Weekend Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th

[pineapple stu]

Shels take the lead in Tallaght

The season just got interesting. Well, interestinger anyway

[pineapple stu]

May have another keeper clanger candidate from ED Park. Ominous for the bottom 2 as things stand and especially of St Pats go ahead too.....and there we go:rolleyes:
Yep - he's palmed it into his own net, not unlike Pohls a couple of weeks ago.

1794084654477156640

[Nesta99]

Not even sure what he was trying to do, use one hand to gather it in or scoop it over the bar? Or did he assume that any attempt and the ref would just give the protected species a free...even a attempted punch that went wrong and cambe back at him you could kinda excuse.

[TonyD]

Yeah, the match preview was a painful read. Most likely a Pat's win tonight. If Bohs come out of it with a draw I'll be happy.

Pats probably good value for the lead at h/t. Bohs had a good spell leading up to their equaliser, but overall I think we’ve been better. Palmers first couple of touches were shocking, but he’s put some important challenges in and did very well to win the ball for Kavanaghs goal. Good finish too. Dalymount pitch looks very bumpy.

[Calcio Jack]

Shels take the lead in Tallaght

The season just got interesting. Well, interestinger anyway

Shels created nothing in first half … clanger from Honahan lead to a peno….. plus three of our back five gone off injured …. Rovers created a few good chances but no goals against well organised efficient Shels ( that’s meant as a compliment)

[sbgawa]

Rovers dominate the whole half hit the podt twice and go in 1 down to a stupid peno plus cleary and Clarke go off injured. Our season summed up

[Nesta99]

Byrne, Farrugia and Burke at risk yet and would be more a summing of the last few seasons when Rovers have a poor results (albeit only really exposed in Europe til now). If a persistant injury list was at Derry or Dundalk the pitch would be blamed, losing 3 players by half time and bar Clarke not ones made of glass, there has to be questions marks over s+c/medical dept at Tallaght, bad luck is occasional and this is a trend. Rovers fans will point to league wins and fair enough but it really does look like for a long time Bradley and co have been just going through the motions and if anyone (not rolling the eyes at Derry) had put in a half decent challange then Rovers would have been caught cold domestically as in European games as a seeded side.

Anyway its looking more like we need Derry and Bohs to do the effective hard yards and keep the relegation battle a little more than a 2 horse race.

[ger121]

Shels really could win the league this season. They are very hard to beat and nobody else can string any results together.

[pineapple stu]

three of our back five gone off injured
Ah that's ridiculous. There's no way that sort of injury list can be purely bad luck. There has something fundamentally wrong at the training ground.

Europe is in what - six weeks? Can Rovers afford another €2m loss from not reaching the groups? But how can they reach the groups with that sort of injury list? And if they don't win the league, they won't be reaching the groups next year either, and there's another €2m loss.

Worrying times at Tallaght. As Shels go 2-0 up and Rovers go down to ten men now.

[Calcio Jack]

Rovers dominate the whole half hit the podt twice and go in 1 down to a stupid peno plus cleary and Clarke go off injured. Our season summed up

Ref gives Shels present of a second peno and sends off Pico - their league to lose now …

[Calcio Jack]

Ah that's ridiculous. There's no way that sort of injury list can be purely bad luck. There has something fundamentally wrong at the training ground.

Europe is in what - six weeks? Can Rovers afford another €2m loss from not reaching the groups? But how can they reach the groups with that sort of injury list? And if they don't win the league, they won't be reaching the groups next year either, and there's another €2m loss.

Worrying times at Tallaght. As Shels go 2-0 up and Rovers go down to ten men now.

We’re Rovers so cycles come and go but we always prosper in the long as we’ve shown over last 100 years ; disappointing times but not worrying …. Anyway league not over …. Yet

[ger121]

Ah that's ridiculous. There's no way that sort of injury list can be purely bad luck. There has something fundamentally wrong at the training ground.

Europe is in what - six weeks? Can Rovers afford another €2m loss from not reaching the groups? But how can they reach the groups with that sort of injury list? And if they don't win the league, they won't be reaching the groups next year either, and there's another €2m loss.

Worrying times at Tallaght. As Shels go 2-0 up and Rovers go down to ten men now.

