And Then There Were Three - The First Division

[Magicme]

Louth4Sam just to let you know that Jason got out of hospital that evening and looks like ligament damage so will be out for the rest of the season for us. Feck sake.

[dundalksarge]

Louth4Sam just to let you know that Jason got out of hospital that evening and looks like ligament damage so will be out for the rest of the season for us. Feck sake.

Thats just going to ruin your season now .
Anyways joking aside hope the player has a speedy recovery.

[The Rebel Ram]

Time to focus on this week..

How do you think you are gonna do Dundalk????

Can't see anything but a Ramblers win myself...........

[dundalksarge]

i would like to see dundalk actually got to Cobh and actually go and try and win , the last few times we have made the trip down it was to put men behind the ball. We need the win so its make or break time now , the winner been Surely guaranteed second spot.

[Mr A]

Hoping for the draw- but I think Cobh will win it. Having listened to quite a few of Dundalk's games on the radio their form doesn't seem great even if results have improved, whereas Cobh reacted well to their first defeat and must be favourites. That said, a 0-0 draw has to be a distinct possibility.

[The Rebel Ram]

There isn't gonna be many goals that's for sure, Dundalk I recon are gonna try to stop us playing and hope to frustrate us then try to nick a goal.
Can't see Rams loosing though, they will win but probably only by a single goal. Don' think it will be stylish but will deff be exciting!!!!!

[Mr A]

The really interesting thing about the game is that both sides really need the win (so long as we beat Wexford)- if we draw or lose Cobh only need the draw. If Harps are ahead when the match in Cobh kicks off then the pressure will be on both sides to get three points to stay in contention. On the other hand it is entirely possible that Wexford could cause us problems... good run-in this :)

[The Rebel Ram]

The really interesting thing about the game is that both sides really need the win (so long as we beat Wexford)- if we draw or lose Cobh only need the draw. If Harps are ahead when the match in Cobh kicks off then the pressure will be on both sides to get three points to stay in contention. On the other hand it is entirely possible that Wexford could cause us problems... good run-in this :)

Errortel has it wrong, Cobh game kicks off at 2pm so once we destroy Dundalk 3-0 the pressure will be right back on Harps when Wexford put 11 men behind the ball:D:):

[bigmac]

Tight at the top alright. As an interested observer (most probably awaiting play-off opponents) I would have to fancy Harps. A point ahead and with the bottom 3 clubs left to play, and a run in that includes 4 of the bottom 5 would be something that most clubs could only dream about. Add to that the fact that the two more difficult games (based on league position) are both home games and they'd have to feel confident.

The Cobh Dundalk game could decide the playoff spot, a win for Cobh and Dundalk are pretty much out of it. All those mid season 0-0 draws could be what costs Cobh in the end though and are certainly why they are in 2nd instead of 1st. Defensively, 3 losses all season is a very tight ship so it's a tall order for Dundalk to win in Cork. Aside from Athlone, Dundalk haven't won on the road since June, while Cobh haven't lost at home since March. I think a draw is the best Dundalk can hope for here.

In summary

Ramblers and Harps win - Dundalk are gone from the race, Harps still favourite to win it, but Ramblers only a point back are in with every chance.
Ramblers win and Harps lose or draw- Dundalk gone, Ramblers should have generated enough momentum to keep ahead of Harps
Dundalk win and Harps win -Title is Harps' to throw away, 4 pts clear with 3 to play. Play-off spot is a coin toss, Dundalk have the psychological boost but Ramblers have the goal difference. Dundalk to be slight favourites with the momentum and 2 home games left versus Ramblers' two away trips
Dundalk win and Harps lose - Neutral's preferred result tightens everything at the top to 1 pt. Harps stuttering favourites with that run in and a 1 pt advantage, Dundalk slight favourites for playoff spot
Ramblers/Dundalk draw and Harps win - Dundalk facing an uphill battle to catch Ramblers, Harps 3 point cuhion should be enough to see them home
Ramblers/Dundalk draw and Harps lose - Dundalk facing an uphill battle to catch either team, while Ramblers will be top with a superior goal difference to Harps. Ramblers' confidence at being top makes them marginal favourites but Harps have the easier run-in, Paddy Power is rich enough already, I'll keep my money in my pocket in this scenario.

[Mr A]

Errortel has it wrong, Cobh game kicks off at 2pm so once we destroy Dundalk 3-0 the pressure will be right back on Harps when Wexford put 11 men behind the ball:

Interesting. I know ye have a deal with Dundalk or something but wouldn't there have been a bigger crowd at the later time? Seems like a bad idea to play it then to me. It'll make our game all the more interesting knowing the result.

[Sam_Heggy]

Interesting. I know ye have a deal with Dundalk or something but wouldn't there have been a bigger crowd at the later time? Seems like a bad idea to play it then to me. It'll make our game all the more interesting knowing the result.


:eek: Match fixing hures, and they have the cheek to critisise Mons :p

[The Rebel Ram]

Interesting. I know ye have a deal with Dundalk or something but wouldn't there have been a bigger crowd at the later time? Seems like a bad idea to play it then to me. It'll make our game all the more interesting knowing the result.

Don't know the reason for the early kick off, could be the rugby wc final. With it being such a big game it shouldn't make a difference to the crowd. It's deff gonna be the biggest gate of the season. The early ko might help those who wana travel down too, might be good practice for the play offs!:p

[ramblers]

We have a standing agreement with Dundalk to play early for travel arangements.They do the same for us and it works well.

[The Rebel Ram]

It's really so we can go top again.............:p

And we won't be giving it up again if we are still there Sat night, I can see a frustrating 0-0 draw at Wexford!

[oriel]

Dundalk slight favourites for playoff spot

[/LIST]

Bigmac - thanks for that - but you do realise don`t you that there are TWO play off spots at stake, whoever comes 2nd is at home in a one off game v 3rd spot team, then the winners of this tie are home and away to 2nd last in premier for the real prize.

[bigmac]

Bigmac - thanks for that - but you do realise don`t you that there are TWO play off spots at stake, whoever comes 2nd is at home in a one off game v 3rd spot team, then the winners of this tie are home and away to 2nd last in premier for the real prize.

:o Whoops - didn't realise that at all. I'll revise my predictions accordingly.

[CollegeTillIDie]

Magicme

In the event that Dundalk get promoted this season here's a wee suggestion.
MUFC rent Oriel Park for one pre-season training session each year on their plastic pitch, to acclimatise for the annual derby in the League Cup. Over time you will eventually get that elusive away win on the plastic :D

[eelmonster]

Regardless, they should probably rent the pitch for pre-season training just to get used to playing on a level surface.

[Magicme]

OOOH eelmonster, you are bitchy today!

Not a bad idea ctid. We are getting better on that pitch as the last week proved so maybe a few sessions on it would make things easier. They should give it to us for free since we gave them a much reduced rate to use our facilities for the season they were installing the plastic.

[Sam_Heggy]

I think the title of this topic can safely be changed to : And then there were two.
Nerve wracking, lucky I had mr.JD and coke to keep me company :D