Games Weekend 20th March

[sbgawa]

Premier Division

Friday 20th (All 19:45)

Derry v Drogheda (19:45)
Waterford v St Pats (19:45)
Bohemians v Dundalk (20:00)
Shamrock Rovers v Galway (20:00)

Saturday 21st

Sligo v Shelbourne (19:45)

First Division

Friday 20th (All 19:45)

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

Saturday 21st

Longford v Wexford 19:30

[sbgawa]

With all the talk about the 4 Dublin clubs making the running their is a chance this weekend for that to start to happen. No Dublin Derbys for a change and if all 4 win there is a chaance to put a bit of daylight between the Dubs and the rest. 6 to 1 on Paddy Power for that accumelator but hard to see one of them not slipping up.

After the dissapointment of a poor performance in Drogheda hopefully a strong showing against Galway and 3 points although considering the Champions elect only beat them with an 87th minute goal last week we shouldnt be taking anythng for granted.
Can Dundalks good start continue??
If Cork slip up against UCD it will give Athlone and Bray the chance to draw lwvel with them at the top. Athlone under Hoop Stephen Gray performing well and should have the beating of Treaty.
Longford could do with a win over wexford or they could find themsleves getting tailed off

[pineapple stu]

Look at you with your fancy paragraphs and all!

[legendz]

FIRST
High flying Athlone travel to Limerick. Kerry are looking to kick start their season but Harps will have other ideas. Bray 3rd take on Cobh who are outside the top 5.

PREMIER
Tough fixtures for Waterford 10th and Sligo 9th. League leaders Bohs welcome the impressive Dundalk.

[sbgawa]

Look at you with your fancy paragraphs and all!

the world has tilted back on to its Axis again

[TonyD]

Look at you with your fancy paragraphs and all!

Its a slippery slope. Next thing you know, people will be spelling correctly, using punctuation properly and all sorts ! :D

[Buckett]

* It's

[Neish]

Harps missing Max Hutchison (injury) and Perault Tokam (suspended) for the trip to Kerry. Which has me worried as Hutchison especially has been one of our most constant top performers since he signed a couple of years ago. Kerry has never been a good hunting ground for us even with a full squad to pick from

[oriel]

Would think this might be a step too far for the current Dundalk side, a good few out injured, Dervin suspended, Kearns prob gone for season and Minogue (GK) has only played one single PD game for the club, clean sheet mind.

Bohs don't concede too much, that said we have a decent away record with draws to Derry, Rovers and Gal, then again the Pats game was a right royal spanking, mostly self inflicted as they went for it, instead of absorbing pressure and settling into the game, all about learning.

Would think Derry are under real pressure to get a win and if Waterford don't pick anything up v Pats who are absolutely flying, I'd say Mr Daly could be the first to go in 2026.

Rovers prob are a banker at home to Gal but they are set up tight at the back usually.

[brendy_�ire]

Would think Derry are under real pressure to get a win

Big pressure. A win would Drogs ahead of us, and see us in seventh, at best.
We've the news that Maher is out for another couple of months, but Beach has done alright in goals, bar a disastrous moment against Waterford.
If we keep a clean sheet tonight, we'll win.

[Nesta99]

Drogs under a bit of pressure too. Wont be a whole lot of movement in the table with results elsewhere if either side loses but it'd be signs of Drogheda regressing as a side. Itd just be more of Derry under performing. But Doherty needs some results too imo. Its very early to be suggesting any more than micro dips in form compared to last year but if they continue, and they dont look as annoying to play this season.

[legendz]

Unchanged starting XI for Kerry in MH Park. The big news is that Ryan Kelliher is in the matchday squad!

[culloty82]

Ryan Kelliher on the bench for Kerry tonight, so might get 20-30 minutes later.

[nigel-harps1954]

Harps missing Max Hutchison (injury) and Perault Tokam (suspended) for the trip to Kerry. Which has me worried as Hutchison especially has been one of our most constant top performers since he signed a couple of years ago. Kerry has never been a good hunting ground for us even with a full squad to pick from

Goalkeeper Corey Sheridan also injured, and Darragh Coyle remains out. Not good to have injuries building up so early on.

[legendz]

Kerry lead at halftime. Halwax made a reasonable save. Murphy with the goal for Kerry. Harps finished the half strong. Goal line clearance after Halwax caught in no mans land. Game that can still go either way.

