Games weekend 29th August

[sbgawa]

Premier Division

Friday 29th

Cork v Waterford 19:45
Derry v St Pats

Saturday 30th

Sligo v Bohemians 19:45

Sunday 31st

Shelbourne v Galway
Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda 19:00

First Division

Friday 29th (All 19:45)

Athlone v Cobh
Dundalk v Kerry
UCD v Bray
Finn Harps v Treaty

Saturday 30th

Longford v Wexford 19:30

[sbgawa]

Derry v PAts is an interesting one , i suppose i should be hoping for a Pats win but with Pats on a bit of a run like last year a draw might be best.
Sligo could do with the points against Bohs and that would be my hope for sure with Bohs only 7 points behind.
Big game in Division one with Finn HArps who have put a bit of a run together could close up to only 1 point behind Treaty with a win (and a game in hand)
I thought the PO places were set a few weeks ago but Treaty are on an awful run at the wrong time.
With Dundalk now looking sure to winn the Division could Harps make the playoffs and win the promotion playoff?? Be some turn u

[holidaysong]

Finn Harps don't have a game in hand. A lot of score apps don't reflect their expunged match against Kerry in the games played, which makes it look like they've a game in hand against each other. The official league website correctly reflects them as 28 played each.

[sbgawa]

Finn Harps don't have a game in hand. A lot of score apps don't reflect their expunged match against Kerry in the games played, which makes it look like they've a game in hand against each other. The official league website correctly reflects them as 28 played each.

Thnaks for that, its the RTE website i use for tables and fixtures youd think they would be correct....then again
Makes the game even more important for Harps so , less wiggle room

[Neish]

Friday 29th


First Division

Friday 29th (All 19:45)

Athlone v Cobh
Dundalk v Kerry
UCD v Bray
Finn Harps v Treaty

Saturday 30th

Longford v Wexford 19:30

Important game in Finn Park, a win for Harps bring us within a point of the last playoff spot as it enters the final stages. A win for Treaty and the gap returns to 7 points and most likely get over taken by Wexford who I'd be expecting to beat Longford on Saturday

[brendy_éire]

Doherty, Stott and Winchester all suspended for tomorrow's match against Pat's, with Liam Boyce out for the season due to a hamstring injury which he has to get surgery on.
Doesn't make things any easier in what could be a critical game for both team's fortunes this year.
A win for us would kill off Pat's push for second place, but I'd probably just take a draw if offered it now.
Not sure why the match isn't the Virgin one compared with the Cork-Waterford one.

Certainly going to be watching the Sligo-Bohs match on Saturday night. This could be the weekend the Galway drop into the playoff spot.

[ger121]

God only knows what version of us turns up on Saturday vs Sligo. We haven’t always been the best against The Bit O’Red.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Generally seem to do well in the showgrounds all the same. Won the last 3 there anyway. Weather not looking great.

[redarmyfaction]

Generally seem to do well in the showgrounds all the same. Won the last 3 there anyway. Weather not looking great.
Prefer to be in the Jinks than EP anyways.

[osarusan]

Important game in Finn Park, a win for Harps bring us within a point of the last playoff spot as it enters the final stages. A win for Treaty and the gap returns to 7 points and most likely get over taken by Wexford who I'd be expecting to beat Longford on Saturday

We are utterly atrocious at the moment. I think you'll win handily enough.

[WoodquayBoy]

Shels v United off at the request of United. Refixed for following Sunday (September 7) at 5pm

[sbgawa]

im assuming that is becasue of Ollie and hats off to both clubs.
BTW if anyone didnt see Paddy Barretts post match interview last night he called out Ollie and what a great guy he was and went on for a good while in tribute.
Absolutey fantastic and class act by him , fair play

[WoodquayBoy]

Yeah, because of the funeral, Ollie will by reposing on Sunday afternoon, very sensible decision by all involved, couldn’t expect a team to play a game while their assistant manager was being waked back home.
Saw Barrett’s interview last night, absolute class from the man. It is really moving to read and hear all the tributes for, and anecdotes about, Ollie, we really do follow the greatest league

[redarmyfaction]

Shels v United off at the request of United. Refixed for following Sunday (September 7) at 5pm

Only in Ireland would a fixture be moved for a funeral, fair play to Shels for agreeing.

