Games 4th - 6th April

[Shinkicker]

A game this week where Bohs are expected to win. Most of the other games could be draws meaning Bohs could jump a few places. But it's football and it's Bohs!!

[yurt]

A win against Shamrock Rovers in Galway on Friday would really get the country to take notice of this Galway team. I do feel at this early stage that we are capable of being a top 4 team this year. Pats, Shels and Rovers definitely have better squads on paper but I expect all of them to have 6+ games in Europe which will surely cost them a few points along the way meaning GUFC might be able to stay within touching distance until September at least.

I've been expecting this unbelievable run to come to an end every week but its been 2+ years now of consistently getting results by JC and Ollie, so maybe I just need to get used to supporting a club who are actually good.

Anyways EDP should be sold out Friday and there's a very real chance we could be top of the league after the first round of fixtures. Genuinely something I thought I'd never ever live to get the chance to see.

[placid casual]

A win against Shamrock Rovers in Galway on Friday would really get the country to take notice of this Galway team. I do feel at this early stage that we are capable of being a top 4 team this year. Pats, Shels and Rovers definitely have better squads on paper but I expect all of them to have 6+ games in Europe which will surely cost them a few points along the way meaning GUFC might be able to stay within touching distance until September at least.

I've been expecting this unbelievable run to come to an end every week but its been 2+ years now of consistently getting results by JC and Ollie, so maybe I just need to get used to supporting a club who are actually good.

Anyways EDP should be sold out Friday and there's a very real chance we could be top of the league after the first round of fixtures. Genuinely something I thought I'd never ever live to get the chance to see.

I think 4th spot is really up for grabs and galway have as good a chance as anyone else of grabbing it. I had thought that derry would easily finish top 4 but I felt they were woefully unadventurous last Friday and only Rovers inability to look dangerous in the final 3rd resulted in a hard earned draw for them. If bohs pull the trigger on rennie sooner rather than later they have enough players capable of getting them results, both waterford and drogs have honest, hardworking teams with good managers.
I'm expecting a very, very difficult game over in the west on Friday,but in my view European competition improves teams league performances not hinders them.

[ger121]

A game this week where Bohs are expected to win.

I admire your optimism.

[2 Year Contract]

Nothing like a good old asterisk to add to a table

https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/statement-sse-airtricity-mens-first-division-fixtures/

I still maintain that the FAI should give the referee a list of both clubs players that are eligible for a match and when the teamsheet is handed into him a quick check should then be done, which would maintain a level playing field for the division which has been lost now

[pineapple stu]

Yay!

Has there ever been a case where both sides were given the loss?

Agree this does seem to be rather avoidable

[Zico]

Crazy situation when clubs don’t know if a player is properly registered or not. Surely the FAI would communicate when a player is fully registered- a simple list the day before the season opener to every club on who is registered and update weekly with any registration changes. Or even a live tracker portal that clubs can log in to with confirmation of registration. It’s not rocket science.

The fact there was 3 clubs involved suggests the FAIs own process is not adequate or working also.

Terrible and needless PR for the league.

[nigel-harps1954]

Crazy situation when clubs don’t know if a player is properly registered or not. Surely the FAI would communicate when a player is fully registered- a simple list the day before the season opener to every club on who is registered and update weekly with any registration changes. Or even a live tracker portal that clubs can log in to with confirmation of registration. It’s not rocket science.

The fact there was 3 clubs involved suggests the FAIs own process is not adequate or working also.

Terrible and needless PR for the league.

It's almost as if they have an app for inputting teamsheets now, that notifies you if a player is suspended and doesn't show up if not registered.

[total hoofball]

If the registration process was flawed then most clubs every transfer window would be getting stung I'm not buying that this one is the FAI's fault

This is now incredibly the 3rd time since 2017 that Wexford have forfeited fixtures fielding ineligible players along with that 4th incident back in 2020 originally forfeiting four games which was successfully appealed via an independent arbitration which left Cabinteely furious over missing out on a play-off spot


https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/1594974/shelbourne-awarded-points-for-1-1-draw-with-wexford-after-ineligible-player-fielded/

https://www.extratime.com/articles/21245/confusion-as-wexford-field-suspended-player-in-fridays-win-over-athlone/#google_vignette

https://www.extratime.com/articles/25888/first-division-wexford-found-guilty-of-fielding-an-ineligible-player/

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/1029/1174717-galway-take-cabinteelys-spot-in-play-offs-after-appeal/

[Shearer]

By all accounts, being on fai connect doesn't necessarily mean you're eligible.

