Weekend 17th of May to 20th May

[mcgonigle]

Sickener to lose to a late shot ( Duns only chance) and ironically possession was lost by JB

One more chance than Rovers had...

Jack Byrne was very poor, looks a shadow of the player he was.

[TonyD]

No immediate Stephen Kenny bounce for Pats then. Thought there wasn’t much in the game, Derry maybe slightly edged it. Would like to see the goal from a good angle as it looked like it may have been offside, though not possible to really tell from where I was. Don’t know why he changed the team from last week. We need two upfront I think.Not fair to ask Mason Melia to lead the line on his own. He was basically muscled out of it by the Derry/defence tonight.

[nigel-harps1954]

Wouldn't mind seeing the peno again. I thought it was correct but our players were quite annoyed and Andy Myler behind me said he thought we'd gotten the ball first, and it was the Harps player who was slightly late and that's what the ref gave

Draw probably fair overall I think. Harps played us well on the counter like Cobh last week, but at least we had enough in us to create chances this time. All made for a decent game. Either team could have nicked it at the end too

And good to see Finn back - that'll cheer sbgawa up after the Dundalk news this evening :)

How come only five on the bench for Harps btw?

Harps properly down to bare bones. First choice keeper, right back, centre back, left back and winger all missing.

Nine players from a first team squad of 23 were missing tonight through injury or illness.

Considering we had a 17 year old, 18 year old, two 19 year old and a 20 year old all starting tonight and had to fill the bench with a 16 and 15 year old, we done well to get a point at all.

[Shinkicker]

We’ll be fine…. Just need to get our best players back and match fit …. Sickener to lose to a late shot ( Duns only chance) and ironically possession was lost by JB …. But he played 90mins , Farrugia looks so threatening when he came on and McEneff looked like a smooth Rolls Royce in the few mins he played… Burke also fit again…. Grace, Towel ,Gaffney, O’Neill , Burns , Poom ,Watts & Hoare still missing , we’ll have most back over next three weeks - then you’ll see there’s nothing wrong
Didn't see the game but you say Duns only had one chance,, you are lucky they didn't have two or it could have been worse

[oriel]

Christ - Dundalk take the lead against Rovers

Don't care how many injuries Rovers have - that's appalling stuff...

I enjoyed it and icing on the cake when heard Drogs conceded 2 in last few mins to lose, maybe there is a way out..........................

[oriel]

Didn't see the game but you say Duns only had one chance,, you are lucky they didn't have two or it could have been worse

I think that's correct, 1 proper shot on target, live score shows 2 but must been a tame effort, plus neither keeper made a save, amazing but we'll bank the points, read online thats 6 home wins v last 8 v Rovers, remarkable really.

[kksaints]

No immediate Stephen Kenny bounce for Pats then. Thought there wasn’t much in the game, Derry maybe slightly edged it. Would like to see the goal from a good angle as it looked like it may have been offside, though not possible to really tell from where I was. Don’t know why he changed the team from last week. We need two upfront I think.Not fair to ask Mason Melia to lead the line on his own. He was basically muscled out of it by the Derry/defence tonight.

Think Redmond was playing the Derry player onside. Disappointing result and I think Kenny will be left in no uncertain terms about his work for the rest of the season. There's a few too many players underperforming that need a bit of tough love. Derry were good mind you, the midfield in particular did very well.

[Knocklyonhoop]

Been a while since I’ve seen such a poor performance from Rovers. Dundalk didn’t do,anything but took their chance. Was like we felt entitled to 3 points cos,they were bottom so put in no effort. Let’s hope they realise soon that we have to go and win it..

[Nesta99]

Still laughing PC?

[Jack B]

Daft league! How are you meant to call it week by week. Kenny literally had one training session so can't judge anything really, he changed shape/personnel slightly and the game was fairly even, but it feels like most games we've had this season have been close games we've come out on the wrong side of by the odd goal. Glass half full side of that is there's fine margins in the results but in all honesty I feel like there's a noticable lack of balance in the squad and certain players are retaining their places on reputation rather than merit right now. Aaron Bolger on his own this season has been better than Lennon and Forrester combined yet has barely seen any minutes, meanwhile someone like McEleney comes on for Derry and proves to be the difference maker within a few minutes.

Onto Monday for more self-inflicted trauma.

[placid casual]

Still laughing PC?

