Weekend games 16th to 19th May

[cláirseach]

We had been playing some nice football up until a few weeks ago. Delighted with the clean sheet as it was a very makeshift backline. We should be creating a lot more though. We started creating last 15 minutes tbf. Shaunie Bradley was excellent when he came on too

Opinion of Harps being very direct was based off attending the Kerry and Athlone games, though to be fair the pitch was certainly a factor and the only time I have seen Finn Harps away from home this year was unfortunately at the other bobbler in UCD. The last fifteen of the Kerry game was also the most creative period as McAteer and McNamee, who can both play, were allowed the ball.

[TonyD]

Sean Hoare ! WTF. Does he know which team he’s playing for here ?

[pineapple stu]

Bizarre incident there in the Shels game - Kearns letting an easy cross right through his hands, and then going down injured. Commentators reckon he might have done his calf and felt a twinge when jumping to claim the cross, which caused him to fumble it? Sub keeper was togged out and ready to come on, but Kearns is going to play on and Drogheda are going to drop everything possible onto his head.

Edit - now he goes off, after playing on another six minutes. So Healy replaces Kearns - as he did at UCD actually. Kearns was our keeper in 2018/19, and Healy from 2020-2023

[Inchicore]

Kenny hasn't a clue how to set a team up to defend. Its like watching his Irish team play.
Week after week, defenders left isolated 1v1, 2v2 with no cover from midfield - normally being hit on the break.
So nieve, bordering on incompetence.
He needs to get a proper coach in next to him or he will struggle this season.

[Kiki Balboa]

If they weren't such big names ... Duff and Kenny would be under pressure for their jobs.

[sbgawa]

4 nil Rovers after 70 mins, didn't see that coming but Pats have offered very little tbf

[joey B]

Pats taking a pasting in Tallaght ….

[Jd2793]

If they weren't such big names ... Duff and Kenny would be under pressure for their jobs.

kenny definitely. no reason why a shels manager (whoever it is) would be under pressure after winning the league the season previous. they arent far off where they should be really.

[Inchicore]

kenny definitely. no reason why a shels manager (whoever it is) would be under pressure after winning the league the season previous. they arent far off where they should be really.

He was given a 5 year deal. Cute enough to demand that where Bohs wouldn't when they approached him.

[Inchicore]

Alot of poor decisions by the ref in this Pats v Rovers game but if any Pats fan uses that as an excuse for losing, is deluded.

[TonyD]

4 nil Rovers after 70 mins, didn't see that coming but Pats have offered very little tbf

Absolutely. That’s as depressing a night as I can remember in a long time. Completely out played and outfought. Think the selection was all wrong too. Playing without full backs was crazy.

[Calcio Jack]

If they weren't such big names ... Duff and Kenny would be under pressure for their jobs.

Will be interesting.to observe how each of them deals with their own mini crisis , as neither even in the best of times come accross as being the most rational of individuals…. As for Rovers now we have a full squad fit and available we’re in a great place and Bradley continues to do a brilliant job

[brendy_éire]

4 nil Rovers after 70 mins, didn't see that coming but Pats have offered very little tbf

Not surprised at the win. Pats were poor, and have been for the last month. I think they were due a hiding, and Anang going walkabout for the first helped start It. It was a canter for Rovers really. Maybe this will be a serious wake-up call for Pat's?

That a was a fairly drab one in Tolka. Shels are getting into the habit of having plenty of possession but not doing much with it (67% tonight).

[Jack B]

You’ll probably win on Monday so.

I blame you for this.

[2 Year Contract]

I thought Pats were decent enough in possession for large parts of the first half and were unlucky not to have scored one, looked a stonewall peno on Melia just before half time. Too soft defensively though and rovers sucker punched them twice, the rovers attack vs the pats defence was like a hot knife through butter and that continued through the second half which was absolutely pants stuff from Pats both with and without the ball. Need to sort themselves out quickly and get back on track with 2 wins in the next 2 at home to Waterford and away to Sligo which on paper are winnable games but equally won’t actually turn out to be easy as with most games in this league

[outspoken]

Not really a fair reflection as most teams are littered with young players. Bray and Dundalk both flying with a number of 17, 18 and 19 years playing most weeks.

The first division is the home of young players now, with only the really exceptional players getting a change in Premier Division these days.

Are we genuinely comparing full time Dundalk with more staff than some clubs have players with a Longford side who haven't a pot to **** in and have brought in a bunch of lads who've barely played LOI before?