[oriel]

The best part in all of this was the FAI saying 'Finn Harps would have faced the same outcome for non registering, but they lost the game !

UCD moving from bottom to 4th after all of these adjustments is another classic that surely no other league would see.

Outstanding.

[Zico]

And Harps incredibly benefit also by getting the 2 goals conceded back so helping their goal difference despite also been culpable…. Now that is surely a first where a team is penalised with a net goal difference improvement!!!!

[culloty82]

By all accounts, being on fai connect doesn't necessarily mean you're eligible.

Evidently not - Stanic-Floody was listed in the Kerry squad for the Cork friendly on the 5th, nine days before the Harps game, under his number of 29.

[ger121]

Yay!

Has there ever been a case where both sides were given the loss?

Agree this does seem to be rather avoidable

This new approach to winning games must be coming from the Science Dept.

[Shearer]

50+ on a free bus from Kerry coming to the Markets Field tomorrow and no away stand.

Farcical by the landlords of the Markets Field, irrespective of how bad other away sections in the league are.

[Nesta99]

Is there still access to te ground? There has been no shortage of winging it over the years. Foot and mouth era Monaaghan United refused entry to Dundalk fans who had waled through the disinfectant pools, but no no entry. In one of the GLITW moments hundreds of Dundalks fans simply stoof in the field overlooking Gortakeegan, best view of all, and watched the game with the loss of revenue to Mons and with the herd of cows joing in in the viewing im sure the risk of foot and mouth was higher in the field than the ground. Soooo Kery fans should od what they need to do and let there be a tory to it, I though the was a temporary away stand in Markets Fields.

[oriel]

A win against Shamrock Rovers in Galway on Friday would really get the country to take notice of this Galway team. I do feel at this early stage that we are capable of being a top 4 team this year. Pats, Shels and Rovers definitely have better squads on paper but I expect all of them to have 6+ games in Europe which will surely cost them a few points along the way meaning GUFC might be able to stay within touching distance until September at least.

I've been expecting this unbelievable run to come to an end every week but its been 2+ years now of consistently getting results by JC and Ollie, so maybe I just need to get used to supporting a club who are actually good.

Anyways EDP should be sold out Friday and there's a very real chance we could be top of the league after the first round of fixtures. Genuinely something I thought I'd never ever live to get the chance to see.

This has to be the highest standard (league) a Galway team has been at since either 85 or 86. They were involved in a 4 way tussle for the league and missed out by one win, they had a really decent side that year too and won the league cup around same era, beat Dundalk in the final at Tolka. I was at it.

1985–86 League of Ireland Premier Division - Final Table

os Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation

1 Shamrock Rovers (C) 22 15 3 4 44 17 +27 33 Qualification to 1986–87 European Cup
2 Galway United 22 12 7 3 42 19 +23 31 Qualification to 1986–87 UEFA Cup
3 Dundalk 22 12 6 4 35 16 +19 30
4 Bohemians 22 8 11 3 27 22 +5 27
5 Waterford United 22 8 10 4 27 25 +2 26 Qualification to 1986–87 European Cup Winners' Cup[a]
6 St Patrick's Athletic 22 8 9 5 23 19 +4 25
7 Limerick City 22 10 4 8 45 28 +17 24
8 Athlone Town 22 6 7 9 23 27 ?4 19
9 Home Farm 22 5 5 12 15 30 ?15 15
10 Cork City 22 3 7 12 23 44 ?21 13
11 Shelbourne (R) 22 3 7 12 15 40 ?25 13 Relegation to League of Ireland First Division
12 UCD (R) 22 2 4 16 19 51 ?32 8 Relegation to League of Ireland First Division

Those were the days when a losing cup finalist was confirmed for Europe if the opposition won the double, it has long since changed (correctly) to next highest league finisher.

[2 Year Contract]

Interesting stuff, wasn’t aware of there being a 4th Shelegation either!