All the way to the bank Nesta.
If only your team could play Rovers every week eh!
Not sure it's a result that will save you from the drop but I pessimistically thought Rovers would get a point and look where that ended up

[WoodquayBoy]

Galway have made 6 subs tonight according to FAI Connect, Flashscore, their own Twitter page.

One of them a concussion sub or is there miraculous late turnaround win going to be for nothing and a win awarded to Drogs?

Nothing untoward at all, it’s because of new concussion rules. Will Davis of Drogheda involved in a horrible clash of heads and had to come off due to concussion. Teams are allowed an extra sub for a concussion injury but the opposition also get an extra sub to balance things. Officials knew the rules and so did Galway United - and Gaxha was the 6th sub and sent in the cross for the winner.

[dundalkfc10]

All the way to the bank Nesta.
If only your team could play Rovers every week eh!
Not sure it's a result that will save you from the drop but I pessimistically thought Rovers would get a point and look where that ended up

Once we get a decent manager in, and get 2 or 3 decent forward players (every single forward thinking player apart from Benson we have is shocking including Horgan) we will be fine in my opinion

Haven't conceded a goal in Oriel in 6 games, just need to be better in final third

[joey B]

Looking at the table and the fact they’re best striker has just left you’d think Sligo could be bother,they’re away 4 of the next 5 weeks aswell including to Derry and Shels….

[Nostradamus]

Once we get a decent manager in, and get 2 or 3 decent forward players (every single forward thinking player apart from Benson we have is shocking including Horgan) we will be fine in my opinion

Haven't conceded a goal in Oriel in 6 games, just need to be better in final third

Horgan is such a strange one to me, almost looks like he is on a completely different wave length to his teammates a lot of the time. Honestly I think he would look much better with better players around him.

[Kiki Balboa]

We’ll be fine…. Just need to get our best players back and match fit …. Sickener to lose to a late shot ( Duns only chance) and ironically possession was lost by JB …. But he played 90mins , Farrugia looks so threatening when he came on and McEneff looked like a smooth Rolls Royce in the few mins he played… Burke also fit again…. Grace, Towel ,Gaffney, O’Neill , Burns , Poom ,Watts & Hoare still missing , we’ll have most back over next three weeks - then you’ll see there’s nothing wrong

What game were you looking at?

Rovers whole gameplay was give the ball to Jack Byrne, who turned, and hit it long into the channel. Could not belive how inept rovers were. Dundalk missing this years two best performers too.

Bradley simply outclassed as a coach by Liam Burns.

[ToberonaTornado]

Doyler had two shots from range last night,both just fizzed past the post (pohls lost track of one,I think he was expecting the net to burst for the 2nd one) shams only shot on target was easily gathered by Munro.dundalk looked comfortable soaking up any shams pressure. The goal came from jack Byrne dwelling to long and not releasing a pass fast enough in mf- the goal by mounts celebrated by a cacophony of noise as dundalk fans exhaled the frustration of a torrid week at op and knowing that Drogs had been beat by Galway's late,late goals in weavers park.

What a wild and wonderful league competition we're having

[CorribsideSteve]

What a win for Galway. Really went for it at 2-1 down but Drogheda imploded faster than the Oceangate submarine.

[dundalkfc10]

What game were you looking at?

Rovers whole gameplay was give the ball to Jack Byrne, who turned, and hit it long into the channel. Could not belive how inept rovers were. Dundalk missing this years two best performers too.

Bradley simply outclassed as a coach by Liam Burns.

Exactly Worth we were missing our two best players this season in High and Benson (and our first choice keeper!) along with Oostenbrink, Keane, Mahon out too that's 5 midfielders gone. Poor Rovers with their injury crisis has Burke, McEneff and Farrugia on the bench

[ger121]

Dundalk looked like being 8 points adrift at the bottom as both games went into the red and next thing they are only 3 points behind. That really could be huge in the context of the season. 6 clean sheets at home is also something to build on. They are far from done yet.

[Nesta99]

All the way to the bank Nesta.
If only your team could play Rovers every week eh!
Not sure it's a result that will save you from the drop but I pessimistically thought Rovers would get a point and look where that ended up

but what about the image of he league? The champions beaten by a 3 legged donkey in reverse/ Go on admit you were sickened and just have your nose stoicly in the air rathers than the usual in ignorance!

That Rovers ownership question by the way, any answer yet?

[Shearer]

Treaty deserved more than a point away to Ramblers in truth.

[oriel]

Dundalk looked like being 8 points adrift at the bottom as both games went into the red and next thing they are only 3 points behind. That really could be huge in the context of the season. 6 clean sheets at home is also something to build on. They are far from done yet.

