Squad aren’t up to it,plenty of effort but just not good enough…Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
There’s no indication yet that the manager is up to it either but I’ll give him this season and see how we’re fixed next year …
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Squad aren’t up to it,plenty of effort but just not good enough…Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
There’s no indication yet that the manager is up to it either but I’ll give him this season and see how we’re fixed next year …
Only one senior player from last year is left, and he's been out long term injured. Average age of the squad is 20. Lot of academy players playing because of injuries and it was a small squad to begin with.Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
Jury is out for most fans with Rogers I'd say so far from reading through social media and forums. I think he's faced an uphill battle from the start. Social media speaks loudly sometimes but a lot depends for him on the transfer window too. We've proven at times to play okay football, but then we tend to have a few games where we couldn't pass urine. I think we're three or four players away from having a squad that'll get a playoff, also hoping the injuries to several squad players clear up asap. Beyond bare bones for Longford game tomorrow night and I'll be surprised if we manage to claw together even five or six subs for the bench.
Galway United tried this a few years ago with "Project DNA" under Alan Murphy...
It became pretty evident early on in the season that was more DNR than DNA!
That season it was only down to 4th for the playoff spot but we weren't within as asses roar of that, we even finished 20 points off 5th placed Bray - and that was after a 27 game season.
Harps are lucky that things are so tight that they're still in touch. A few more senior players could help push them on but honestly I don't know if there's any point in brining in a lad for 5 months to help reach 5th only to lose in the playoffs. Were Harps to someone make the playoffs and get promoted would they be in a position to play in the Premier Division again next season? I think this is what happened Longford when they got promoted in 2020 - their squad wasn't anywhere near good enough to play in the Premier and the owner had to make the call whether to sign in a whole new squad to have any chance of survival, or give the lads who earned promotion the opportunity to play at the higher level and budget for that so the club could have a softer landing in Division 1.
There's zero hope of promotion this year, and I'm not sure either the club or the management particularly want it. This season was always about building a squad to compete for promotion this year. The blueprint is almost what Cobh are doing this year with an almost identical squad to last season. It's the reason they've gone down the two year deal route.Quote:
Originally Posted by JC_GUFC
Anyone know what weekend these games are on?
21-23 July
Have the specific dates for all the fixtures been agreed/announced yet? Am hopoing to get a few different games around the country.
I've seen nothing published officially but am told Galway United v Bangor is going to take place on Saturday 22nd at 17:30Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
I have being told that the FAI Cup tie v St Pats Ath will be a 3 o clock KO on that Sunday 23rd!
I was told our game V Rovers in cup won't be played that weekend
Is that because Rovers are in Europe on the following Tuesday, and Dundalk the previous Thursday?Quote:
Originally Posted by dundalkfc10
Yes I believe this is the reason. I'd imagine it won't be played for a few weeks until they see how both teams get on in EuropeQuote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
Probably no one could have guessed before planning the schedule that both teams would be in Europe. It's an odd timetable.Quote:
Originally Posted by dundalkfc10
Second round of the draw is due w/e 20th August, so there's not that much spare time if both clubs did progress in Europe, is the only thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by dundalkfc10
Heard that Derry-Athlone will be on the Sunday. Wonder would we have played it if it was a Premier team instead.
I know both teams are involved so it may suit to do this initially and there are no replays at this stage but I'd still be concerned about the knock-on effect of this if both teams progress through a few rounds. What then? Or if one is eliminated it's obviously going to suit them much more to play on certain dates.Quote:
Originally Posted by dundalkfc10
Maybe it will be re-arranged for one of those weekend freed up by bringing forward some of their league games.
Have heard several dates given for Kilbarrack v Harps, and some of them depending on what ground we'll be playing in. They're pushing hard to play in their own astro cage, and I think a decision is due later this week on it.
I’d guess if Rovers lose their first round Champions League game then the game might go ahead on the Sunday as they would be playing the following Thursday rather than Tuesday.Quote:
Originally Posted by dundalkfc10
Dundalk should get past Magpies of Gibraltar which means another round on 27th July and 3rd August, hopefully it will be Connah Quay of Wales.
FAI Cup games have to played at some stage, so I'd still think Sunday 23rd July looks most likely for Dundalk v Rovers, even if Rovers also still in Europe.
If it goes ahead that date, Dundalk will be at home to Magpies on 20th July, and I think Rovers away in Iceland 18 or 19th July.
Fixture details announced now:
https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/spo...ails-confirmed
Quote:
Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup First RoundFriday, 21 July, 2023 – 19:45
Bohemians v Shelbourne, Dalymount Park
Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers, Weavers Park
Kerry v Ringmahon Rangers, Mounthawk Park
Kilbarrack United v Finn Harps, Greendale Road*
Treaty United v Cork City, Markets Field
UCD v Cobh Ramblers, UCD Bowl
Wexford v Avondale United, Ferrycarrig Park
Saturday, 22 July, 2023
Lucan United v St. Patrick’s CYFC, O’Hanlon Park – 11:00
Cockhill Celtic v Bray Wanderers, Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds – 14:00
Gorey Rangers v Rockmount, Ramstown – 15:00
Galway United v Bangor Celtic, Eamonn Deacy Park – 17:00
St. Michael’s v Waterford, Cooke Park – 17:00*
Sunday, 23 July, 2023
Portlaoise v Skerries Town, Rossleighan Park, 14:00
Derry City v Athlone Town, The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 17:00
Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers, Oriel Park, 17:00
Longford Town v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Bishopsgate, 18:00
That’s a perfect kick off time on a Sunday.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martinho II
Its at 6 o clock!Quote:
Originally Posted by D24Saint
https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/spo...ails-confirmed
Fixture details released.