[Bohtastic]

Bohs Dundalk is a cracker. Chances at both ends. Dundalk definitely coming to play. Horgan doing well, while Arubi is a real handful. We've had a few other chances, could do with a second goal as Dundalk look like they're in the mood to break our clean sheet run.

[legendz]

Nervy finish by Kerry. Held on to win 1-0. All Harps in the final 10 minutes plus injury time. Late second yellow and red for Borden. A win is a win. Will want to see better composure than that though if Kerry are going to make any challenge for the playoffs. Improved display overall. Sean McGrath had a great game.

[sbgawa]

kilduff doing some job at dundalk to be fair.
Rovers were effective tonight win against Waterford next and ill call that a good start :)

[nigel-harps1954]

Kerry are brutal, Harps were horrible tonight. Still had enough chances to win the game ten times over. Thats a long run back up the road after a dismal performance.

[Kiki Balboa]

Great result for Dundalk considering only one senior outfield player on the bench.

Young Spaight was super, and his assist was great. Dundalks production line of Defenders is a sight to behold...

Hard to see Lynch and Daly last the weekend.

[Shinkicker]

First half , Bohs fully deserved their lead, second half Bohs wer lucky to hang on for the draw.. that Dundalk team won't be fighting a relegation battle. Still unbeaten and still top of the league

[MoydowMonty]

I just noticed something, the UCD Twitter hasn't tweeted a single LOI thing out since Feb 13th. That's so poor.

Saw Dundalk live for first time this season, I way underestimated them. They look much better than some of the sides we've seen finish bottom 2 in previous years. 11 points already. If they get another 11 in another 8 games you can almost say they're safe from 10th anyway

[joey B]

Kerry/Harps was not an enjoyable watch,Harps so flat for the vast majority of it ,a long season awaits if we don’t improve a lot.

Cracking goal from Mark Doyle in Derry, how long is Lynch going to get? Feels like he’s a dead man walking from the outside but maybe I’m wrong…..

[Inchicore]

Pretty comfortable win for Pats in the RSC.
12 shots on goal. 11 saves from their GK. Tells the full story.

Not sure what Kenny was up to making a triple change with 20 seconds left in injury time. A bit bizarre.

Sligo next up.

[outspoken]

I just noticed something, the UCD Twitter hasn't tweeted a single LOI thing out since Feb 13th. That's so poor.

Saw Dundalk live for first time this season, I way underestimated them. They look much better than some of the sides we've seen finish bottom 2 in previous years. 11 points already. If they get another 11 in another 8 games you can almost say they're safe from 10th anyway

Jesus that's woeful. Shouldn't be tolerated by the league either. Should be some sort of minimum communications standards.

[ger121]

Premier Division

Friday 20th (All 19:45)

Derry v Drogheda (19:45)
Waterford v St Pats (19:45)
Bohemians v Dundalk (20:00)
Shamrock Rovers v Galway (20:00)

Saturday 21st

Sligo v Shelbourne (19:45)

First Division

Friday 20th (All 19:45)

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

Saturday 21st

Longford v Wexford 19:30

He’s back on his game!

[ger121]

First half , Bohs fully deserved their lead, second half Bohs wer lucky to hang on for the draw.. that Dundalk team won't be fighting a relegation battle. Still unbeaten and still top of the league

Dundalk are so well coached under Kilduff. Very hard to beat and dangerous in their own right. We kind of got away with that one.

[ger121]

I just noticed something, the UCD Twitter hasn't tweeted a single LOI thing out since Feb 13th. That's so poor.

Get PS on the case. The UCD Fans account certainly does a better job.

[pineapple stu]

I think we're just preempting the imminent banning of social media. Ahead of our time as always!

[legendz]

Kerry got over the line anyway but the last 10-15 minutes was a tough watch. There was desperation and panic to get that first league win. The experienced signings have got to bring more composure in those moments. No effort to hold possession and keep possession in Harps half.

[patsdad]

Dundalk are so well coached under Kilduff. Very hard to beat and dangerous in their own right. We kind of got away with that one. Their other results make our 4-0 over them look very good indeed.

Comfortable for us in the RSC last night. Waterford are in serious trouble.

[Kiki Balboa]

Their other results make our 4-0 over them look very good indeed.

