Games Weekend 6th March

[sbgawa]

Premier Division .........Friday 6th................. Galway United v Dundalk........... Waterford v Bohemians................ Shamrock Rovers v Derry City.................. Shelbourne v St. Patrick's Athletic.............Saturday 7th............... Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United........... First Division .........Bray Wanderers v Athlone Town............ Cobh Ramblers v Cork City,,,,,,,,,,,,, Finn Harps v Wexford............... Treaty United v Kerry.............. Longford Town v UCD........Premier Division............ Monday 9th............ Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers

[sbgawa]

A weekend where with two wins Rovers can be up the top of the division and happy out or be down near the bottom talking about a slow start.Derry have looked getatable and hopefully we can do the business tonight...Shels is a tricky one , id be happy with 4 points on the weekend solid start and then play away.Waterford v Bohs is a big game for both but Waterford after losing from 2 up in Derry need something. Shels v Pats is a tough call , i reckon Pats will fancy their chances but Shels are tough to beat.Cobh v Cork in Division 1 is an interesting one, hopefully Cobh can take something and stop Cork makinga procession of the Division

[TVFBLOCKF]

There's a game out west too!

[sbgawa]

There's a game out west too!Inded there is and Dundalk will surely give you a game although it depends which Dundalk shows up, the lads that deserved a point in Tallaght or the guys that looked like theyed had a few pints in inchicore

[brendy_éire]

Derry have looked getatable and hopefully we can do the business tonight...

We are very getatatable. Can't keep a clean sheet, or take the lead in a match.
Winchester is out, so unlikely James McClean will be moved from his horrible #6 role. Dodgy keeper in goals too, you should hit as many shots as possible.
Only positives I'm holding onto at this stage is that we do score quite a few, and the match will be on grass.
Bit strange that it's on the Virgin match this week, isn't it?

[Nesta99]

Getatable, new word for me and I like and will use. If Dundalk can make this result stick it will be huge but so much more football to be played in ED Park. Home game advantage then v Waterford, another side that we may need to shade the head to heads. Watching the rugby so cant comment on the game itself and now Im in superstitious mode where if I watch 2nd half we'll fall apart....ridiculous but it will take a bit more for me to truly believe that we have that resilience shown previously continuing against a lot of future opposition.

[Nesta99]

So I did log on to watch the 2nd half so the equaliser was totally and completely my fault. I havent a superstitious bone in my body for 90% of the time, Dundalk FC though its almost OCD. But an improvement on the murphys law belief.

[Nesta99]

Ah here, I am now tuning out!! If we get a result I will have proven my belief....seeeeeee! Not a bad point. Disappointing to have let a lead slip, great character to get back level again. As long as we convert draws to wins when getting a run of games at home. But the concern is of course that draws are not enough to be safe, the difference between being knocking around the top end of the table and being kept mid table by others losing or dropping points.

[sbgawa]

Good win and great to see JAck Byrne playing so wellBig game for both Shels and us on Monday

[Nesta99]

Pats will have to be disappointed to cough up 2 goal lead but another late goal will please SK. Things are looking more like his last stint in LoI, even the late goals and top end of table.

[Shinkicker]

Bohs fully deserved their lead at half time, I fact they should have been 3 up at HT. A different Waterford came out in the second half and caused Bohs problems. Overall Bohs deserved the win, based on their defensive qualities

[Roones26]

Two very good attendances tonight per FAI Connect over 5,000 at Rovers and Shelbourne and two reasonably disappointing ones in Galway and Waterford

[nigel-harps1954]

Superbly entertaining second half in Finn Park tonight. Pitch is still in brutal condition, but both teams played out a superb half on it.

[TonyD]

Pats will have to be disappointed to cough up 2 goal lead but another late goal will please SK. Things are looking more like his last stint in LoI, even the late goals and top end of table.

We looked well on top after going 2 up, but between Shels stepping it up, and perhaps us easing up a little, it looked like we'd surrendered two points, and maybe even all three. To get the winner then right at the death was extra sweet. Second time in recent years we've done this to Shels at Tolka.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

We looked well on top after going 2 up, but between Shels stepping it up, and perhaps us easing up a little, it looked like we'd surrendered two points, and maybe even all three. To get the winner then right at the death was extra sweet. Second time in recent years we've done this to Shels at Tolka.

Great to be there to see Big Ryan get two . Thought Palmer coming off seemed to leave us a bit more open but yeah always great to win a game with a late winner

[legendz]

The pendulum is more negative than positive for Kerry. Two defeats followed by two draws. Winless. Basic mistakes. Had expected experienced players to cut out the sloppiness. The Kerry management and senior players have got to sort this out between them.
If they can turn things around as a group - two frustrating draws could be a slow burner towards a positive run but they have to make it happen. League wins are not going to be gifted from opponents.

[ontheotherhand]

James McClean is doing Derry no favours at all playing centre mid for 90+ mins. They are far less than the sum of their parts.

We still aren't really clicking, particularly up front, but there's some positive signs. Jack Byrne being one and Adam Brennan is great to watch.

If we had Gaffney fit we'd be flying but we are relying a lot on Noonan and he's just too young to lead the line.

