Rovers' relegation moves step closer

[Ringo]

Rovers' relegation moves step closer

http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=94&si=1511709&issue_id=1331

Shamrock Rvs 1

Dublin City 2

THE soap opera that is Shamrock Rovers Football Club took another unbelievable twist last night at a sub-zero Dalymount Park as lifelong Hoops fan David McGill condemned them to defeat in the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off.

A blunder from substitute goalkeeper John Blake allowed McGill's speculative effort to settle in the net after 85 minutes adding to Aidan Lynch's rasping effort just before half-time. Trevor Molloy's penalty was scant consolation for Rovers.

Alan O'Neill opted for experience as Molloy, Mark Rutherford and Derek Tracey came in for Lee Roche, Mark Quigley and Cathal Sweetman respectively and interestingly Brian Shelley kept the captaincy despite Molloy's return.

But it was another older head, former Shelbourne stalwart Tony Sheridan, who impressed most as he showed some excellent touches throughout the opening period.

After five minutes his delightful back-heel set-up Tracey and the right-back, who played for O'Neill back in the mid-nineties, looped a tempting cross to the back post. Willo McDonagh attacked it, but headed straight at Brendan Kennedy.

Indiscipline could have cost Rovers four minutes later as Keith Doyle was guilty of a needless foul out on the right wing. Barry Murphy came to claim the resultant free-kick but failed to gather, injuring himself in the process and causing momentary panic in the Hoops defence.

Sheridan continued to shine up front as he provided chances for McDonagh again and Molloy through the middle period of the half but both failed to convert and Rovers couldn't make their pressure count.

They were given a warning of the Vikings threat on the counter-attack when David Freeman crossed for McGill to head narrowly wide on the half hour. Indeed Murphy looked decidedly uncomfortable and made no attempt to dive as he seemed to be feeling the effects of that earlier clash.

Then out of nothing a hammer blow for Rovers came just before half-time. One minute of injury time had been signalled by the fourth official and a lot of people were heading for a much needed hot drink on a bitterly cold night.

Maybe the Rovers players were thinking about it too as they allowed Aidan Lynch too much room outside the box. He unleashed a thunderbolt which again keeper Murphy didn't move for. Murphy lasted only three minutes of the second half as things seemed to be unravelling for the home side. But Cathal O'Connor lifted the increasingly frustrated support with a powerful left foot effort that rattled the crossbar on 51 minutes.

And that seemed to be the catalyst for a change in Rovers' luck as they were awarded a crucial penalty kick five minutes later. Ben Whelehan's clumsy block on Molloy, as he turned for goal, gave referee Paul Tuite little option but to give the decision and the striker calmly dispatched the ball to the bottom left hand corner.

But any effort that was expended to get back into the game evaporated with five minutes to go. An exchange of passes outside the Rovers box ended in the ball at McGill's feet and his goal leaves the most successful club in League of Ireland history staring relegation straight in the face.

SHAMROCK ROVERS - Murphy (Blake 48); Tracey, Foley, Shelley, Doyle; O'Connor, McDonagh, Kenny, Rutherford; Sheridan (Roche 76), Molloy.

DUBLIN CITY - Kennedy; Lynch (Pender 75), Keely, Whelehan, Hedderman; Scully, Shiels, McGill, Collins; Vaughan (Kelly 68) Freeman.

REF - P Tuite

[hoopy]

But it was another older head, former Shelbourne stalwart Tony Sheridan, who impressed most as he showed some excellent touches throughout the opening period.





That proves what I've always thought, that soccer writers haven't a clue. Sheridan was rubbish, along with most of our other players. Dublin City deserved their win in what was for me a game between two of the worst sides I've seen in my 25 years supporting Rovers. I've no doubt Finn Harps would beat DC, as would Waterford. Dermot Keeley was quoted yesterday as saying that this seasons 1st div was the worst of all time. Having seen games this season I totally agree(q the chip on shoulder brigade from Sligo). If we can't beat Dublin City over two legs then we totally deserve to be relegated

[Block G Raptor]

THE soap opera that is Shamrock Rovers Football Club


Fcuking Love it
:D :D :D

[Drumcondra Red]

If we can't beat Dublin City over two legs then we totally deserve to be relegated

isn't that the whole point of having the playoffs??? :confused: :confused: :confused:

[John83]

I really enjoyed that game.