[Dermobohs]

A grand move by both clubs, respect given.

[culloty82]

Ronan Teahan gives Kerry the most improbable of leads at Oriel Park!

[culloty82]

Daryl Horgan equalised from the spot, but Robbie Cleary almost instantly restored the Kingdom advantage, and 2-1 is how it stands at the break.

[pineapple stu]

Pat's 1-0 up in Derry and on a serious run of form lately

The title race could get interesting yet if Rovers are distracted by the group stages of Europe

[culloty82]

Mad game in Oriel, Daryl Horgan equalised, Teahan put us ahead again, and now it's 3-3!

[culloty82]

So, ignore FAI Connect.

[placid casual]

Pats on their yearly post europe run of good form. They have some good players,an experienced manager and were favourites for many on here for the title this year. Look good to grab a European slot. Derry look so weak and ineffectual when it really matters.

[Nesta99]

Pats on their yearly post europe run of good form. They have some good players,an experienced manager and were favourites for many on here for the title this year. Look good to grab a European slot. Derry look so weak and ineffectual when it really matters.

Thats an awful thing to say about the Champios Elect....2036.

Tonight is like a game in hand for Cobh playing Athlone if Dundalk slip up and so far we've been doing the chasing in goal tersm, sloppy, pull off the win after being behind 3 times and I might start sonsidering peoples' belief that promotion is all but done.

[placid casual]

In fairness to derry they've fought back well, could even win it from here.

[pineapple stu]

Cracker of a game in the Bowl - ended 3-2 to the good guys and could potentially set the playoffs up nicely. We won in Bray last time and are on course to meet them again in the playoff semis

Coming into form at the right time. Kavanagh in nets, Osagie at the back and Brennan up front the new guys making a big impression lately

[Dermobohs]

Is young Osagie ex Bohs? Had ears of a few young academy prospects from pats Bohs rovers shels being lured by the scholarship route?

[Jack B]

Not wanting to dig out any specific players, but we generally have too many players that are a bit soft on the pitch at any one time and it shows in games like tonight where the momentum is against us. When the margins are fine quality-wise, physicality/athleticism can make the difference and we fall short against a lot of sides in the league on that front.

Thought we largely played well tonight but just didn't manage the game when under pressure. Melia and Leavy had run themselves into the ground not long after the hour mark and we were desperate for some more legs up top rather than Baggley coming on.

[listowelceltic]

Kerry gave one their best performances in our short history to earn a deserved draw in Oriel Park. Ronan Teahan with two outstanding goals to send about 30 away fans home happy.

[ger121]

Cracker of a game in the Bowl - ended 3-2 to the good guys and could potentially set the playoffs up nicely. We won in Bray last time and are on course to meet them again in the playoff semis

Coming into form at the right time. Kavanagh in nets, Osagie at the back and Brennan up front the new guys making a big impression lately

Good crowd at it too.

[pineapple stu]

Is young Osagie ex Bohs? Had ears of a few young academy prospects from pats Bohs rovers shels being lured by the scholarship route?
He is, yep. Presume he signed after the Leaving this summer as Bohs had a bit up at the start of the season (https://bohemians.ie/declan-osagie-signs-first-professional-deal/) that he'd signed a pro deal.

[nigel-harps1954]

That was a typically Ollie Horgan style Harps victory, if I ever saw one.

[Dermobohs]

He is, yep. Presume he signed after the Leaving this summer as Bohs had a bit up at the start of the season (https://bohemians.ie/declan-osagie-signs-first-professional-deal/) that he'd signed a pro deal.
Ah yeah that was it, good luck to the lad anyway

[TonyD]

Not wanting to dig out any specific players, but we generally have too many players that are a bit soft on the pitch at any one time and it shows in games like tonight where the momentum is against us. When the margins are fine quality-wise, physicality/athleticism can make the difference and we fall short against a lot of sides in the league on that front.

Thought we largely played well tonight but just didn't manage the game when under pressure. Melia and Leavy had run themselves into the ground not long after the hour mark and we were desperate for some more legs up top rather than Baggley coming on.