[sessylU]

James McClean is doing Derry no favours at all playing centre mid for 90+ mins.

The best periods of the past two matches have been when he's uninvolved and absent (or has been subbed off). His notable involvements usually involve the wrong decision or forced pass. He breaks down attacks, but usually it's Derry's attacks he breaks down.

[Buckett]

He's a one-trick pony when he's on the wing, not a bad full back because of his stamina but completely lacks the intelligence to play in the middle of the park. Probably undroppable because of his salary and stature

[brendy_éire]

Probably undroppable because of his salary and stature

If that's where we're going to play him, he should be dropped. He's doing a poor job in an unfamiliar position, and we've better options.

Not great stuff from ourselves last night. Ed Beach was our best player, which says a lot. McGinty at the other end didn't have a save to make.

Lynch got some things wrong last night, but one he certainly needs called out on was bringing on Conor Barr on 70 minutes. He played a bit with Cliftonville and Ballymena, but that was his first start for us, and it's a big step up from the IL. He was responsible for giving away the penalty.

If I was to look for positives, Beach was good, and we didn't concede from play. A first for us this season.
Shels and Pats up next. Genuinely think we need decent performances in those games, or the pressure on Lynch might force POD into a decision.

[Nesta99]

Drogheda have been pretty poor in Sligo so far. Sligo a bit wasteful. Drogs win suits us, draw at minimum. Sligo win will be a significant boost even at this early stage and would add to the next few home games in Oriel being made count.

[pineapple stu]

Four games in, and our opponents have a combined one win, against us. Not sure we'll hold onto second by the end of the first round of games!

[ger121]

Four games in, and our opponents have a combined one win, against us. Not sure we'll hold onto second by the end of the first round of games!

Must be one of your better starts in recents years? Feels like it.

[pineapple stu]

We had one point more at this point in the 2021 season, which ended with promotion via the play-offs

2018 we started with 10 points in four games, and 2009 was four from four (and in fact 11 wins from 12, for arguably the best ever First Division side)

So yeah, I guess I can't be too negative!

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Very good and badly needed win for us last night. Fully deserved even with some key players out. Seemed like we had more attempts the first 15 minutes than in the previous 4 games. Sean McHale made his first appearance for us and was excellent.

[Nesta99]

Its was hard to know whether Sligo were good or Drogheda poor. Either way it was a good performance and result. I think this season the form book will be all over the place, certainly outside the top 2 or 3 but even then you would wouldnt put your house on games where anyone can get results. Maybe it will settle down but it could be a particularly close season throughout, though Id be quite happy to have somebody plug the relegation spot thats not Dundalk from early on.

[Jack B]

Topsy-turvy stuff from Pats on Friday. Broadly played quite well and capitalised when on top in the game, but equally looked beyond shaky when the momentum went against us, including after the winner from Mata. Relative to last season it was encouraging stuff though as that wasn't a game we would have won then. Brown has been a revelation so far, great for Edmonson to get off the mark and for the team to show they can play without Forrester or Lennon on the pitch.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Topsy-turvy stuff from Pats on Friday. Broadly played quite well and capitalised when on top in the game, but equally looked beyond shaky when the momentum went against us, including after the winner from Mata. Relative to last season it was encouraging stuff though as that wasn't a game we would have won then. Brown has been a revelation so far, great for Edmonson to get off the mark and for the team to show they can play without Forrester or Lennon on the pitch.

Wonder how Boyce , surely reckoned he was coming in as a first team starter but hard to see where he gets in now

[da bishop]

The pendulum is more negative than positive for Kerry. Two defeats followed by two draws. Winless. Basic mistakes. Had expected experienced players to cut out the sloppiness. The Kerry management and senior players have got to sort this out between them.
If they can turn things around as a group - two frustrating draws could be a slow burner towards a positive run but they have to make it happen. League wins are not going to be gifted from opponents.Surprised by Healys approach in the MF the other night,five across the back against a very poor team who had yet to get a result seemed a negative approach especially given the more professional approach the club have set up.On the night two very poor teams and while both will be happy to get a point they have loads of work to do to improve current positioning.Treaty under the current mgt already look a busted flush .

[pineapple stu]

Crikey - Shels 2-0 up on Rovers inside 15 minutes. Bradley intent on making things hard for himself again this season it seems

[Calcio Jack]

Crikey - Shels 2-0 up on Rovers inside 15 minutes. Bradley intent on making things hard for himself again this season it seems

Second goal was a result of dreadful refereeing….. ref pointed for a goal kick , Rovers players stopped , then ref allowed Shels to play on…. Great comeback and don’t worry we’ll be fine

[Nesta99]

Got back in to it. Points dropped by Shels and 1 saved for Rovers but they are dropping points too easily. Once again, if any said were able to show consistency then Rovers could be out of the running early. Bohs are doing it so far but nobody is sure yet whether they can really stay the course yet. Pats look like they could go on a run and you wouldnt bet against if they find their groove, SK been there and all. Derry....should be be on a 3 in a row tilt, 4 maybe (?) but doing their same old thing. After then its dog eat dog and Id include Rovers with their tendency for a slow start and then chase down which was doable when it shouldnt have been - anybody put a run together and they could be in the hunt, St Pats and Derry rans out of games in recent years, Shels hung on but were just solid most of a season. Still waiting for a side that could win by 20 points, Rovers and Derry on paper were capable but just didnt and its hard to put a finger on why except that there's not been real difficult competition/quality throughout the division to push top sides to perform out of 3rd gear and it hits early European games then.

