That's why it's best not to bother entering, if you're not gonna take it seriously then no point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Parker
At least Ballinamallard wanted to be in it.
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That's why it's best not to bother entering, if you're not gonna take it seriously then no point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Parker
At least Ballinamallard wanted to be in it.
Most LOI clubs don't take it seriously either t be fairQuote:
Originally Posted by adamd164
Anyone got a link to Shams v Dundalk for tonight?
Clear red card decision bottled by Tuite.
I'm not sure myself. Think he may have over hit the ball a bit. Whatever about that I'm delighted with the start and the goal.Quote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
Not with Mountney's pace.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yossarian
I doubt the ref put that much thought into it. I think he just didn't want to send a player off after a minute.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yossarian
Well I don't know about that. Usually the LoI refs only concern is how quick can I get the red card out of my back pocket.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Good grief, how many penalties are we going to give away? Great effort by Hyland to almost get there.
2 Nil to Dundalk and they look in the driving seat.
I suppose the goalie (Hyland?) is getting better at these one on ones, with practice.
2-1, super goal by Zayed. Dundalk are sitting so deep.
Where's Stephen McPhail gone for Rovers? Hasn't been involved in a few games now.
Dundalk will wrap this up at Oriel, the gulf in class is an unsurmountable obstacle for the hoops to overcome.
The Dundalk accountant is already spending the setanta cheque for reaching the final.
A bout of tendonitis, related to his auto immune affliction.Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
Really should have wrapped up the tie by scoring another couple of goals. Dundalk were totally dominant.
Damn you. It was a decent second half from Rovers but Boccer is just not a player and without Kilduff nothing really sticks up front. Croly will, I expect, play more or less the same team in Oriel so I'd expect Dundalk to wrap it up fairly easily, especially with the same fixture again three days later.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Dunno about dominant, you barely touched the ball in the second half, but you tore us apart on the counter attack and really should have scored another couple.Quote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
That Hoban sitter might yet come back to haunt you.Quote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
Dundalk were very impressive at times tonight tho especially considering they only played 2 days ago.
Towell is superb, an absolute joy to watch.
I expect another close game in the Showgrounds tomorrow night.
We are very wasteful, it will haunt us at some stage. The tie is very much alive.Quote:
Originally Posted by PartySaint
I really don't think so. Look at the fixtures - Rovers have Pats away on the Friday, then return to Oriel on the Friday after. There will be two full teams put out for the league games, so you're looking at basically the same team Rovers played tonight, with maybe some rotation in centre defence and midfield. Dundalk have UCD away the Friday before, which should be an easy win, meaning you can put out a decent team and put the tie away. Either way, the league game in Oriel will be the priority for both teams.Quote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
Of course the tie is alive although Dundalk clearly have the upper hand.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
3 games in 8 days usually favours the club with the greater resources / better squad. Rovers clearly have the bigger budget, it is not so obvious that they have superior quality throughout the squad
Throughout their squad they definitely do have better quality. Both teams playing their strongest 11 is a bit closer tho.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
I disagree with this. Cornwall, Bayly, Robinson, Kelly wouldn't get near Dundalk's 14/15Quote:
Originally Posted by PartySaint
Rovers first choice XI is pretty strong
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Dean Kelly is miles better than Darren Meenan.
The Likes of Kilduff, Sheppard, Zayed, O'Connor, McCabe, Marty Waters would walk into the Dundalk team and they all get rotated in the Rovers squad.
He's a better player but he's not a fecking winger. Useless thereQuote:
Originally Posted by PartySaint
Waters and McCabe start all the league games for Rovers. They've 4 strikers but play 1 most of the time. That doesn't mean it's a strong squad. Just means it's lopsidedQuote:
The Likes of Kilduff, Sheppard, Zayed, O'Connor, McCabe, Marty Waters would walk into the Dundalk team and they all get rotated in the Rovers squad.
We saw Rovers squad last night. It isn't that good. Can't see how you can say otherwise
I think fans are too harsh on Meenan at times.Quote:
Originally Posted by PartySaint
Meenan has improved beyond all recognition in the last year. When he first trialled at Dundalk, I thougth he was very poor. However, he has worked on his physical conditioning and is now one of the fastest and most dynamic players in the division.