You're right though, the league is littered with young players. Bray massively over achieving but they still have the likes of Cantwell knocking about, even Harps have the likes of Crawley and McNamee. Longford have no real established player like that in their ranks. I fully expect us to finish bottom this season tbh.

[TonyD]

I thought Pats were decent enough in possession for large parts of the first half and were unlucky not to have scored one, looked a stonewall peno on Melia just before half time. Too soft defensively though and rovers sucker punched them twice, the rovers attack vs the pats defence was like a hot knife through butter and that continued through the second half which was absolutely pants stuff from Pats both with and without the ball. Need to sort themselves out quickly and get back on track with 2 wins in the next 2 at home to Waterford and away to Sligo which on paper are winnable games but equally won’t actually turn out to be easy as with most games in this league

It was a massive gamble to play Power and Elbouzedi as wing backs and it just fell apart spectacularly. We were wide open to the Rovers counter every time we went forward. The thinking was obviously that we could cause them more problems by accommodating essentially 5 out and out attacking players. I’m sure with hindsight Stephen Kenny realises that it was almost a reckless gamble. Should have started with Sjoberg/ McLoughlin and Breslin. I would also have played McClelland in centre midfield alongside Lennon. We may not have won, but we would have been far more solid.

[Another Bohemia]

Just watched the Rovers V Pats highlights. Not happy viewing for Pats fans. Burke's long range goal in particular would drive me insane. It seemed like he was jogging with the ball, certainly not going full pelt at least, and there was no Pats player in to put a tackle on him until he was just about to pull the trigger. Also think Anang could have done better but with the angle we have it's hard to be certain on that front. But they just looked like a team who was tired and Rovers looked significantly fitter than them. With Europe on the horizon Pats will have to hope their fitness levels improve otherwise it could be a quick exit from Europe after it had served to galvanise them last season. If Rovers can keep their players fit through Europe they have to be hot favourites to win the league. That is of course a big if as they do have a few injury prone and aging players in their squad.

[pineapple stu]

Mad that Pat's ended last season with 11 straight wins. Serious collapse in form there when with a full pre-season you'd have expected them to kick on

[thebronze14]

Are we genuinely comparing full time Dundalk with more staff than some clubs have players with a Longford side who haven't a pot to **** in and have brought in a bunch of lads who've barely played LOI before?

You're right though, the league is littered with young players. Bray massively over achieving but they still have the likes of Cantwell knocking about, even Harps have the likes of Crawley and McNamee. Longford have no real established player like that in their ranks. I fully expect us to finish bottom this season tbh.

Jinxed us there. Cawley gone. We're down to McNamee and the perennially injured Tourish!I knew the young lads would get a good run this season but didn't think how vital the 16/17 year olds would become. People complained for years how we had no young players, I assume they are thoroughly enjoying this season!!

[2 Year Contract]

It was a massive gamble to play Power and Elbouzedi as wing backs and it just fell apart spectacularly. We were wide open to the Rovers counter every time we went forward. The thinking was obviously that we could cause them more problems by accommodating essentially 5 out and out attacking players. I’m sure with hindsight Stephen Kenny realises that it was almost a reckless gamble. Should have started with Sjoberg/ McLoughlin and Breslin. I would also have played McClelland in centre midfield alongside Lennon. We may not have won, but we would have been far more solid.

Yeah big time, even when they switched to a back 4 at 3-0 down, it was McClelland and Elbouzedi at left and right back until Breslin was brought on at left back and McClelland moved into midfield, then McLaughlin came on at centre mid. Mad stuff really when there was 2 natural left backs and 2 natural right backs on the bench. The shape of the team was absolutely all over the place with way too many square pegs in rounds holes.

One interesting thing to note for anyone that didn’t see the game was, Ed McGinty had an indirect free kick awarded against him late enough in the game for holding the ball in his hands for too long. In the thousands of football games I’ve watched I’m pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve ever seen the rule enforced. Utterly typical that it would be awarded while my team were 4-0 down :)

[Stuttgart88]

I thought Pats were decent enough in possession for large parts of the first half and were unlucky not to have scored one, looked a stonewall peno on Melia just before half time. My heart was in my mouth then. Even the (only?) replay looked like a foul too. 2-1 might have been different as Pats had momentum either side of half time. Goals change games though, the old cliche. There was an element of fortune in all four Rovers goals: crazy goalkeeping, deflection and two slightly fortunate ricochets that landed perfectly for Rovers. We got a bit lucky at Waterford too with the McMullan error and the late bobble as the ball eluded his dive, but I think it shows though that if Rovers cut out the dumb errors we're a good team. Things are starting to click and the quick one touch football at times last night (just look at the full build up to Greene's goal..) was a marked difference from the slow, sideways passing evident in the first ten games or so.

