Games weekend 18th 19th October

[sbgawa]

Premier Division (All 19:45)

Friday 18th

Drogheda v Shamrock Rovers
Shelbourne v Waterford
St Pats v Galway
Dundalk v Derry

Saturday 19th

Sligo v Bohemians

First Division (All 19:45)

Friday 18th

Cobh v Bray
Cork v Wexford
Finn Harps v Treaty
Kerry v Athlone
UCD V Longford

[sbgawa]

Huge weekend where the oppurtunity is there for several teams to rule themselves in or out of the title battle and / or Europe.
On Paper Rovers and Pats have probably there hardest games tonight of the run in and Derry and Shels their easiest (again on paper) ditto for Galway.
But matches arent won on paper.
Farrugia will play against both Drogs and Dundalk as he is suspended for Larne.
Rovers have a terrible record in Louth but a win tonight would be a major step towards winning the league assuming Derry and Shels dont win all of their 3 remaining matches.
In this league in this year who the hell knows

[Kingswood Rover]

Cant wait and actually got a ticket, going to be a great atmosphere and given how rubbish we have been all season the last 3 games have that new season excitement feeling. Getting 6 points in the wee county is a tough ask at the best of times even for good Rovers teams which we are not currently but its the hope that kills you.

[legendz]

With people talking up Pat's title push it is where the wheels might come off their late push. Ideal results for Pat's tonight is that they win and their 3 title rivals lose. That will really set the Pats amongst the pigeons! Sorry, I couldn't resist!
This evening could be the evening that Shels and Derry get back to winning ways. A Shels win with 2 games to go should nudge Pats out of the realistic title equation.
Shamrock Rovers will be favourites tonight but it'll be some result for Drogheda if they can somehow win and go a point behind Bohs.
For extra spice for the title race, I'd like to Pats at least 2 points off the top after half 9 this evening.

[2 Year Contract]

With people talking up Pat's title push it is where the wheels might come off their late push. Ideal results for Pat's tonight is that they win and their 3 title rivals lose. That will really set the Pats amongst the pigeons! Sorry, I couldn't resist!
This evening could be the evening that Shels and Derry get back to winning ways. A Shels win with 2 games to go should nudge Pats out of the realistic title equation.
Shamrock Rovers will be favourites tonight but it'll be some result for Drogheda if they can somehow win and go a point behind Bohs.
For extra spice for the title race, I'd like to Pats at least 2 points off the top after half 9 this evening.

A shels win wouldn’t change anything for Pats really in terms of an unlikely title win (provided Pats win that is). For a Pats title to happen they need shels to drop points in 2 of their 3 games and rovers to drop points in 1 of their 3 games, while winning all 3 of their own games. An unlikely series of events I would say but not impossible given how mad this seasons been. Given where Pats where at the start of last month I’d be delighted with 3rd, a title would be the stuff of dreams really

[pineapple stu]

A shels win wouldn’t change anything for Pats really in terms of an unlikely title win (provided Pats win that is).
Ah it does in fairness. Four points behind with two to play is different from two points behind with two to play. Yes, there's three teams to pass (one of whom ye have to play), but of all seasons, this is the one it'll happen in.

A win for Shels tonight would be a huge result for them I think. Suddenly they could be hosting Drogheda next week where a win might even seal the title.

[LTFC]

A shels win wouldn’t change anything for Pats really in terms of an unlikely title win (provided Pats win that is). For a Pats title to happen they need shels to drop points in 2 of their 3 games and rovers to drop points in 1 of their 3 games, while winning all 3 of their own games. An unlikely series of events I would say but not impossible given how mad this seasons been. Given where Pats where at the start of last month I’d be delighted with 3rd, a title would be the stuff of dreams really

this may sound like a stupid question as every fan wants to see their team win the league, but say it did happen for Pats, would it mean as much? You know, most of the year it wasnt even a remote possibility and then a run late in the season and others dropping poins. Say compared to Shels, Derry who have been in the mix all season, or even Rovers who have been threatening but only recently begun to motor?