[Shearer]

Is there still access to te ground? There has been no shortage of winging it over the years. Foot and mouth era Monaaghan United refused entry to Dundalk fans who had waled through the disinfectant pools, but no no entry. In one of the GLITW moments hundreds of Dundalks fans simply stoof in the field overlooking Gortakeegan, best view of all, and watched the game with the loss of revenue to Mons and with the herd of cows joing in in the viewing im sure the risk of foot and mouth was higher in the field than the ground. Soooo Kery fans should od what they need to do and let there be a tory to it, I though the was a temporary away stand in Markets Fields.
I'm not sure what you're on about.

Away fans will be in the ground. The temporary away stand was condemned, though.

[culloty82]

Kerry confirm their intention to appeal in a club statement - state that they were instructed to meet the Disciplinary Committee by Zoom, and said officials never showed up, but the fact that the statement doesn't address the ITC is naive at best, and feckless at worst:

https://kerryfc.com/kerry-fc-statement-03-04-25/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJbUmRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbPTm42u2paw S9kzcxnNGSGq_ybXVxtOIi2XNmVrORhzKtHY1mnVpmeNFw_aem _yogsUaUw-gWSmg4k5ffHrg

[2 Year Contract]

Kerry confirm their intention to appeal in a club statement - state that they were instructed to meet the Disciplinary Committee by Zoom, and said officials never showed up, but the fact that the statement doesn't address the ITC is naive at best, and feckless at worst:

https://kerryfc.com/kerry-fc-statement-03-04-25/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJbUmRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbPTm42u2paw S9kzcxnNGSGq_ybXVxtOIi2XNmVrORhzKtHY1mnVpmeNFw_aem _yogsUaUw-gWSmg4k5ffHrg

Whether it’s true or not I don’t know, but I thought the club got their point across well in the statement up until the poetic mini match report about the club's various 'stars' at the end of the statement which was hilariously tinpot :D

[pineapple stu]

Harps also appealing, saying there was an issue with an international registration form from a previous club that they had no sight of

https://finnharps.ie/club-statement-2/

[2 Year Contract]

Harps also appealing, saying there was an issue with an international registration form from a previous club that they had no sight of

https://finnharps.ie/club-statement-2/

Dan McDonnell is reporting that while Kerry have been fined €1000, Harps have been fined €1 (one euro) Utterly bizarre :D

[cláirseach]

The Harps one seems crazy. Not sure where the league can go with that.

[nigel-harps1954]

Harps also appealing, saying there was an issue with an international registration form from a previous club that they had no sight of

https://finnharps.ie/club-statement-2/

This is the odd part of it all. Hodgins went on loan to Glenavon at the end of the 23/24 season, returned to Shelbourne again for the rest of the 2024 season but never played, or featured in a match day squad, before being released and subsequently signed by Harps.

What seems to have happened is that Shels never went through international clearance upon his return from Glenavon, so his last registration seems to have been held in the Irish League.

Harps were never aware of this, and nobody at the FAI seemed to have flagged it, and he was cleared as registered and available on the FAI Comet system.

If I sign a player for my junior team in the Donegal League, I cannot play him until he's been cleared by an FAI official on the comet system, and he's deemed eligible to play once he appears on the system for me. How they can clear a player on the system for the senior clubs, and not flag that he's not actually eligible is beyond me.

[Shearer]

Harps also appealing, saying there was an issue with an international registration form from a previous club that they had no sight of

https://finnharps.ie/club-statement-2/
There is precedent of this same issue which saw the punishment stand.

Sheriff YC re-instated to FAI Junior Cup after objection against Regional (https://www.limerickpost.ie/2019/03/21/sheriff-yc-re-instated-to-fai-junior-cup-after-objection-against-regional/)

[Longfordian]

I suspect, without looking at the rulebook, that if they're in point of fact ineligible then it doesn't matter whose fault that is. As far as I'm aware you need an ITC if you were even just training with the club. Very harsh though which is probably why there was effectively no fine.

[2 Year Contract]

I suspect, without looking at the rulebook, that if they're in point of fact ineligible then it doesn't matter whose fault that is. As far as I'm aware you need an ITC if you were even just training with the club. Very harsh though which is probably why there was effectively no fine.

If what you’re saying is correct then I believe Shels should be stripped of their league title seen as he trained with them after returning from his loan without ITC ;)

[Longfordian]

If they'd used him at all they'd have been in bother. I remember we got deducted nine points for playing Avery John in similar circumstances in 2002. He'd been training with Chesterfield or someone. We won the appeal as the Eircom League at the time had faxed through a list of eligible players and he was on it. They've probably changed the rules since then though.

