Matches Friday 29th March to Monday April 1st

[Buckett]

Galway Utd were solid tonight, didn't let Derry create anything. Opposition teams can call us "Route One" or "Agricultural" all they want, as a promoted team it has to be done. We got the ball down at times and played some good football too, Derry were just so poor. Fat Pat Hoban couldn't even rescue them.
I enjoyed the Derry commentary team, they had their homework done and knew the Utd players. Most commentary teams in the league have no idea of the away teams, so credit where it's due, fair play.

[placid casual]

Rovers looked woeful at the back most of the night but thankfully they were playing a bohs team who had neither talent nor heart for the fight once Rovers took control in the 2nd half. Bohs will do well to finish above galway this season if they give in that easy in their other games.
No Gaffney, Farrugia Clarke (until 10 mins to go) and no Jack Byrne(!?!?), but got the job done and I really like the look of Burns and Honohan I have to say.
Onwards to wahhherford on Monday full of easter egg Chocolate and safe in the knowledge that Dublin continues to be Green & White. Happy Easter folks!!

[El-Pietro]

We look better than everyone in the first division and we also don't look good at all.
Last two games the opposition has managed to stifle us and limit out chances.
Results are all that matters and we have some young players being developed but overall I'm disappointed so far.

[joey B]

Would Stephen Walsh be playing for Ireland if he had of converted to a striker 10 years ago ?!?!?

[Knocklyonhoop]

Some turnaround for us in second half. Thought Bohs looked ok in first with creating anything.

honestly, disappointed that wasn’t 5 or 6 in second. Bohs just gave up

[Kingswood Rover]

Rovers looked woeful at the back most of the night but thankfully they were playing a bohs team who had neither talent nor heart for the fight once Rovers took control in the 2nd half. Bohs will do well to finish above galway this season if they give in that easy in their other games.
No Gaffney, Farrugia Clarke (until 10 mins to go) and no Jack Byrne(!?!?), but got the job done and I really like the look of Burns and Honohan I have to say.
Onwards to wahhherford on Monday full of easter egg Chocolate and safe in the knowledge that Dublin continues to be Green & White. Happy Easter folks!!

Have to disagree on the woeful at the back PC, granted the 1st 3 or 4 times they played out from the keeper was dodgy but after that they were comfortable Pico was excellent, as was Grace, Cleary much improved with young Josh Honohan getting man of the match. Whats the story with Bohs being so easily out muscled especially in the 2nd half...... very un Bohs like and Jack Kenny now beginning to shine.

[Buckett]

I think Walsh is best suited to being an impact sub. He's nearing the end now so can't do 90 minutes of being a pain in the ars€. The problem for us is that Karl O'Sullivan is playing up front, he's good, can hold on to the ball and bring others into the game, but can't actually do a strikers job, which is score. We've only scored 5 goals so far. I'm absolutely buzzing that we have 10 points though!

[sbgawa]

About as comfortable a win as you an imagine. I left when the added time went up as I wanted to get away home to my lo al and celebrate with a pint. Didn't realise bohs scored until I was sitting down with a pint. Greener loves a goal against bohs. Derry choking early and shels 7 clear. It's theirs to lose from here

[legendz]

Kerry are the league's current draw specialists. 4 draws in a row. The wait for that elusive home league win continues. Away to UCD next on Monday. Will be Kerry's first game in the capital. UCD neat Longford this evening. Longford visit MH Park next Friday.

[placid casual]

They just look ropey to me KR, not switched on at all at the start of games. Pico doesn't look himself since coming back from AFCON and Cleary frankly looks a mess to me this season so far. They seem to be playing with the rightful arrogance of fourinarow winners but my little head just can't compute their lackadaisical attitude for some reason - I reckon we'll get found out big time in Europe again this year - I would definitely agree that Grace and new recruit Hononan have looked very solid.