[legendz]

A shels win wouldn’t change anything for Pats really in terms of an unlikely title win (provided Pats win that is). For a Pats title to happen they need shels to drop points in 2 of their 3 games and rovers to drop points in 1 of their 3 games, while winning all 3 of their own games. An unlikely series of events I would say but not impossible given how mad this seasons been. Given where Pats where at the start of last month I’d be delighted with 3rd, a title would be the stuff of dreams reallyWell, a Shels win keeps them at least 4 ahead of Pats with 2 to go. Far less wiggle room. Drogheda could still be key though in respect of your point. If Shels win tonight and draw their final two, Shels finish on 59 points and if Pats somehow keep their remarkable run going to win their final three, Pats should nudge Shels on goal difference. Pat's still need Rovers to drop points in that scenario.


this may sound like a stupid question as every fan wants to see their team win the league, but say it did happen for Pats, would it mean as much? You know, most of the year it wasnt even a remote possibility and then a run late in the season and others dropping poins. Say compared to Shels, Derry who have been in the mix all season, or even Rovers who have been threatening but only recently begun to motor?
It can be the hope that kills you. Pats probably won't hurt as much as Shels and Derry but it will be massively deflating if they run out of road.

[D24Saint]

A win tonight would move us closer to a European place. I’d all but given up on getting Europe next season. The title talk for us is only a bit of craic and not to be taken seriously.

[Nesta99]

The only team that has shown any consistency throughout the season has been Dundalk! Hands up who wouldnt be shocked if Derry lose tonight? Who would be shocked if Rovers lose tonight? Galway are about the only side that you could argue deserve the trophy (I wont say title as someone will jump up with the old 'team that finishes top deserve it' etc. but ye know what I mean, in relative terms they are team of the season). I'd like to see St Pats win it just because it would be bonkers really. Shels, bit like Derry, should have it done and dusted and its a pretty epic bottle job if they go the entire run in with a few points when even 2 more would have knocked the stuffing out of other late charges.

[TonyD]

this may sound like a stupid question as every fan wants to see their team win the league, but say it did happen for Pats, would it mean as much? You know, most of the year it wasnt even a remote possibility and then a run late in the season and others dropping poins. Say compared to Shels, Derry who have been in the mix all season, or even Rovers who have been threatening but only recently begun to motor?

It absolutely would be huge for Pats to do it. Having come from looking over our shoulder at a possible relegation play off not so long ago, to actually winning the league, would be the sweetest thing ever. The fact that we never thought we were in the race would just make it even better.

Now, I don’t think we’ll do it, and would be more than happy with Europe. Just have a feeling Shels will win tonight, maybe even Derry too (shock !) which probably realistically would rule us out.

[LTFC]

Seeing as your all at matches the inrunning table

Derry 55, Shels 54, Rovers 53, Pats 53, Galway 50.

[LTFC]

And now

Derry 55, Shels 55, Rovers 53, Pats 53, Galway 50.

Massive goal for Shels

[pineapple stu]

None of the First Division playoff sides have even scored in the first half, and three are losing. Bray are the exception, and they've a second string team out it seems

[joey B]

Atrocious from Darragh Leahy for Shels goal....

[LTFC]

Getting testy in Inchicore, Caulfield off and Pats strenght and conditioning coach....for love of....

[WoodquayBoy]

Chris Collopy off, not Caulfield. Ollie Horgan booked as well. United coaching staff disgracing themselves once again, the petulance is getting a bit old and tired at this stage

[LTFC]

Derry 55, Shels 55, Rovers 53, Pats 51, Galway 51.

[LTFC]

Pats back in front, Derry 2 up.

[LTFC]

Shels 57, Derry 55, Rovers 53, Pats 53, Galway 50.

[LTFC]

Huge goal in Drogeda, Rovers upto 55.

Shels home and hosed 3 1 , looks like top 4 all win tonight.

[Dermobohs]

Thanks Dylan, once a bohsman eh….

[Dermobohs]

Watching the shels fans making their way out with 5 mins to go in their biggest game in 20 years, **** off. Anyone else to win it please.

[Calcio Jack]

Going to tempt fate and and say tonight’s results make us the slimmest of marginal favourites

PS sad on one level to see Dundalk relegated ….. there’s a lesson in it for all and that’s to enjoy the good times as you never know…..

[sbgawa]

Big win for Rovers tonight.
Im hoping Pats beat Derry and Drogs sneak a point in Tolka next week meaning provided we beat Dundalk in Oriel (where we are usually muck)

Shels 58
Rovers 58
Pats 56
Derry 55

We win at home to Waterford and hope Shels dont win in Derry who will need a result for Europe.
Its the hope that kills you.

If Derry beat Pats we will be at best level with them and they have a vastly better goal difference meaining a win at home to Shels on the last day wins them the league.
All in all i think the title will be decided in Inchicore next Friday.