Sligo couldn't handle him at all on Saturday.
He will always to limited in certain areas and his temperment is volatile at times.
However, he is a good squad player. His corner kicks were worth about 10 goals to us alone last season.
I'm not saying it's that good just that it's better than Dundalks squad, which it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Meenan has had a lot of clubs before Kenny signed him last season and most (myself included) doubted his ability to make an impact. His improvement has been impressive and he has moved from fringe player to being a regular starter. He has made a real impact with his pace and dead-ball deliveryQuote:
Originally Posted by PartySaint
Dean Kelly is a decent back-up striker but I would far rather have Meenan in the squad
All good players - but you think all six of these would start ahead of the entire Dundalk midfield and strike force - a team that finished well above Rovers last season and comfortably beat them last night?Quote:
Originally Posted by PartySaint
Wow!
They're all attacking players and three of them are competing for one spot in the team. Our previous squad depth has all signed for Pats. We have three defenders who have to play every game now that O'Connor is crocked.Quote:
Originally Posted by PartySaint
Meenan can be frustrating at times, and his challenge away to Drogs in the cup semi last year was just wreckless, and warranted his red card, he had no business putting that challenge in either on such a wet pitch, but thats in the past.
Wasn't my favourite player by any stretch, however to be fair he assisted on plenty of crucial goals last season, but I'm still not sure if he deserves a starting spot, I will admit though he has improved, at long last.
I think we are strong favourites to make the final, but its far from over, we probably will need to score at least once in the return leg, but we are definitely in the driving seat.
Yes, on an indivdual basis they would all get into the Dundalk team. I'm not saying you would start all of them together but if say Kilduff was there he would start every week, so would McCabe etc etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ezeikial
It's not a dig at Dundalk, they'll all good players and would get into nearly every team in the league. Like Towell and Hoban probably would.
I still would put Rovers squad ahead of Dundalk's, but that is only an opinion. Players like everyone change, some improve their skills as they get older others do not. I find it interesting that many who comment on the LoI fail to spot the player/players who are likely to make it at a high level over in England. Most would have predicted that Finn and Forrester would be playing for a Premier league club in England by now and be full internationals while the Dublin media completely missed Seamus Coleman for example.
By the way that was a bad miss by Hoban last night. He would be an example of someone who has improved a lot, and has surprised me, while the Brennan who has gone to Rovers this season I think will do a good job for them. I would be interested in what Limerick fans in general think of Folan as the few times I have seen him he looks decent, but apparently some are not too impressed.
Dundalk typically play one up top, so Kilduff and Hoban would compete for the same place. In my opinion, Kilduff is the only player of the six you mention that I would be interested in. I wouldn't take Marty Waters over Daryl Horgan, for example. Don't forget we have Keith Ward to come back in.Quote:
Originally Posted by PartySaint
Dundalk have good options in midfield and up front. The weak area in the squad is the depth and quality of defensive cover. From what I know of the Rovers squad, it is a weak point of theirs too.
And Pats, and Sligo and etc etcQuote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
Most will be grand if there's no long term injuries
Coleman was very highly touted by the press and won multiple under 21 caps with Sligo. He was not an unknown going over to EvertonQuote:
Originally Posted by wonder88
Dublin media....
I'm probably stating the obvious here but Towell really is a talent. Haven't had a chance to watch him much to date but his strength, skill and pace really make him stand out. I'd be amazed if he's still in the LOI next season. I hope Dundalk have him on a 2 year deal.
As the Setanta commentator expertly put it last night: "You can see he's played in Scotland..."Quote:
Originally Posted by ger121
In fairness I've totally forgetting about Daryl Horgan so you have a point there. Still better than Meenan tho.Quote:
Originally Posted by White Horse
On Forrester being with a Prenier League club, I don't think anyone would have taught that but I fully expected him to be at a lower division English side by now and probably would have if whichever Bristol club he was on trial at didn't sack their manager a week later.