They sign a lot of crocks in my opinion but for sure something not right with player management. As a result they can’t get any sort of settled side which kills any chance of building some form and momentum.

Derry doing Derry so can’t capitalise but Shels are. Don’t think Rovers will get away with it again this year.

[sbgawa]

With our budget this is an absolute shambles. No excuses about injuries the league is over half over.
We keep signing injury prone players and then bemoaning our luck with injuries.

[ger121]

We’re Rovers so cycles come and go but we always prosper in the long as we’ve shown over last 100 years ; disappointing times but not worrying …. Anyway league not over …. Yet

Someone replied to me recently saying your Sugar Daddies won’t be putting more money into the club. As PS has said, losses will mount without GS football this year. No CL next year and they could be even higher. I’d be getting worried if I was a Rovers fan.

[Nesta99]

Ref gives Shels present of a second peno and sends off Pico - their league to lose now …

This kind of sums up Rovers in general atm CJ, pointing the finger at the ref tonight, little evidence of taking responsibility, lack of luck, no obvious leadership when needing to rough it etc. Rovers with their squad and resources should be cantering along, occasional bad results at most. Not single figure wins almost half ways through the season. This isnt begrudgery or revelling in a Rovers loss, its more resentment tbh that the potential of SRFC isnt being maximised for whatever reason and wishing that potential is my club or every LoI club. 4 in a row has papered over whatever cracks there are and that is risking a longer legacy, potentially chucking away the sort of position Dundalk were not so long ago. While it may not happen, the financial risks Stu has mentioned above shouldnt be a real possibility. If I was a cynical person Id be thinking that a minor stakeholder in the club has people in place that is holding something back to force a need for his stake to become 100%. But even then that doesnt account for what is a very average performance by the coaching and on field backroom set up. Complacency and arrogance wouldnt be the first ending of a dominat club and there ending up being barren periods that ae disproportionately long.


We’re Rovers so cycles come and go but we always prosper in the long as we’ve shown over last 100 years ; disappointing times but not worrying …. Anyway league not over …. Yet

Bar liquidation, relegation, homelessness of the club and a damn long wait for a cup and league win. Id have thought that you of all people CJ, who has a tantrum when its suggested that Rovers are a lucky club considering the work it took to stay in the game, that nothing should be taken for granted considering the clubs history. That you accept cycles rather than being perpetual challangers means you have forgotten...you are not prospering when generating mulimillion euro losses per year - you are careering headlong in to a boom and bust if things dont change.

[joey B]

Fully deserved win for Kerry this evening,Harps absolutely shocking….

[Peaky Blinder]

Real end of an era feel about Rovers tonight. There's clearly something not right in the background, it may be something as simple as the current coaching becoming stale or suchlike & a change being needed to freshen it up, which is harsh given the success Bradley has brought to the club, but maybe such a change is needed for his sake also.
All good things come to an end, what's important now is how the club as a whole handles the reduced revenue streams that comes with such a come down. My understanding is that this season has been budgeted for and wont break the club, but going out of europe akin to last year will see a serious reduction in budget for next year, with or without any additional investment. Talk of not making groups being an existential threat are fantasy.

[TonyD]

FFS. Another injury time goal conceded. Beyond frustrating. Bohs put a lot of balls into the box late on in fairness to them, but it looked as if we’d hold out. If fact there were a couple of opportunities to sel it on the break. Rogers just seemed to be caught out with the way the ball bounced up off the ground.

Long road ahead for the rest of the season. I suppose on the bright side we did quite well for a lot of the game, but Jesus, we need a win.

[mcgonigle]

Ref gives Shels present of a second peno and sends off Pico - their league to lose now …

Looked more like a present from Rovers with that defending. Peno all day, no complaints from any Rovers player

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

The Derry commentators are great. Pure bias and not afraid to admit it. Calling our left full Reece Wetherspoon at the end another nightlight.

Good point considering we’re down so many bodies but it was not pretty. Then again can’t be on that pitch. 2 disappointing goals to give away.

[wonder88]

Important 3 pts for Galway v Dundalk. You always worry about the new manager bounce. Sligo's result up in Derry and the draw at Dalymount shows how competitive the league is this year.