First, there was the competition between Home Farm and Rovers fans over who is better at throwing bog roll on the pitch. Rovers won this hands down. Home Farm's first effort hit the inside of the roof, while later efforts barely made the pitch. Rovers, meanwhile, were launching waves of them. As soon as the stewards had removed the last one, another volley would fly from their stand. They got impressive distance and tails on them and one even rolled itself back up as it hit the ground.

An early PA call for the owner of a BMW blocking the ambulance to move his car was doubtless answered by some poor sod who got mugged for his keys, etc on the way. There was even speculation that the car was legally parked and the announcement faked for just that purpose.

The PA again caused confusion with the bizarre announcement that there would be no "passing out" at half time. It was suspected that this might have referred to the clinicl through balls into Ringsend that Home Farm was providing. Naturally, half time would see them safely away from the balls.

Then there was the singing. Stuck in the middle of the HF fans, I was treated to:
You're not bigtime any more
Play for City, you'll get paid
Junkie Molloy
One Roddie Collins
Where's your Roddie gone?
Dublin Sealant/Sea-day

We may have misheard that last one, but it certainly wasn't 'City' they were singing.

The HF drummer was causing me no end of laughs, playing what sounded like the opening beats of the A-team theme ("In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. They promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no-one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team.") and later the opening drum beats to Zarathustra (2001: A Space Oddyssey theme). I think neither of these was intentional. HF were also suffering from the Bray syndrome - drum is noiser than the fans. UCD get around this by using a bodhran so crap that you have to beat it off a drum to get any noise off it. The drums were complimented by those noise-makers that are so favoured by GAA-fans.

Finally, some random HF fan cracked open a flare when the winner was scored. The stewards reacted by taking it off of him and leaving it at the foot of the stand, where it burned for around ten minutes (seems to have set fire to its own casing?!), with the smoke adding to the fog to thankfully save us from watching the dire football. Doubtless, the FAI, sorry, erm, league, will doubtless fine Rovers for not telepathically realising what was about to happen and acted in an appropriate, proactive fashion.

[pete]

Less than 2000 crowd is very disappointing for Rovers as they'll only get fraction of that if relegated. Has the goodwill of Rovers wider support died completely?

[hoops1]

Crowd 3,100

[Ringo]

Crowd 3,100

how many does the jodi stand hold?

[Mr A]

Jodi holds 3000 as far as I know.

[pineapple stu]

2842.

[Ringo]

2842.
hoops1 is probably right so.

[Schumi]

Crowd 3,100
Is that official??? There were about 150 in the shed and even if the Jodi full (which it wasn't at all) that would only be about 3000.

[Philo]

BTID who does ticketing for Bohs matches has a very good idea of Dalymount crowd sizes and has it down at 1600. If it is more or less than that I'd say his estimate isn't out by more than 100.

[Dodge]

A Pats fan who was there said there was about 1,500. About 1,100 hoops and the rest DC/nuetral in favour of DC

[pineapple stu]

Rovers fan on the attendances thread has posted 1900. Seems to be under 2000 anyway, not 3100.

[manic da hoop]

A Pats fan who was there said there was about 1,500. About 1,100 hoops and the rest DC/nuetral in favour of DC

Little more than 100 in the shed. Parts of the Jodi were packed - more bodies than seats. Don't know what it was like further down. My guess 2,500. A handful of neutrals present, ie. a couple of dozen.

[Block G Raptor]

Little more than 100 in the shed. Parts of the Jodi were packed - more bodies than seats. Don't know what it was like further down. My guess 2,500. A handful of neutrals present, ie. a couple of dozen.


I'd say there was more there last night than rovers will see for a very long time

[Poor Student]

Little more than 100 in the shed. Parts of the Jodi were packed - more bodies than seats. Don't know what it was like further down. My guess 2,500. A handful of neutrals present, ie. a couple of dozen.

From the Des Kelly stand I had a perfect view of the Jody. It was 3/4 full. It did not look packed to the rafters. 10 minutes before kick off it was looking very empty. Even at kick off it was only about half full.

[Schumi]

The far end of the Jodi was fairly sparse, a little more than the Waterford game maybe. There were about 150 in the Shed I think (including a decent few 'neutrals'), I'd have guessed 1600-1700 in total.

[thomas]

The far end of the Jodi was fairly sparse, a little more than the Waterford game maybe. There were about 150 in the Shed I think (including a decent few 'neutrals'), I'd have guessed 1600-1700 in total.


200 in the shed about 1500 in the stand (2,700 I think it holds)

[mypost]

Lots of late arrivers caused a jam at the stiles, stiles were still in full swing well into 20 mins after the game started

That's when I arrived. :rolleyes:

There was a piece in the match programme against Home Farm, where the writer whinged yet again about our attendances. So why do we persist with playing games at an ungodly time?? :confused: I've arrived late in 4 of the last 6 games. Dfx amongst others, couldn't get in until half an hour of the last Bohs-Rovers game, and missed the first 2 goals of the game for his troubles. I arrive well before ko at the matches outside Dublin, ffs. :rolleyes:

[NY Hoop]

Ungodly time?! 7.45 is an ungodly time. Do me a favour. Get there on time ffs.

All games should be at 7.45.

Or we could play them at 9pm to suit you:rolleyes:

KOH

[Cosmo]

Ungodly time?! 7.45 is an ungodly time. Do me a favour. Get there on time ffs.

All games should be at 7.45.

Or we could play them at 9pm to suit you:rolleyes:

KOH

I reckon all matches should be 8pm ko - i know its only 15 minutes but if someone has to trush home from work, sort out the kids, dinner, etc or if you have to commute a bit of a distance to work, its a big help.

Was disappointed when drogs went back to 745 ko's

[Rory H]

7.30,saturday,thats us,you;ll know that soon:p

anyway back to topic

shams can still win this,dc are really inconsistent..

[mypost]

Ungodly time?! 7.45 is an ungodly time. All games should be at 7.45.

No wonder attendances are poor. :rolleyes:


Or we could play them at 9pm to suit you

8.30pm, Saturdays. Bring us into line with almost every other country. It works for them, so there's no reason why it wouldn't work for us.

[NY Hoop]

No wonder attendances are poor. :rolleyes:

8.30pm, Saturdays. Bring us into line with almost every other country. It works for them, so there's no reason why it wouldn't work for us.

Attendances are poor cos of the kick off times? Christ on a bike now I've heard it all. That is quite simply rubbish.

8.30pm kick offs on saturdays happen in Spain which is hardly "every other country". The reason it works there is that they have a different culture. They go out later for a start.

All kick offs should be 7.45 like the Champions League. Once it sticks in peoples heads there should be no confusion. How about getting there on time?:rolleyes:

KOH

[mypost]

Attendances are poor cos of the kick off times? Christ on a bike now I've heard it all. That is quite simply rubbish

Alright, back to the old chestnut. Nah, don't feel like writing it all out again. Instead, read below.




August 2005:

There will always be poor attendances in the NL until the games are played at a civilised time, i.e. not 7.45 on a Friday night, which prevents most away fans from travelling, (except derbies)


8.30pm kick offs on saturdays happen in Spain which is hardly "every other country".

It works there because they have the balls to do it.

In the evenings elsewhere, French league games ko, at 8pm, as do games in Denmark and Iceland. Holland, Belgium, and Germany's begin at 8.30pm, Portugal's begin at 9-9.30. Spain's begin at 8/10pm. Only us and the Brits' games ko before 8pm, to ensure crowd congestion, and latecomers. What's with the mad rush??


