Good game in Oriel last night. Philly took his goals well and yer man Dunne's were good finished too. Was impressed with Dundalk after the initial exchanges when Athlone were on top.
Good atmosphere too after a rather dead opening.
Printable View
Good game in Oriel last night. Philly took his goals well and yer man Dunne's were good finished too. Was impressed with Dundalk after the initial exchanges when Athlone were on top.
Good atmosphere too after a rather dead opening.
Prediction time again. Some very intersting games this weekend with a few potential hurdles, scores in brackets as before:
Shamrock Rovers (1) - Kildare County (1) 8:00
Limerick FC (2) - Kilkenny City (0) 7:45
14 October 2006
Finn Harps (1) - Galway United (1) 7:45
Cobh Ramblers (2) - Monaghan United (1) 5:00
Rovers V kildare finished in a draw the last time, and I havent seen any great improvements from either team since that game, hence the 1:1. Finn Park is always a hard place to go to, and although I feel that the force is with Galway at the moment, a draw is the most likely outcome. Looks like this could work out to be a very good weekend for De town.
Harps away will be very tough.A win there and the momentum would once again definitley be with us.I'd love to sstick a few past Harps i've painful memories of the hiding they gave us in 04 when they won the league...come on utd!
I'm shocked that this thread is so huge considering that the run-in is all but meaningless.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the difference in Premiership-points based on this season's league position roughly equivalent to the points gained for progressing a round in the cup competions - i.e. Shams already have more than enough points by doing well in the FAI Cup and the LEAGUE CUP (!):eek: (not to mention the points built up during the previous 4 seasons when their reckless spending almost put them out of business) that they could probably afford to have ALL their points deducted and still get promoted.
And anyway this difference is only a small percentage of the overall tally for Premier qualification.
I can understand the 3 clubs involved getting excited about winning some silverware but surely it would be an extremely hollow victory if it didn't bring promotion:confused:
On the field performances over last 4 years only form part of the criteria of gaining admission to the premier, tax compliance, seating, other ground facilities, avg/potential attendances all will have vital points scoring to make up the 12. Finally, I dont think the fai can ignore the team that finishes first in this div if they meet all of these criteria (which Dundalk, Galway and Rovers do)
From our pt of view, if we come first, I reckon we`ll make the cut, 2nd place = only 50/50 chance, 3rd = see you next year.
In summary all 3 have as good a chance as each other, maybe even 2 will go get the invite who knows ? and all have to be better placed over all than likes of Bray, Waterford, + UCD (although it will be very harsh on UCD if they dont make it)
Can rovers fans explain why exactly they think or know they will be in the premier next year regardless of finishing 1,2,3 this year.
Surely if you had well documented financial/tax difficulties less than 12 mths ago and the fact that you dont have your own ground, will this not factor against you points wise
We know allabout tallaght, and fact that club appears to be very well run now, just curious why 100% of rovers fans say they will be in the premier.
Dont get me wrong, I think rovers in the premier will always be a great addition (see previous post by me re your travelling support) but why so confident taking into account ground and previous finance issues ?
Is it a case of being tipped off on what you had to do to gain admission ?
I read with interest in our programme last night the licensing officer said 'we have an option of installing an extra 500 seats on terracing front area of the stand'
Does that mean we also have been tipped off ?? But no Dundalk fans i speak to are anywhere less than 50/50 confident.
all very confusing
Thats it rapped up in a nutshell ! nothing is definite as realistically nobody in the first division has a clue what will happen to them or what will be decided in the end no matter of where we finish in the league. All we do know is the higher we finish the better chance of going up.Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
Surely this process has to be transparent. What will be REALLY interesting will be to see if the FAI will release scores of each club, in each category. I can imagine the teams ranked 13 and 14 will be VERY interested in having a look at the scores achieved by the culb ranked 10, 11, 12!
If the FAI hadn't arsed around two deserving teams would more than likely have been promoted without any ambiguity or detracting stuff. I'd say any of Dundalk, Rovers or Galway would have been capable of beating Bray over a two legged tie. Dundalk are having an excellent season yet their fans can't enjoy it properly knowing that even finishing top may not be good enough. As a UCD fan, it's a very bizarre and annoying situation to be in. We'd be utterly safe by now any other season. We could still possibly finish in the top half, yet no one knows where we stand with regards to possible relegation. I don't know what the point of this is.