Just a pity we can't play Rovers and Bohs at home again soon, mad to think that's our only two wins, but joking aside the 6 clean sheets at home (on the trot and all following the freak 0-5 v Sligo) and overall home form should (hopefully) be enough to get out of trouble. But one swallow and all that......................

[pineapple stu]

Worth noting that home form you want to lift you out of trouble was a minute away from five blanks at the other end.

Though I suppose if it works for Galway...

[joey B]

Treaty deserved more than a point away to Ramblers in truth.

Excellent goal from you aswell last night…..

[placid casual]

Just a pity we can't play Rovers and Bohs at home again soon, mad to think that's our only two wins, but joking aside the 6 clean sheets at home (on the trot and all following the freak 0-5 v Sligo) and overall home form should (hopefully) be enough to get out of trouble. But one swallow and all that......................

its was a deserved victory for dundalk last night, but yeah if you can back it up with a victory next week then it will certainly start to look a little rosier for your chances of staying in the divison.
I hadnt realised until now that mata has left sligo, so maybe thats a bad omen for them, and drogs looked to my eyes like the worst team i've seen this season(alongside rovers themselves of course!), so maybe there is hope for you.

[Shinkicker]

I think that's correct, 1 proper shot on target, live score shows 2 but must been a tame effort, plus neither keeper made a save, amazing but we'll bank the points, read online thats 6 home wins v last 8 v Rovers, remarkable really.
When you are bottom of the league you take any points in any way you can. Dundalk have wins v Bohs and Rovers that says there is something there, getting it consistently is the next thing. The club upheaval is probably a factor too. Get the boardroom issue sorted and get a new manager quickly and it could be a turning point. The way other teams are dropping points a good run could put you in the mix for Europe, but it has to happen sooner rather than later.

[brendy_éire]

No immediate Stephen Kenny bounce for Pats then. Thought there wasn’t much in the game, Derry maybe slightly edged it. Would like to see the goal from a good angle as it looked like it may have been offside, though not possible to really tell from where I was. Don’t know why he changed the team from last week. We need two upfront I think.Not fair to ask Mason Melia to lead the line on his own. He was basically muscled out of it by the Derry/defence tonight.

Agree with that, we were the better side, but needed a bit of luck to get the win.
Brandon Kavanagh's shot cleared close to the line by McJannet was a huge moment.
Two matches in a row now, our subs made the difference. Patrick McEleney's pass for the goal was gorgeous, and calm finish from McMullan.

Only downside is that Hoban picked up another yellow, so he'll be due a suspension. Not sure if that's automatically in place for Monday night in Tallaght?

[da bishop]

Good point for Treaty in Cobhs new patch last night and deserved draw for both,Cobh well on top first half going in ahead at half time though goal poorly defended by Treaty defence .Armshaws introduction changed the game for Treaty,super goal to level it created by Armshaws run and cross.Positives are difficult to find when you havent won in 13 ,however second half performance will lift spirits albeit short term.

[2 Year Contract]

Agree with that, we were the better side, but needed a bit of luck to get the win.
Brandon Kavanagh's shot cleared close to the line by McJannet was a huge moment.
Two matches in a row now, our subs made the difference. Patrick McEleney's pass for the goal was gorgeous, and calm finish from McMullan.

Only downside is that Hoban picked up another yellow, so he'll be due a suspension. Not sure if that's automatically in place for Monday night in Tallaght?

Yeah that’s all fair. A shame Kavanagh's effort didn’t make it over the line with Maher beaten, brilliant block on the line by McJannet. I was majorly impressed by the way Derry played out from the back and dealt with Pats high press with ease particularly in the first half. By comparison that same high press in Tallaght last week won the ball back more often than not with the major difference being, once Pohls was pressed he lumped the ball into the stands nearly every single time where as Maher had the ability/confidence to pick out a pass in midfield nearly every time which allowed Derry out

[ToberonaTornado]

Agree with that, we were the better side, but needed a bit of luck to get the win.
Brandon Kavanagh's shot cleared close to the line by McJannet was a huge moment.
Two matches in a row now, our subs made the difference. Patrick McEleney's pass for the goal was gorgeous, and calm finish from McMullan.

Only downside is that Hoban picked up another yellow, so he'll be due a suspension. Not sure if that's automatically in place for Monday night in Tallaght?