Good god I'm old.

[2 Year Contract]

If they'd used him at all they'd have been in bother. I remember we got deducted nine points for playing Avery John in similar circumstances in 2002. He'd been training with Chesterfield or someone. We won the appeal as the Eircom League at the time had faxed through a list of eligible players and he was on it. They've probably changed the rules since then though.

Good god I'm old.

2002 and points deductions? Please don’t mention the war!

[joey B]

Whether it’s true or not I don’t know, but I thought the club got their point across well in the statement up until the poetic mini match report about the club's various 'stars' at the end of the statement which was hilariously tinpot :D

The FAI have responded to this and basically calling Kerry liars,messy messy ….

https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/statement-kerry-fc/

[pineapple stu]

Welcome to the LoI, Kerry!

The discrepancy in the date of the disciplinary hearing is interesting. Kerry say they were left hanging for an hour on 10th March, while the FAI say Kerry refused to join one on the 11th.

So is it true that Kerry were left hanging on 10th March? (Pretty amateur stuff from the FAI if so - though did anyone from Kerry put a call into the FAI in that hour to see where they were?)

Is that aborted meeting why the FAI had one on the 11th, which Kerry then refused to join? Pretty silly move if so.

[placid casual]

Think tonight could be a significant pointer to how the season will pan out.
If Pats can overcome shels it's will give them massive confidence that they can take the title this season,if Shels were to win I think duffer would use that as ammunition to say to all and sundry that there'll still the team to beat this season.
You'd have to think if bohs lose at home to sligo that rennie will finally get the hook, and sligo will believe they can escape the relegation trapdoor.
Drogs could go top if results go their way and maybe Doherty could get hunted for a possible vacant bohs job.
Galway are hard working but I can't see them breaking into the title challengers ,but I think they'll have too much for a Rovers side that looks stuck in aspic,waiting for the inevitable break up of the squad.
So draws all round then..:)

[JC_GUFC]

I think if we beat Rovers tonight we have to be considered contenders, though still behind Pat's and Shels regardless of the outcome of their match. Our squad is definitely a bit deeper than last season so making subs often improves us, like against Waterford.
Also Rovers would be a significant monkey off our backs, not having beaten them in the last 34 meetings (most of those we've lost too).
I never thought for a second last season we were in with a chance and always felt fourth was a remote prospect but I will be disappointed if we don't get top four after our start to this season.


As for Bohs, I know the fans are seriously on Rennie's back but I'm not sure what sacking him now achieves. A new manager will come in and say he needs a couple of windows to sort out the squad, just like Rennie did. It's really a terrible time to sack a manager.

[Another Bohemia]

As for Bohs, I know the fans are seriously on Rennie's back but I'm not sure what sacking him now achieves. A new manager will come in and say he needs a couple of windows to sort out the squad, just like Rennie did. It's really a terrible time to sack a manager.

Is there ever a good time to sack a manager? You do it in the off season there is a very limited talent pool as any coach/manager out side the LOI worth their salt will be employed and in the middle of their season and any available LOI managers will either just have been sacked or underwhelming to the fan base. Mid season just swap Inside and outside LOI options.

On Rennie specifically Bohs last league win in Dalymount was nearly a year ago. That's insane. In the last calendar year Drogheda have more league wins in Dalymount than Bohs. Sligo can pass us on that front tonight. It's gone under the radar just how poor the results from Rennie have been which is amazing considering the amount of column inches the commercial side of the club generates. To his credit he has built a good squad that is more than capable of winning games but he doesn't seem to be able to put the pieces in the right place to generate results. Against yourselves (and for the past few weeks) our right back has been one of our most attacking players but that means he's liable to get caught on the counter, as happened for your first goal (still could've done better imo). We seem to have an obsession with playing as many central midfielders as possible and that is to the detriment of the team, add to that the frequent chopping and changing of the back 4 (sometimes by injury other times by choice) its no wonder we can't keep a clean sheet. Especially since Talbot is returning to his prone to error self which was a frequent sight prior to his break at the start of last season. It's past getting toxic in the stands and now there's a growing sense of apathy which is worse than toxicity imo. So a change needs to be made sooner rather than later

On the game itself I'll say what I said about the game against yourselves last week. If Sligo show up tonight with a plan to be solid defensively they can easily win by 1 or 2 goals.