Grant is growing in confidence, it was great the see Clarke back and Byrne is playing his best ball since his outstanding season a few years ago. But lads, Cory O'Sullivan, what a player.

[ger121]

I blame you for this.

I am the Cooler.

[placid casual]

A good win for Rovers but bigger challenges await as derry look like they could challenge for the title this season.
Rovers have enough emerging young players that talk of an ageing squad has no merit.
With McGovern set to join in June it may see gaffney offloaded to galway I'd wager,but assuming McGovern can get up and running it should strengthen Rovers.
We have the best players in the league so we should be top, and we are. Long way to go in the season tho, especially if Grace's injury keeps him out for any sustained period - Him and Redmond are best defenders in the league imo.

Finally,duff is an embarrassment and will no doubt jump before he's pushed, blaming all and sundry for not aspiring to his supposed high standards. He won a mickey mouse standard league last year but is getting found out now

[sessylU]

A good win for Rovers but bigger challenges await as derry look like they could challenge for the title this season.


I'd love to believe this, but I think Derry's (and everyone else's) title push ends on Friday night when Rovers put three past them. Derry look so fragile to high balls into on top of or in front of Maher, and I think Shamrock Rovers, despite being a "good footballing side" are too canny to look a gift horse in the mouth. They're professional enough that they'll be happy to batter that six yard box and head off down the road with three points without having had to play for them.

[Jack B]

Just watched the Rovers V Pats highlights. Not happy viewing for Pats fans. Burke's long range goal in particular would drive me insane. It seemed like he was jogging with the ball, certainly not going full pelt at least, and there was no Pats player in to put a tackle on him until he was just about to pull the trigger. Also think Anang could have done better but with the angle we have it's hard to be certain on that front. But they just looked like a team who was tired and Rovers looked significantly fitter than them. With Europe on the horizon Pats will have to hope their fitness levels improve otherwise it could be a quick exit from Europe after it had served to galvanise them last season. If Rovers can keep their players fit through Europe they have to be hot favourites to win the league. That is of course a big if as they do have a few injury prone and aging players in their squad.

Yeah, this summed it up for me really. Lennon normally is the only one doing any of the hard yards in midfield so you know you've a problem when he's the one you could point the finger at too.

If you only went off the balance of play/chances it probably didn't seem a 4-0 game but I don't think it was a particularly unfair scoreline. Rovers were in third gear and were ultimately always going to be too powerful over the course of the game. I think there's talent in the squad but it's ultimately too soft, mentally and physically. The likes of Mulraney have brittle confidence at the best of times, but there's just not enough athleticism and/or physicality to not get bullied in games like that.

Have to say, if it is actually true that we could have signed Adam O'Reilly but opted for Baggley instead (may not be, but was said at the time) then deary me. Not to pile on a player but he sort of sums us up this season thus far and has provided next to nothing. A soft touch off the ball and probably our least progressive midfielder on it, when that is meant to be a strength of his game.

[Dalymountrower]

Pat's last night reminded me a lot of how Bohs looked early in the season when Pat's beat them 3-0.
I know Pat's are down two mid fielders , but some of the midfield and defensive cover from them was shocking.
Rovers strolled through them and will win 60 -70% of their remaining matches and walk away with the league.
Derry should be second
Pat's,Bohs,Dogs and Shels battling for third.
Feeling slightly more optimistic for an unlikely Bohs third place having seen Pat's and Shels in action.

[SkStu]

Finally,duff is an embarrassment and will no doubt jump before he's pushed, blaming all and sundry for not aspiring to his supposed high standards. He won a mickey mouse standard league last year but is getting found out now

Can't stand the choont

[sbgawa]

I think embarressment is a bit of a leep to be fair.
He shows passion and speaks a lot of sense regarding the league
In terms of touchline antics he is far from the worst and not approaching Kevin Doherty levels of antics
His biggest fault is probably a refusal to see fault in himself or his players in a them and us mentality but then he learned under Jose Mourniho so what do we expect
I reckon he has been good for the league

[ccity]

I think embarressment is a bit of a leep to be fair.
He shows passion and speaks a lot of sense regarding the league
In terms of touchline antics he is far from the worst and not approaching Kevin Doherty levels of antics
His biggest fault is probably a refusal to see fault in himself or his players in a them and us mentality but then he learned under Jose Mourniho so what do we expect
I reckon he has been good for the league

I think that he's been very good for the Shels & for the league. I hope he stays.