End of the day, nobody knows what's going on - you'd get inside the mind of Charles Manson quicker than you would the FAI.
Personally speaking, I'd be confident of Rovers being in the top flight, but I'm not taking anything for granted. One of Rovers, Dundalk and Galway is guaranteed a place in the new league, two will go up only if they decide to relegate either UCD or Bray. What they are thinking, nobody knows.
There's the possiblity they could promote all three and relegate Bray and ourselves. At this stage we've narrowed down the permutations though. Only three clubs can conceivably be relegated in UCD, Bray and Waterford (at a long shot) and only three can be promoted in Galway, Rovers and Dundalk.
Jerry the saint
I think you`re been really narrow minded saying things like 'you`re shocked
this thread has gone on so long'
Lets put things into place. and its really as simple as this, with Cork losing tonight and Derry also during the week, the premier div title is all but Shels, game over.
FAI CUP - great semi final draws, 2 north west rivals Sligo V Derry and two of DUblin oldest teams in the second game, both should get full houses.
International scene - well last wed was an improvement but the whole country is still a bit in shock in my opinion and we`ve no chance of making euro 08
First Div ??
Come on give us fans of Dundalk, Rovers and Galway a bit of credit, we`ve all come out in large numbers this season, some crowds over 3,000 and all averaging well over 1,000, thats a lot better than a lot of premier clubs. Generally this div is like a dead duck, trust me i`ve seen enough of it. Also with the lack of media attention, forums like this is our only way of communicating, not to mention the fun aspect. So thats why the thread has lasted so long. We`re having a bit of fun, as we`re all excited and very enthuaistic about the 3 teams we passionately support. no harm in that is there ?
Ps I`ve officially lost interest in this seasons premier div such is the ferocity of this year first div race.
No harm in that either
On another matter Galway fans - here is an hillarious copy/paste from John Gills weekly article on dundalkfc.com
****************
We kept a clean-sheet which is good for confidence, we go three points clear of Galway, they’ll be on the teletext tonight, I’m telling you, because I’ve done it, players will be looking ‘oh 4-0!’, physiologically it gets to them and it’s the manner of the defeat, they’ll see 4-0, it was like when they beat Limerick 5-1, I was sitting at home that night, I nearly had to take a valium. They’ll be doing the same tonight
******************
His weekly interview is always a good laugh. :)
Oriel, you're spot on. The First Division is a three horse race and it's going right to the wire. The Premier, by contrast, is Shels' for the taking.
The other thing to note is that the top three in the First this year are probably better than anything outside the top 4/5 in the Premier. I've been surprised by the quality of football provided by Galway and Dundalk, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
You gave us the challenge of winning the 6 points, and we won them, adding 5 goals to the gd, after finally having the same amount of games played.Quote:
Originally Posted by Conor H
Now the pressure is back on Galway to win in Donegal, then on Galway and Dundalk next week, while we head for 6 more banker points against Athlone and Kilkenny. Whoever loses that game in Galway next week, is officially out of the championship race. Whoever wins it, will attempt to play-off for it against us.
Yes, Pat's run-in is meaningless, and if we knock them out of the cup, it will be obsolete.Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrythesaint
Tax compliance, club licencing, recent record, points this season, fan base, and most crucially, marketing potential will ensure we make it. We have all the boxes covered.Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
Lads just out of interest, John Delaney was just on Terrace Talk (which is a sports show hosted By a die hard Blues fans ) here on WLR fm and he even said it, no matter where you finish at either the top of the 1st division or the bottom of the premiere division you cannot either get promoted or relagated, its all down to past performances on the field since 2001, tax compliances, supporter base, infrastructures and future development for the club, also he said he wants to see regionalised clubs in the premeire division to break the mold of dublin congregation of clubs.
Now since the blues have met all the criteria in whats listed above and was talking to a member of the board of WUFC, were guarenteed a position in next years new premiere division.
John Delaney has been very good to us since he rose through the ranks of the FAI :D :D .
Mental Man: there is no way Delaney will relegate WUFC, you can take your place in the top flight for granted.
