Your feelings after Round One

[patsdad]

So most teams are in or around where they were expected to be with the notable and very creditable exception of Drogheda.

The three title favourites within a point or two of the top with Galway hanging in there.

Sligo and Cork are in trouble. Waterford, Bohs and Derry probably have enough to say out of it.

What do people feel about their team’s first round? My take on Pats:

So far we haven’t come near the heights of the final round of last season, probably because the two wingers who starred in that period are both going through a quiet patch. Despite that, we’ve scored more goals than anyone else, had five clean sheets, and are just a point off top. What’s more, refereeing errors cost us points in our first two games. With the squad we have I’m very optimistic about the coming months. Next weekend is massive, though, home to Shams and away to Drogs.

[sbgawa]

First 9 games done and after a poor start I guess have to be happy to be a point off the top. Massive week ahead though , Pats then bohs. Two more wins and i. Definitely happy

[nr637]

Cork City have began like the predictable promoted team. Questions on the squad standard as most players have found the Premier division level difficult.
All the usual problems, losing your main strikers to serious injuries, manager may be out of his depth, fans not happy with a €25 ticket charge..................but it goes on, 27 games to sort it out!

[outspoken]

Longford - Everyone happy with the work rate of the team. Some encouraging performances and good wins at home. Very limited in the final third though and squad depth killing us when trying to change a game with subs. Overall, if we finish 8th or above it will be an ok season. If we could do some business in the summer we could probably finish as high as 6th. Need to win away soon. 9 months without an away win isn't good.

[Straightstory]

As a Drogheda fan... not unhappy.

[Buckett]

As a Drogheda fan... not unhappy.

I'd say yer buzzing, away trip in Europe coming up fairly soon too.

[TVFBLOCKF]

It's been a great start for us, the only negative is that second half performance against Rovers. Our squad has more depth this season and Moses Dyer is beginning to look like the striker we've been after for a few seasons. It's incredible that we still have Clarke, McCormack, McCarthy and Horgan all to come back yet. We are definitely capable of a top 4 finish this season I think.

[CorribsideSteve]

Fairly pleased overall. Holding our own against stronger teams eg the Shels draw and the Pats win, and getting the business done against a fair share of the other teams. Cork should have beaten us on the opening night , and aside from the Rovers match, our only defeat so far, we've largely carried on from where we left off last season which shows good continuity. Rovers expertly squeezed us out and made us look very toothless in that match, once they went ahead. My concern is that once a team sits in with a lead and are defending well, we're stuck. Overall though, 16 points from 27, and 4th spot is a very decent return.

[Jack B]

Content enough with Pats, though it's been a bit of a funny one so far. When you look at the table it's looking quite healthy, although from watching our games it feels like there's a lot more in this team. We've scored the most goals in the league but for the most part individual attacking players haven't been at the races at all, outside of Keena who has been brilliant but is now injured.

I feel as though the likes of Shels and Rovers that were also predicted to be up there this season are by this stage playing as you'd expect them to while we're still playing in fits and spurts at times, having to grind out certain games etc when that probably isn't the ideal plan. I'm interested to see whether that is just what this team is in a quite competitive league or - injuries permitting - we end up going up a level as the likes of Mulraney, Elbouzedi etc also find some form to go along with the rest of the side.

[oriel]

Rovers as expected are creeping up, Derry will be very disappointed and will need to go on 4 or 5 game running win to get back into title race in my view.

Pats are solid, Drogs continue to defy the odds and are on some run to be fair, wonder if Bohs will be sniffing around Doherty? For me though I just think Shels will sneak it again, but it will be close, Pats / Rovers / Shels.

Relegation, not looking good for Sligo, would say early days but we never really recovered after series 1 last season, Cork C and Bohs not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination.

As for the FD, obv happy with the start by Dundalk, and more so that off the field appears to have settled down, but its a really poor standard this season, the FD, games have not been too good to watch, opposition putting 2 lines of defence on a lot of visits to OP.

[culloty82]

Hard to know how to evaluate Kerry - in terms of on the pitch results, we'd only be a few points off the play-offs, but for every excellent performance (Wexford, Athlone), there have been some real stinkers thrown in (UCD, Treaty, Bray). Luke Palmer has already stepped up to the mark from the Academy, and if Adams could show real consistency to match his flashes of potential, there may yet be a promising season in store.

