee Grace should have been given second Yellow in first half for putting his hand on Refs chest, gave out yellows for nothing, thought Derry peno was soft but If we got it I wouldn't complain, Derry goal was very obvious hand ball, but again you take what you get, Poom's equalizer was all down to Burns, but overall it was a tight game, Derry played better but the ref ruined it

[pineapple stu]

Dundalk making four subs by the start of the second half says a lot

Also made six in total - concussion sub one of them?

[ger121]

That 2nd goal we conceded from a Weir free kick not far from the halfway line was a joke. Not a single touch and in it goes. As for Grant’s defending for the first… We’d be worse off this season if it was not for Clarke.

[Thewhitepele]

Enjoyed the Rovers/Derry game,both teams tried their best to play on a really heavy pitch,Higgins will be tearing his hair out not to win though,I think he had every CB he has on the pitch at the end and still conceded from a high ball into the box,fine header from Poom all the same…..

Tuned in to the coverage after our game. I thought VM did a good job, gave plenty of time to analyse the game and showed highlights from around the league. Much better than RTE.

[Nesta99]

Indeed just the usual case of a team raising their game against us

I know the feeling well! All those Burke red cards busting a gut to get a result against a formerly dominant Dundalk is proof positive that teams do indeed try harder, too hard at times, to turn over the top ranked side in the country. CJ its as old as football itself all over, not just Shamrock Rovers....:D:D I could understand if you had just won a 1st league in a long time like 4 years ago or so, but after 4 in a row you should be used to this, not moaning about any side that makes an effort against you. As I have said before, you really have stepped in to the Cork fan breach - are teams allowed tackle against Rovers these days?Maybe thats why all the starmen are crocked...

[D24Saint]

Tuned in to the coverage after our game. I thought VM did a good job, gave plenty of time to analyse the game and showed highlights from around the league. Much better than RTE.

totally agree. It seemed to be great coverage I dipped in and out from LOI TV but afaik they dedicated over three hours to the match.

[total hoofball]

Shels cleanly top of the Premier Division for the first time since the final whistle of the final night of the 2006 season, after the long interval of those years I'll take that after 4 games into the season especially as we haven't been great in any of the 4 games

Almost a carbon copy of the Sligo match Galway most of the ball but they had nothing in the final third and we dug out another 3 points. We are defending way too much so won't be able to keep that up too many physical battles and poor ball retention will catch up with us maybe the improved pitches as the season goes on will suit our style

Galway are now on of three teams along with Waterford and Sligo we have played tipped to be in a relegation battle and all 3 teams have looked well ok for Premier Division level I really think this may be the tightest Premier Division possibly ever from 3rd right down 10th and nobody is safe

[placid casual]

Difficult to assess which is worse the standard of goalkeeping in the league or the continued malignancy that is LOI officiating.
None of our creative players are now available with Burkey gone with a suspected hamstring issue, which is just dandy. Shels league to win it seems.

[The Bowler]

Pats look awful. Joe Redmond looks half the player he was last season. Keeper is pants. Inexplicably let Lonnergan go on the cheap (for second time!). Forrester cruising around like he doesn't give a rats. Shocking work rate all over the park. Seems like the cup win gone to their heads and they were all on the beer amd pies for the winter. Trouble ahead.

[Calcio Jack]

I know the feeling well! All those Burke red cards busting a gut to get a result against a formerly dominant Dundalk is proof positive that teams do indeed try harder, too hard at times, to turn over the top ranked side in the country. CJ its as old as football itself all over, not just Shamrock Rovers....:D:D I could understand if you had just won a 1st league in a long time like 4 years ago or so, but after 4 in a row you should be used to this, not moaning about any side that makes an effort against you. As I have said before, you really have stepped in to the Cork fan breach - are teams allowed tackle against Rovers these days?Maybe thats why all the starmen are crocked...