If Derry could get Duffy, Pat McEleney and Hoban in a starting xi for a sustained period they'd run away with the league. All 3 so unfortunate with injuries

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Looking at the table and the fact they’re best striker has just left you’d think Sligo could be bother,they’re away 4 of the next 5 weeks aswell including to Derry and Shels….

Max wasnt even pulling up any trees for us but still a loss when we’ve a small squad and a good few injuries. Would have taken 8th at the start of the season if offered and nothing has changed since.

[Another Bohemia]

If Derry could get Duffy, Pat McEleney and Hoban in a starting xi for a sustained period they'd run away with the league. All 3 so unfortunate with injuries

If Rob Cornwall didn't get injured in the first game of the season Bohs might have performed better early on and Declan Devine might still be in a job.

If Clarke and Farrugia were consistently available maybe Rovers would be more consistent and running away with the league like they should be.

Every team in the league has what if scenarios and it baffling to me that Derry and Higgins get so much benefit of the doubt when it's long known that McEleney and Duffy are injury prone and Hoban is starting to get up there in age and injury profile. It is a shame for the players for sure but if you were to put money on any players getting injured for extended periods of time those 3, Clarke and Farrugia would be among the favourites.

[Stuttgart88]

Bradley simply outclassed as a coach by Liam Burns.Bradley is getting out -thought by a lot of other managers imho. Galwayand Waterford recently in particular, but it goes way back too. I've always felt Rovers play "technically sound football by numbers" but no variety and showing the same vulnerabilities for years - conceding in transition in particular, but we also struggle to break down deep lying blocks. Both Dundalk goals against us this year have come from being stupidly dispossed deep in our own half. We simply make far too many mistakes too. Shels, Pats, Dundalk x 2, Waterford have all scored against us from utterly brain dead stuff.

That said, I think we played a good last 25 mins or so. McEneff played the Gary O'Neill role well, Farrugia looked dangerous. With ourt best players on the field we look good.

Big one tonight. A must-avoid-defeat game for Rovers. I still think we're the only team capable of going on a 8 wins out of 10 type run. A draw tonight still means being top(ish) going into the last quarter of the season is realistic, but losing would make that tough.

[sbgawa]

"a must avoid defeat" at home to a poor Derry side is a fair enough comentary on how bad we have been this season and how our expectations have fallen.
My fear is our season could be over by Friday and before people start talking about coming from 9 or 12 points behind isnt impossible it is a dream when by Friday we could have 6 wins from 18 matches.
That isnt a run of bad form that is half a season of underperfoming.
Please God we pull it out tonight and Friday but if we make Group stages which we need to Financially then id hate to see thios squad on a league run in and playing in Europe.
We may end up having to throw every European match will be a great look for the league..

Heres hoping the lads turn up , theyve done it before when the chips were down

[Kiki Balboa]

"technically sound football by numbers"

To be fair, this is a big problem for all of Irish football right now, as shown by European games. Kennys time as national manager was this on bland steroids.

[placid casual]

I think a Rovers win tonight will just quietly reinforce the point to potential rivals that finishing above us should win you the league.
6 points at the of this week is Rovers very much back in form, 4 points would be grand, 3 points ok, but 2,1 or god forbid 0 points from the next 2 games means the problems are persisting.interesting times ahead.

[Bunny Kelly]

Is Hoban suspended tonight? I think he got his fifth yellow on Friday but I can't see anything about him being out

[Calcio Jack]

"a must avoid defeat" at home to a poor Derry side is a fair enough comentary on how bad we have been this season and how our expectations have fallen.
My fear is our season could be over by Friday and before people start talking about coming from 9 or 12 points behind isnt impossible it is a dream when by Friday we could have 6 wins from 18 matches.
That isnt a run of bad form that is half a season of underperfoming.
Please God we pull it out tonight and Friday but if we make Group stages which we need to Financially then id hate to see thios squad on a league run in and playing in Europe.
We may end up having to throw every European match will be a great look for the league..

Heres hoping the lads turn up , theyve done it before when the chips were down

With a hugely depleted squad … we’re first for goals scored, chances created, passes made & possession…. Our critical problem is number of goals conceded ( due to Grace and O’Neill being absent).

So imo the lads who’ve been available have ‘turned up’ - as the sick bay empties I’d expect us to start motoring from this week on

[sbgawa]

I hope you are right and this team have dug it out before when needed but with half a season gone you ant be complaining about injuries, we signed the players.