[Calcio Jack]

They just look ropey to me KR, not switched on at all at the start of games. Pico doesn't look himself since coming back from AFCON and Cleary frankly looks a mess to me this season so far. They seem to be playing with the rightful arrogance of fourinarow winners but my little head just can't compute their lackadaisical attitude for some reason - I reckon we'll get found out big time in Europe again this year - I would definitely agree that Grace and new recruit Hononan have looked very solid.

Funny how we can all attend the same match and see things so differently as I thought Cleary was brilliant …. In fact I’d also go as far as to say Honahan was only our 4th best defender on the night!! Yet he was given the MOTM award

[sbgawa]

Think you are being a bit to negative PC. win our game in hand and we are second and playing without guaranteed starters in jack, Clarke, farrugia, mceneff, gaffney. We just need to stay in touch while we get players back fit

[WoodquayBoy]

Galway had the two best chances of the match, both created by lumped clearances that somehow caught our centre halves dozing.

Our goal came from a lumped route-one ball from Mark Connolly that was cut out and played back up the pitch, so I would not be throwing any stones in that greenhouse of yours just yet. As you said, we had 2 shots on target, ye had one (that was blocked by Walsh late in the game). Maybe we deserve a little bit more credit

[Nesta99]

Think you are being a bit to negative PC. win our game in hand and we are second and playing without guaranteed starters in jack, Clarke, farrugia, mceneff, gaffney. We just need to stay in touch while we get players back fit

A good glass half full pint sbgawa - usually you are more its not over til its over.:p

[placid casual]

Think you are being a bit to negative PC. win our game in hand and we are second and playing without guaranteed starters in jack, Clarke, farrugia, mceneff, gaffney. We just need to stay in touch while we get players back fit
I guess the point I was trying to get across was, that while it's ok to play poorly at the back when up against weak-as-pi$$ teams like boez, it won't do us any good when playing against proper team's in Europe,that's all. We definitely improved in the 2nd half tonight,but having been at every Rovers game so far this season, in my honest opinion,we've looked really poor at the back so far, particularly Pico and Cleary - I'm a massive fan of both,btw.
It's a nice position to be in all the same, god can you imagine being a boez fan :):):)

[Nesta99]

Rovers have been going through the motions for a few seasons, they need a propper challenger to push them to their full ability and then to cope with the step up in Europe. Tbh the first 45 mins now looks like Rovers taking it handy and got a rollicking at HT and then showed what they should be doing all games week in week out. I did think Rovers were much improved at the back myself though Cleary has calamity in him

[placid casual]

What's the craic with O'Donnell , Nesta. Are youse gonna fire him or what?
It's been said repeatedly since the season began but no UCD/patsy team in Premier means you'll need to keep your head above water throughout the season

[ger121]

The only thing standing between Rovers and a 5 in a row could be Shels.

Said it before the season and after it started, but we have a serious lack of quality players in that squad. I swear the defence has gotten worse since last season. Rennie has an awful lot of work ahead of him.

[outspoken]

We've taken much heavier beatings in our time but it's hard to remember a worse LTFC performance than tonight. Diabolical.

[ger121]

We've taken much heavier beatings in our time but it's hard to remember a worse LTFC performance than tonight. Diabolical.

How long will Hendo last?

[trevy]

Frustrating defeat for Waterford at RSC. 3 games in a row without a goal now so we need to figure out how to get more support to Amond up front. Ref was poor. He let Sligo Rovers waste time without showing a yellow card but sent Sligo player off for something that was barely a foul. That decision incensed their players and bench.
Keith Long was also furious that a red card wasn't shown earlier in 2nd half for a foul on Waterford player just outside the box.

[culloty82]

Kerry are the league's current draw specialists. 4 draws in a row. The wait for that elusive home league win continues. Away to UCD next on Monday. Will be Kerry's first game in the capital. UCD neat Longford this evening. Longford visit MH Park next Friday.