[total hoofball]

I will give Shels a B- but with this league being as tight as last season it will take a half season to have more of a confident take on where we really may end up

Positives after one series of games we are right in the mix, we have only lost 1 in 9 and despite our backline being battered with injuries we have only conceded 6 goals in those 9 games which is along our trajectory from last season so our resolute hard to beat DNA that got us over the line to last seasons league title looks to be still there. I also think our conditioning looks excellent we seem to have more in our legs toward the end of games against so many teams particularly in the Rovers and Pats games which stood out

Negatives like in the 2nd half of last season we are not scoring enough goals, we are still blunt in the final third and we will not get away with that goal scoring ratio this season to secure any 2nd league title or even a top 3 spot. New signings are a mixed bag; Kerr McInroy looks to be a hit, jury is still out on all of Chapman/Norris/Odubeko/O'Kane and Daniel Kelly who was considered an injury risk when he was signed of course hasn't kicked a ball so far. Injuries have been a bigger problem for us this season maybe it just swings in roundabouts with some bad luck like young Lewis Temple breaking a bone in his foot in training days after securing MOTM against Pats

[pineapple stu]

If I could work out what position we were in I'd have a better idea!

Fifth if we keep Wexford's points - but will we? (Probably; either Wexford were wrong or the FAI won't like to admit a mistake)

But really it's I think our worst ever start to an LoI season and that can't be good. But the defence is solid and if we can get a few goals on decent pitches we'll be ok. Continuing Cobh's run of losses at the weekend would put a different gloss on things

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Delighted. Lulled everyone into a false sense of security.

[joey B]

Can’t be too disappointed,lost our manager 6 games into the season but we’re competitive,the most positive news of all though is we’re getting a bar that serves Guinness in the ground!

[Longfordian]

We're doing a bit better than I expected, as outspoken says can't argue with the efforts so far from a very young squad. It's going to be a very long season though unless we can add a few players somehow in the window.

[Another Bohemia]

I'm surprised Reynolds has lasted as long as he has given the results. Plenty of winnable games lost due to the team only showing up for a single half or not showing up at all. There is a good squad there I think but he cannot figure out how to get them playing together or what his best 11 is. I think depending on the results of the next couple of games that will likely decide his fate. 2 losses he's gone Monday evening and it's announced Tuesday morning, 2 win or a win and a draw he likely sees out the season.

[oriel]

I'm surprised Reynolds has lasted as long as he has given the results. Plenty of winnable games lost due to the team only showing up for a single half or not showing up at all. There is a good squad there I think but he cannot figure out how to get them playing together or what his best 11 is. I think depending on the results of the next couple of games that will likely decide his fate. 2 losses he's gone Monday evening and it's announced Tuesday morning, 2 win or a win and a draw he likely sees out the season.

This is not sour grapes AB - and I will point out the SOD was excellent in year 1 at DFC, but by christ he was awful in relegation season, so not sure what he is bringing to the party with Bohs in 2025.

Do you think Bohs might already be looking for a replacement (Doherty has to be in running) or will they give him more time in April?

[nigel-harps1954]

Honestly, it's been positive enough, bar the opening game of the season away to Kerry. We are where we are, we've probably one of the lowest budgets in all the LOI, we've an awful lot of kids in the squad getting their first taste of senior football, and we're competing well enough given the resources we have.

There's no reason a fit squad can't compete for the playoffs this year, after seeing the first round of games. It'll be key keeping the likes of Tony McNamee and David Cawley fit, and Max Hutchison has been superb playing out of position at centre back all year.

[Another Bohemia]

This is not sour grapes AB - and I will point out the SOD was excellent in year 1 at DFC, but by christ he was awful in relegation season, so not sure what he is bringing to the party with Bohs in 2025.

Do you think Bohs might already be looking for a replacement (Doherty has to be in running) or will they give him more time in April?

Wouldn't read that as sour grapes TBH. It's a question all Bohs fans have about all the coaching staff at the minute. On the pitch they've changed from 4 ATB to 3 ATB with wingbacks after the Cork game if I remember correctly so they are certainly trying to change things I just don't think it's working. The players still seem to be behind Reynolds and the coaching staff (see Tierney's celebrations for the 2nd goal against) and they are probably more behind him than the squad was with Long when he was let go and Devine when he was given the boot. So the players are seeing the work being done and appreciate that they could be doing better (at least that's what I'm seeing). While none of this is O'Donnell specific he would certainly have input in all this so the staff is putting in effort but I just don't think they are the right people for the job. Other Bohs fans will have more negative opinions on the coaching staff but I just think they are wrong people, wrong time.