[Jolly Red Giant]

As for Bohs, I know the fans are seriously on Rennie's back but I'm not sure what sacking him now achieves. A new manager will come in and say he needs a couple of windows to sort out the squad, just like Rennie did. It's really a terrible time to sack a manager.
This Bohs squad is a good squad - currently achieving well below their potential - the team are in a rut and the question is whether Reynolds can get them out of the funk. So far he has shown no evidence that he can.

[sbgawa]

Think tonight could be a significant pointer to how the season will pan out.
If Pats can overcome shels it's will give them massive confidence that they can take the title this season,if Shels were to win I think duffer would use that as ammunition to say to all and sundry that there'll still the team to beat this season.
You'd have to think if bohs lose at home to sligo that rennie will finally get the hook, and sligo will believe they can escape the relegation trapdoor.
Drogs could go top if results go their way and maybe Doherty could get hunted for a possible vacant bohs job.
Galway are hard working but I can't see them breaking into the title challengers ,but I think they'll have too much for a Rovers side that looks stuck in aspic,waiting for the inevitable break up of the squad.
So draws all round then..:)

i also expect us to lose in Galway againt a hard working effective team, we look like a team that has run out of ideas and needs change.
The off season was a shambles but the number of decent players still there should keep us compeititive but thats not good enough with our budget

[gufct]

Tonight’s game at Edp is sold out??????

[Kiki Balboa]

This Bohs squad is a good squad - currently achieving well below their potential - the team are in a rut and the question is whether Reynolds can get them out of the funk. So far he has shown no evidence that he can.

The thing is, all 10 squads are decent, but someone has to go down.

[Longfordian]

2002 and points deductions? Please don’t mention the war!

Ha yeah I was thinking of that in recent days. Fun times.

[WoodquayBoy]

On Rennie specifically Bohs last league win in Dalymount was nearly a year ago. That's insane.

Didn’t ye beat Rovers 2-1 in the league in Dalymount in September? 7 months ago, not a year ago?

[sessylU]

The thing is, all 10 squads are decent, but someone has to go down.

I know it feels like this gets said every year, but yeah, every team in the division looks great, like proper football teams.

I still reckon St Pats will kick on at some point and win comfortably, but every other team I look at them and think "hmm, yeah, fancy them to finish somewhere between 2nd and 10th, not sure where."

[Another Bohemia]

Didn’t ye beat Rovers 2-1 in the league in Dalymount in September? 7 months ago, not a year ago?

We did indeed. I forgot about that win such is the rut we are in when we play in Dalymount. I suppose we're due a win now tonight :D

[Martinho II]

The Paul Marney affair! have to feel sorry for Paul after his few brief appearances for St Pats to be remembered all these years later! Think Kerry could do with the services of the great Ollie Byrne who was a master of the rulebook!

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Is there ever a good time to sack a manager? You do it in the off season there is a very limited talent pool as any coach/manager out side the LOI worth their salt will be employed and in the middle of their season and any available LOI managers will either just have been sacked or underwhelming to the fan base. Mid season just swap Inside and outside LOI options.

On Rennie specifically Bohs last league win in Dalymount was nearly a year ago. That's insane. In the last calendar year Drogheda have more league wins in Dalymount than Bohs. Sligo can pass us on that front tonight. It's gone under the radar just how poor the results from Rennie have been which is amazing considering the amount of column inches the commercial side of the club generates. To his credit he has built a good squad that is more than capable of winning games but he doesn't seem to be able to put the pieces in the right place to generate results. Against yourselves (and for the past few weeks) our right back has been one of our most attacking players but that means he's liable to get caught on the counter, as happened for your first goal (still could've done better imo). We seem to have an obsession with playing as many central midfielders as possible and that is to the detriment of the team, add to that the frequent chopping and changing of the back 4 (sometimes by injury other times by choice) its no wonder we can't keep a clean sheet. Especially since Talbot is returning to his prone to error self which was a frequent sight prior to his break at the start of last season. It's past getting toxic in the stands and now there's a growing sense of apathy which is worse than toxicity imo. So a change needs to be made sooner rather than later

On the game itself I'll say what I said about the game against yourselves last week. If Sligo show up tonight with a plan to be solid defensively they can easily win by 1 or 2 goals.

We’ve conceded 15 goals in 7 games and are struggling to get an 11 together so there’s no chance we’ll be solid defensively

[culloty82]

The Paul Marney affair! have to feel sorry for Paul after his few brief appearances for St Pats to be remembered all these years later! Think Kerry could do with the services of the great Ollie Byrne who was a master of the rulebook!