Think you’re losing the plot….. I’ve never moaned about any side making an effort against us …. I did before make the point that my view is that for the last 50 plus seasons I’ve been following Rovers , teams always seem to raise their game against us no matter what our league position was and has nothing to do with whether we were the dominant team at any given time ( albeit more often than not we were))

you previously mentioned that wasn’t the case and then as now went off on a tangent about us not wanting to be challenged , tackled etc. and now you are saying that lesser sides do raise their game against the ‘dominant’ team

So my earlier post this evening after you’d suffered your second heavy home defeat since playing us was a ‘tongue in cheek’ comment supporting/proving my view which it does emphatically.

[D24Saint]

Pats look awful. Joe Redmond looks half the player he was last season. Keeper is pants. Inexplicably let Lonnergan go on the cheap (for second time!). Forrester cruising around like he doesn't give a rats. Shocking work rate all over the park. Seems like the cup win gone to their heads and they were all on the beer amd pies for the winter. Trouble ahead.

I’d be more of the opinion that the players aren’t buying into the system and are somewhat disillusioned with the system the manger is forcing on them. The keeper is very green.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Bad night weather wise but only 1600 in Oriel tonight doesn’t augur well as they were an absolute shambles tonight.

Great for us to get our first win all the same and for Chapman and Max to get off the mark. Certainly look a better proposition then last season but injuries killed us last season and with the small squad if that happened again things could change for the worse but we’ll enjoy nights like tonight.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Dundalk making four subs by the start of the second half says a lot

Also made six in total - concussion sub one of them?

I think the centre half was probably off with concussion. Took a knock to the head before half time.

[joey B]

Sligos third goal this evening has to be seen to be believed,it’s Sunday league like in how bad it is,very embarrassing…..

[TonyD]

Jaysus just saw the pats keeper in Waterford. What was he even thinking??

Yeah he was dreadful. Then I saw the Dundalk keeper for Sligos second ( I think it was the second ?) and realised it wasn’t even the worst goalkeeping howler of the night. !

[Nesta99]

Think you’re losing the plot….. I’ve never moaned about any side making an effort against us …. I did before make the point that my view is that for the last 50 plus seasons I’ve been following Rovers , teams always seem to raise their game against us no matter what our league position was and has nothing to do with whether we were the dominant team at any given time ( albeit more often than not we were))

you previously mentioned that wasn’t the case and then as now went off on a tangent about us not wanting to be challenged , tackled etc. and now you are saying that lesser sides do raise their game against the ‘dominant’ team

So my earlier post this evening after you’d suffered your second heavy home defeat since playing us was a ‘tongue in cheek’ comment supporting/proving my view which it does emphatically.

You not moaning CJ is like a Rovers fan that loves the Kilcoynes - its simply incompatable! You have indeed made this same point on multiple occasions over the years and certainly believe that it is a phenomonen unique to Shamrock Rovers - it isnt. You have indeed moaned about it being unfair - it isnt. Yes I have had a good laugh at such comments in the past and I liken it to how outraged Cork fans got when others dared try to play against them, tackle etc. and that you fill the void beautifully. Out of interest, if it isnt a moan, what is it, a passive observation over 50 years win lose or draw?

[Calcio Jack]

You not moaning CJ is like a Rovers fan that loves the Kilcoynes - its simply incompatable! You have indeed made this same point on multiple occasions over the years and certainly believe that it is a phenomonen unique to Shamrock Rovers - it isnt. You have indeed moaned about it being unfair - it isnt. Yes I have had a good laugh at such comments in the past and I liken it to how outraged Cork fans got when others dared try to play against them, tackle etc. and that you fill the void beautifully. Out of interest, if it isnt a moan, what is it, a passive observation over 50 years win lose or draw?

One man’s observation is another ones moan…. I’ll leave it at that

[placid casual]

If only the FAI would just let dundalk play Rovers every week.