As for searching for another manager I certainly hope a shortlist is ready and they have been reaching out to guage interest. I don't think a prolonged search is good for the team morale if they sack a manager who the players are still in support of. The problem is who's available? Higgins will likely start as the favourite and given how poorly Derry are showing with a supposed upgrade on manager and many senior former internationals added to the squad it paints his tenure up there in a good light. Doherty is someone the fans would certainly want but I just don't see him abandoning ship when Drogheda are potentially in a title challenge and will play euro games in the summer. Maybe they try a cheeky bid for Joey O'Brien at shels? Politically it would be a good fit and a big issue is a lack of steel in Bohs defence so that might be an interesting option if he wants to move up to being a manager, that is of course a big if.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Wouldn't read that as sour grapes TBH. It's a question all Bohs fans have about all the coaching staff at the minute. On the pitch they've changed from 4 ATB to 3 ATB with wingbacks after the Cork game if I remember correctly so they are certainly trying to change things I just don't think it's working. The players still seem to be behind Reynolds and the coaching staff (see Tierney's celebrations for the 2nd goal against) and they are probably more behind him than the squad was with Long when he was let go and Devine when he was given the boot. So the players are seeing the work being done and appreciate that they could be doing better (at least that's what I'm seeing). While none of this is O'Donnell specific he would certainly have input in all this so the staff is putting in effort but I just don't think they are the right people for the job. Other Bohs fans will have more negative opinions on the coaching staff but I just think they are wrong people, wrong time.

As for searching for another manager I certainly hope a shortlist is ready and they have been reaching out to guage interest. I don't think a prolonged search is good for the team morale if they sack a manager who the players are still in support of. The problem is who's available? Higgins will likely start as the favourite and given how poorly Derry are showing with a supposed upgrade on manager and many senior former internationals added to the squad it paints his tenure up there in a good light. Doherty is someone the fans would certainly want but I just don't see him abandoning ship when Drogheda are potentially in a title challenge and will play euro games in the summer. Maybe they try a cheeky bid for Joey O'Brien at shels? Politically it would be a good fit and a big issue is a lack of steel in Bohs defence so that might be an interesting option if he wants to move up to being a manager, that is of course a big if.

Are political opinions one of the criteria for hiring a manager ?

[Another Bohemia]

Are political opinions one of the criteria for hiring a manager ?

No, I more so meant Joey's political opinions would mesh with the clubs so that might make it somewhat appealing to him rather than it being something that Bohs look for. It's absolutely clutching at straws logic for sure but it's one of the only things I could think of as a reason to leave shels at the minute outside of wanting to try his hand at management rather than being a coach.

[ger121]

It feels like Round 4…

[sidewayspasser]

Even though City are missing Maguire and Keating, what worries me more is the defensive side of things. Too many goals conceded, and that despite Troost pulling off some impressive saves. When the opposition puts on pressure, the defense often looks a bit chaotic. That needs to be fixed, hopefully sooner rather than later.

[thebronze14]

Very happy. I thought when I looked at the squad assembled we were in a battle for 9th place. Young lads have been excellent and we've played attractive football for the first season in about 15 years! We probably should have a few more points but there's lots to be optimistic about

[Neish]

Honestly, it's been positive enough, bar the opening game of the season away to Kerry. We are where we are, we've probably one of the lowest budgets in all the LOI, we've an awful lot of kids in the squad getting their first taste of senior football, and we're competing well enough given the resources we have.

There's no reason a fit squad can't compete for the playoffs this year, after seeing the first round of games. It'll be key keeping the likes of Tony McNamee and David Cawley fit, and Max Hutchison has been superb playing out of position at centre back all year.

Yeah we have definitely be a lot better than what I was expecting back before the opening game. Well capable of being in with a shout for a playoff spot injuries and suspension as we head into 3rd and 4th round of games would be my only fear for that

[Another Bohemia]

Even though City are missing Maguire and Keating, what worries me more is the defensive side of things. Too many goals conceded, and that despite Troost pulling off some impressive saves. When the opposition puts on pressure, the defense often looks a bit chaotic. That needs to be fixed, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Best of luck with getting that fixed. Bohs have had 3 different managers over the last 5/6 seasons and plenty of different players both young and experienced to boot and we still look shaky at the back every week. Fixing a defence is easier said than done!

