Longford Town (H)

[culloty82]

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the Cobh result is that it highlights the potential within the squad, in that if they were as up for the League as they have been for the cup runs over the last two seasons, they'd certainly be capable of qualifying for the playoffs. We are where we are, however, so with Dundalk and Cobh both away before we host Sligo, Friday's match is essential if we're to keep in touch with both Harps and Longford in the mini-league at the bottom. Daniel Okwute's still suspended, while Luke Palmer remains sidelined, but Ewan Lee is available once more, and Seán McGrath may well feature, going by Healy's latest press conference. Longford were certainly impressive against Rovers on Sunday, but we can't afford to drop any points tomorrow.

[LTFC]

Normally when you go out of cup and where we are in league season peters out but the squad have performed well over the last while, few expected defeats v Dundalk, Cobh and Rovers, but solid performances.
Sligo a great draw for you in cup, hopefully a sell out and a chance.

Back to tonight, if we perform as we have done for the last 2 months I'd expect us to get something from tonight.

[listowelceltic]

Watched the longford Rovers game Sunday. Thought it was an impressive performance by them and they could have caused an upset.
Hopefully a massive hangover for today .
Crowd prediction anyone? Alot of home games together but the cup run might offset that.
I'm going for a dour 1 nil win in front of 600 diehards.

[legendz]

Well taken goal by Cian Brosnan. Higher points total than last year achieved now which was probably the minimum target for this year.

[Zico]

Watched the longford Rovers game Sunday. Thought it was an impressive performance by them and they could have caused an upset.
Hopefully a massive hangover for today .
Crowd prediction anyone? Alot of home games together but the cup run might offset that.
I'm going for a dour 1 nil win in front of 600 diehards.

Bang on with the score line and very close on the attendance too - probably shows how much the festival impacted last weeks crowd too.

Good to grind out a win - got the job done against a side probably playing better than their league position over the last 6-7 weeks. Another card happy ref in a game with hardly a tackle, it was all fairly passive stuff to be fair..

The playoffs are back on - treaty are falling apart and hard to see them recover after this hammering. Harps looks most likely but would feel like a complete injustice if they sneak in a few points ahead of us or by 1 or 2 goals on GD over somebody else.

Tough run coming up so tonight’s win was needed, hopefully we can get 4 points from the next 3 league games and a storming finish after that!!

[legendz]

For Kerry to make an unlikely push for the playoffs, they'll have to pick up at least 16 points from the remaining 8 games. They'd also be depending on results from other games going their way. The grounded reality though is that Kerry don't pick up points at that rate. If they could utilise all their experience they could have an outside chance but inconsistency has been their Achilles heel. As supporters, we can dream I suppose!

[Zico]

Treaty’s form is brutal - 8 points from the last 10 games, 2 points from the last 5 and on the back of a 7 nil drubbing. Hard to see them turn this around. I’m banking on that and then around 41 points might be enough to get 5th.

Kerry have toughest run in with only 3 home games left, Wexford have 5 of their 8 left at home but look to be in freefall for a while now. Assuming the top 4 sides keep winning against everyone else then it will be the head 2 head battles of the 5 teams chasing the 5th spot that will probably decide it. Harps have best set of fixtures - home games against Treaty, ourselves and Wexford and they also play Dundalk and UCD (at home) in last 2 games both of whom will have nothing to play for by then.

If we can get to 40 points and a good showing against Sligo, I think it will be deemed a successful season with continued progress.

[legendz]

The next 3 league games are tough. Dundalk away, Cobh at home and UCD away. The trip to UCD is followed by a Monday away in Athlone, pushed back because of the FAI Cup quarter final. Need to be picking up 7 points from the next 4 if an unlikely playoff push is to be on the cards going into the final 4 games.

[listowelceltic]

Can Kevin Williams red card be appealed or can you only appeal straight reds? Seemed very harsh.

[Zico]

I don’t think you can appeal unless it’s straight red. I have watched it back a few times and also seen on clubs pitch side release ( which does look like slight contact) and it’s very hard to tell. The ref needs to be 100% sure in this instance - player is going full throttle to the byline and checks back, there is a high probability of a slip etc. the players reaction to get straight up and play on with the ball should be enough for the ref to deem it as play on. I’d also look at the reaction of the Langford players - the guy that tackled has his hand out after to say no penalty but not overreacting to a dive and no other town player protesting either.

Longford had something similar in our box 20 mins before that where ref gave a free out but no booking (there may have been an offside flag up too though)

[legendz]

Colin Healy is making the right noises demanding the players improve week on week. Inconsistency has been the club's Achilles heel. The final stretch would be some time to hit form.