[pineapple stu]

Or even let Rovers play Dundalk every week? :p

[Another Bohemia]

Bohs looked lost last night, like they had no real game plan so we resorted to hoofing the long ball more often than not. Team selection was odd as well. Connolly not starting is malpractice as he's the only winger actually creating chances at the minute. Starting Miller out wide is like sticking James Clarke out there, it makes no sense, he's not a winger he's a cm. I'd nearly forgive the bad defending for the 2nd goal if stuff like that wasn't happening throughout last season as well. This team has some individual talent that is masking a lot of poor coaching and game planning. So credit to Adam McDonnell who is involved in every phase of the game, James Clarke who is easily our best player and covering the terrible build up play by popping up with goals at regular and sometimes important intervals and Dylan Connolly for actually beating a man and putting in a cross to the box. Now don't get me wrong I think there are other good players in the Bohs squad the pair of McManus' both look to be good ball retaining midfielders that are important when you don't bypass the midfield with a long ball. Cian Byrne has played well as our only CB to start every game especially given his age and relative lack of experience but I don't think they will be able to overcome the bad management that they are currently under. Cheers for the effort you've put in Declan but it's time to say good-bye.

[Jd2793]

forrester was disgraceful for waterfords 1st goal. no defending that from a guy of his experience.

[placid casual]

Or even let Rovers play Dundalk every week? :p
Well that doesn't make any sense. don't think we can draw our way to the title

[brendy_éire]

Enjoyed the Rovers/Derry game,both teams tried their best to play on a really heavy pitch,Higgins will be tearing his hair out not to win though,I think he had every CB he has on the pitch at the end and still conceded from a high ball into the box,fine header from Poom all the same…..

Yes, poor goal to concede. At the very least, he shouldn't have been given a free header. He'll be annoyed, but a goal down with 20 minutes to go, he'd have taken a draw.
Entertaining game overall. First half could have finished 2-2. I think it was a foul for the penalty, but you don't always see them given. Grace was lucky to stay on the pitch. Not sure what he was thinking putting his hands on the ref, then there was that dive in the second half. Didn't see the handball for our second, but maybe that evens things out.
Thought Burns was excellent all night, caused us real problems. Ben Doherty, my player of the season last year, hasn't been great for the past two games. Maybe it's just a blip, but he's been caught out for two goals in the past two games.

The Tallaght pitch was probably in the worst condition I've seen it. Is it just weather-related, or is it being used for often these days? It's usually immaculate.
On the attendance, we commented that it seemed low, but it's still over 4k for a miserable Monday night in March. Just an indication of how far the League has come in the past few years.

[oriel]

Jaysus just saw the pats keeper in Waterford. What was he even thinking??

Wait till you see ours, was so bad taken off at HT and wasn't injured !

Seemingly Dundalk's biggest league (non FD, even typing that is bad as there was another) defeat in OP since 1955. It was a horror show.

[WeAreRovers]

Yes, poor goal to concede. At the very least, he shouldn't have been given a free header. He'll be annoyed, but a goal down with 20 minutes to go, he'd have taken a draw.
Entertaining game overall. First half could have finished 2-2. I think it was a foul for the penalty, but you don't always see them given. Grace was lucky to stay on the pitch. Not sure what he was thinking putting his hands on the ref, then there was that dive in the second half. Didn't see the handball for our second, but maybe that evens things out.
Thought Burns was excellent all night, caused us real problems. Ben Doherty, my player of the season last year, hasn't been great for the past two games. Maybe it's just a blip, but he's been caught out for two goals in the past two games.

The Tallaght pitch was probably in the worst condition I've seen it. Is it just weather-related, or is it being used for often these days? It's usually immaculate.
On the attendance, we commented that it seemed low, but it's still over 4k for a miserable Monday night in March. Just an indication of how far the League has come in the past few years.

Very entertaining game, both sides going for it. Very little doubt that they will be the top two sides this year. Derry second goal a definite handball but we didn't take our chances so left ourselves open to that. Pitch was heavy due to the recent weather, will be back to its best soon I'd hope.

Was very amused to read the comments about the 'low' attendance - 4,800 on a crappy Monday night is a brilliant crowd in anyone's language.