All this is predictated on Shels not winning in Derry ....if they do they deserve the title and Duff deserves Manager of the year

[D24Saint]

What a battle in Richmond. Absolutely delighted with that win. We now have a fantastic chance of getting back in the European places and produce a massive turnaround from an otherwise poor campaign. Anyone that can’t enjoy the LOI after that game is a lost cause to Irish football.

[joey B]

Dundalk officially relegated, a sad end to a great period for the club but they've a lot of work to do now to be back amongst the big boys again …

[sbgawa]

What a goal by Dylan Watts btw.
I was screaming DONT SHOOT :)

[Jack B]

Dramatic one in Richmond. Galway are an effective team but basically only played when they were behind, made it extremely nervy when they did mind. When Mulraney and Elbouzedi both went off injured I thought we were in real trouble as they're so integral to us and this recent run, and Galway at that point had all the momentum, so the way we rallied after was seriously impressive.

Special mention for Chris Forrester. Absolutely ran the show tonight and despite suggestions to the contrary at times is still very much one of the best around in this league.

[legendz]

1. Shelbourne 57, +11
2. Derry City 55, +19
3. Shamrock Rovers 55, +13
4. St. Patrick's Athletic 53, +11
After a few stumbles and falls in recent weeks, the top two got back to winning ways. The two form teams also won.
Rovers will expect to beat Dundalk and Waterford. If Bohs win tomorrow, Drogs are consigned to the playoff. Sligo need a win to keep in touch with Pat's.
Pat's v Derry is a massive game next week. Unlikely but Derry could finish outside the top 3 and lose the FAI Cup final, missing out Europe altogether. It would be another twist in a mad season.
Great for Kerry to finish the season with a win. They picked up 17 more points than last season. Hopefully next year can get more points on the board.

[joey B]

Madness ...

1847386650902745333

[refjohn]

Sligo Bohs huge tomorrow.

Bohs win and they are safe - meaning Drogs can rest players for their two Cup Finals. Sligo win - and Drogs go at Shelbourne next week.

[Shearer]

A fairly weak Treaty squad came from behind to beat Harps.
Two good goals means we deservedly finish ahead of Cobh in 7th.

Lot of personnel changes needed and could see a lot of outs in the coming days with the club training mornings next year.

[joey B]

Some cracking strikes in the league this evening,Anang also a very lucky boy right at the end,nearly a clanger from him….

[D24Saint]

Some cracking strikes in the league this evening,Anang also a very lucky boy right at the end,nearly a clanger from him….

Tends to have a mistake in him but overall he is much improved. His command of his box is excellent at the moment.

[Jack B]

Anang had a couple of shaky moments when he first returned, but it had been quite a while since he properly played. He's been fantastic of late though, he's got some maverick qualities but ultimately has all of what you'd want in a modern day goalkeeper.

[Knocklyonhoop]

Thanks Dylan, once a bohsman eh….

to be fair he had what, less than half a season there. He has been our poty and will have 5 in a row if we somehow (we won’t ) win it

[2 Year Contract]

Great occasion in Inchicore tonight, really big game feel right across the league tonight which was great to see. Delighted for Keena getting a few goals which he’s deserved for his very good hold up play and doing the ‘donkey work’ in recent games. 2 really well worked goals with excellent defence splitting passes from Forrester for both goals, with Brandon Kavanagh getting his 14th(!) assist of the season for the winner. Galway’s goal was a hell of a strike too. You know the league’s in a healthy place when you’ve non LOI fans texting you about games and breaking into full on LOI chat!

[TonyD]

Anang had a couple of shaky moments when he first returned, but it had been quite a while since he properly played. He's been fantastic of late though, he's got some maverick qualities but ultimately has all of what you'd want in a modern day goalkeeper.

I thought Anangs handling was great tonight. Galway put us under serious pressure late on and he really stood up. Of the seven game winning streak, I’d genuinely say that was the hardest fought win. The top three winning probably means any outside chance ( and it was outside) of the title is gon, but we’re still in there for Europe. Next week against Derry will be a hell of an occasion.

[nigel-harps1954]

A fairly weak Treaty squad came from behind to beat Harps.
Two good goals means we deservedly finish ahead of Cobh in 7th.

Lot of personnel changes needed and could see a lot of outs in the coming days with the club training mornings next year.

Had all the feeling of an end of season dead rubber game. Harps were comfortable for large stretches of the game but substitutions made the difference for both sides really. Handful of lads Harps need to get rid of and a handful we really need to keep, but expect a real youthful Harps again next year.