Looking at last season's tables and stats to compare and contrast, Shels and Bray had the most draws in 2023, with 15 and 14 respectively, but a quick scan of FAI Connect suggests neither had four consecutive stalemates, so it may be at least 2022 since anyone can match our dubious claim to fame! ;)

[2 Year Contract]

Shocking standard of football from both teams up in Drogheda last night. Must be some sort of record for most misplaced passes. Easily Jamie Lennon's worst performance in a pats shirt, constantly giving the ball away. He’s probably the most dependable player in the team so if even he’s having a night like that then you know you’re in for a long night. Pats looked totally aimless going forward

[Calcio Jack]

Decent performance by Rovers against albeit the most average Bohs team in years …. Really should have scored 5 or 6 in the second half…. Thought Dan Cleary was back to his best….. great occasion to see a proper ground full…. Downside was conceding so late and the ongoing game of WhersJack…. Getting a bit concerning that

Finally worth noting that it was heartening to see Talbot back involved ….. we may be the fiercest of rivals when it comes to football matters but I like to think that when it comes to real world off field issues the LOI community cares for its own

[redarmyfaction]

Frustrating defeat for Waterford at RSC. 3 games in a row without a goal now so we need to figure out how to get more support to Amond up front. Ref was poor. He let Sligo Rovers waste time without showing a yellow card but sent Sligo player off for something that was barely a foul. That decision incensed their players and bench.
Keith Long was also furious that a red card wasn't shown earlier in 2nd half for a foul on Waterford player just outside the box.

The Jersey pull looked a red but that said I haven't seen a replay and also we have been denied at least two more blatant ones this season at home, the actual red who knows what the ref was thinking.

Ye had lots of possession without ever looking like scoring, Among looked tired and there didn't seem to be a plan to supply him with ball.

[TonyD]

Shocking standard of football from both teams up in Drogheda last night. Must be some sort of record for most misplaced passes. Easily Jamie Lennon's worst performance in a pats shirt, constantly giving the ball away. He’s probably the most dependable player in the team so if even he’s having a night like that then you know you’re in for a long night. Pats looked totally aimless going forward

Yeah we were really poor. Agree about Jamie Lennon, really had an off night. Kian Leavy seems to start every game flying and then tails off, he still looked our most creative player last night. We were hanging on to get that point in the end, and I honestly thought Drogheda were going to score. Big improvement needed on Monday, especially with Sligo going so well, and as for next Friday against the other Rovers, I dread to think ......

[Dermobohs]

Finally worth noting that it was heartening to see Talbot back involved ….. we may be the fiercest of rivals when it comes to football matters but I like to think that when it comes to real world off field issues the LOI community cares for its own
Well said

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

The Jersey pull looked a red but that said I haven't seen a replay and also we have been denied at least two more blatant ones this season at home, the actual red who knows what the ref was thinking.

Ye had lots of possession without ever looking like scoring, Among looked tired and there didn't seem to be a plan to supply him with ball.

Was definitely a red card. No way the defenders getting back were catching him. Good defensive display from us outside of that.

[Nesta99]

What's the craic with O'Donnell , Nesta. Are youse gonna fire him or what?
It's been said repeatedly since the season began but no UCD/patsy team in Premier means you'll need to keep your head above water throughout the season

Who knows! Most are calling for him to go, who would you bring in, can they rally what is considered a very weak squad and those up to it not cutting it, does the club have the resources to take the plunge (pardon the pun). I think we are in serious trouble and league position aside are absolutes favourites for automatic relegation. I dont see where things can be turned around right now bar that clubs above us help us keep in touch and there is a great escape. I did say before season start that Id be very tempted to take 8th in advance, and so far concern has panned out.

[ger121]

Finally worth noting that it was heartening to see Talbot back involved ….. we may be the fiercest of rivals when it comes to football matters but I like to think that when it comes to real world off field issues the LOI community cares for its own

Fair play.