Rovers tick virtually every box, with the possible exception of stadium infrastructure (although that depends very much on the High Court outcome in December, and in any case the FAI will probably accept a tenancy deal in the same way as they do for the licensing). In terms of on-the-field performance, marketability, tax compliance etc. we're laughing.
What worries me is the issue of regionalisation. You can bet that the FAI don't want five Dublin clubs, which means that either UCD or Rovers will take the fall. Let's face it, UCD are more likely to be dropped than we are, which is, of course, very harsh on them. Bray are - at the risk of offending Co. Wicklow nationalists - basically a Dublin club, so this could go against them also.
If the FAI decided to keep both Bray and UCD, that would leave just one free space in the new division. Under the policy of regionalisation, that might well favour Galway, especially since GUFC are a fantastic club that are run well and have massive potential.
What they are thinking, we don't know. And while placings in the divisions don't officially mean promotion or relegation, there is a feeling that it would be very hard not to promote whoever wins the First Division, especially given the freakishly competitive nature of the division this season. Given that the decision making is largely out of our collective hands, this is the one issue that clubs can still try to better each other on.
Which is just a very long-winded way of explaining why we're all busting our balls trying to win the bloody thing.
We're due to make our verbal presentation next week, and I'm confident that the lads involved (very impressive speakers with very professional attitudes) will put on a good show. I can only imagine the amatuer efforts some clubs will cobble together, and I wouldn't put it passed some not to turn up when invited to amke theirs!
Well i hope yer reps are good cos i would love to see ye back up in the premiere division, the league needs teams like rovers and the blues, too much history between them.
As far as i know weremaking our rep in 2 weeks time, we have 4 or 5 i think nominated to talk on the different aspects of the club within.
Heres to 2007 in the premiere division :) .
Unfortunately there's a lot of clubs in the league with history who are going to be on the outside looking in next season. Some clubs haven't done themselves any favours but the people running the league haven't done their part either, nor have the general public. Whoever is in or out, there's gonna be clubs who'll feel hard done by
Things just got interesting.
Alan Murphy scored a penalty in Finn Park to give Galway United a seventh consecutive win. Next Friday, Dundalk are in Terryland. It will be no place for the faint hearted.
If we beat Athlone on Monday it will put all three teams dead level, each with five games to play. You could predict a closer run finale to the season. Still not nearly enough to give the First Division some media attention though it would seem:o
I dunno, Manic. TG4 are broadcasting a 1st Division match live for the first time in a couple of weeks and might do a second before it's over. And 1,300 for the visit of Kildare is nearly double what I thought we could ever get for such a game. While there isn't much media coverage of the First, it has to be said that most of it is graveyard shift material.Quote:
Originally Posted by manic da hoop
So we won't be there then. ;) That game is a win-win game for us, as one, or both teams will drop points from it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paddyfield
Both of them are on good runs, but if we don't slip up, it's pretty meaningless really. If we win our remaining 6 games, we're champions, irrespective of what happens elsewhere. :)
No ye're not.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by mypost
stupid post!Quote:
Originally Posted by mypost
Good win by Galway on sat night, seven wins on the trot speaks for itself, I really thought this was the one they would drop points, so fair play.
Rovers dead certs to win tomorrow so thats all 3 on 59 pts. £ good teams all on good form, only one winner though.
Horrible thought but if we fail to win on Friday in Galway, thats us finished, and its between them and Rovers, no question about it. Even a draw is no good as Rovers will win (Killkenny away is it ??)
We`ve a lot of fans travelling over (unfortunately not me), thanks to Galway lads for posting messages on oriel web re acommodation etc. Should be some game with a great atmosphere and plenty of tension. We're unbeaten in 18 now I think, Galway unbeaten at home for over a year is it ?
I`ll be closely watching affairs via errortel and cans of stella for my nerves !
Updates on GalwayBayfm if you'd prefer!