[2 Year Contract]

I thought Anangs handling was great tonight. Galway put us under serious pressure late on and he really stood up.

Yeah he commanded his box excellently. Playing against Caulfield's ogres pumping the ball into the box from all angles is always the most difficult games in the LOI for keepers this season but he dealt with it well

[ger121]

That should be us safe now I think. Wishing for a Rovers win is a not something I’d like to repeat too often.

In a league season of unpredictability, who would have predicted that all the Top 4 sides would actually win. Going to be some end to the season.

[legendz]

That should be us safe now I think. Wishing for a Rovers win is a not something I’d like to repeat too often.

In a league season of unpredictability, who would have predicted that all the Top 4 sides would actually win. Going to be some end to the season.
A Sligo win tonight and a Bohs draw away to Waterford would open the door for the Drogs if they can shock Tolka Park.
If Pat's are to claim an unlikely title, they'll probably need Drogheda taking points off Shels and relegated Dundalk taking points off Rovers. Pat's beating Derry will put Derry at risk of missing out on the top 3. Sligo away is a tough final day assignment for Pat's. Rovers are likely to be big winners if Derry are taking points off Shels on the final day.

[ger121]

A Sligo win tonight and a Bohs draw away to Waterford would open the door for the Drogs if they can shock Tolka Park.
If Pat's are to claim an unlikely title, they'll probably need Drogheda taking points off Shels and relegated Dundalk taking points off Rovers. Pat's beating Derry will put Derry at risk of missing out on the top 3. Sligo away is a tough final day assignment for Pat's. Rovers are likely to be big winners if Derry are taking points off Shels on the final day.

That’s a lot of ifs.

[Nesta99]

Chris Collopy off, not Caulfield. Ollie Horgan booked as well. United coaching staff disgracing themselves once again, the petulance is getting a bit old and tired at this stage

The impetulance of Caulfield is a long time old not just getting there. Seems that SK and JC may have renewed old friendships. Horgan was always unashamedly impetulant and would be at the head of a scuffle not hiding behind his players and still being landed on his ars€.

It was entertaining stuff in Oriel at least. Not sure you'd have picked out the relegated side for significant spells. Dundalk were unlucky not to level the game if not to ultimately lose it. Even the 1st goal was almost actually off strikers backside. The real entertainment was in the stand post match and the subsequent stories about it. Over all the years one of the daftest things done by a Dundalk fan is to thump a barrister. There is a sense of relief that the focus can no be fully truned on the clubs future and the small details can be addressed like getting a license for next season and not bein folded.

[gufct]

Caulfield wasn’t sent of collopy and Byrne. Jc has given United fans their best season in 3 decades and a whole new generation of football fans. Why do the highlights skip contentious decisions like the Pats handball last night ???

[Nesta99]

JC is always impetulant sent off or not. Best season in 3 decades sure but everything is relative. If he was even a slightly braver man he'd have done more at Cork and maybe even have Galway in a title race proper. As has been noted above, Galway only started to play when they went behind and really put St Pats under pressure. What might have been if he hadnt tried to George Graham everything!

[cobhlad]

Nice win for Cobh to end the year, even if it was only Bray’s reserves. Some good players coming through the Bray academy to give them credit. Will be an interesting off-season for Ramblers.

[Buckett]

I thought Anangs handling was great tonight. Galway put us under serious pressure late on and he really stood up. Of the seven game winning streak, I’d genuinely say that was the hardest fought win. The top three winning probably means any outside chance ( and it was outside) of the title is gon, but we’re still in there for Europe. Next week against Derry will be a hell of an occasion.

I really thought we were going to equalise at the end. Entertaining game though. I got the nicest burger I've ever gotten in a LOI ground so that's some consolation I suppose

[TonyD]

JC is always impetulant sent off or not. Best season in 3 decades sure but everything is relative. If he was even a slightly braver man he'd have done more at Cork and maybe even have Galway in a title race proper. As has been noted above, Galway only started to play when they went behind and really put St Pats under pressure. What might have been if he hadnt tried to George Graham everything!

In fairness, I don’t think Galway would have outplayed us if a footballing game had broken out. They were competitive and very difficult to play against, and their tactic of getting the ball into the box at every opportunity caused us problems. They did what they had to do, which I don’t really have a problem with. The antics on the sideline are another matter. I think Caulfield and Ollie thrive on the aggro tbh. After the kerfuffle at half time Galway really came out with the bit between their teeth in the second half, and the equaliser was a superb strike. It was a big win for Pats, and a game we’d likely have lost at the start of the season.