All kick offs should be 7.45 like the Champions League.

Really. Try telling the Continentals that. Those countries who are 1h+ of us have CL games starting at 8.45, while the same games in Greece and Turkey begin at 9.45. CL games in Russia, ko earlier, but not before 8pm. The Brits ko earlier than everyone else again.

[NY Hoop]

Alright, back to the old chestnut. Nah, don't feel like writing it all out again. Instead, read below.

It works there because they have the balls to do it.

In the evenings elsewhere, French league games ko, at 8pm, as do games in Denmark and Iceland. Holland, Belgium, and Germany's begin at 8.30pm, Portugal's begin at 9-9.30. Spain's begin at 8/10pm. Only us and the Brits' games ko before 8pm, to ensure crowd congestion, and latecomers. What's with the mad rush??

Really. Try telling the Continentals that. Those countries who are 1h+ of us have CL games starting at 8.45, while the same games in Greece and Turkey begin at 9.45. CL games in Russia, ko earlier, but not before 8pm. The Brits ko earlier than everyone else again.

Oh so cos you said it in august thats the way it should be? It works there cos its a different culture. How hard is it for you to understand that?

I meant all EL games should be at 7.45. I say it again get there on time.

KOH

[LFC in Exile]

There will always be poor attendances in the NL until the games are played at a civilised time, i.e. not 7.45 on a Friday night, which prevents most away fans from travelling, (except derbies)

I think you'll find that it is the Friday night not the 7.45 that prevents away fans from travelling. Most people work during the week. And moving the time back may help fans getting there but it would mean getting home a hell of lot later. The solution is to have all games on Saturday afternoons. But failing that, 7.45 (or 7.30) starts - because that means you have drinking time after (cultural as NY Hoops says ).

[NY Hoop]

All EL games should be on saturday nights at 7.45 or sunday afternoons at 3.30 except derbies on friday nights.


KOH

[mypost]

because that means you have drinking time after (cultural as NY Hoops says ).

Fk drinking time!! Go and watch the match. Drink either beforehand, or else another night. :mad:

[NY Hoop]

Fk drinking time!! Go and watch the match. Drink either beforehand, or else another night. :mad:

Or next season during the game:D

KOH

[mypost]

Or next season during the game

:confused:

We're NL fans, On Matchday, it's our job to go to games, not to promote Guinness. Drink should not be part of the event description. :mad:

[blueviking1980]

I really enjoyed that game.

First, there was the competition between Home Farm and Rovers fans over who is better at throwing bog roll on the pitch. Rovers won this hands down. Home Farm's first effort hit the inside of the roof...

That was meself! ;)... can perfect to full affect but was a tad rusty. Thought I did well under the circumstances... I mean come on, I was that excited I even thought bout eatin it before I fecked it... :D


The HF drummer was causing me no end of laughs, playing what sounded like the opening beats of the A-team theme ("In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. They promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no-one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team.") and later the opening drum beats to Zarathustra (2001: A Space Oddyssey theme).


Eh what? :rolleyes:

[John83]

That was meself! ;)... can perfect to full affect but was a tad rusty. Thought I did well under the circumstances... I mean come on, I was that excited I even thought bout eatin it before I fecked it... Understandable. If I was going into a game like that, I'd be delighted to find Rovers so crap too. That, and the roof there is a bad shape for someone at the back throwing stuff. ;)


Eh what? Never mind. My mind sometimes works in strange ways. :D

[dfx-]

NY Hoop, I've had this argument with mypost numerous numerous times and there is no point in going over it again...

I know I was late - I've been late for a lot of matches this season at Dalymount in particular because of college/work, but that is my own fault - I know in advance when I have to be there and if I'm not then it's my fault.

I'd personally prefer Sunday afternoons or 1945, btw.


We're NL fans, On Matchday, it's our job to go to games, not to promote Guinness. Drink should not be part of the event description.

Blah blah blah...:rolleyes:

[mypost]

I know I was late - I've been late for a lot of matches this season at Dalymount in particular because of college/work, but that is my own fault.