Comfortable for us in the RSC last night. Waterford are in serious trouble.

3 of the 4 favourites for the drop (Galway, Sligo, and Dundalk) all seem to have something about them. Things might get very grim very quickly for Waterford if they dont pick up points soon.

In saying that, if Sligo dont best Shels, there is already a gap between 9th and 8th. You'd believe that Galway and Drogheda are capable of consistently picking up points, so you wouldn't want to fall behind by much.

[nigel-harps1954]

Kerry got over the line anyway but the last 10-15 minutes was a tough watch. There was desperation and panic to get that first league win. The experienced signings have got to bring more composure in those moments. No effort to hold possession and keep possession in Harps half.

Very fortunate to get the win, Harps hit the woodwork several times and Halwax pulled off 4 or 5 good saves throughout the match. Really deeply frustrating watch as a Harps fan.

[legendz]

Kerry's goal led a charmed life for sure. Their last league win was before the Mounthawk Miracle against Sligo. Last evening's win ended a 210 day wait for a league win. Not just a monkey off their backs but the entire planet of the apes!

[brendy_�ire]

Cracking goal from Mark Doyle in Derry, how long is Lynch going to get? Feels like he’s a dead man walking from the outside but maybe I’m wrong…..

It was some strike. Their second was lovely too.
Both came about through defensive errors. The first after James McClean and Fleming clattering into each other going for a ball that should have been called by the keeper.

I'm done with Lynch now. The line-ups are just bizarre. We'd James McClean playing at centre half. He can't defend, and it cost us two goals last night. We started with no strikers, and even towards the end, we still kept three centre halves, who all stayed back when we had corners. Mental stuff.
There's chat of St Mirren being interested in Lynch, he'd do well to take it.

[2 Year Contract]

Pretty comfortable win for Pats in the RSC.
12 shots on goal. 11 saves from their GK. Tells the full story.

Not sure what Kenny was up to making a triple change with 20 seconds left in injury time. A bit bizarre.

Sligo next up.

Yeah should probably have made them earlier given how comfortable the whole game was and the 3 points wrapped up with 20 to go but how good is it that these are the only complaints :D

It was great to have Leavy back who ran amuck again. Hopefully Palmer’s injury isn’t too bad, looked in a lot of pain after getting clattered in the follow through of a 50/50 he won. Keena was excellent again when he came on so will likely take Palmer’s place if he’s still injured after the break

[oriel]

Delighted with that last night by Dundalk, we seem to have been the stronger team in the second half in almost every away game now, and that's not bad as it included Derry, Rovers, Galway and Bohs, 4 draws, granted Pats was the exception and we got a spanking there mind.

Was worried last night with so many out injured, and 8 of the starting XI played FD last season (7 with Dundalk), so they put some shift in.

Thought Strods and Mullen - the 2 young lads were very good for Bohs.

Kilduff doing a super job, and has been disappointed in interviews in 4 of those away games post match. Dundalk obv won't finish 4th and not even top 5, but starting to think 6th or 7th could be runner if this keeps up, but very early days, the goal was to consolidate in the PD at first time of asking and no changes to that from most DFC fans i speak to. We should be well clear of relegation worries, but again, long way to go.

[Zico]

Harps definitely can feel unlucky last night - had enough chances in the last 20 to win 2 games. It’s hard to feel excited about this Kerry experiment right now, we look technically inferior to everyone we have played so far this season, despite having a lot of supposedly full time players. Time will tell I suppose.

[Dermobohs]

Great game in dalymount, very entertaining, both teams with a load of chances.
I think on balance a draw was a fair enough outcome, and although Dundalk had us in bother a few times we almost nicked it at the end a good free kick from Flores just missing the post.
Dundalk impressive, have a few really good youngsters and added to Horgan and the great Bucko a good overall feel to their team, kilduff deserving great credit.
Nice little cameos from young Martin for Bohs too, holding his own with some “robust” defending and keeping his concentration, could be a good one.
Bucko getting a great ovation from the Bohs fans at the end, top man, I’d not have let him go at all.
Great nights entertainment though, big noisy Dundalk following, credit due.

[da bishop]

Horrible,ugly game at the MF last night,both teams hoofing anywhere,at one stage in the first half a heading competition,wayward passing etc..game saved only by the result .obviously,and the couple of excellent saves from Jack Brady.Strong rumours Lee.j.Lynch coming back doing the rounds as its also rumoured his coaching escapade with Limerick FC is coming to an abrupt end.....we will see.