I don't know if it's just on my machine, but that appears to be a blank page ?Quote:
Originally Posted by joey B
I don't think the Kilbarrack match, provisionally scheduled for a week tomorrow, has been confirmed yet. Not sure about St. Michael's. Nine days since the initial announcement.
No, nowt to see here either!Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup First Round
Friday, 21 July, 2023 – 19:45
Kilbarrack United v Finn Harps, Greendale Road*
Saturday, 22 July, 2023
Lucan United v St. Patrick’s CYFC, O’Hanlon Park – 11:00
Cockhill Celtic v Bray Wanderers, Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds – 14:00
Gorey Rangers v Rockmount, Ramstown – 15:00
St. Michael’s v Waterford, Cooke Park – 17:00*
Sunday, 23 July, 2023
Portlaoise v Skerries Town, Rossleighan Park, 14:00
Do all the Junior clubs receive FAI inspections to allow the use of their own ground for home fixtures?
I have read all non-league venues have to provide various safety standards in place such as, pitch security, changing facilities, safe ground access, toilet and catering facilities and the rest!
Anyone from the above clubs aware of any problems!
They need to get a check from the Gards as well I think. It is probably a massive hassle, especially if you're trying to host it in a less than ideal venue without a track record. Either way Kilbarrack would really want to be announcing details soon. The game is in a week.
Kilbarrack v Harps confirmed for Greendale Astro. Not listed for streaming on LOITV so could be interesting if a large crowd turns up that they can't accommodate.
There is definitely a list of criteria for Intermediate and Junior clubs to host FAI Cup matches at this stage of the competition especially if they are hosting LOI teams. I remember Sheriff having to add some extras for hosting Athlone in the Clontarf astro cage a few years back
Pats pretty much sold out their 550 tickets for Longford away on Sunday,cracking support tbf....
Initial allocation was only 300 before being increased. They’re looking for another increase to that again too which I can’t see Longford turning down financially, particularly considering it looks like there’ll be more pats fans in the ground than home fans as it is already. Mad stuff really for 6pm on a Sunday in the first round of the cup, great to seeQuote:
Originally Posted by joey B
Kilbarrack United, Greendale Road, Raheny, Foxford, Dublin 5, Capacity 1,000, Artificial turf.
Lucan United, O'Hanlon Park, Celbridge, Capacity 1,000, Grass.
Gorey Rangers, Ramstown Park, Capacity 1,000, Grass.
Cockhill Celtic, Charlie O'Donnell Sports Ground, Buncrana, Donegal, Capacity 1,000, (100 seated stand), Grass.
St. Michael's, Cooke Park, Rosanna Road, Carrownreddy, Tipperary, Capacity 2,000, Grass
Portlaoise, Rossleighan Park, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Capacity 1,000, Grass.
Is at least 500 enough? Looking for more too :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Longfordian
I've watched matches here and have trained on it with my kids team. Have no idea how they would fit 1000 people there. There is a small flat standing area that runs at the side of the pitch. Maybe they'll put some small terracing on that. People can watch from outside as well, but still can't fathom 1000.Quote:
Originally Posted by nr637
Minimum required for the cup is 500 people. Would presume it'll hold that. Supposed to be space for 100 Harps fans in an away area so they're not expecting a huge home support anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgonigle
Much appreciated, yes. I'm sure ye'll get as many tickets as you want. I guess it helps that Pats are going well.Quote:
Originally Posted by forza
Only reason I can see de town not giving pat's whatever they want ticket wise is if going beyond a certain number increases their security costs substantially. The gardai in longford are known to get excited when they hear of a big crowd coming
The FAI Cup should attract good crowds at many of the weekend fixtures.
On Friday Bohs v Shels should be a sell out.
Treaty v Cork City, a big following from Cork going to Limerick.
Both Munster Senior league clubs Rockmount and Avondale will fancy their chances at Kerry and Wexford and will have big away support too.
Kilbarrack have to cater for over 100+ Finn Harps fans travelling to their ground in Raheny.
Saturdays game between St. Michaels v Waterford is close to a derby fixture and Cooke Park should be well attended by both sets of fans.
On Sunday the big game should attract a decent crowd at Oriel for the clash of Dundalk v Shamrocks!
St Pats have over 500+ travelling to Longford for their away fixture.
Plenty of attractive fixtures and plenty of games for a possible upset!
I think it's a requirement to have Garda presence for crowds over 1,000 anyway. Stand to be corrected as such.Quote:
Originally Posted by outspoken
By the way are LOITV covering the FAI Cup games this weekend, or will it only be the league teams with home fixtures! :confused: