Yeah he commanded his box excellently. Playing against Caulfield's ogres pumping the ball into the box from all angles is always the most difficult games in the LOI for keepers this season but he dealt with it wellQuote:
Originally Posted by TonyD
Printable View
Yeah he commanded his box excellently. Playing against Caulfield's ogres pumping the ball into the box from all angles is always the most difficult games in the LOI for keepers this season but he dealt with it wellQuote:
Originally Posted by TonyD
That should be us safe now I think. Wishing for a Rovers win is a not something I’d like to repeat too often.
In a league season of unpredictability, who would have predicted that all the Top 4 sides would actually win. Going to be some end to the season.
A Sligo win tonight and a Bohs draw away to Waterford would open the door for the Drogs if they can shock Tolka Park.Quote:
Originally Posted by ger121
If Pat's are to claim an unlikely title, they'll probably need Drogheda taking points off Shels and relegated Dundalk taking points off Rovers. Pat's beating Derry will put Derry at risk of missing out on the top 3. Sligo away is a tough final day assignment for Pat's. Rovers are likely to be big winners if Derry are taking points off Shels on the final day.
That’s a lot of ifs.Quote:
Originally Posted by legendz
The impetulance of Caulfield is a long time old not just getting there. Seems that SK and JC may have renewed old friendships. Horgan was always unashamedly impetulant and would be at the head of a scuffle not hiding behind his players and still being landed on his ars€.Quote:
Originally Posted by WoodquayBoy
It was entertaining stuff in Oriel at least. Not sure you'd have picked out the relegated side for significant spells. Dundalk were unlucky not to level the game if not to ultimately lose it. Even the 1st goal was almost actually off strikers backside. The real entertainment was in the stand post match and the subsequent stories about it. Over all the years one of the daftest things done by a Dundalk fan is to thump a barrister. There is a sense of relief that the focus can no be fully truned on the clubs future and the small details can be addressed like getting a license for next season and not bein folded.
Caulfield wasn’t sent of collopy and Byrne. Jc has given United fans their best season in 3 decades and a whole new generation of football fans. Why do the highlights skip contentious decisions like the Pats handball last night ???
JC is always impetulant sent off or not. Best season in 3 decades sure but everything is relative. If he was even a slightly braver man he'd have done more at Cork and maybe even have Galway in a title race proper. As has been noted above, Galway only started to play when they went behind and really put St Pats under pressure. What might have been if he hadnt tried to George Graham everything!
Nice win for Cobh to end the year, even if it was only Bray’s reserves. Some good players coming through the Bray academy to give them credit. Will be an interesting off-season for Ramblers.
I really thought we were going to equalise at the end. Entertaining game though. I got the nicest burger I've ever gotten in a LOI ground so that's some consolation I supposeQuote:
Originally Posted by TonyD
In fairness, I don’t think Galway would have outplayed us if a footballing game had broken out. They were competitive and very difficult to play against, and their tactic of getting the ball into the box at every opportunity caused us problems. They did what they had to do, which I don’t really have a problem with. The antics on the sideline are another matter. I think Caulfield and Ollie thrive on the aggro tbh. After the kerfuffle at half time Galway really came out with the bit between their teeth in the second half, and the equaliser was a superb strike. It was a big win for Pats, and a game we’d likely have lost at the start of the season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
Yeah my point last night about Galway only trying to really play when behind wasn't a slight on them or the style of play, literally just that they were aggressive when behind and a bit passive when not. Very good at what they do though, it's weird to think Pat's have such a good record against them this season because it's felt like a real battle every time. Last night was probably the most entertaining game of the four I'd say.
All the sideline stuff aside, it was a belter of a game with the deserving side winning. Pats played some lovely stuff and are on a great run, if there was 6 more games left and not 2, they’d win the league.
Referring to Galway players as ogres is a bit unfair. If that works for them, and it clearly has, then it is has proven to be a good tactic. It may not be beautiful but until points are awarded for style of play it makes no difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract
I am not one to expect entertianment at a football game. I go to the cinema or theatre for that. At a football match I go to see my team win 3 pts regardless of how they do it.
It is for sure! As a neutral I'm curious on the path for Pat's to win an unlikely title. A complete dark horse in the history of dark horses!Quote:
Originally Posted by ger121
The path is easy to set out but unfortunately it’s now very unlikely.Quote:
Originally Posted by legendz
Pats have to win their remaining two (very likely)
Shels must drop points to Drogs in next game and to Derry in last game (quite likely)
Rovers must drop points either away to Dundalk or home to Waterford (very unlikely) and add 2 less to their GD than Pats do.
That Dylan Watts goal for Rovers last night is going to be the difference.
We are all assuming shels don't win their next 2....reasonable based on form but they are 2 clear with 2 to play.....if pats beat derry and rovers don't beat Dundalk its over , shels have won the league before even traveling to derry. Pats are favourites to beat derry and rovers have an awful record in Oriel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by patsdad
As a neutral shouting for Pat's currently, I'm pinning my hopes on Drogheda taking points off Shels. After Kenny's success with Dundalk, it will be some result if there is a kick in Dundalk and they take points off Rovers.Quote:
Originally Posted by sbgawa
There is a scenario where Rovers and Pat's could be level on points and goal difference going into the final round.