[Budgie]

100 percent correct treaty seemed to learn their lesson from previous performances by over playing and not getting results . Good 3 points, can’t see them finishing above 8th though . Cian Curtis the difference has lots of quality

[Jack B]

Quite pleasantly surprised by Pats thus far. The opening couple of games were fairly miserable in a way that reflected the mood of the fan base coming into the season, but credit where it's due they've turned it around since.

The system has changed from previously where Kenny was admittedly fixated on wingers, to more of a fluid back 3/5 formation where Browne has the freedom of the right side and McClelland is essentially a winger himself with Turner behind him having a bit of license to roam himself. Nugent in for Mulraney is looking a great deal from our perspective, wasn't much fanfare around his signing but he's been quietly excellent so far. Brings an energy to midfield and an ability to win duels that has been sorely lacking in seasons past.

Waterford are looking lost though, like they don't know what type of team they are. Would be surprised if we had another away game this year that is as comfortable as that was.

[Inchicore]

Quite pleasantly surprised by Pats thus far. The opening couple of games were fairly miserable in a way that reflected the mood of the fan base coming into the season, but credit where it's due they've turned it around since.

The system has changed from previously where Kenny was admittedly fixated on wingers, to more of a fluid back 3/5 formation where Browne has the freedom of the right side and McClelland is essentially a winger himself with Turner behind him having a bit of license to roam himself. Nugent in for Mulraney is looking a great deal from our perspective, wasn't much fanfare around his signing but he's been quietly excellent so far. Brings an energy to midfield and an ability to win duels that has been sorely lacking in seasons past.

Waterford are looking lost though, like they don't know what type of team they are. Would be surprised if we had another away game this year that is as comfortable as that was.


Performances from last season are night and day. We seem a more unified team. Work rate is up, attitude is alot better and quality on the ball is much improved.

Hard to understand why the huge shift. Getting rid of Jake and Brandon (two who didn't have good attitudes) is hardly the main reason. Either way, its great to see.

[Longfordian]

Vital win for LTFC. There's really so little between most of the teams in the First, you can never be too confident in any particular outcome

[legendz]

Vital win for LTFC. There's really so little between most of the teams in the First, you can never be too confident in any particular outcome
Only 2 points between 4th and 10th at the moment. Athlone and Bray lost ground on Cork. Athlone and Bray might come back to the chasing pack.

[redobit]

Another glorious defeat. We could/ should have got points in the Dun and Shels game. We just cant score goals.

[sbgawa]

The 4 Dublin Teams on top and not playing each other next time up.
Bohs (of course) let me down on my 6 to 1 bet on all the Dublin clubs to win. Every cloud does have a silver lining i suppose :)
4 wins next week and a gap will start to widen, if Derry find themselves on the other side of it youd have to think Lynch is going to be on the verge

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Performances from last season are night and day. We seem a more unified team. Work rate is up, attitude is alot better and quality on the ball is much improved.

Hard to understand why the huge shift. Getting rid of Jake and Brandon (two who didn't have good attitudes) is hardly the main reason. Either way, its great to see.

I would imagine getting rid of Mulraney was a big help , certainly as a fan it’s great not to have to watch him strolling around without a care in the world . Apart from that we’ve brought in players who are more physical and athletic and less likely to get bullied in games and we also have more options up front

[Inchicore]

I would imagine getting rid of Mulraney was a big help , certainly as a fan it’s great not to have to watch him strolling around without a care in the world . Apart from that we’ve brought in players who are more physical and athletic and less likely to get bullied in games and we also have more options up front

Agreed.
The physical side of things definitely improved this season. We are not a soft touch.

Last season SK rotated ALOT meaning we rarely had a settled side.

The proof will be in the pudding when we have Forrester, Lennon, Zac and Power back from injury plus when Mata and Keena are 100% fit.

Rotating as much as he did last year definitely didn't help.

[2 Year Contract]

I would imagine getting rid of Mulraney was a big help , certainly as a fan it’s great not to have to watch him strolling around without a care in the world

Ah now I wouldn’t say he didn’t have a care in the world, he certainly cared about fixing his shorts and socks every 2 minutes while his teammates tracked back for him ;)