First Division Run-In

[nr637]

With 6 games remaining will Dundalk secure the automatic promotion place or can Cobh or Bray catch them!

I still reckon Dundalk will slip up, starting tonight against an ever improving Bray side. If that happens and Cobh overcome Treaty then the deficit will be cut to 3 points.

Now, that would make it interesting.

Dundalk have difficult home games against Bray tonight and UCD who have turned their season around and secured a play-off position and could also take points at Dundalk.

Cobh have 4 of their last 6 games at home with the final game being Dundalk that could end as a final game to take the title.

Can anyone confirm are the rules for teams ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored and if still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. :confused:

[Nesta99]

Your interesting = my cardiac arrest! Head to head comes in to it too if teams cant be seperated but Im not sure in which order after GD. You have outlined the worst case fears for Dundalk fans but to counter that Dundalk still play Athlone, Cobh last game follows already beathing them 3 times (?). Cobh and Bray have yet to play each other. Dundalk should pick up a minimum of 9 points from remaining games + the 6 ahead and at the moment significant +GD. Every time I have thought Dundalk looked like losing the momentum they have gotten a result and shown a resolve beyond the years of a young squad so more of the same I hope. If players havent been banjaxed on international duty and were back to picking from a full hand then there is more reason to be positive.....while I wont be able to watch from fear of Dundalk doing it the hardest way possible as is usually the form.

[Neish]

Bray chances of making up 10 points (+ 20-25 goals) on Dundalk in 6 games are more or less non existent, Cobh have an outside chance of nicking it but I can't see it happening.

The real battle will be Treaty vs Harps for the final playoff spot as I think UCD are far enough ahead of both and probably the most ideal remain fixtures to confirm their playoff place

[Stevie mac]

This is an awful 1st division. Dundalk should win it before the last game and winning tonight would be a huge step towards it. Cobh haven't been able to capitalise on our previous 2 slip ups

I fancy bray to be the 1st division playoff rep and if they face Galway or waterford from the PD they'd beat them. If sligo end up in PO they'll win it easy enough

[Stevie mac]

Its in the bag. End the thread

[Nesta99]

Well we're still only a one result swing to make the last game relevant, so not just yet.

[MoydowMonty]

Its been in the bag since before summer. End thread

[Nesta99]

There's play-off positions to be decided too!

[Neish]

There's play-off positions to be decided too!

Yeah, I think last night's results killed off any slim hope Bray would of had at the title shot and probably 2nd place too.

Bray and UCD look to have 2 of the remaining playoff spots but its very much open between Harps, Treaty and possibly Wexford for the 5th place spot

[pineapple stu]

Was thinking after 20 minutes of the Cup games that it was clear the First Division had no hope in the play-off.

After Sligo's collapse, you never know. Especially if they drop Galway into the mix instead.

[Stevie mac]

What is the format of the 1st division playoffs. Are they 2 legged or 1 legged affairs

[holidaysong]

What is the format of the 1st division playoffs. Are they 2 legged or 1 legged affairs

The semis are both two leg. The First division final and First vs Premier match are both one leg (neutral venues).

[Stevie mac]

The semis are both two leg. The First division final and First vs Premier match are both one leg (neutral venues).

Thanks. So i assume 2nd and 3rd have 2nd leg at home. And then there's no benefit to finishing 2nd over 3rd

[pineapple stu]

Technically second gets an easier play-off (versus fifth rather than fourth)

[Nesta99]

Last years play-off final was a bt of false positioning as Drogs were far better than their league position and were in championship form and that has been born out this year where they continued on topping the table albeit fading as the season has gone on. They did lose players eg their main striker but a solid season for them and could have been in another cup semi after taking Rovers to penalies last night.

So this year could be very different with the relegation play-off sides, Galways have been in poor form and Sligo, who should be in a better position, just dont seem to be able to build form - they threw away a 3 goal lead against a mid table 1st division side last night. Neither look like they could reel in Waterford. Bray have been in a final recently that could stand to them, Cobh and Dundalk have led the way for a long time and will have positive momentum if ending up against a Pemier side (Dundalk would be feeling sorry for themselves if they are not up automatically).

One off games you just never know but can a 1st Division side genuinely win a play-off this season? From games seen it has been far from a vintage season with some awful football, but has there been much quality amog the bottom 3 of the premier either?

[Stevie mac]

1st division champions. Thank you.
My god, the 1st division is really bad and poor quality it's not even funny. I enjoyed tickling of a lot of loi grounds off my list. I think only athlone remains

We've alot of work ahead of us to be in contention to finish 9 or dare I dream 8th next season but who knows. While we do need to improve, the core of our squad could give us a fighting chance

[Nesta99]

Am I really that damaged by LoI over the years that I dont see 6 points ahead with 15 still to play not counting game in hand as points in hand and still 2nd place to play. Yeah it would be collapse of the ages but still?

[ToberonaTornado]

Yeah I hear ya nesta lol.