[mcgonigle]

Dundalk predictably awful tonight, away form a big problem. Unfortunately cannot play Rovers every week

[legendz]

Great result for Kerry after a difficult spell. Kerry now have more league wins than the whole of last year and also more points than the whole of last year. All within half a season!

[Calcio Jack]

This kind of sums up Rovers in general atm CJ, pointing the finger at the ref tonight, little evidence of taking responsibility, lack of luck, no obvious leadership when needing to rough it etc. Rovers with their squad and resources should be cantering along, occasional bad results at most. Not single figure wins almost half ways through the season. This isnt begrudgery or revelling in a Rovers loss, its more resentment tbh that the potential of SRFC isnt being maximised for whatever reason and wishing that potential is my club or every LoI club. 4 in a row has papered over whatever cracks there are and that is risking a longer legacy, potentially chucking away the sort of position Dundalk were not so long ago. While it may not happen, the financial risks Stu has mentioned above shouldnt be a real possibility. If I was a cynical person Id be thinking that a minor stakeholder in the club has people in place that is holding something back to force a need for his stake to become 100%. But even then that doesnt account for what is a very average performance by the coaching and on field backroom set up. Complacency and arrogance wouldnt be the first ending of a dominat club and there ending up being barren periods that ae disproportionately long.



Bar liquidation, relegation, homelessness of the club and a damn long wait for a cup and league win. Id have thought that you of all people CJ, who has a tantrum when its suggested that Rovers are a lucky club considering the work it took to stay in the game, that nothing should be taken for granted considering the clubs history. That you accept cycles rather than being perpetual challangers means you have forgotten...you are not prospering when generating mulimillion euro losses per year - you are careering headlong in to a boom and bust if things dont change.

You know what you’re right… life’s too short

[Nesta99]

You know what you’re right… life’s too short

As I now know only too well - but I'll not pop off so meekly!


Real end of an era feel about Rovers tonight. There's clearly something not right in the background, it may be something as simple as the current coaching becoming stale or suchlike & a change being needed to freshen it up, which is harsh given the success Bradley has brought to the club, but maybe such a change is needed for his sake also.
All good things come to an end, what's important now is how the club as a whole handles the reduced revenue streams that comes with such a come down. My understanding is that this season has been budgeted for and wont break the club, but going out of europe akin to last year will see a serious reduction in budget for next year, with or without any additional investment. Talk of not making groups being an existential threat are fantasy.

See PB gets it and doesnt need to storm off while spitting the dummy!

[Shearer]

Great point for Treaty who played without a recognised striker and lost Thomas Considine early on.

Local lad Darren Nwankwo returning a big plus.

[placid casual]

Well that was grim.
It's not hyperbole to say it does indeed look like the end of an era at Rovers
Shels are doing a Leicester on it in the league this year and fair play to them if it comes about. There is clearly no opposition in the league to their success built on hard work and graft.
Byrne has downed tools since hit getting his move to America last year and clearly want's no part of this Rovers team. The rest of the team look devoid of motivation which could just be the natural reaction after coasting to 4 leagues in a row. The injury situation is now beyond a farce and the management team have lost their ability to inspire them.
In the brightside, dundalk are getting relegated,so there's always that.:)

[2 Year Contract]

FFS. Another injury time goal conceded. Beyond frustrating. Bohs put a lot of balls into the box late on in fairness to them, but it looked as if we’d hold out. If fact there were a couple of opportunities to sel it on the break. Rogers just seemed to be caught out with the way the ball bounced up off the ground.

Long road ahead for the rest of the season. I suppose on the bright side we did quite well for a lot of the game, but Jesus, we need a win.

If ever a scenario was perfect for Conor Keeley's game, it was those last few minutes where Bohs were pumping balls into the box. Typically he was suspended tonight.

In other news, is there anything to be said for changing the name of this forum from foot.ie to maybe darts.ie, and nobody speaks of that other 11v11 sport ever again? Please??

[Jack B]

Terribly annoying. We tried to play a bit more against Shels and Derry and created a lot less than we did tonight, but once again just unable to see a game out because of general uneasiness at the back.