[pineapple stu]

Is there any concerns over training or strength and conditioning? Sounds like another thing that could contribute to an abnormally large injury list

[Nesta99]

There is bad luck and then there is poor S+C work. Whether an injury is a reoccurance or a new injury happening is a bit of an indication. Year on year, same players out with different S+C an medical depts then they are just crocked and should be looking at surgery if at all possible - long term out but when back should be more robust rather than in and out of sides and cameo appearances toward the end of the season racking up 10 appearances or so.

[Another Bohemia]

Is there any concerns over training or strength and conditioning? Sounds like another thing that could contribute to an abnormally large injury list

I asked this ages ago and didn't get an answer and in fairness it's probably a difficult one for the average fan to know but one thing that struck me as odd was that towards the end of his time at Bohs it was widely known that Burt was carrying an injury and his training was pretty limited between games as well as his availability for game. When he signed for Rovers it didn't seem come to light for them that he was carrying an injury until after the start of the season? It got to the point it was rumoured he was unhappy after the move to Rovers. I think for all the good Rovers do with the academy side of things their first team medical staff and s&C probably need to be reviewed because none of what's happening to them is an anomaly and it can't solely be due to the players.

[placid casual]

As you rightly point out, it's hard for the average Rovers fan to answer if the S&C dept at Rovers is responsible for the unusually large number of injuries this season. Bradley did intimate that the injuries received this season are mostly "contact" injuries,but also stressed that the % of availability (72% apparently) this season is being investigated to get to the sources of the issue. We'll see what comes of it. As Calcio rightly points out, it's the loss of Grace and O'Neill from the 1st team that's the root of our below expected results this season,it's just that the flair players normally get all the headlines. Grace was Rovers POTY last season for a reason.

[Another Bohemia]

As you rightly point out, it's hard for the average Rovers fan to answer if the S&C dept at Rovers is responsible for the unusually large number of injuries this season. Bradley did intimate that the injuries received this season are mostly "contact" injuries,but also stressed that the % of availability (72% apparently) this season is being investigated to get to the sources of the issue. We'll see what comes of it. As Calcio rightly points out, it's the loss of Grace and O'Neill from the 1st team that's the root of our below expected results this season,it's just that the flair players normally get all the headlines. Grace was Rovers POTY last season for a reason.

Is it just this season though? I feel like the narrative around Rovers the last few seasons has been at some point there is an "injury crisis". Now maybe this year is worse but it seems to be a recurring theme. Now Rovers being champions will usually means more games than most clubs but they haven't been especially far in the FAI cup the last few years & while Europe is certainly a factor other teams can and do manage it better with fewer resources. That's why I would view it as a medical team or S&C issue.

[Stuttgart88]

Is there any concerns over training or strength and conditioning? Sounds like another thing that could contribute to an abnormally large injury listDefinitely imho. It's common every season.
Arsenal used to have terrible injury problems (Wenger era), all muscular, now the same 15 players play every game and at a higher intensity than a few years ago.

I have a vague recollection of seeing an article recently "Was X a fraud?" referring to Arsenal's old S&C coach. Not sure who he was.

[Stuttgart88]

As you rightly point out, it's hard for the average Rovers fan to answer if the S&C dept at Rovers is responsible for the unusually large number of injuries this season. Bradley did intimate that the injuries received this season are mostly "contact" injuries,but also stressed that the % of availability (72% apparently) this season is being investigated to get to the sources of the issue. We'll see what comes of it. As Calcio rightly points out, it's the loss of Grace and O'Neill from the 1st team that's the root of our below expected results this season,it's just that the flair players normally get all the headlines. Grace was Rovers POTY last season for a reason.Farrugia was contact.

Grace - muscular
Towell - muscular
Watts - muscular
Byrne - not sure but seemed muscular/ligament related
Hoare - not sure (though not a key injury imho)
McEneff - probably an injury prior to joining
Gaffney - muscular I think
Clarke - muscular (and 2 or 3 times)
O'Neill - muscular (quad)

Something fishy there. Towell and Watts just pulled up after innocuous runs.

[brendy_éire]

Is Hoban suspended tonight? I think he got his fifth yellow on Friday but I can't see anything about him being out

Presumably so? I'd guess it's just automatic, and clubs know the story. Nothing from the FAI publicly, mind.

[mcgonigle]

Presumably so? I'd guess it's just automatic, and clubs know the story. Nothing from the FAI publicly, mind.

It's automatic, happened Dundalk with Bradshaw. Booked against Shels on the Friday, missed the Drogheda match on the Monday.

[joey B]

Late late late win for Shelbourne,not the start SK and Pats were after…..