The play-off

[pineapple stu]

We have a thread for the First Division, and I think there's one for the Premier somewhere. But what's going to happen in the play-off?

I think Drogheda are gone at this stage. If nothing else, the way they're playing reminds me of our 2008 season - no confidence whatsoever, and a fair few of the same players.

If we beat Galway on Saturday, I think we're as good as safe. Lose and we're in trouble as Galway have to play Drogheda on the last day, whereas we have Dundalk, Sligo and Fingal to go. I'd like to think though, based on our respective recent forms and Bazza apparently still being suspended, that we can finally beat Galway and stay up.

I think Bray would be very capable of beating - even favourites to beat - Galway, even in Terryland. I reckon Monaghan will go on to win the First, leaving Derry, Waterford and Shels to fight it out for the play-off spots. Form arguably points to a Shels v Waterford play-off, but I think with Shels facing Waterford on the last day, Derry will sneak in, even though they've three tough fixtures left out of the four.

That leaves as the only question whether Galway - who've pulled off some decent results this season - could do it one last time. I think Shels' momentum would see them through though, but it'd be very very close.

So I reckon -

Bray to beat Galway in the Premier
Shels to beat Derry in the First

Shels to beat Galway

[centre mid]

I hope your right Stu.

[White Horse]

So I reckon -

Bray to beat Galway in the Premier
Shels to beat Derry in the First

Shels to beat Galway

Galway were abject in their performance in Oriel Park last week. UCD are rediscovering their early season form due to getting players back from injury and having the under-rated Corry back pulling strings in the middle of the park. I cannot see anything other than Galway playing Bray in the Premier play-off.

No team would want to play Bray at the moment. They have momentum and and are capable of beating any team in the Premier.

The first division is impossible to call. I would favour either Derry or Monaghan to beat Galway in a play-off. I haven't seen enough of Shels to hazzard a guess. However, if the Galway side who played Dundalk turn up for the pay-off, I can't see Galway winning.

[osarusan]

I think Shels against Derry this weekend will tell a lot about how an out-of-form Derry compare to an in-form Shels. A Derry win would probably see Waterford overtake Shels, and they (Shels) would still have to visit Limerick and host Waterford.

It'll be a very interesting few weeks.

[pineapple stu]

UCD are rediscovering their early season form due to [...] having the under-rated Corry back pulling strings in the middle of the park.

Off topic (after just three posts ), but is Corry under-rated I wonder? I know I picked him out here as our one to watch at the start of the season.

Great player though. Check out the highlights of our game against Rovers (on MNS or up on YouTube in an hour or so). He gets an assist for our first goal despite having a heavy limp after being stood on by a Rovers player. Dedication!

[BonnieShels]

I really hope you're right. I can't take another heartbreaking last day.

[WoodquayBoy]

Agree with you there PS. For me, Drogheda are gone, and neother us (Utd) or you lot (UCD) would fancy playing BRay in a play-off given the form they are in. I'd have more faith in ye beating them than us, which makes Saturday crucial. We have been muck lately but up in Dundalk, we were missing Seamus COnneely and Jamie McKenzie from defence, and both are back for Saturday. Missing Barry Ryan is not that big a loss considering he gifted ye a point in Terryland earlier in the season!!! In all seriousness, if we had Ryan, I'd fancy us to turn ye over, but can't see us keeping a clean sheet without him, and we have been struggling for goals at the other end of the pitch.
Monaghan's game in hand is against Salthill on Monday, so that is surely a banker 3 points, and think they'll go on to win the First. Wouldn't fancy playing any of Shels, Derry or Waterford, so to summarise, anything than a win on Saturday and we are in the play-off

[total hoofball]

I think UCD and this re-vitalised Bray side would have too much for the First Division sides should one of them end up in the two leg play-off, UCD have plenty of quality while Bray have grown some incredible steel in the last 2 months helped by the additions of Devlin, Demspey, O'Connor, Gregg and others.

Galway would worry me. They showed great form in July/August beating UCD and Bohs away but their form this last month is not the form you want heading towards an end of the season relegation battle. Though with a team containing players like Ryan, O'Donnell, O'Brien, Sheppard and Conneely you would have to fancy them over two legs against a FD side.

Having seen Monaghan, Derry, Shels and Waterford this season, all 4 are weak teams compared to the PD sides and I would be amazed if any of them have enough to topple a PD team over two matches. Drogheda will be the only team relegated from the PD this season for me.

[legendz]

I don't agree with the play-off format at all. I don't think 8th should have to play 9th and that 4th in the First Division should be in the play-offs instead.

On the format in existence anyways, I can see Bray winning but it'll still be a tough game away to Galway. The First Division is a hard one to call. Cork and Limerick though out of it could get thrown a possible lifeline this weekend if results happened to go their way. Shelbourne on the other hand could make a challenge for 1st, especially if they did beat Derry and Mon's lose.

[eamo1]

Dates for the playoffs?

What are the dates for the playoffs?Its a quick enough turn around between the end of the regular season and the first game yes?I also dont agree with the playoff format,it should just be 9th in Premier plays 2nd in the 1st Div in a 2 leg playoff.

[Roo69]

No team would want to play Bray at the moment. They have momentum and and are capable of beating any team in the Premier.

It's quite sureal real that. Don't think I've ever heard anyone say that before about Bray.

At present it looks like being Galway v Bray, it will be a very tough game for both sides but as most people agree we are in in form side at present and have being playing excellent of late, in saying that it is pretty much a cup final and Galway have individual players capable of winning any game so it is by no means a given that we will win this game (if we do manage not to finish bottom that is)

We have a few injury concerns at present to key players so to have any chance we need to get them back and fighting fit. To ensure 9th place we need at least a point against Drogheda on Sunday in the Carlisle, we are more than capable of that but Drogheda will be fighting for their lives and will come out like men possessed. Send out our strongest team then they have 12 days to recover until the next League game away against St. Pats

If we to manage to lose against say, Galway, then i think i would prefer Shels in the Play Off final. We really owe Shels one for the hammering they gave us in the Leinster Senior Cup Final earlier in the season, our players would be well up for it.

2 November 8th Placed Premier -v- 9th Placed Prem.
2 November 2nd Placed First -v- 3rd Placed First
5 November Loser Match A -v- Winner Match B

These are the dates our website has down for the games, is the final not a two legged affair?

[blue til i die]

2 November 8th Placed Premier -v- 9th Placed Prem.
2 November 2nd Placed First -v- 3rd Placed First
5 November Loser Match A -v- Winner Match B

These are the dates our website has down for the games, is the final not a two legged affair?

The 8th of November is the second leg according to our site.

[WindmillWarrior]

but Drogheda will be fighting for their lives and will come out like men possessed.

Haha, no we feckin won't!! That description might better suit the fans though - we're having our relegation party on sunday!

[gufc2000]

From a Galway point of view, Saturday is crucial. A win and we're back in with a shout of 7th, a loss, and as Sean Connor has said, its the play-offs. We've been conceding lots of goals recently. Foley and Barry are big losses for Saturdays game. A few weeks ago we were 6th, and now we're just about in contention to finish 7th.

The Run ins:

UCD:
Galway (a)
Dundalk (h)
Sligo (h)
Fingal (a)

Galway:
UCD (h)
Fingal (a)
Bohs (h)
Drogs (a)

Bray:
Drogs (h)
St Pats (a)
Shamrock Rovers (h)

[Rasputin]

My only hope for the Play Offs is that Pale based teams are relegated and more non Pale teams are promoted.
Hopefully a Munster addition next season for some decent away trips.