In 19 games this season I make it 3 where the margin between the teams has been greater than a goal. So many tight ones that we've just made a habit of not coming out on the right end of.

[nigel-harps1954]

Harps down an awful lot of bodies tonight, but that was a horrendous result for us.

8 of our players tonight were under 21, including a 15 year old, 17 year old, two 18 year olds and two 19 year olds, but it's no excuse for a really rotten performance.

We have a very poor record against Kerry, and it doesn't look like changing any time soon.

[Knocklyonhoop]

Disappointing to lose a game Shels ever rally threatened to win. Two mistakes, two goals.

dont get me wrong, I’m delighted with that as a Shels fan, they were solid and never looked like losing.

can point to a few games… pats away, 5 mins of madness, pen v Galway, Shels away 1st time, Pats at home. But if consistently drop silly points you don’t win the league. No way we’re pulling back 9 on Shels unless they have a monumental bottle. And they look miles away from a team who be dropping silly point s

[Kingswood Rover]

Well that was grim.
It's not hyperbole to say it does indeed look like the end of an era at Rovers
Shels are doing a Leicester on it in the league this year and fair play to them if it comes about. There is clearly no opposition in the league to their success built on hard work and graft.
Byrne has downed tools since hit getting his move to America last year and clearly want's no part of this Rovers team. The rest of the team look devoid of motivation which could just be the natural reaction after coasting to 4 leagues in a row. The injury situation is now beyond a farce and the management team have lost their ability to inspire them.
In the brightside, dundalk are getting relegated,so there's always that.:)

That was putrid stuff from Rovers more spark in a box of wet matches. Byrne slowed the game down so much that Shels were able to have a cup of tea and then get into position. Even when we were camped in the Shels half for the 1st 20 mins we never controlled midfield. We dont have a natural leader that can fight get the ball back and pass in the middle. Phols positioning for the ball over Honohan was again poor, he needs to command his box something that was also not really in Alan Manus's toolkit either. Yes we do look uninspired and the injury debate rolls on and on. Conan Noonan injected that bit of Zip that was needed and Byrne going off down the tunnel, sod off. If Duff left shels i would have in Tallaght in a heartbeat.

[Calcio Jack]

That was putrid stuff from Rovers more spark in a box of wet matches. Byrne slowed the game down so much that Shels were able to have a cup of tea and then get into position. Even when we were camped in the Shels half for the 1st 20 mins we never controlled midfield. We dont have a natural leader that can fight get the ball back and pass in the middle. Phols positioning for the ball over Honohan was again poor, he needs to command his box something that was also not really in Alan Manus's toolkit either. Yes we do look uninspired and the injury debate rolls on and on. Conan Noonan injected that bit of Zip that was needed and Byrne going off down the tunnel, sod off. If Duff left shels i would have in Tallaght in a heartbeat.

We do have a natural leader who can fight get the ball back in midfield in midfield and pass it - Gary O’Neill- his absence ( and Grace) has been a major cause of our recent dreadful run -
If Shels lost Coyle for a long period I suspect they’d suffer the same .

I think it’s now Shels league to lose - but this is where Bradley and his coaching team need to step up and show what they are made of- I’m confident they’ll give it a good go

[placid casual]

Is Bradley brave enough to bench Jack Byrne though..?
Completely agree that O'Neill is Rovers engine and his lack of availability is hurting us. Glad to see Grace back on the pitch anyway, Cleary is no loss.

[Calcio Jack]

Is Bradley brave enough to bench Jack Byrne though..?
Completely agree that O'Neill is Rovers engine and his lack of availability is hurting us. Glad to see Grace back on the pitch anyway, Cleary is no loss.

Don’t think he should bench Byrne - he’s only just back after a long layoff and clearly still ‘rusty’ but despite that some of his play has been brilliant ( through ball to Burke against Derry and pass last night that lead to chance which Kenny missed at 0-0)

[Nesta99]

We do have a natural leader who can fight get the ball back in midfield in midfield and pass it - Gary O’Neill- his absence ( and Grace) has been a major cause of our recent dreadful run -
If Shels lost Coyle for a long period I suspect they’d suffer the same .