It's not your fault, when you can't get to a game on time. It's the home club's fault, i.e. Bohs in this instance. If they had games with later ko's, less fans would miss a large chunk of the game. :(

If said game started at 8.30pm, you would have seen the whole game, and so would many others.

[dfx-]

And if it started at 6.30, I'd miss the whole match...I know beforehand it starts at 7.30 and if I can't get to it, then it's my fault. I've missed a lot of away games this season because Friday evenings are late in college so I'll go see them where I can..if that means half an hour late, c'est la vie. I could quite easily not bother and go home instead since I'm going to miss half of it anyway, but I don't.

Sure why not move it to 9.30 then...it'd give me time to do what I wanted and me time to go home and me time to wander into the ground when ever I liked before the match....sure why not delay the whole game until every supporter is happy that they've got everything done so that they can go to the game before they begin it.:rolleyes:

If I have an interview at 1100 in the morning but don't find that suitable, I can always make my potential employers change it so it suits me..:rolleyes:

[mypost]

Sure why not move it to 9.30 then...it'd give me time to do what I wanted and me time to go home and me time to wander into the ground when ever I liked before the match....sure why not delay the whole game until every supporter is happy that they've got everything done so that they can go to the game before they begin it.

Don't lose the head!! :mad:

I'm not asking clubs to delay kick offs for infinity, but I don't see the big deal, in putting ko's back 30-45 minutes from the current start time, to allow more time for the regulars and visiting fans to make the game, so that you don't have hundreds of fans outside at ko shouting, "Come on, hurry up!", and to encourage more and more neutrals/recruits, to come to games. Friday night crowds are poor. Why wouldn't they be, when home clubs go out of their way to inconvenience both home and away fans?? :confused: In any normal industry, a firm caters for the demands of it's customers, but strangely in LOI football, it's the other way around.

[Dr.Nightdub]

Do games in Portugal / Spin / Italy / etc not start an hour later simply cos they take a siesta in the middle of the day and therefore don't finish work until much later than us?

[Dodge]

Do games in Portugal / Spin / Italy / etc not start an hour later simply cos they take a siesta in the middle of the day and therefore don't finish work until much later than us?
Yeah, traditionally dinner time in Spain/Italy etc is much later too

[mypost]

Do games in Portugal / Spain / Italy / etc not start an hour later simply cos they take a siesta in the middle of the day and therefore don't finish work until much later than us?

No. They don't take siestas in winter.

In any case, games in those countries folow closely with their neighbours in Northern Europe. Most countries' games begin after 8pm-8.30pm, Italy ko's are at 8.45, Portugal (same time zone as us) usually have theirs at 9pm, Spain does have 7 and 8pm ko's, but are exceptions to the rule, rather than the norm which is usually 9-10pm. The odd ones out, are Ireland and the UK, who almost always start evening games at an awkward time of evening, i.e. before 8, and in some cases, earlier still. :(

[Dodge]

Yeah but its a totally different way of living. 7.45 is not awkaward. Get over it...

[NY Hoop]

It's not your fault, when you can't get to a game on time. It's the home club's fault, i.e. Bohs in this instance.

Absolute quality:D :D :D

So if I have a few too many beforehand and leave the boozer late it's boez fault?!!! Amazing!

DONT ANSWER btw ever.........

KOH

[mypost]

So if I have a few too many beforehand and leave the boozer late it's boez fault?!!! Amazing!

:rolleyes:

Work commitments, together with traffic delays, are the biggest factor in fans being unable to make (early) kos. Most of us don't have enough time to make it to ko, never mind the boozer. :mad:

[goattail]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ringo
THE soap opera that is Shamrock Rovers Football Club


Fcuking Love it


I saw that as a compliment, the LoI could do with as much drama as it can get, fist fights, deportations, examinerships, putting the entire squad up for sale, it all makes for great entertainment:D . Enjoy the boredom of Home 'we have no fans' Farm next season, if they survive that long.