2017 EA Sports Cup

You've just lost a semi so I'll put it down to that. Given we've beaten dundalk the last twice we've played them any result is possible but neither side will be expecting it to be comfortable.

Looking forward to what will be a good final.

Originally Posted by Crosshead

Not really no, my prediction is based on what I observed tonight. Rovers had a man advantage for more than 80 minutes and until the goal I can recall two saves McNulty had to make. They put the ball over the bar more times than Roscommon did in Croke Park earlier. There's some quality players in that squad, I think Bradley is holding them back.

I would put Rovers difficulty creating down to an excellent defensive performance by Cork. I was very impressed by how solid Cork were. Rovers did go out of the game when Finn became tired.

The one area where I thought Rovers were poor was in their crossing. The number of poor deliveries was astonishing.

A tough loss for the Cork players to take. They worked their socks off.

Originally Posted by sbgawa

. Given we've beaten dundalk the last twice we've played them any result is possible but neither side will be expecting it to be comfortable.

Yep, it's Rovers cup to lose

Red card changed the game. We were the better side up til then. Won't get too upset over this but it was disappointing to lose it like that. Lads put in a great shift defensively made it difficult for rovers to break us down. It was all rovers but a lot of their deliveries in to the box were very poor and a few wayward shots from distance must've been frustrating from a rovers point of view. A final would've been nice but League title>>>> League cup

P.S I didn't see extra time so I couldn't comment on that

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Yep, it's Rovers cup to lose

It's your cup final 😀😀

Deserved win tonight for Dundalk. We sat back and gave them far too much respect, they should have been out of sight by the time they were gifted their second goal with a disgraceful penalty decision given by the lino - Ludden clearly won the ball but lino flagged for a peno and that was game over. Disappointing to lose a home semi-final, good luck to Dundalk in the final

Dundalk definitely the better team in Galway. We spent most of the game on the back foot but we didn't do ourselves any favours with the goals we conceded.

First one we had twice denied them before being careless and sloppy by allowing the ball to come back in. Second was never a penalty, horrendous decision. Ludden gave away possession badly first to allow Mountney in but recovered well to get back and make a tackle. Bad own goal then to compound things at the end.

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Coin Toss for venue for the final please

I'd be surprised if it's not Tallaght given the last final between the 2 was in Oriel. We haven't shown up the last 2 games against Rovers. Good to get another chance to put that right

I have no idea what happened for the sending off but if it was a stamp then thats completely out of order and I'd be disgusted with that. If Benno has kicked out or stamped or done anything to give the referee an excuse to send him off then its foolish at best from our most experienced outfield player, and captain. he has let the team down (if thats the case).
Once we went down to ten we defended heroically, letting Rovers have the ball in front of us and wide and dealing with everything (almost...) that they threw at us. Our players were dead on their feet aftrer closing and harrying for such a large portion of the game.

Gutted to miss out on a final, especially in a year where we had an outside chance at a treble. The cup is still there but even if we had Seani that would be extremely difficult, as Shamrock Rovers well know.

On Clarke, I've heard all season how good he is. He had free reign on our right hand side, often with Burke and Miele out there with him and Rovers hardly every went that way, so many times he was free in miles of space right in front of us and no one would give him the ball. When he did get the ball his delivery was poor. Maybe he had an off night but I was not impressed with him at all.

He wasn't used enough last night , I actually said to my mate who was with me at the match "has Brandan and Connolly had a fight with Trevor Clarke they won't give him the feckin ball" it was really obvious.
He has played a lot better this season hence the interest from abroad.
Thought for sure Shep was going to score when he was put through with about 5 minutes to go....would have been typical at the moment.
Was also convinced we were going to lose on penos ....have to start thinking more positively

Yeah we thought that was our goal, but think he was absolutely wrecked at that point, almost fell over getting the shot off.

Final confirmed for 3pm on the 16th of September in tallaght.

Had to leave Terryland early and so missed good part of 2nd half and 3rd Dundalk goal(og). Such a poor call by the linesman for peno, again highlights the problem of dubious decisions in the LoI. As mentioned Dundalk much the better team, but there was an encouraging performance from the young lad from Belfast which might help in the relegation battle.

Dundalk were obviously the better team but I'd imagine United would have had more motivation had they only been a goal down in the last half hour, rather than 2 and eventually 3 down due to scandalous decisions.

Originally Posted by wonder88

Had to leave Terryland early and so missed good part of 2nd half and 3rd Dundalk goal(og). Such a poor call by the linesman for peno, again highlights the problem of dubious decisions in the LoI. As mentioned Dundalk much the better team, but there was an encouraging performance from the young lad from Belfast which might help in the relegation battle.

Originally Posted by gufcfan

Dundalk were obviously the better team but I'd imagine United would have had more motivation had they only been a goal down in the last half hour, rather than 2 and eventually 3 down due to scandalous decisions.

No doubt that the penalty was a pretty mad call, but doubtful if it was game changing; Hoare also had a goal ruled out that seemed perfectly legit.

The result appeared inevitable from a very early stage

I'm glad that the FAI got the coin toss sorted out early on.

I wonder will there be a separate coin toss for home and away dressing rooms?

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

The result appeared inevitable from a very early stage

Would they have deserved a draw based on what we saw? No, but teams often score against the run of play. If there was only a goal in it, they might have had a go.

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

I'm glad that the FAI got the coin toss sorted out early on.

I wonder will there be a separate coin toss for home and away dressing rooms?

Just did it.
Jeez that's two coin tosses in a row You be lost now.😀
How many do you think will come down for it?

Originally Posted by sbgawa

Just did it.
Jeez that's two coin tosses in a row You be lost now.😀
How many do you think will come down for it?

I'd say 2,000-2,500.

See we have the whole East Stand.