[Onapointoforder]

Yeah, this summed it up for me really. Lennon normally is the only one doing any of the hard yards in midfield so you know you've a problem when he's the one you could point the finger at too.

If you only went off the balance of play/chances it probably didn't seem a 4-0 game but I don't think it was a particularly unfair scoreline. Rovers were in third gear and were ultimately always going to be too powerful over the course of the game. I think there's talent in the squad but it's ultimately too soft, mentally and physically. The likes of Mulraney have brittle confidence at the best of times, but there's just not enough athleticism and/or physicality to not get bullied in games like that.

Have to say, if it is actually true that we could have signed Adam O'Reilly but opted for Baggley instead (may not be, but was said at the time) then deary me. Not to pile on a player but he sort of sums us up this season thus far and has provided next to nothing. A soft touch off the ball and probably our least progressive midfielder on it, when that is meant to be a strength of his game.

Pat’s warm-up was worrying, players standing around not doing much some of the time… seemed very unprofessional compared to Rovers… carried on into the game.

[Nesta99]

Like him or loathe him Damien Duff is an addition to the league on a lot of levels. His profile and standig in the game and his forthright and almost carefree criticism of things, particularly officiating emboldened others to be less diplomatic. Himself and Bradley are outspoken managers that cannot be completely bullied in to silence and thats a good thing.

Im surprised to read that the St Pats warm-up lacked intensity. Years back it was always a contrast to see sides doing drills prior to a Euroean game and our lot pinging balls at goal only. SK or his s&c people changed that at Dundalk and domestically for a while I think it intimidated other sides watching a proper warm-up. It takes player buy in initially for these things to be taken eriously but by now its par for the course for all. Is SK getting sloppy, are his methods getting dated and his absolute belief in his system and players, to the point of barely changing things if a game isnt going well, is it still an issue or that he int evolving. Does he lack players that can take on the mountain of info he preps them with, or that the squad is in some way light in key areas that are needed to execute his system. I often found the slow buil up play frustraating and unnecessary but easy to take when winning games but there is a move away from possession for possesion sake. Or, and I think this is more the case, that it is just taking longer than previous team builds to get this St Pats side firing. There is a level playing field and wider professionalism across the league now than when Dundalk were being built in to a championship side so its a smaller incremental build rather than pretty big leap?

Galway are the other side that may have been figured out and hit a ceiling. Shels being hard to beat isnt enough when others are actually winning games they werent last season and theyre are pretty blunt up top. Its Derry's to lose without the rigours of Europe but I doubt we will have the progression of sides in Europe like last season bar Rovers (who need to be pushed domestically), Shels are not champions material for CL currently, Drogs will have a good go but meet any quality and its trouble and St Pats could benefit from SK guile in Europe maybe. Otherwise the league is starting to look more like the predictions thread now.

[Shinkicker]

Like him or loathe him Damien Duff is an addition to the league on a lot of levels. His profile and standig in the game and his forthright and almost carefree criticism of things, particularly officiating emboldened others to be less diplomatic. Himself and Bradley are outspoken managers that cannot be completely bullied in to silence and thats a good thing.

Im surprised to read that the St Pats warm-up lacked intensity. Years back it was always a contrast to see sides doing drills prior to a Euroean game and our lot pinging balls at goal only. SK or his s&c people changed that at Dundalk and domestically for a while I think it intimidated other sides watching a proper warm-up. It takes player buy in initially for these things to be taken eriously but by now its par for the course for all. Is SK getting sloppy, are his methods getting dated and his absolute belief in his system and players, to the point of barely changing things if a game isnt going well, is it still an issue or that he int evolving. Does he lack players that can take on the mountain of info he preps them with, or that the squad is in some way light in key areas that are needed to execute his system. I often found the slow buil up play frustraating and unnecessary but easy to take when winning games but there is a move away from possession for possesion sake. Or, and I think this is more the case, that it is just taking longer than previous team builds to get this St Pats side firing. There is a level playing field and wider professionalism across the league now than when Dundalk were being built in to a championship side so its a smaller incremental build rather than pretty big leap?