Wexford's statement is virtually identical to Kerry's, so either we've both simultaneously screwed up, or the FAI have made a hames of registration:

https://wexfordfc.ie/club-statement-points-deduction/

[Nesta99]

Think tonight could be a significant pointer to how the season will pan out.
If Pats can overcome shels it's will give them massive confidence that they can take the title this season,if Shels were to win I think duffer would use that as ammunition to say to all and sundry that there'll still the team to beat this season.
You'd have to think if bohs lose at home to sligo that rennie will finally get the hook, and sligo will believe they can escape the relegation trapdoor.
Drogs could go top if results go their way and maybe Doherty could get hunted for a possible vacant bohs job.
Galway are hard working but I can't see them breaking into the title challengers ,but I think they'll have too much for a Rovers side that looks stuck in aspic,waiting for the inevitable break up of the squad.
So draws all round then..:)

Pats will still struggle breaking down a well drilled defensive setup, theyre not just there yet i feel but they will get at sides more through the centre rather than just playing across the front of them and pinging in crosses. It is an early litmus test more for Shels. If Rovers beat Galway away it will be as tough as it gets so something to build on. Galway will qualify for Europe but wont be winners unless better sides are just sloppy again, Shels excluded. Lot of pressure on for the wrong reasons around the league.

Stuey Byrne was on about the great Ollie Byrne in a paper today - he was doing a Delaney before Delaney and his pouncing on questionable errors in registration was for the pay day of champions league, Shel being on the brink of meldown, not maintaining the integrity of the league. Who trawls through another clubs player registrations looking for problems - Shels and Waterford did or Ollie and JD, not much great abut either. We need a Stuey tv rant update, pity that league title wasnt exunged after receivership!

[Nesta99]

I'm not sure what you're on about.

Away fans will be in the ground. The temporary away stand was condemned, though.

Your initial comment I thought that the coach of visiting fans were not being allowed in due to there not being an 'away stand' rather than just the stand bng closed. It reminded me of coaches of Dundalk fans being refused entry by Monaghan United pointlessly.

[JC_GUFC]

This Bohs squad is a good squad - currently achieving well below their potential - the team are in a rut and the question is whether Reynolds can get them out of the funk. So far he has shown no evidence that he can.

I suppose one question I'd ask is are the team really that good?
Dawson Devoy and Ross Tierney are being rated on their previous spell at Bohs - maybe they'll never get to those levels again. Colm Whelan of course could be one of the best strikers in the league but he's gone an awful long time without playing regularly.

I know someone mentioned about the chopping and changing at the back - that definitely won't help for sure - and as was pointed out the right back, think it was Liam Smith, was poor for our first goal. Initially he actually wasn't too far our of position - but for some reason he ran away from our player and gave him the ball in acres of space and then was too slow to cut out the cross.

It didn't strike me at all last week that the players weren't playing for the manager, which is really when you need a change, so maybe it's just that Bohs are standing still while every other team is improving.

[TonyD]

Pats will still struggle breaking down a well drilled defensive setup, theyre not just there yet i feel but they will get at sides more through the centre rather than just playing across the front of them and pinging in crosses. It is an early litmus test more for Shels. If Rovers beat Galway away it will be as tough as it gets so something to build on. Galway will qualify for Europe but wont be winners unless better sides are just sloppy again, Shels excluded. Lot of pressure on for the wrong reasons around the league.

Stuey Byrne was on about the great Ollie Byrne in a paper today - he was doing a Delaney before Delaney and his pouncing on questionable errors in registration was for the pay day of champions league, Shel being on the brink of meldown, not maintaining the integrity of the league. Who trawls through another clubs player registrations looking for problems - Shels and Waterford did or Ollie and JD, not much great abut either. We need a Stuey tv rant update, pity that league title wasnt exunged after receivership!

I do agree that if teams sit in against Pats we may find it difficult to break them down (last Friday against Waterford being an example) We’re more suited to hitting teams on the break, where Elbouzedi and Mulraney can do their thing. Forrestor still huge for us creatively, and Brandon Kavanagh is also well able to contribute in that regard.

On the Ollie Byrne/2002 issue, rumour at the time was that he had a little inside help from someone on the Pats board.