[TonyD]

Pretty happy with where Pats are, especially as the common consensus (which I agree with) is that we haven’t been playing as well as we were at the end of last season. That was an exceptional run of results though, and I think the league will continue to be very competitive this year. I think we’ll be up there challenging until the end of the season, if we don’t win it. Definitely more to come from the team. Mason Melia has been very quiet too, which makes Keenas loss even more of a blow. If we can beat Rovers tomorrow it will be a nice statement. First game was close enough, so why not ?

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Pretty happy with where Pats are, especially as the common consensus (which I agree with) is that we haven’t been playing as well as we were at the end of last season. That was an exceptional run of results though, and I think the league will continue to be very competitive this year. I think we’ll be up there challenging until the end of the season, if we don’t win it. Definitely more to come from the team. Mason Melia has been very quiet too, which makes Keenas loss even more of a blow. If we can beat Rovers tomorrow it will be a nice statement. First game was close enough, so why not ?

Is there anything to be said for starting Conor Carty and bringing Mason off the bench in the 2nd half ?

[Kingswood Rover]

Rovers look like they might start to click now. If Michael Noonan gets a goal or 2 his confidence will soar and he has to be there at Johnny Kennys level. I was impressed with John O Sullivan playing in Midfield on Monday, Matt Healy looks to be a great buy but i think our best prospect atm is young Victor. So very happy.

[WeAreRovers]

Rovers have clicked already IMO - 5 wins and a draw from the last 6 would suggest as much.

Very pleased with the young players in particular - Noonan, Cory, Victor, John O’Sullivan all look really comfortable.

Stay in touch until July, get the new striker in, then push on even stronger in the 2nd half of the season and we’ll be there or thereabouts.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford are probably where they would have been expected to be - pushing for a play-off place. The loss of the three points against UCD is a bit of a disaster though. Also a low point is that no club has been able to keep pace with Dundalk; a scrap at the top always increases interest. Plenty of plus points, though. Stephen Elliott looks like a very clued-in manager. Paul Martin has been impressive in goal. Calum Flynn, a young player with four goals in the last three games, looks very assured in front of goal. A welcome find for a player who is reputed to have phoned the club looking to play for our U20s. Mikie Rowe is on fire and Dobbsy is now back from injury. Dean Larkin and Robbie McCourt beginning to gel in the middle of the back four. Young Filip Wasilewski beginning to show glimpses of a player who was looked at by Parma. Needs to improve on consistency. James Crawford on an upward trajectory. But the major plus is watching a player who is still 17, Kaylem Harnett, basically running the Wexford show in midfield. Fantastic touch and vision for one so young. LOITV commentators have commented positively about Kaylem during away games. Who knows how far he will progress?

[2 Year Contract]

Stay in touch until July, get the new striker in, then push on even stronger in the 2nd half of the season and we’ll be there or thereabouts.

This is something a lot of people fall into the trap of thinking. Because of the games brought forward for European participation and cup games later in the season, the way the league fixtures are top loaded in the first 4 months of the season vs the last 5/6 months, the 4 European clubs will reach the halfway point in 5 weeks time, mid May, rather than July.

Those 4 clubs will have 9 games in the next 5 weeks which is going to be hectic and that’s where the squad depths will really be tested this year. Whichever of the challengers can keep the injury issues to a minimum in that time could have a big say on where the title ends up

[WeAreRovers]

July refers to the opening of the transfer window not the end of the first half of the season but point taken.

[kksaints]

Wexford are probably where they would have been expected to be - pushing for a play-off place. The loss of the three points against UCD is a bit of a disaster though. Also a low point is that no club has been able to keep pace with Dundalk; a scrap at the top always increases interest. Plenty of plus points, though. Stephen Elliott looks like a very clued-in manager. Paul Martin has been impressive in goal. Calum Flynn, a young player with four goals in the last three games, looks very assured in front of goal. A welcome find for a player who is reputed to have phoned the club looking to play for our U20s. Mikie Rowe is on fire and Dobbsy is now back from injury. Dean Larkin and Robbie McCourt beginning to gel in the middle of the back four. Young Filip Wasilewski beginning to show glimpses of a player who was looked at by Parma. Needs to improve on consistency. James Crawford on an upward trajectory. But the major plus is watching a player who is still 17, Kaylem Harnett, basically running the Wexford show in midfield. Fantastic touch and vision for one so young. LOITV commentators have commented positively about Kaylem during away games. Who knows how far he will progress?

Harnett was seriously impressive in the two matches I saw him in against Kerry and Longford. Wouldn't mind seeing him at Pats in the next season or so but he could easily get a move abroad.

[TonyD]

Is there anything to be said for starting Conor Carty and bringing Mason off the bench in the 2nd half ?