Galway are the other side that may have been figured out and hit a ceiling. Shels being hard to beat isnt enough when others are actually winning games they werent last season and theyre are pretty blunt up top. Its Derry's to lose without the rigours of Europe but I doubt we will have the progression of sides in Europe like last season bar Rovers (who need to be pushed domestically), Shels are not champions material for CL currently, Drogs will have a good go but meet any quality and its trouble and St Pats could benefit from SK guile in Europe maybe. Otherwise the league is starting to look more like the predictions thread now.
I was a big fan of Duff as a footballer but less so as a manager. He has an arrogant attitude with a face like a slapped ar$3 and believes he is the greatest manager ever in the LOI. I believe he now doesn't shake hands with two managers (I can be corrected) and just about acknowledges several others. These are all of the reasons I watch him. It's a bit like Donald Trump, what will he do or say next, which is good for the league. BUT this does not make him invincible and if results don't change soon he could be out of a job watching from any grassy bank of his choosing.

[Keen2win]

Unfortunately Longford doesn't care about developing its youth like every other team in the league.. LTFC probably spend as much renting a pitch for training in Dublin then on a lot of their players.. We are depending on Dublin players with very little experience while local players are thrown aside.. Apparently it was the worst LTFC match ever and the attendance was very poor, worst in the league.. we don't have a jersey sponsor.. there are a few who seem crazy to maintain the status quo at LTFC probably because they benefit personally with their role talking about games, however as a football club we need to start focusing on the fundamentals, its not a social media club! Most locals seem to be very tired of the situation and many are now asking to give Anthony Elding a chance as he won our first academy national league title and is a top coach .. We have entered a post truth reality where success in the game seems to be secondary and everyone is an expert.. just like people at Damien Duff, Duffer is a legend.. he came through Shels U17s and has won the league against the odds - long live Duffer probably the best manager in the league because nothing beats experience !! People calling Duffer arrogant, too right he is arrogant he knows he is at a different level than basically every other manager in the league, he probably looks at Stephen Bradley and thinks.. "give me a break"!

Hopefully it turns for LTFC, regardless of the manager for me the most important thing is to give our academy players the opportunity to play in the senior team by training in the midlands - our local players and coaches deserve our opportunity, LTFC is a Longford club, not a Dublin feeder club! Lots of good in the club and our chairman has done a great job over the years now hopefully they make the call to give Elding the opportunity to push the club forward the next bit.. LTFC, a "sleeping giant"

[Nesta99]

If Duff were to do the 'show me your medals' BS then he is an arrogant whatever. That he hasnt done that sort of stuff is credit to him knowing that as a manager he hasnt dont a whole lot. This will be his 1st season managing in CL and there are others that have greater experience there and in winning domestic titles. Bradley beng one so I doubt he'll be 'give me a break', Kenny as another. He has won as many league titles as Caulfield!! Now maybe his potential is greater but he cannot yet be dismissive of anybody in this league if he ever is and he doesnt seem the type. Other than that I agree with what you are getting at and indeed can associate with your frustrations with club matters.

[TownManForever]

Load of ****e lad.

The club has said for years it’s training outside of Longford due to the sheer lack of facilities and with academy teams being added every year there’s limited space. They’ve two pitches at Bishopsgate - there’s a new Astro but I don’t think it’s full sized and the new Astro at the rugby club is booked out 24/7.

Your point about ‘local players’ is rubbish too. The local league in Longford is barely functioning at senior level with about 5 teams and I can recall only 1 Longford lad playing in the LSL in Ryan Carberry and he was with the academy years ago. Nearly sure I heard he was training with us last year too. At the academy level, the club has developed multiple LOI players over the years- Aodh Dervin the obvious one, Ben Lynch now with Treaty, Evan O’Connor formerly of Galway and now Treaty also started with Longford. The U14/15’s are mostly all local and upwards is where you are going to get lads from outside the county coming in. Manny James came up from the 19s/20’s, hell this year alone Groves has played like 5 U19 players at some stage or another.

Absolutely NOBODY is calling for Anthony Elding to come in. Except you that is. And that’s because you were on his bench. Harping on about an U17 C title or whatever it was isn’t the win you think it is. Why hasn’t Elding managed at senior level before? Why has he not lasted at 4 different clubs? Mental points being made.