[Another Bohemia]

Bohs looked lost last night, like they had no real game plan so we resorted to hoofing the long ball more often than not. Team selection was odd as well. Connolly not starting is malpractice as he's the only winger actually creating chances at the minute. Starting Miller out wide is like sticking James Clarke out there, it makes no sense, he's not a winger he's a cm. I'd nearly forgive the bad defending for the 2nd goal if stuff like that wasn't happening throughout last season as well. This team has some individual talent that is masking a lot of poor coaching and game planning. So credit to Adam McDonnell who is involved in every phase of the game, James Clarke who is easily our best player and covering the terrible build up play by popping up with goals at regular and sometimes important intervals and Dylan Connolly for actually beating a man and putting in a cross to the box. Now don't get me wrong I think there are other good players in the Bohs squad the pair of McManus' both look to be good ball retaining midfielders that are important when you don't bypass the midfield with a long ball. Cian Byrne has played well as our only CB to start every game especially given his age and relative lack of experience but I don't think they will be able to overcome the bad management that they are currently under. Cheers for the effort you've put in Declan but it's time to say good-bye.

To add to this I just watched the interview with Devine from after the game. I don't know who he's trying to blame for the poor performance whether it's the coaches or the players but I found myself thinking throughout that it wasn't a good look for him because whether it was the players not executing a solid plan or the coaches giving the players incorrect instructions in the build up to the game is irrelevant as he's the manager. He oversees it all and as myself and others have mentioned the issues from last night were visible last year as well so what's he been doing to try to resolve it? It's now 2 groups of players (3 if you want to count the last few games he came in for at the end of the 22 season) that have shown the same soft underbelly and lack of cohesion.

[ontheotherhand]

Yes, poor goal to concede. At the very least, he shouldn't have been given a free header. He'll be annoyed, but a goal down with 20 minutes to go, he'd have taken a draw.
Entertaining game overall. First half could have finished 2-2. I think it was a foul for the penalty, but you don't always see them given. Grace was lucky to stay on the pitch. Not sure what he was thinking putting his hands on the ref, then there was that dive in the second half. Didn't see the handball for our second, but maybe that evens things out.
Thought Burns was excellent all night, caused us real problems. Ben Doherty, my player of the season last year, hasn't been great for the past two games. Maybe it's just a blip, but he's been caught out for two goals in the past two games.

The Tallaght pitch was probably in the worst condition I've seen it. Is it just weather-related, or is it being used for often these days? It's usually immaculate.
On the attendance, we commented that it seemed low, but it's still over 4k for a miserable Monday night in March. Just an indication of how far the League has come in the past few years.

Very fair assessment. Grace was lucky. We got no luck last season early doors in terms of cards but we've done OK so far this season.

More to come from both sides but it was more entertaining than I expected given the weather. We had a few passengers and I'm really not sure why we didn't use our subs more. Letting Burke play himself to a cramp was ridiculous. Something must have been up with our other options.

Still struggling badly without the wingbacks. Weak defensively on either side and relying on Burns and Burke to create a bit of magic.

Agree on the crowd. Almost 5000 in that weather with it on the TV. About 250 from Derry Id say? Fair play. Long way to go when the game might have been called off.

On the pitch, the snow took its toll I think. There were puddles all over it over the weekend. It usually drains well so that tells you how much it got hit.

Hope you enjoyed the trip anyway.

[D24Saint]

Wait till you see ours, was so bad taken off at HT and wasn't injured !

Seemingly Dundalk's biggest league (non FD, even typing that is bad as there was another) defeat in OP since 1955. It was a horror show.

Friday should be interesting, both clubs have really struggled so far. Its starting to look like the America trip will be an unnecessary distraction when it comes.

[brendy_éire]

Was very amused to read the comments about the 'low' attendance - 4,800 on a crappy Monday night is a brilliant crowd in anyone's language.

Think you missed my point there. It did seem low, but only because it's usually higher lately. It's a great crowd for a Monday night, and would have been almost unthinkable just a few years ago. It just shows how much the League has grown in appeal.

[outspoken]

Think you missed my point there. It did seem low, but only because it's usually higher lately. It's a great crowd for a Monday night, and would have been almost unthinkable just a few years ago. It just shows how much the League has grown in appeal.

Also, it looks worse now because of how massive Tallaght is, stadium was over half empty.

[sbgawa]

South stand and main stand sold out for the bohs match on 29th of March. No idea how many tickets we are giving Bohs but assuming 500 seat kills for security we could be looking at a record tallaght crowd for a league match