Would have probably taken a draw before hand, but that just feels like two big points dropped. Thought Derry looked like they were going nowhere until they got the first. Superb finish to be fair, but he got far too much room inside the box. Last week we dug in when we had to against Drogheda, so I'm not sure how well the "too soft" criticism stands up. I suppose Id agree to the extent that we probably have more good footballers than battlers. I like what little I've seen of the new guy Robinson in that respect. He seems willing to get stuck in. I thought Cian Leavy was outstanding tonight. Never stopped running and closing down, and was a threat every time he got the ball.

Absolutely hate watching games on that pitch. Impossible to play decent football on it. Derry fans have my sympathy. We have it all to do to make the top three now, so it looks like the cup or bust.

[RealJohn91]

He is, yep. Presume he signed after the Leaving this summer as Bohs had a bit up at the start of the season (https://bohemians.ie/declan-osagie-signs-first-professional-deal/) that he'd signed a pro deal.
He's on loan, it was quietly mentioned at the end of a match preview recently. https://bohemians.ie/preview-shelbourne-v-bohemians/

[Jack B]

Would have probably taken a draw before hand, but that just feels like two big points dropped. Thought Derry looked like they were going nowhere until they got the first. Superb finish to be fair, but he got far too much room inside the box. Last week we dug in when we had to against Drogheda, so I'm not sure how well the "too soft" criticism stands up. I suppose Id agree to the extent that we probably have more good footballers than battlers. I like what little I've seen of the new guy Robinson in that respect. He seems willing to get stuck in. I thought Cian Leavy was outstanding tonight. Never stopped running and closing down, and was a threat every time he got the ball.

Absolutely hate watching games on that pitch. Impossible to play decent football on it. Derry fans have my sympathy. We have it all to do to make the top three now, so it looks like the cup or bust.

I just meant in the literal sense that on average we have several players who aren't the most naturally athletic/physical and lose a lot of their individual battles, which can show in games like that where the momentum is against you. McClelland has been surprisingly impressive in recent times at left back but he's had a shocker for the second goal tonight, both before and during the corner. Every Derry set-piece was ominous because we were essentially reliant on about 3 players to be able to deal with them and struggling more with them as the game went on.

Just something I think has held us back this year. Certain games against the likes of Rovers or Galway the difference in fitness, power etc has been night and day. More an issue with the balance of the squad than blaming specific players though, and we've definitely done a good job in recent times of attempting to salvage the season.

[joey B]

Missed the game last night but the win was all important despite the shaky performance,we’re right back in the mix for a playoff spot having looked well out of it a couple of weeks ago ,Treaty are in free fall though and need a win fast ……

[trevy]

Another poor defeat for Waterford last night. Had some decent chances and Cork keeper pulled off some good saves but overall can't argue with the result as Cork looked livelier with some good, young players and had 2 goals disallowed in first half too for debatable offsides. It looked like we were on course for a boring 7th place finish a few weeks ago but they way we are going we could drop into 9th spot as not many winnable games on paper left. That last game at home to Galway United could be a big one.

[Neish]

,Treaty are in free fall though and need a win fast ……

No they do not, 3 or 4 losses is what they need ;)

Big win for Harps last night with a massive 3 points, as Nigel said above very much a Ollie Horgan type win we took the relatively lead early and were determined for the remaining 3/4 of the match. Holding on a bit towards the end but aprt from one top save from Barbosa in the 2nd half were he stopped it going into the bottom corner , Treaty never really threatened.

Hopefully Longford can do us a favour vs Wexford tonight but its hard to se anything but a wexford win. Harps just need to concentrate on their own form and keep the run going

[pineapple stu]

Hopefully Longford can do us a favour vs Wexford tonight but its hard to se anything but a wexford win. Harps just need to concentrate on their own form and keep the run going
Don't know about that - both in similar form (one win and four defeats in the last five, including going out of the Cup to Rovers). Wexford have been in freefall since around the one-third point of the season - don't know what's happened but can't see them making the playoffs

[culloty82]

A draw would suit us perfectly in terms of the bottom half of the table - who knows, if we can take something off Cobh, maybe even Treaty aren't out of reach for us yet!

[CorribsideSteve]

Watched Dundalk vs Kerry last night on LOI TV. Cracker of a game. Fair play to Kerry, they never let up and made it really hard for Dundalk. They look like they have fight in them in a way that Athlone for example are sorely lacking in. I checked in on their game against Cobh. Funeral parlor atmosphere with everyone trudging around, going through the motions while Cobh cruised in 2nd gear. Adrift of Kerry and Longford. Sad times there.