Facts are the club could probably do with new owners and investment but Longford is Longford and not many are going to be interested when you’ve Athlone (as bad as the club is) only half an hour away with a booming Town and university.

[placid casual]

just like people at Damien Duff, Duffer is a legend.. he came through Shels U17s and has won the league against the odds - long live Duffer probably the best manager in the league because nothing beats experience !! People calling Duffer arrogant, too right he is arrogant he knows he is at a different level than basically every other manager in the league, he probably looks at Stephen Bradley and thinks.. "give me a break"!
In the LOI , Duff is the monkey, but Bradley is the organ grinder.

[Kiki Balboa]

The Shels team last year was as poor of a winner as there ever has been in the league.

It wasn't there talent on the pitch, but complete lack of game management ability that really surprised me. Very conservative manager, who doesn't seem to want to go out and win games.

But someone has to win the league, and the rest all threw it away at different stages. You cant take it away from Shels.

They spent a lot more money this year, and got worse. Fair play to them last year, but feel watching Duffs teams, now is a far more representative of where this Shelbourne team under Duff always played. A bottom half side, who are set up well, but run out of ideas very quickly, and cant see out a game.

TDLR... Last year was an anonomly, and Duff to be thought of anything other than a lucky manager and full of bluster, has to do more than have one good season.

Roddy Collins part 2 ?

[pineapple stu]

TDLR... Last year was an anonomly, and Duff to be thought of anything other than a lucky manager and full of bluster, has to do more than have one good season.
I suppose Duff say in his four years with Shels, he's won the First Division, kept them up in the Premier (something they hadn't done since 2012), got them into Europe via the league (first time since 2006), and then won the league while also getting through a round in Europe and taking a respectable draw off FC Zurich (albeit while 3-0 down from the first leg).

It's a bit harsh to say last season was an anomaly.

[joey B]

I suppose Duff say in his four years with Shels, he's won the First Division, kept them up in the Premier (something they hadn't done since 2012), got them into Europe via the league (first time since 2006), and then won the league while also getting through a round in Europe and taking a respectable draw off FC Zurich (albeit while 3-0 down from the first leg).

It's a bit harsh to say last season was an anomaly.

Think it was Ian Morris who won the First Division ….

[RealJohn91]

Yeah, they sacked Morris after he won the first division.

[pineapple stu]

Ah, fair. Still, rest of stuff remains valid.

[bohsmug]

I suppose Duff say in his four years with Shels, he's won the First Division, kept them up in the Premier (something they hadn't done since 2012), got them into Europe via the league (first time since 2006), and then won the league while also getting through a round in Europe and taking a respectable draw off FC Zurich (albeit while 3-0 down from the first leg).

It's a bit harsh to say last season was an anomaly.

He didn't win the first division. Came in after that but your point stands. Duff has done a very good job there and has been steady progress up until this point. In his first season there they stayed up comfortably (7th I think) and got to a cup final. They got a lot stronger as that season went on, with them growing into the identity that gave them success over the next 2 years. 2nd season finished 4th and qualified for Europe. 3rd season wins the league. Every year he's had with Shels so far has been a success.

Who knows what happens this year but Kiki saying Duff "has to do more than have one good season" is a nonsense point to be honest. He's had 3/3.

Now if things get testy at the club and that ride of feel-good momentum they've been on for 3 years is replaced with a period of negativity then we don't yet know how he or the club and fans will deal with it. Bohs had feel good momentum between 2018 - 2021 and when it fell apart we were floored. It started creaking in 2021. We had a great European run, got to a cup final (at that stage in our progress we needed to win it really for it to be a "success") but that team shouldn't have finished as low as 5th. We fell apart and the ground got quite toxic, aside from the current run of form and a similar run in early 2023. So that's a different type of test for Duff and one that is par for the course in management, turning around a team who are getting poor results. I don't completely disagree with Kiki's post in its entirety but he's had 3 very good years of steady progress, I don't really see that as disputable. It suits Bohs if Shels fall apart so I can't make a prediction with any degree of objectivity, let's see.

-
EDIT: As is often the case it took me that long to write my post that a point I made had long already been made re: Ian Morris. I blame getting interrupted and occasionally having to do some actual work before getting back to the foot.ie tab

[pineapple stu]

Forgot they got to the Cup final as well. Bit of a pasting, but a Cup Final's a Cup Final, especially for a newly-promoted side.

