Weekedn Friday 7th June

[sbgawa]

Premier Division

Friday 7th (all 19:45)

Drogheda v St Pats
Shelboutne v Dundalk
Waterford v Sligo
Derry v Galway

First Division

Friday 7th (All 19:45)

UCD v Kerry
Cork v Longford
Treaty v Bray
Cobh v Finn Harps

[sbgawa]

Rovers continue their unbeaten streak and by the time we play Pats on the 13th we will be 20 days undefeated. The kind of run Champions are made of.
Meanwhile Shels play an improving Dundalk and a slip up could leave the league looking closer than it did when we went 9 points behind following the implosion in Tallaght.
Waterford v Sligo is interesting as Sligo with another win can push themselves towards Europe while a couple of weeks ago thye looked like the team Drogs and Dundalk could maybe slip past.
Derry v Galway is another interesting match which you couldnt be confident of a result in.

[ger121]

Rovers continue their unbeaten streak and by the time we play Pats on the 13th we will be 20 days undefeated. The kind of run Champions are made of.

That’s the spirit!

[Kiki Balboa]

Most interesting and possibly consequential game of the weekend is by far Drogheda vs Pats.

Both teams badly need a result, and could be a turning point for their seasons if Dundalk beat Shels.

Dundalk beating Shels is very unlikely, despite Monday, our away form is horrendous. Hopefully we can pick up a point.

[sbgawa]

Most interesting and possibly consequential game of the weekend is by far Drogheda vs Pats.

Both teams badly need a result, and could be a turning point for their seasons if Dundalk beat Shels.

Dundalk beating Shels is very unlikely, despite Monday, our away form is horrendous. Hopefully we can pick up a point.


If Dundalk beat Shels while we are in the middle of this long undefeated run we could be only 3 off the top if we win our games in hand.....playing games is overrated really especially in this league this year.

If Pats beat Drogs i think things could spirel quickly for Drogs. With Dundalk improving the battle for 9th could go a long way.
The year Shels got relegated i seem to remember they were looking for Europe befor they managed to finish 3rd in a two horse race behinf Harps,,,,,

[Nesta99]

We should have beaten Derry, created a number of clearcut chances and missed sitters, we created more v St Pats also. Early season it looked very cant score wont score, then it became not taking chances but at least we're creating them. If Gullan is more clinical which he is considered to be, has gotten his goal from play now and can go on a bit or a run then I think we could be a handful for anyone with the new shape, even Elliot alongside Gullan looked a handful last couple of games. We can defend if we dont get over anxious so nick a goal and we can pick up points. Reality is that one weekend set of reults can set you back needing to start again. String 2 or 3 wins or losses together and its the difference between being on the verge of a European tilt or in trouble. July transfer window, luck wth injuries will be a significant factor in how things end up for a lot of teams. St Pats European trip could be an unwelcome distraction with current league position. Its certainly interesting for neutrals but more mental torture than enjoyment for fans at either end of the table. Win a game in hand and 11 points off 2nd place - bit mad that thats all there is between being in the mix at the top or in a relegation battle.

[Burnsie]

If Dundalk beat Shels while we are in the middle of this long undefeated run we could be only 3 off the top if we win our games in hand.....playing games is overrated really especially in this league this year.

If Pats beat Drogs i think things could spirel quickly for Drogs. With Dundalk improving the battle for 9th could go a long way.
The year Shels got relegated i seem to remember they were looking for Europe befor they managed to finish 3rd in a two horse race behinf Harps,,,,,

not only that but certain pundits reckoned they'd have done a better job that year v the Slovenian champions than Dundalk did ....

(maybe if they'd had Stephen Walsh up top )

[ger121]

Ye old Bowl for me Friday. I think Bohs will have only one home game between 24th May and July 12th due to several reasons.

[2 Year Contract]

Feeling nervy ahead of the trip to Drogheda. Breslin is still injured so we’re going to have to continue with Turner at left back, who although is a decent centre back, is far too slow to play left back and literally can’t cross a ball. On the other side McLaughlin got injured on Monday (yes, again!), while Sjoberg is still out and hopefully Freeman too given his footballing ability. I’ve no idea who will play right back, probably Lennon as he finished the game there on Monday although I’m not keen on the idea of losing him from midfield either. I couldn’t care less how they play this week as long as they somehow manage to win it at any cost

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Feeling nervy ahead of the trip to Drogheda. Breslin is still injured so we’re going to have to continue with Turner at left back, who although is a decent centre back, is far too slow to play left back and literally can’t cross a ball. On the other side McLaughlin got injured on Monday (yes, again!), while Sjoberg is still out and hopefully Freeman too given his footballing ability. I’ve no idea who will play right back, probably Lennon as he finished the game there on Monday although I’m not keen on the idea of losing him from midfield either. I couldn’t care less how they play this week as long as they somehow manage to win it at any cost

What are our full backs like at underage level ?

[2 Year Contract]

What are our full backs like at underage level ?