[brendy_éire]

When the margins are fine quality-wise, physicality/athleticism can make the difference and we fall short against a lot of sides in the league on that front.....
Melia and Leavy had run themselves into the ground not long after the hour mark and we were desperate for some more legs up top rather than Baggley coming on.

Good summary of what went wrong for Pat's towards the end.
It's only this season we've had more physicality on the pitch, but it makes such a difference. We've scored quite a few corners this season, for example.
Classic Derry City waiting until waiting until the latter stages of the game to actually start playing.

Pat's first was a lovely bit of quality. Melia's finishing was top drawer, as was his overall performance. Looking forward to seeing him in Lansdowne Road in the coming years.
Brian Maher kept us in it with a few great saves, but the second for Pat's was a disaster for us, after we gave it away stupidly in our own half. We knew it was a goal from then, felt like we were watching it in slow motion.

I'd have to give our lads credit for finally getting going, and it was a lovely goal for our first. Could maybe be a bit critical of the Pat's defending for giving Bannon that sort of space in the box, mind.
Second goal, great movement to get into position.

Happy with the draw, especially being two down in the 74th minute. Could have won it, should have lost it.
I think there's very little between Derry and Pat's. This season, we've two wins, Pat's have one, and one draw. You could play that match a hundred times and both teams would end up with the same points.

[ger121]

With Derry and Pat’s drawing, it is a good opportunity for us to open up a 7 point gap on 4th with a win tonight. Now whether we actually can do that or not remains to be seen.

[Comic Book Guy]

Watched Dundalk vs Kerry last night on LOI TV. Cracker of a game. Fair play to Kerry, they never let up and made it really hard for Dundalk. They look like they have fight in them in a way that Athlone for example are sorely lacking in. I checked in on their game against Cobh. Funeral parlor atmosphere with everyone trudging around, going through the motions while Cobh cruised in 2nd gear. Adrift of Kerry and Longford. Sad times there.

Couldn't get over how comfortable it was. Tiny crowd there too, put at 192 I believe.

[2 Year Contract]

Marc Lynch with the latest refereeing stinker last night. Horrible challenge and the deserved red card would’ve changed the game with it being so early.
https://x.com/sean_tougher/status/1961503586543939667?s=46

Having said that at 2-0 up with just over 15 mins to go in the game Pats should’ve seen out the Derry pressure from set pieces, though they could even have nicked a winner from them late on so a draw was maybe fair. My god Melia is playing absolutely out of his skin the last month or so, 2 goals off top scorer in the league now which I’m sure will be his aim to finish up his time in the LOI with. Lovely goal and assist from him last night

[brendy_éire]

Marc Lynch with the latest refereeing stinker last night. Horrible challenge and the deserved red card would’ve changed the game with it being so early.
https://x.com/sean_tougher/status/1961503586543939667?s=46

That still photo doesn't show the context. It's wasn't even a tackle, O'Reilly played the ball and followed through. Quite a debate amongst us watching, from no foul to a red.
I'd have probably just given a foul.
A range of opinions, so can't be hammering the ref for his decision.

[2 Year Contract]

That still photo doesn't show the context. It's wasn't even a tackle, O'Reilly played the ball and followed through. Quite a debate amongst us watching, from no foul to a red.
I'd have probably just given a foul.
A range of opinions, so can't be hammering the ref for his decision.

Winning the ball first or not hasn’t got anything to do with it. His follow through ends up with his studs into an Kazeems knee, it’s endangering an opponent and a red card

[outspoken]

Has anyone got a clip of it I wonder, I'd also be one that hates stills they can be very deceiving, although hard to see how his leg should end up there at any point

[sessylU]

His leg ended up there because he was pulled down. Genuinely thought it was being given as a foul on O'Reilly first time I saw it.

[Bohtastic]

Bohs' Jekyll and Hyde season continues. Sligo definitely had the better of the play in the first half. We're lucky to be level. Not for the first time we're not showing up. Big half time needed.

[brendy_éire]

This is a great game in Longford.

Two penalties, a sending off, goal line clearances.
Wexford defending for the first was brutal. Longford won't score an easier goal all season.