Even now they're only four points off second in the league - nothing a run of form wouldn't fix.

[Keen2win]

Great to see a bit of sense on Foot.ie.. I met Duffer when he was managing Shels u17, and found him to be very nice and respectful.. more importantly his Shels team at that stage were excellent.. and I asked one of their players and they said he was brilliant! So it was clear to me anyway, because nothing beats experience.. someone with a professional history in England will have much more experience than someone who played in the part time LOI which was the worst league in Europe at the time! Duffer and others such as Elding etc are simply different gravy, and no fan or ex LOI player can deny that imo

[Another Bohemia]

Great to see a bit of sense on Foot.ie.. I met Duffer when he was managing Shels u17, and found him to be very nice and respectful.. more importantly his Shels team at that stage were excellent.. and I asked one of their players and they said he was brilliant! So it was clear to me anyway, because nothing beats experience.. someone with a professional history in England will have much more experience than someone who played in the part time LOI which was the worst league in Europe at the time! Duffer and others such as Elding etc are simply different gravy, and no fan or ex LOI player can deny that imo

While I agree with your broader point that Duff is a good manager I really dislike your logic. Just because someone played at a high level does not mean they are destined to be a good manager. By your logic Wayne Rooney, Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard an many other great professional footballer should also be great managers. That's not the case. Alex Ferguson didn't have some stellar career and is one of the best managers of all time, Jose Mourinho had a pretty short professional career at lower levels in Portugal and is arguably one of the best managers of his generation. For every Zinedine Zidane who can manage and play at an extremely high level there's a plethora of Tony Adams, Gianfranco Zolas, Paolo DiCannios who just aren't up to it as managers.

[Nesta99]

Jeez what a load of horse**** K2w, Jose Mourhino was a translator who got in to coaching and probably Duff's main influence should we dismss Mourhino because he didnt have a English Premier League background? Worst league in Europe at the time?? It wasnt all rosy but it was never that bad as a simple look at rankings will show. Talk about sounding nouveaux LoI!!

[Keen2win]

Nesta son you seem not to know what you are talking about.. AI tells me a very high % of managers across the top leagues have played professionally.. these people dedicated their life to the game to make it.. it was not micky mouse league of ireland 10-20 years ago.. mourinho learned from Robson at Barca, I have also learned and can play.. so just an informed observation amongst a sea of noise! There are levels to the game, and loi back then was the bottom level . To bring loi forward one has to be realistic and accept that performing in England is miles ahead of loi .. but I definitely accept some managers can take a different route but they need to be truly exceptional, get lucky, and have professional mentors no doubt

[Buckett]

Nesta son you seem not to know what you are talking about.. AI tells me a very high % of managers across the top leagues have played professionally.. these people dedicated their life to the game to make it.. it was not micky mouse league of ireland 10-20 years ago.. mourinho learned from Robson at Barca, I have also learned and can play.. so just an informed observation amongst a sea of noise! There are levels to the game, and loi back then was the bottom level . To bring loi forward one has to be realistic and accept that performing in England is miles ahead of loi .. but I definitely accept some managers can take a different route but they need to be truly exceptional, get lucky, and have professional mentors no doubt

So, you're saying your LOI winners medal is worth fack all?

[Keen2win]

My LOI medal was on my bday in 2022. With the worst academy in the country. And their first national league title.. if that means nothing fair enough but I would disagree, it shows serious potential for everyone involved.. the worst part of this is only 1 player from this u17 team currently in the club - that's a shocking stat ! Probably missed out on a few million by not keeping young Elding too but my point is - nobody in the club knows this or sees this.. big decisions that have cost the club millions.. hopefully elding gets his chance to push on and drive LTFC forward, and starts to give you players and coaches from the midlands our just chance.. the reason I got involved initially because I saw many of my friends who were so good growing up getting no chance, I wanted to help change this but we still just a Dublin team.. while some people spent the past decade talking about football, those same friends set up a senior football team called the Moydow Muddogs.. who absolutely bossed local Longford football for the past 10 years and have a multiple of ex LTFC academy with us.. we are literally providing football for the young talented lads of Longford.. unfortunately local Longford football is going down and down too, a recent FAI meeting that I was at stated there were c. 10 teams 10 years ago, next season we are looking at 2 local teams.. football in Longford is in a bad state at adult level tbh