Fair play to Wexford and thanks for that.
Absolutely abysmal conditions down there in Wexford last night but they never gave up and totally deserved that win. Mikey Rowe is a wee diamond of a player and his 3rd goal was a proper poachers goal but he was terrific throughout the match.
Cobh are a decent side.thougt they had this game won and slowed their pace down last 20. Coaches will be well pasd off with them
Decent game to watch and Wexford commentary team very good 👍 👍

[Kiki Balboa]

Am I really that damaged by LoI over the years that I dont see 6 points ahead with 15 still to play not counting game in hand as points in hand and still 2nd place to play. Yeah it would be collapse of the ages but still?

For Cobh, its 6 (potentially 9) points to catch, with 12 to play for.

Dundalk only need 7 out of 15.

A win today, and technically Dundalk can win the Division next week versus UCD.

[Kiki Balboa]

This is an awful 1st division.

I hear this every year for both Divisions - it is a constant of LOI that every year is a bad year.

How can both Divisions be consistently having a "weak" year , year-after-year? This is despite the LOI being overall far more competitive in Europe.

Honestly, the standard in 1st Division is relatively high for a 1st Division in LOI, and is increasing every year I have been watching games.

Of course there is a difference between it and the Premier, but overall, I was pretty surprised with the type of football being played and what players can do.

Having watched Dundalk in the 00s, Drogheda in the 2010s, and now Dundalk in 2020s, there is a huge improvement all across the board in the Division.

Athlone and Longford are hardly hopeless teams (apart from the Athlone cb who went to Palermo) , and offer something. Like the Premier, there are a lot of teams around the same standards, so if you can rise above it, you can get wins while everyone else consistently drops points (ala Dundalk and Rovers), and a bit below, plenty of losses. But, there are very few easy games in the Division.

I wouldn't be surprised if Cork (or Sligo/Galway/Waterford) struggled in the Division next year, or whoever is there over the next couple of years.

Dundalk in a way got lucky that there was a crop of Academy talent to come into the team. I could imagine in different years, Dundalk would have struggled big time.

Of course teams and leagues like ours go in cycles, but you cant deny the overall trend that both Divisions as a whole are getting better and better.

[Kiki Balboa]

I hear this every year for both Divisions - it is a constant of LOI that every year is a bad year.

How can both Divisions be consistently having a "weak" year , year-after-year? This is despite the LOI being overall far more competitive in Europe.

Honestly, the standard in 1st Division is relatively high for a 1st Division in LOI, and is increasing every year I have been watching games.

Of course there is a difference between it and the Premier, but overall, I was pretty surprised with the type of football being played and what players can do.

Having watched Dundalk in the 00s, Drogheda in the 2010s, and now Dundalk in 2020s, there is a huge improvement all across the board in the Division.

Athlone and Longford are hardly hopeless teams (apart from the Athlone cb who went to Palermo) , and offer something. Like the Premier, there are a lot of teams around the same standards, so if you can rise above it, you can get wins while everyone else consistently drops points (ala Dundalk and Rovers), and a bit below, plenty of losses. But, there are very few easy games in the Division.

I wouldn't be surprised if Cork (or Sligo/Galway/Waterford) struggled in the Division next year, or whoever is there over the next couple of years.

Dundalk in a way got lucky that there was a crop of Academy talent to come into the team. I could imagine in different years, Dundalk would have struggled big time.

Of course teams and leagues like ours go in cycles, but you cant deny the overall trend that both Divisions as a whole are getting better and better.

Just noticed this too, the FAI Cup has had a 1st Division team in the semi finals every year since 2022 (Kerry, Wexford, Treaty, Galway).

Of course, its a cup, maybe good draws help - still surprising.

TLDR: The bottom and middles of both Divisions have seen steady increases of standards on the pitch.

[Stevie mac]

I can only comment on the level of opposition we have faced and the teams we've played against have been overall poor. Only one match this season will I say we were beaten by the better side. That was bray away in the summer. Most other matches, I left thinking when we won but should of played better
Cobh our nearest rivals never laid a glove on us all season and when the pressure came they folded faster than superman on laundry dry. If bray or UCD hadn't of had such a poor start then who knows.

If you compare our last time in FD the quality then was far better. At least 3 teams each season from 06 to 08 were neck and neck (06 rovers, dundalk and Galway, 07 cobh Harps and dundalk, 08 shels dundalk and waterford. There were always a challengers and some sort of tug o war for a player.

The quality definitely is not there as what was a generation ago. Maybe thats demographics as its a young mans league now

[outspoken]

I can only comment on the level of opposition we have faced and the teams we've played against have been overall poor. Only one match this season will I say we were beaten by the better side. That was bray away in the summer. Most other matches, I left thinking when we won but should of played better
Cobh our nearest rivals never laid a glove on us all season and when the pressure came they folded faster than superman on laundry dry. If bray or UCD hadn't of had such a poor start then who knows.

If you compare our last time in FD the quality then was far better. At least 3 teams each season from 06 to 08 were neck and neck (06 rovers, dundalk and Galway, 07 cobh Harps and dundalk, 08 shels dundalk and waterford. There were always a challengers and some sort of tug o war for a player.