[SwanVsDalton]

Our goal came from a lumped route-one ball from Mark Connolly that was cut out and played back up the pitch, so I would not be throwing any stones in that greenhouse of yours just yet. As you said, we had 2 shots on target, ye had one (that was blocked by Walsh late in the game). Maybe we deserve a little bit more credit

Put your dukes down hi. I said we played muck football and didn't have a shot on target. My comment was exclusively about our dreadful defending and nothing to do with how Galway went about their business. Fair play to yis, great win, but you understand as a Derry fan that's not at the forefront of my mind at 9.45pm last night.

[Kingswood Rover]

So in the quiet afterglow of a great win for us and tbh i was nervous enough before the match about the outcome. Given the media commentary regarding Matchday income last night and it being in excess/comparative of Prizemoney for winning the cup/league and the possibility of 3/4 more 10 k crowds along with regular enough 6/7/8K ers thrown in the mix r we heading to a Rosenberg type dominance of the League. Is that healthy??? For me i think its so important that we now get counterbalance asap with Bohs being the obvious club. That pending new stadium being completed as soon as possible with the increased income stream and the massive potential that the club has then to grow can only help our league. Last night Bohs i would think could of brought another 1500 fans so the potential for this fixture still has a way to go and i think if Bohs have a 10 k stadium they would similarly easily put 9k of their fans and a 1k of ours.

[D24Saint]

Yeah we were really poor. Agree about Jamie Lennon, really had an off night. Kian Leavy seems to start every game flying and then tails off, he still looked our most creative player last night. We were hanging on to get that point in the end, and I honestly thought Drogheda were going to score. Big improvement needed on Monday, especially with Sligo going so well, and as for next Friday against the other Rovers, I dread to think ......

I’ve been a bit shocked at how flat we have been this season. After the cup win last season I thought we would kick on and at least make an attempt at the title. It’s two tough games next week and it’s hard to see us pick up two wins.

[sbgawa]

So in the quiet afterglow of a great win for us and tbh i was nervous enough before the match about the outcome. Given the media commentary regarding Matchday income last night and it being in excess/comparative of Prizemoney for winning the cup/league and the possibility of 3/4 more 10 k crowds along with regular enough 6/7/8K ers thrown in the mix r we heading to a Rosenberg type dominance of the League. Is that healthy??? For me i think its so important that we now get counterbalance asap with Bohs being the obvious club. That pending new stadium being completed as soon as possible with the increased income stream and the massive potential that the club has then to grow can only help our league. Last night Bohs i would think could of brought another 1500 fans so the potential for this fixture still has a way to go and i think if Bohs have a 10 k stadium they would similarly easily put 9k of their fans and a 1k of ours.
Ehhh we are 10 points behind and the figs circulating look very high for matchday income. 5000 season tickets means we sold 5000 others @15 avg = 75k. I don't think the chip vans paid 50k to sell chips. I'd love a rosenberg scenario BTW but we are miles off that yet

[brendy_éire]

Higgins might have liquidated whatever remaining credit he had in the bank with that muck tonight. Disgraceful showing.

Friday night was a like a flick being switched. I've been fairly sick of our style of play for a while, but the crowd's patience went on Friday night. Boos at HT and FT. The ground was pretty empty come FT. Only a goal down, but we all knew there was no chance we were scoring.
Went out for a few pints after, the chat with other fans was bordering on toxic.
If we're going to be as boring as that, we need to be winning.

Higgins is in bother, but he seems to have realised it, going by his interviews this weekend.

On Galway, fair play to them. We all knew how they would approach the game, and truth be told, should probably have won by a greater margin. They should be fine this year to stay up.

[outspoken]

Friday night was a like a flick being switched. I've been fairly sick of our style of play for a while, but the crowd's patience went on Friday night. Boos at HT and FT. The ground was pretty empty come FT. Only a goal down, but we all knew there was no chance we were scoring.
Went out for a few pints after, the chat with other fans was bordering on toxic.
If we're going to be as boring as that, we need to be winning.

Higgins is in bother, but he seems to have realised it, going by his interviews this weekend.