I think it’s now Shels league to lose - but this is where Bradley and his coaching team need to step up and show what they are made of- I’m confident they’ll give it a good go

More excuses CJ? Not even PC is daring to push such bs at this stage.

As for Dundalk, it was called preseason that relegation was a real possibility, realist rather than negative observation and it is coming to pass and there are no excuses - a mismanaged club that is reaping what has been sowed and for some fans getting what they called for. Even if we overtake Drogheda at season end Id not be banking on a relegation playoff great escape. But to take a leaf out of CJs book, we have been down before and came back to win more leagues and cups after than many clubs have ever, for our entireity, as bad as things have got, we've never been liquidated and that is testament to the resilience of a club. As the late great Jim Murphy said it that this is the clubs greatest achievement of all!

* Shels will really have done it the hard road back if they win the league as I dont think they ever went the examinership route and cut lossess and are back from years of austerity rather than some form of phoenix club. Bohs I dont recall going in to examinership for all the slagging of selling things twice? For all talk of boom and bust over the years or clubs being liquidated, of 18 different league winners over 102 years agruably only St Pats, Sligo and Dundalk havent either gone in to total financial meltdown (Im sure it got close) or cut losses via examinership at some point. 8 no longer exist at all and some like Waterford, Derry, may not be directly the same club eg after European exclusion as new entities. Cork City have 1 from 3 titles as a sevco model. It is mad when put in a nutshell.

[Onapointoforder]

Harps down an awful lot of bodies tonight, but that was a horrendous result for us.

8 of our players tonight were under 21, including a 15 year old, 17 year old, two 18 year olds and two 19 year olds, but it's no excuse for a really rotten performance.

We have a very poor record against Kerry, and it doesn't look like changing any time soon.…and a “no manager” bounce for Bray

[DCSIL]

Dreadful night for Sbgawa, Rovers North lost too!

[da bishop]

Well deserved point for Treaty in TC ,defended well and tbh i was surprised how pedestrian Cork were ,lacked ideas with too many sideways pass,s.On the other hand full time or not its crazy to think that at the moment they are romping this league with what are mostly kids.14 not out for Treaty now .

[Calcio Jack]

More excuses CJ? Not even PC is daring to push such bs at this stage.

As for Dundalk, it was called preseason that relegation was a real possibility, realist rather than negative observation and it is coming to pass and there are no excuses - a mismanaged club that is reaping what has been sowed and for some fans getting what they called for. Even if we overtake Drogheda at season end Id not be banking on a relegation playoff great escape. But to take a leaf out of CJs book, we have been down before and came back to win more leagues and cups after than many clubs have ever, for our entireity, as bad as things have got, we've never been liquidated and that is testament to the resilience of a club. As the late great Jim Murphy said it that this is the clubs greatest achievement of all!

* Shels will really have done it the hard road back if they win the league as I dont think they ever went the examinership route and cut lossess and are back from years of austerity rather than some form of phoenix club. Bohs I dont recall going in to examinership for all the slagging of selling things twice? For all talk of boom and bust over the years or clubs being liquidated, of 18 different league winners over 102 years agruably only St Pats, Sligo and Dundalk havent either gone in to total financial meltdown (Im sure it got close) or cut losses via examinership at some point. 8 no longer exist at all and some like Waterford, Derry, may not be directly the same club eg after European exclusion as new entities. Cork City have 1 from 3 titles as a sevco model. It is mad when put in a nutshell.

You think my observations are bs ; sure time will tell

[Nesta99]

You think my observations are bs ; sure time will tell
but life's was too short...

[Calcio Jack]

but life's was too short...

Not sure what the above means ( nor interested.
As you clearly didn’t understand the subtlety of the previous post and also for the week that is in it:

“Sure time will tell who has fell
And who gets left behind
When you go your way
And I go mine”

[Jolly Red Giant]

FFS. Another injury time goal conceded. Beyond frustrating. Bohs put a lot of balls into the box late on in fairness to them, but it looked as if we’d hold out. If fact there were a couple of opportunities to sel it on the break. Rogers just seemed to be caught out with the way the ball bounced up off the ground.