[SkStu]

Second goal was a result of dreadful refereeing….. ref pointed for a goal kick , Rovers players stopped , then ref allowed Shels to play on…. Great comeback and don’t worry we’ll be fine

Oh thank god for that

[Shinkicker]

Second goal was a result of dreadful refereeing….. ref pointed for a goal kick , Rovers players stopped , then ref allowed Shels to play on…. Great comeback and don’t worry we’ll be fineThe ref did not blow the whistle and it looks like he lifted his arm for a goal kick because the Rover players stopped. It was a good comeback even with the Shels keeper committing a foul he didn't have to go for

[sbgawa]

We were unlucky not to score second half pinned them bacck for most of second half particularly when we made the 4 subs.I feeel like if Bradley had made the subs 10 mins earlier we would have done it.The peno was a stonewall peno but the keeper shouldnt have made the challenge which was daft.Big double weekend ahead, the champions elect have a winable game at home to Galway and then travel to Shels on Monday could be well clear at the top by monday night.A lot of very important games at both ends of the table as well , will be a real shake out of what the season ahead looks like.Waterford away to Dundalk and Galway could find themselves cut adrift early if they dont get something out of the weekend......................great crowd for a Monday night 5600 announced. A full away end for Rovers and a few more in the stand

[ontheotherhand]

The ref did not blow the whistle and it looks like he lifted his arm for a goal kick because the Rover players stopped. It was a good comeback even with the Shels keeper committing a foul he didn't have to go for

They don't usually blow the whistle for a goal kick. It was really poor game management from Hennessey but the goal was legitimate and our players shouldn't have stopped. Draw probably fair in the end but I was pretty happy with our response after 10 really sloppy minutes.

[Shinkicker]

Second goal was a result of dreadful refereeing….. ref pointed for a goal kick , Rovers players stopped , then ref allowed Shels to play on…. Great comeback and don’t worry we’ll be fine
They don't usually blow the whistle for a goal kick. It was really poor game management from Hennessey but the goal was legitimate and our players shouldn't have stopped. Draw probably fair in the end but I was pretty happy with our response after 10 really sloppy minutes.Normally the ref doesn't blow for a goal kick, but if the ball had curled out and then back into play he would have blown the whistle.. l only saw the first half and thought Rover would have went on to win it

[ontheotherhand]

Normally the ref doesn't blow for a goal kick, but if the ball had curled out and then back into play he would have blown the whistle.. l only saw the first half and thought Rover would have went on to win it

Yeah I think that's spot on but....he pointed for the kick. Just poor refereeing. He probably should have stopped play and given a hop ball as our players clearly had taken note of his signal and that's why Shels scored. But not the maddest thing I've seen a ref do and it'll probably be outdone soon this season!

Thought we would win it too. Both teams were much cagier second half. Understandable when they'd been so sloppy in the first. Think we edged it on balance but Shels deserved a point as well as they took full advantage in the first ten mins. Wood is a fine player and their new defender looks useful.

Another good result for bohs tho. You must be delighted. Do think it's your strongest team for a long time. Hopefully we are within touching distance after the first series.

[Budgie]

Surprised by Healys approach in the MF the other night,five across the back against a very poor team who had yet to get a result seemed a negative approach especially given the more professional approach the club have set up.On the night two very poor teams and while both will be happy to get a point they have loads of work to do to improve current positioning.Treaty under the current mgt already look a busted flush .

Expected a lot more from Kerry , should be hammering that poor Treaty side with all those signings . Treaty dominated and should have won the game handy . Only team looking to play and about 70 percent possession . Two soft penalties . Curtis best player on pitch . Both teams will struggle . Won’t be a play off final place for Treaty this time…3 times out of 5 is an excellent return for current management of treaty considering Kerry are ; or 5 years in and best place finish was 9th and more stable squad facilities management and over all structure . Hopefully neither get dragged into national league in the next year or so .

[da bishop]

Expected a lot more from Kerry , should be hammering that poor Treaty side with all those signings . Treaty dominated and should have won the game handy . Only team looking to play and about 70 percent possession . Two soft penalties . Curtis best player on pitch . Both teams will struggle . Won’t be a play off final place for Treaty this time…3 times out of 5 is an excellent return for current management of treaty considering Kerry are ; or 5 years in and best place finish was 9th and more stable squad facilities management and over all structure . Hopefully neither get dragged into national league in the next year or so .

Didnt realise Tommys pro was on here.

[Budgie]

Haha always good to bring a bit of Balance to a one sided pov . I think it’s time for him to go but cant argue with the record . Interesting to see who replaces him and potentially whole mgmt team . Hopefully big name and give a budget to compete . Nobody stands out locally except maybe mick shiel who is doing a great job with fairview