On Galway, fair play to them. We all knew how they would approach the game, and truth be told, should probably have won by a greater margin. They should be fine this year to stay up.

What did higgins say in interviews?

[nigel-harps1954]

Friday night was a like a flick being switched. I've been fairly sick of our style of play for a while, but the crowd's patience went on Friday night. Boos at HT and FT. The ground was pretty empty come FT. Only a goal down, but we all knew there was no chance we were scoring.
Went out for a few pints after, the chat with other fans was bordering on toxic.
If we're going to be as boring as that, we need to be winning.

Higgins is in bother, but he seems to have realised it, going by his interviews this weekend.

On Galway, fair play to them. We all knew how they would approach the game, and truth be told, should probably have won by a greater margin. They should be fine this year to stay up.

When he was appointed, there were murmurings that Paul Hegarty was brought in with a view to taking over as manager once Higgins inevitably got the boot. Might be sooner rather than later.

[Dermobohs]

Well SK refused to entertain an approach from Bohs( not too unhappy with that btw),
I reckon a billionaire owner and a free hand back in Derry would be where his eye is. Be a good fit too I’d say.

[brendy_éire]

What did higgins say in interviews?

Said it was unacceptable, his responsibility, he understood why people booed, and so on.
Also admitted we were pedestrian. He wouldn't usually come across as strong as that, which makes me think he'll have to change things.
The Derry Journal article covers most it.
https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/ruaidhri-higgins-blasts-unacceptable-derry-city-display-after-rotten-night-at-brandywell-4574771

[Knocklyonhoop]

Shame there isn’t a 3pm KO to bridge the gap between the Louth Derby and the 5pm kick offs

[pineapple stu]

Well, there's two in the First...

[Buckett]

Galway Utd v Bohs on Virgin 2 this evening, not sure what time, it's either 7:45pm or a quarter to 8

[Nesta99]

Well its was a must not lose game, 20 mins with an extra man and its a big opportunity not to drop points. May have the exact figures off but I thik it was said that there has been 17 red cards in the last 34 Louth derbies. Last 0-0 in Oriel was 1992. People critical of the ref ut I think he did most things right, I was more furstrated with players stopping expecting a whistle for well everything rather than playing the whistle - players were about to argue about something not being a free before realising the whistle hadnt been blown. Then the ref gives an arguably harsh red for a professional foul, looked like there was plenty of cover. Davies 2nd yellow incident, he was never never fouled, but kick the ball away and get carded and dont know what the first yellow was for. Both sides could have win it, neither were pressing too hard in fear of losing. Goals a problem for Dundalk and Drogheda still habitually letting good potential points slip. I think Dundalk are improving but not by nearly enough - more definisively sound recently, a bit more composed on the ball but cluseless in cutting a side open. Only an couple of key injuries from losing any of the built composure. Benson has a horrow show with the set piece.

[ger121]

There is something to be said for these earlier BH KOs. 5pm is a nice time to drag.. I mean bring the kids to a match.

[joey B]

Franz Pierrot seems to have struggled with the step up,seems to be too quick for him so far from the bits I’ve seen of him…

[culloty82]

Could do with the neighbours equalising at home to Longford, which is rather a unique position for Kerry folk to find themselves in ...

[Jack B]

Hayden Cann looks excellent for Drogheda. Hadn't seen him before Friday but he's been the best player on the pitch in both of these games.

En route to Richmond and not feeling confident in the slightest.

[culloty82]

The first goal Kerry have conceded in the first-half since the opening day, and indeed, the first time they've trailed since playing Treaty.

[sbgawa]

Terrible miss by greener for a header in the first half but rovers look better overall. Bring Clarke and honohan on for towell and poom would be my hope for second half

[CorribsideSteve]

Galway Utd v Bohs on Virgin 2 this evening, not sure what time, it's either 7:45pm or a quarter to 8
There's at least half dozen reasons to tune in, or 6 reasons.