I didnt say it was ineffective, Ive recently said that Galway should be give the league trophy for their season, Cauldfields Cork sdes were effective too and went toe to toe at times with Dundalk, at times in that one off games like cup finals they'd arguably be favourites but over a league season Dundalk would finish ahead. Head to heads were nip and tuck, it was against other sides away from home where leagues were lost. I have little time for his sideline tantrums but because he denies it, Horgan just doesnt care. In terms of his football philosophy the short comings are not the style of football but how much more cautious his sides are away from home for example, and when there is no option that to go at sides they are more than just in a game. Imo if he was braver, didnt treat away fixtures in an old way really, where you're happy with a 0-0 point, he'd probably overall have picked up more points than what were saved by sitting in. It is an anomaly season where Derry and Galway could be top of the league with such contrasting GD but I dont think there will be seasons like it often and there will be clear top 2 or 3 next year. If Derry dont win anything and Higgins is moved on they have potential to be excellent. Rovers need to freshen things up but are still easilt top two potential. St Pats will be favourites next season. Shels will be good but need to move from on hard to beat and the could. Galway are hitting their heights this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack B
the form team in the division Treaty with a win to go 5 unbeaten.....oh wait no pressure with those 5 ,when there was pressure it was 14 without a win.Cant wait for our new ....hybrid model[managers new baby phrase] setup next season ,we are expecting huge things.Harps went missing second half after yet again dominating a first half with a lead.
The end of the Drogs v Rovers was marred by a racial slur from the away section directed at Drigs defender Ahui .
Fair play to Graham Burke for calling out the Rovers fan involved and reporting to Gardaí.
Bohs 2 up in Sligo and safe now,Drogheda confirmed for the relegation play off and Sligo's European hopes finished as well .....
Bohs well worth their win. Best team, maybe not so much 8n the second half but rovers never posed a problem. Bohs safe time to start rebuilding NOW
Jaysus. Safe for another year.
Now, let the season end with no winner declared.
Actually, hang on,could we overtake Waterford???
Probably not.
So we’ve gone from Shels and Derry not wanting the league in recent weeks to Galway and Sligo not wanting Europe! If Pats win one of their two games now both Connaught sides miss out on the top 4 having remained in and around there for most of the season. If Galway and Sligo draw next weekend then a draw from the two games will be enough for 4th place for Pats
With Drogheda consigned to the playoffs, hard to see them causing any upset in Tolka Park next week.
I dont know about that,there's a few players in that Drogheda squad who'd love to throw a spanner in the works, Shane Farrell being the most obvious and it would be very funny if he did!Quote:
Originally Posted by legendz
Let's not forget they are playing for a starting place in the cup final. No better motivation needed than earn the chance to start in the biggest domestic game in the calendar and the biggest game for the club in a while as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by joey B
Be resting key players no?
Although it looks like Europe might be slipping away, it's been a great year. We really need a leading front man. Best defence in the league for a promoted side must be a very rare occurrence in LOI circle. But, conversely, having almost the worst goals for, and too many 0-0's (6) has left us a bit short going into the last hurrah. It seems silly to be too critical of the season though. JC and Ollie have molded a seriously well drilled side together, whatever of their sideline antics. The trick now will be to see if we can sustain a similar effort again next season, just with a few more goal scoring moments! Great attendances all season for the most part in Terryland as well which has been great to see, remembering going to games 15 years ago with 800 at them.
Where? Just because ye West Brits sold out to anglicisation doesn’t mean us hardy men of ConnACHT did the sameQuote:
Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract
I'm not a fan of the playoff structure. UCD & Bray and Wexford & Athlone have played each other four times over the course of the season. While 2nd to 5th being in the playoffs is serving its purpose of giving First Division clubs a lifeline, playing over two legs seems excessive.
Single knockout rounds could suffice. UCD 2nd at home to Bray. Wexford 3rd at home to Athlone. The highest ranked club then with home advantage in the final.
The promotion/relegation playoff is where clubs are meeting for the first time, unless they have met in the cup. The promotion/relegation playoff seems more appropriate to be played over two legs. There should be no dallying on home advantage for the first and second legs either. 9th in the Premier have a higher ranking. The First Division club can host the first leg. The Premier Division club can host the second leg.
Last year that would have resulted in Waterford hosting Cork, before the return leg in Turner's Cross.
Congratulations to bohs on securing their position in the Premier division for another season.:)
It'd be no craic if we lost both bohs and dundalk from the league, who'd we have left to generate the ire necessary for a seasoned LOI fanatic like myself
Shels have 1 hand on the trophy now, a meaningless game for Drogs on friday,and derry won't win in inchicore. That leaves Rovers going to the lawless El Paso looking for a win.... dundalk fans will surely derive a modicum of pleasure in an otherwise disastrous season in denying us 5 in a Row.
Bloody west brits out in your province setting up 'The Connaught Telegraph' to confuse us stupid dubs eh? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by WoodquayBoy
The greatest of backhanded compliments, love-hate is strong in you PC;)Quote:
Originally Posted by placid casual
That's a Mayo paper, the Connacht Tribune is Galway. Mayo doesn't count.Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract
Could be, wouldn't surprise me if they kept their starting 11 intact to try and keep a bit of form going into the playoff and cup finals.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dermobohs
Even if they rotate key players the guys coming in will see it as an opportunity to earn a place in the respective games. They'll see an opportunity to impress against potential champions in waiting. Don't think it's an easy game for Shels in the slightest.
The Dundalk squad is already out the door and have nothing to play for now. You’ll win your last 2 and you know it. All the remains to be seen, is if 61 points will be enough to win the title.Quote:
Originally Posted by placid casual
That’s in Mayo, an even bigger sh!theap than what’s inside the Pale ??Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract
more like having a bare bones squad not being able to cope with having no striker available.Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract