LoI Fixtures 11 May to 15 May

Some big matches this weekend and early next week.

Derry have two big matches at the Brandywell taking on Cork on Friday and then Dundalk on Monday, while Waterford travel to Tallaght to meet Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

In his increasingly amusing pre-match press conferences John Caulfield complains about Derry having an advantage with their pitch, the difficulties Cork have preparing for the match, and then highlights Derry's strong home record. It sounds like he is excusing his players in advance, and then says:

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There’s no point in making excuses, which we don’t do.

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http://www.the42.ie/john-caulfield-d...02123-May2018/

Manager building up opposition and downplaying his own team SHOCK!

Difficult weekend for ourselves alright. The match tomorrow is looking like it'll sell out.

I don't really think the plastic pitch is much of an advantage these days. All teams are training on them, so should be well used to it by now.
That article just seems to a bit of a whinge at plastic pitches in general. It's very wishful thinking from Caulfield to speculate that they could be banned in the future. But yeah, not making excuses.

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Originally Posted by Mr A

Manager building up opposition and downplaying his own team SHOCK!

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He did that too (well the first part anyway):

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At the same time, they have a very, very good home record, they’re unbeaten, they’ve scored lots of goals and they have a dynamic team.”

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Talking about the pitch being an advantage to Derry City (or Dundalk) serves no purpose - it is hardly likely to make the opposition players more complacent or less committed!

While it might amuse (or possibly irritate) some opposition fans, it can give some players an 'out' for a poor performance.

I regret that the controversies about the Oriel Park pitch seem to have faded away - it was a brilliant psychological edge when managers rattled on about it before the match, or when the likes of Stephen McPhail or Keith Fahey refused to play on it. I think some players and teams were resigned to defeat before the match ever started.

Your home pitch should be an advantage!

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Originally Posted by brendy_éire

All teams are training on them, so should be well used to it by now.

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A bit in the off season, if the grass pitch is completely unusable.

Would most clubs train on them normally? I'd have thought more would train on grass, to be similar to home games?

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Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Your home pitch should be an advantage!

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Corks certainly was to them v Dundalk a couple of weeks ago! Dundalk train on grass prior to away games bar Derry now probably and in Oriel prior to home games and now Derry.

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

Corks certainly was to them v Dundalk a couple of weeks ago! Dundalk train on grass prior to away games bar Derry now probably and in Oriel prior to home games and now Derry.

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I think Derry do the same. The Brandywell complex still has the grass pitch where the new greyhound track is beside the stadium.

At last a proper performance from Galway tonight, dominated from the start, two great goals plus wasted a number of great chances. Attitude was spot on, so need to build on this now. First division very competitive this year. The number 7 of UCD was a threat a few times, but they were well beaten.

Derry dominated most of the game v Cork and both team's had their chances to win it. Derry hit the post in the last minute.

Match was sold out although the council need to get the official capacity sorted as Derry only being allowed to sell a certain amount of tickets until the stadium is allowed to be at full capacity is a joke.

Listened to the last 10 minutes or so on the radio. Injury time sounded mental with derry hitting the post, then we go up the other end and nearly get a winner. Definitely a good point at a tough ground to go to.

A point the difference now after dundalks late winner

Very bad week for Limerick, with the club/fan spat, the owners company going into liquidation and now another home loss without a goal. Even in 9th the drop seems more likely than not, and if going to part-time next year, might be a mercy.

Three top class goals from Bohs tonight.Bray in deep trouble.

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Originally Posted by Dalymountrower

Three top class goals from Bohs tonight.Bray in deep trouble.

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That's a really important win for Bohs to move 6 points clear of the relegation playoff spot.

Could Shamrock Rovers now get sucked in to a relegation fight?

Massey cross,Hoban heads it home,89 minutes and 2-1 for Dundalk.Jarvis clears off the line deep into injury time!
Them's the kinda results you need when you're in a tight title tussle!
Dundalk not great tonight by any stretch,but hey.....great to get past Sligo and this one.

Back to back wins. Hope that’s not the last time I get to say that this season. Little bit of light between us and play-off spot.

Weird game. We were awful in the first half against a Waterford team who can clearly play a lot of football. Much better in the second half and could have nicked a win with a bit more cutting edge, but just baffling we were in that situation to begin with. Waterford had one centre half for god's sake.

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Originally Posted by wonder88

At last a proper performance from Galway tonight, dominated from the start, two great goals plus wasted a number of great chances. Attitude was spot on, so need to build on this now. First division very competitive this year. The number 7 of UCD was a threat a few times, but they were well beaten.

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How's Carlton getting on?

Two cracking goals at Eamonn Deacy Park

https://youtu.be/ipqcpMtDY9c

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

How's Carlton getting on?

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Looks electric when running directly at full backs. Generally he’s done well and looks a player. Has started a few games lately but mainly used as an impact sub to run at tired defences. Keegan has tried so many different players this season already but I think with the performance last night he might settle on that team as his best 11. That leaves Carlton on the bench which is a bit hard on him. I think he’s due to go back to ye in July is he? Would love to keep him if we could.

An important 3 points for Dundalk last night, with Pat Hoban getting his 10th & 11th goals of the season

Sligo got a dubious penalty - I expect that Soccer Republic cameras will show it was a poor decision by the linesman - but were limited if difficult opponents. Rys McCabe one of the few to show some creative quality, although John Mahon and Kyle McFadden were decent at centre back.

That said, Sligo could easily have snatched a draw at the end. Based on the workrate and effort, I expect that the Sligo results will improve over the rest of the season