The quality definitely is not there as what was a generation ago. Maybe thats demographics as its a young mans league now

Defintely way better young talent in the division now but it's a poor standard compared to the top flight

[Kiki Balboa]

Defintely way better young talent in the division now but it's a poor standard compared to the top flight

I mean, of course it is, thats how Divisions in football work.

[Nesta99]

Yeah thanks for that Longford! I feel a tad justified in not calling it all done and dusted until it is! As Ive said many times, Ive never known Dundalk to do much the easy way!!

[LTFC]

Did not expect that, but really deserved win for the Town tonight.

[Longfordian]

Prescient comment from Kiki Balboa above! I really like this young squad we have I must say. They give everything, it doesn't work out every week but they'll keep turning up.

[LTFC]

Prescient comment from Kiki Balboa above! I really like this young squad we have I must say. They give everything, it doesn't work out every week but they'll keep turning up.

Maybe Dundalk a bit off tonight, but the performance in the second half was very good.

[Stevie mac]

A bump in the road. Well deserved Longford. Dundalk missing key experienced players.

Despite the defeat an overall good weekend. Only 6 points required out of 12 to win the league.

[Stevie mac]

Done close thread

[Buckett]

The final playoff spot hasn't been decided yet.
Longford are on a good run of form lately, they're away to Treaty next, could they possibly take the final playoff place?

[Longfordian]

The final playoff spot hasn't been decided yet.
Longford are on a good run of form lately, they're away to Treaty next, could they possibly take the final playoff place?

I very much doubt it but it would be nice for the team even if we have zero chance to go up. And less than zero chance of survival if we did go up.

[legendz]

Longford are definitely on a bit of a charge. Going on a run at a good time.

[De Town]

Nah we're a couple of points and more than a couple of goals difference too far back. Nice to see us finishing strongly though.

[thebronze14]

Cobh would give the Prem team in playoff a good rattle. Very good last night, dispite us being pitiful

[nigel-harps1954]

Cobh would give the Prem team in playoff a good rattle. Very good last night, dispite us being pitiful

Have said it all year, Cobh the team to impress me most out of all the First Division sides. If it goes to the final day with three points separating them from Dundalk, I'd fancy them to win it.

[Buckett]

Dundalk have beaten them three times already this season though

[Nesta99]

If it comes to a last days promotion play-off like game, that we have beaten then 3 times wouldnt be particularly important, momentum would be with Cobh and Dundalk would have thrown away a very strong position. Its hard to know whether Cobh are a bit brittle in the ust win games like v Dundalk or whether Dundalk have secret gears we can go up when needed but Bray are the side that impressed me.... in relative terms.

[culloty82]

Hopefully a Munster side prevails in the playoff, at any rate - certainly need at least one of the clubs in next year's Premier.

[legendz]

If the First Division is something of a Munster league next year, I've no problem with it. I'd welcome it actually!

[MoydowMonty]

Don't care who comes out victorious from the playoff once it's not UCD. They've no place in the top flight

[pineapple stu]

Ha - from a Longford fan. I'll get over that insult I think :)

[MoydowMonty]

Every fan of every other club shares that sentiment I'm afraid. I just don't see how a college team fits in with the league with the trajectory the league is on

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

I’ve no problem at all with UCD except when they beat us

[pineapple stu]

I’ve no problem at all with UCD except when they beat us
And I suspect a majority of fans share that view

Especially since we stopped beating teams with fans

[listowelceltic]

No problem with Ucd either. Club with alot of history and apparently we'll run. Just a pity they can't grow the fan base. I know from reading here they have tried alot different things like changing match days over the years to no avail.

[Kiki Balboa]

No problem with Ucd either. Club with alot of history and apparently we'll run. Just a pity they can't grow the fan base. I know from reading here they have tried alot different things like changing match days over the years to no avail.

Actually think they are a bit of a sleeping Giant for LOI - if they focused not on being a university team per se , but Dublins South East's team.

In some parts of the South of the City, you can be a hefty chunk of time to another LOI team.

There are plenty of University teams that have huge fanbases across the world.

[CorribsideSteve]

Actually think they are a bit of a sleeping Giant for LOI - if they focused not on being a university team per se , but Dublins South East's team.

In some parts of the South of the City, you can be a hefty chunk of time to another LOI team.

There are plenty of University teams that have huge fanbases across the world.

This is the thing. Universidad de Chile get avg 6K +, Universiatea Craiova get 13K+. Have UCD ever had 500 fans?

[outspoken]

UCD don't appear to give a **** about growing a fan base. From their lack of promotion around the campus to the total lack of information or marketing online, they appear happy with their lot.

Despite that, I've always been of the belief that no team belongs at any level. Always hear stuff like oh it's a crying shame x is going down, you end up in whatever league you deserve to be in.

Not to mention the incredible talent UCD has produced for the entire league down the years.

I actually fancy UCD to do very well in the play offs, they have been slowly building off the radar at a nice time in the season

[Nesta99]

UCD are wherever they deserve to be on merit. They are not burning through money to do so. We wil havel nothing bad to say about one of our main fomer feeder clubs!