It’s certainly an option I think. Conors all round game is pretty good, and he works his socks off. Only thing holding him back is a lack of goals. He may well get a chance to start though.

[trevy]

It's been a mixed bag for Waterford. We were top after 4 games but have lost 5 games in a row since then to drop to 8th. The next 2 games against Sligo Rovers and Cork City will be important. If we don't pick up at least 4 points from them Keith Long will be under pressure. Some of the new signings haven't looked great so far and Matt Smith hasn't played at all due to injury.

[JC_GUFC]

Wexford are probably where they would have been expected to be - pushing for a play-off place. The loss of the three points against UCD is a bit of a disaster though. Also a low point is that no club has been able to keep pace with Dundalk; a scrap at the top always increases interest. Plenty of plus points, though. Stephen Elliott looks like a very clued-in manager. Paul Martin has been impressive in goal. Calum Flynn, a young player with four goals in the last three games, looks very assured in front of goal. A welcome find for a player who is reputed to have phoned the club looking to play for our U20s. Mikie Rowe is on fire and Dobbsy is now back from injury. Dean Larkin and Robbie McCourt beginning to gel in the middle of the back four. Young Filip Wasilewski beginning to show glimpses of a player who was looked at by Parma. Needs to improve on consistency. James Crawford on an upward trajectory. But the major plus is watching a player who is still 17, Kaylem Harnett, basically running the Wexford show in midfield. Fantastic touch and vision for one so young. LOITV commentators have commented positively about Kaylem during away games. Who knows how far he will progress?

How many of these lads are from Wexford or the South-East region? I know Mikie Rowe is but not really sure about the rest.

I know James Keddy said that he felt there was too much pressure to play lads from the area. That tends to become a bigger issue when results aren't being achieved... "we could be finishing 6th with local lads rather than shipping in lads from Dublin" etc.

[Neish]

. Also a low point is that no club has been able to keep pace with Dundalk; a scrap at the top always increases interest.

Bray are only 3 points behind them,and it just take a 3 or 4 game winless run for Dundalk and they will have 2 or 3 others within striking distance. At the start of the season I thought Dundalk would be comfortably ahead of the rest but I have seen them play Harp twice this season and don't see anything that puts them much ahead of the majority of the rest

[ForzaForth]

How many of these lads are from Wexford or the South-East region? I know Mikie Rowe is but not really sure about the rest.

I know James Keddy said that he felt there was too much pressure to play lads from the area. That tends to become a bigger issue when results aren't being achieved... "we could be finishing 6th with local lads rather than shipping in lads from Dublin" etc.

The players from Co. Wexford involved in the squad would include Mikie Rowe, Aaron Dobbs, Kaylem Harnett, Filip Wasilewski, Ryan Butler, Conor Levingston, Oscar Ramsey, Harry Sherlock and Darragh Levingston. A number of others are from neighbouring counties including Paul Martin, Jack and Dean Larkin, Ryan Scanlon, Calum Flynn and Mark Imiren. Alex Moody is from Newbridge. James Crawford is also from Co. Kildare. So, we'd have a good majority of the squad from the South-East.

[Nesta99]

Bray are only 3 points behind them,and it just take a 3 or 4 game winless run for Dundalk and they will have 2 or 3 others within striking distance. At the start of the season I thought Dundalk would be comfortably ahead of the rest but I have seen them play Harp twice this season and don't see anything that puts them much ahead of the majority of the rest

Im at a bit of a loss as to why there were people thinking Dundalk world comfortably win the 1st Division. Its Dundalk so its never made easy. A broadly new squad with a lot of youth. New and very inexpeienced manager albeit with little knowledge of the difficulties of managing in the womens league maybe i'm overstating this. Basketcase off field challanges that needed and still are being dealt with. Over expectant but loyal fanbase. I could go on and the division is full of clubs facing their own challanges of course but it was never going to be a parade. Little goal shy, can implode late on, thin squad, teens all across the squad with some experience that Im not sure are the out and out motivating leaders. Ive said a couple of weekends results and the total picture can change and tbh Bray win v Dundalk and its a proper pivitol moment imo. Nobody is going up in the playoffs, Dundalk dont go up automatically and bar a Waterford Pilley implosion there will be a growing number of clubs that 'should be promoted' going forward. Its all very much still to play for including anyone trying to stay up in now and in 12 months. Its going to be a rollercoaster more than PL title which is more a case of eeing if someone will standout or a least mistakes champion.