Not stupid really. If we win all our remaining games as he suggest, it means that Galway have to win all their remaining games by at least 2 goals. Not impossible, but a tall order.Quote:
Originally Posted by GalwayFrancis
It is stupid if you are basing your team's chances of winning the league on the assumption of winning all six of their remaining games. Right now the only match I'm concerned about is Athlone tomorrow night, and I only begun thinking about that when the final whistle blew against Kildare on Friday. Kilkenny next Saturday is also very winnable but it's very firmly in the back of my mind at the moment. The thought that some are already looking ahead to November 18th and a tally of 18 points out of 18 is absurd. If you really want to think like that then, yes, sure Galway will win all of theirs too, and clock up plenty of goals in the process - their form certainly suggests it. Thre's alot of twists and turns yet to come, but my guess right now is that two if not three teams will go into the final round of games with the title up for grabs.
The Rovers v Athlone is a potential banana skin for Rovers. Town have nothing to play for but will want to avenge their Cup deafeat to Rovers.
The Rovers v Athlone is a potential banana skin for Rovers. Town have nothing to play for but will want to avenge their Cup deafeat to Rovers.
If Athlone play anything like they did in oriel last thursday night rovers will be out of sight by half time
It's a fascinating run-in but with the 3 clubs respective forms it's hard to see any slip ups at all!
Rovers have much tougher away games than United but we obviously have to play Dundalk on Friday!
If we win that we'll be favourites because of Rovers away games but having said that if we can win 7 in a row so can Rovers and so can Dundalk.
Twice away to Athlone (three including the Cup), and Kildare.Quote:
Originally Posted by northside hoop
Jesus dont forget Bohs aswell:D
Rovers better goal difference will possibly be the deciding factor - presuming they beat athlone tonight by the odd goal this will be the way it will look
.......... pld pts GD
Rovers 31 59 +30
Galway 31 59 +22
Dundalk 31 59 +20
I thought we were +24?Quote:
Originally Posted by centre mid
I agree with most of what you say and that's why I'm disappointed that the clubs voted for these changes. The First Division could have been the most exciting ever but there's just far too much confusion for it to merit the wider attention it would normally desrve.Quote:
Originally Posted by oriel
And I agree with the comment that Pats run-in is meaningless, it has been for most of the season. The only Premier clubs that still seem to hold interest are Shels, Derry and Sligo (with, I suppose, Waterford and Bray trying to finish 10th). Continued involvement in the FAI Cup is a cruel trick to make it look as if we have something to play for but it's not fooling anyone. Normal cup service will be resumed shortly...
There seems to be an assumption that the final placing will be given a bigger weighting than the FAI criteria allow for; i.e. for PR reasons, the FAI will fudge the points awarded for other factors to ensure that the D1 champions are promoted. It's not enough just to have minimum standard for facilities, finances etc. (as with UEFA Licensing) - each team is supposed to be ranked against each other and the points allocated accordingly. As was said, it will be vital that this process is transparent and that full results are published if the new Delaneyship is to have any credibility.
Ah, the old "one game at a time approach". :oQuote:
Originally Posted by manic da hoop
I am not assuming we will win all six of our remaining games, I did say if we won them, we would be champions. The league isn't won by adapting a one-game approach, it's won over 36 games, and so you have to look at the bigger picture.
Having finally caught up with everyone else for the first time since April, we are of course, top of the league on the back of 3 straight wins. Galway and Dundalk could win the league, but as they have shown all season, only by playing more games than us. :D
sorry but thats absolute pish. every club in eircom league are trying to get as many fans as they can through the gates and if they have a decent enough marketing department and know their fan base then it only makes sense to try to have their home games when it best suits the fans and at the same time maximising attendances. prob the main reason ga;way have home games on fridays. a fair argument can be made from away fans on how diffficult it would be to get to galway for friday night games and i can agree with that but there are very few clubs who have such a decent travelling support for most eircom league clubs to consider the benefits (gate money from them) of changing traditional kick off times. with no set standard kick off times in place in the league it only adds to the problems of attracting fans to games.united fans have had to endure thursday friday saturday and even sunday afternoon kick offs the last few seasons but at least away fans generally know that our home games at terryland are on friday nights. and before anyone sets the record straight, i know that this season once or twice there have been stupid saturday afternoon and evening games at terryland but generally they do play fridays. reasons for these kick of times still havnt been explained to me which again shows how much the league are doing things without considering the fans. lets hope that will all change next seasonQuote:
Originally Posted by mypost