Ivan Graminschii played left back in the LSC away to Bray and looked decent, although that was against a young Bray side and he’s currently away playing for Moldova u19s anyways. Adam Deans plays right back for the u20s and has played LSC games and made the bench in a league game at first team level this season. Made his Ireland u19 debut earlier this year. Both are quite small and I’ve not seen enough of them up against senior LOI players to know if they’re ready to play at that level but if things keep going the way they have been with performances/availability of our full backs they might get a chance if needed this month before we hopefully bring in some fullbacks in July

[Nesta99]

Feeling nervy ahead of the trip to Drogheda. Breslin is still injured so we’re going to have to continue with Turner at left back, who although is a decent centre back, is far too slow to play left back and literally can’t cross a ball. On the other side McLaughlin got injured on Monday (yes, again!), while Sjoberg is still out and hopefully Freeman too given his footballing ability. I’ve no idea who will play right back, probably Lennon as he finished the game there on Monday although I’m not keen on the idea of losing him from midfield either. I couldn’t care less how they play this week as long as they somehow manage to win it at any cost

If there is an away trip to have full backs out then its Drogheda, it isnt possible to play with width and overlapping fullbacks are limited. Could arguably be better to have someone who will play closer to the centre backs - 3 at the back with 5 in midfield with wide player dropping or pushing on is how best to set up in United Park imo where you are considering the pitch dimensions as well as opposition when picking formation. 2 up front helps with how a lone striker can be so quickley closed off or crowded out. Drogheda will be like a wounded animal tonight so it will be tough and testy!

[TonyD]

Feeling nervy ahead of the trip to Drogheda. Breslin is still injured so we’re going to have to continue with Turner at left back, who although is a decent centre back, is far too slow to play left back and literally can’t cross a ball. On the other side McLaughlin got injured on Monday (yes, again!), while Sjoberg is still out and hopefully Freeman too given his footballing ability. I’ve no idea who will play right back, probably Lennon as he finished the game there on Monday although I’m not keen on the idea of losing him from midfield either. I couldn’t care less how they play this week as long as they somehow manage to win it at any cost

And McLaughlin goes off injured again ! We really are cursed with full backs this year. Agree about Turner at left back. I’d actually play Jason McClelland there while Breslin is out. Good footballer and he’s played there before.

Started off quite well, but the game seems to be drifting a bit. Poor poor miss from Mulraney with the best chance of the half. Agree about the win. It’s vital. The only thing I’d say is that generally the best way to get wins is to play well.

[nigel-harps1954]

Utterly abysmal performance from Harps tonight. We've played 4 games on astro this season, lost all 4, and have yet to score even a goal on the surface.

[pineapple stu]

Second time in three home games getting points in the 95th minute. Could get used to that!

I do want to like Kerry, but they're a hard team to warm to. Just the six bookings tonight, up one from last time. A really cynical side.

[Jack B]

Have bemoaned Pats' lack of fitness and general physicality at length this season already but it really continued to show up tonight. As much as his performance otherwise can be questioned I get the impression Kenny has tried to bring in a proper S&C program with Graham Byrne and it's a shock to the system for some of these players. They were dropping like flies tonight more than usual, leaving us with only two recognised defenders (and one of them is only back from an ACL injury).

On the game I thought we played well the first half an hour or so and missed some big chances, Mulraney's in particular being unforgiveably poor. We were shocking thereafter though and it was a game between two sub-par sides. Unless there's some drastic changes it's looking like a straight shootout between the bottom three.

[brendy_éire]

Impressive stuff tonight from Derry, surprised us all.
Came out strongly in the first half, until Galway got into their flow and slowed everything down. Kazeem bossed Paul McMullan, and we lost our way a bit.

Second half, we started being a bit more direct, with quicker passes, and it worked. Certainly could argue that Patching could have been better marked for the first. Caulfield will be annoyed at that.
Had imagined Galway would be a bit more attack-minded after going a goal down, but not really. Don't think they had a shot on target the whole game.
Worth noting that Eoghan O'Shea reffed the game well. Keep playing going when Galway, then ourselves, we trying to slow things down too much. You don't see it too often, so fair play.

Bohs away next, let's see if we get some consistency.

On the Waterford result, I don't know how that team can go out and score four, never mind only concede one, after how poor they were on Monday in the Brandywell. We must have a hex on them, or something.

[joey B]

Harps abysmal on their travels again,made one chance in the game and conceded a bad first goal,I think we’ll struggle to stay in the playoffs on the evidence of the last couple of weeks….

[Shearer]

Treaty full value for the three points. Could have scored 4 or 5.

[2 Year Contract]

On the game I thought we played well the first half an hour or so and missed some big chances, Mulraney's in particular being unforgiveably poor. We were shocking thereafter though and it was a game between two sub-par sides. Unless there's some drastic changes it's looking like a straight shootout between the bottom three.


Agree with this. Should’ve definitely scored one of the chances in the first half. In general it was a game between two poor sides and either could’ve nicked it, though Drogs seemed to be happy with the point given the keepers time wasting towards the end of the game. On the bright side, the transfer window opens next month and also Pats will only play 1 league game in July (away to Waterford on a Thursday), meaning a month of pain free Friday nights is guaranteed

[2 Year Contract]

And McLaughlin goes off injured again ! We really are cursed with full backs this year. Agree about Turner at left back. I’d actually play Jason McClelland there while Breslin is out. Good footballer and he’s played there before.

It’s genuinely mad stuff, never seen anything like the levels of injury prone-ness of the three right backs. The wheetabix club they are. Agree on McClelland being a better option at left back. May well have to be that way against rovers with 3 of the back 4 coming off injured tonight, it could well be the same back four that ended the game tonight playing, which rovers wingers will be licking their lips at you’d imagine

[ger121]

Second time in three home games getting points in the 95th minute. Could get used to that!

I do want to like Kerry, but they're a hard team to warm to. Just the six bookings tonight, up one from last time. A really cynical side.

Good win that. Thought you blew it with the penalty miss. Kerry like a tackle alright.

[trevy]

Another impressive home win from Waterford. We didn't play that well in 1st half and probably a bit lucky to be 1 0 up at half time. We were very good in 2nd half with Parsons finishing well for number 2. Padraig Amond scored 2 more either side of a consolation goal from Waweru.
Should be a big crowd for the visit of Shelbourne next Thursday.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Yeah thought ye were very good once ye got the lead goal and could easily have been a few more only for McGinty. We had plenty of chances early on and going ahead would certainly have helped. Only time we’ve come back after going behind this season to get anything was first game of the season. Hopefully get a few players back/in after the break.

Contender for miss of the season from Pattison very early on

[Knocklyonhoop]

Having seen Dundalk twice in a week now and playing OK, how bad was O’D that he couldn’t win a match with them?!

[dundalkfc10]

Having seen Dundalk twice in a week now and playing OK, how bad was O’D that he couldn’t win a match with them?!

We still struggle to score (bar 20 mins against Pats)
The only other game we scored more than 1 goal in was V Bohs and haven't scored in 11 out of 20 games.

I think we will comfortably finish 9th, maybe manage 7th/8th but that will depend on who we manage to get in, in the summer.

Need a Goalkeeper
Davies is prob best full back in league (poor for goal last night)
Boyle is fine
Johnson on loan is gone in July by all accounts
Need a leftback (Walker we signed in summer is up there with worse footballers I've seen play with Dundalk and that includes the first division days)
Benson/Doyle and Keane if he could get fit are fine for the middle
Horgan/Mountany/O Kane/Mahon (out injured) all more than good enough out wide
Gullan is ok and impressed with Kennys cameos but we do need a centre forward

So we need a GK, CB, LB and Striker...very hard to find in the summer but I expect us to finish 9th even without getting them in

[outspoken]

Having seen Dundalk twice in a week now and playing OK, how bad was O’D that he couldn’t win a match with them?!

I think you'd have to draw the conclusion he had lost the dressing room.

[TonyD]

It’s genuinely mad stuff, never seen anything like the levels of injury prone-ness of the three right backs. The wheetabix club they are. Agree on McClelland being a better option at left back. May well have to be that way against rovers with 3 of the back 4 coming off injured tonight, it could well be the same back four that ended the game tonight playing, which rovers wingers will be licking their lips at you’d imagine

It may get pretty ugly against Rovers alright. Not a good time to be facing them. Though having said that we did well out in Tallaght.

[da bishop]

Treaty full value for the win at the MF,scoreline flattered Bray who were harmless tbf.Tommy Barrett on a roll 2 wins out 3....oh forgot thats also 2 wins from 17.

[total hoofball]

Davies is prob best full back in league (poor for goal last night)

Strange one I always read Dundalk fans lauding this guy but that's 4 games I have watched him at Tolka he has been awful every time

[Nesta99]

An astute coach would know that aside from being a solid defender he is an attacking outlet and pin him back. In theory that should create space elsewhere but its arguable that we have players in other positions to do so. He has been a success certainly in relation to the amount of signings from abroad that are flops. Id like to see him played on the wing if we had fullback cover as he is very effective going forward - im sure he was signed as a wingback.

[Knocklyonhoop]

It may get pretty ugly against Rovers alright. Not a good time to be facing them. Though having said that we did well out in Tallaght.

depends if we have any of our crocked back and even at that they’re likely to be rusty. And we’ve 1 point out of 6 against ye so far.

I’d call it a 1-1

[Calcio Jack]

depends if we have any of our crocked back and even at that they’re likely to be rusty. And we’ve 1 point out of 6 against ye so far.

I’d call it a 1-1

Plus Pico playing in WCQ tomorrow with Cape Verde and Kenny and Noonan away with U21s in Croatia ; so who knows what sort of depleted squad will be available on Thursday

[TonyD]

depends if we have any of our crocked back and even at that they’re likely to be rusty. And we’ve 1 point out of 6 against ye so far.

I’d call it a 1-1

I’d probably take that to be honest. We do need to start getting some wins soon though.

[culloty82]

Tuta must have picked up an injury in training, with Aaron O'Sullivan between the sticks tonight. The management really need to address Okwute's disciplinary record, with him beginning a two-game ban today for his tenth booking of the season.