Long road ahead for the rest of the season. I suppose on the bright side we did quite well for a lot of the game, but Jesus, we need a win.
Bohs deserved the draw - the fought right to the end of the game.

However, Melia was the one player that made the difference until he was subbed - the kid was a class above every other player on the pitch last night

[trevy]

It's good for the league to have different challengers as one team winning the league every year is boring. Shelbourne in a good position now. I've never been convinced in Higgins at Derry. He seems to do enough to keep his job but I'd expect more.
It's asking a lot for Shamrock Rovers to make up a 9 point deficit especially on current form.
Waterford being talked up as a contender for Europe and Galway as well.
Interesting league this season.

[placid casual]

Couldn't agree more, trevy,and I say that as a Rovers fan.
Both waterford and galway impressed me with their togetherness and willingness to work hard for their teams - as strange as it may seem Europe is a possibility for waterford,I think galway won't breach the top 4 ( I have €20 in them to go straight down .doh!),but they should both be safe from the relegation trapdoor.
I'd have no issues with shels finishing ahead of Rovers,if they do so it'll be richly deserved. They have the look of a Rovers team from 2019 and look hungry for success- The Rovers team looks overfed and slow in comparison.
Halfway through the season and every team has something to aim for,which makes for a stimulating league, irrespective of people's opinions on the quality or lack thereof.

[Buckett]

There's a long way to go yet, talk of Galway Utd in Europe is a bit premature. We'll see where we are a few games after the transfer window closes.
The women's side of the club, which only started last year, have been very impressive so far. All-Island cup champions last year and top of the WLOI this season. We could get a Champions League trip with them next summer!

[legendz]

Talk of European football is premature. It has been some first half of the season for Galway and Waterford. Sligo and Drogheda were always the more likely to be the most impacted by the two promoted sides doing well. Dundalk's terrible start currently looks like saving them from the drop. Daly has a lot of work on his hands there to turn that around.

[Shearer]

The women's side of the club, which only started last year, have been very impressive so far. All-Island cup champions last year and top of the WLOI this season. We could get a Champions League trip with them next summer!
Have done well. In fairness they're in the third year of their cycle with the vast majority of the last Galway WFC squad carrying over which has stood to them as has having three of Treaty United's best academy players in recent years.

[Stuttgart88]

That was putrid stuff from Rovers more spark in a box of wet matches. Byrne slowed the game down so much that Shels were able to have a cup of tea and then get into position. Even when we were camped in the Shels half for the 1st 20 mins we never controlled midfield. We dont have a natural leader that can fight get the ball back and pass in the middle. Phols positioning for the ball over Honohan was again poor, he needs to command his box something that was also not really in Alan Manus's toolkit either. Yes we do look uninspired and the injury debate rolls on and on. Conan Noonan injected that bit of Zip that was needed and Byrne going off down the tunnel, sod off. If Duff left shels i would have in Tallaght in a heartbeat.I don't think it has been mentioned yet but that's the second match-winning goal Shels have scored against us directly as a result of a simple long goal kick by Kearns. In game one at Tolka, Cleary just let one sail over him and again on Friday. Honohan and Pico just messed it up. I don't blame Pohls for it. Both CBs were asleep imho. Unforgivable for it to happen once in a season, but twice against the same team is just ridiculous. That's 4 points for Shels, and 2 fewer for us. So the league table is what it is because of two GOAL KICKs. FFS! Amateur hour.

All any opposition manager needs to say to his players these days is "keep things tight, Rovers will beat themselves".

Yet another goal given away in transition too. That's about the 5th already this season and it's a feature of the whole Bradley era.

Infuriating because we were dominant for 20 mins and finished really strongly.

We still have Shels at home and only one more game at Derry so still every chance of going on a run, but we need to win 7 or 8 of the next 10 and no more defeats.

[TonyD]

Bohs deserved the draw - the fought right to the end of the game.

However, Melia was the one player that made the difference until he was subbed - the kid was a class above every other player on the pitch last night

Yeah, Melia was super. Makes a difference when he’s not asked to play as the focal point up front on his own. He tends to get bullied out of it by centre halves when that happens, I don’t think he’s quite ready for that. Different story when he plays with Keating, or even Kavanagh.