2017 EA Sports Cup

**ToberonaTornado** · 15/09/2017, 3:51 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

I was in the Emerald that day when, presumably, I was one of the people Dundalk fans swore smashed the place up! I'm not ruling out the possibility some people boycotted the new stand but certainly didn't hear anything about it, nor seemingly did the many people who tried to get access to it. I will, of course, bow to the superior knowledge of Dundalk fans on what Rovers fans think in the event of any disagreement.

Now, I wouldn't dare comment on the "inevitable" Dundalk fans standing on seats as I seem to remember your lot having problems with that before

Oh indeed about the standing on the seats stuff,it wasn't our fans greatest day at the Aviva but at least we didn't close a pub down

That hole of a pub(The Emerald) closed down due to it being associated with Shams fans and the attack on the funeral.

**placid casual** · 15/09/2017, 7:18 AM

Any chance we can move away from the pointless drivel, and talk about the game itself?
Both Rovers & dundalk in good form at present, so should make for a decent game.
Rovers have won the previous 2 between the teams, so have no fear of this team.
I don't think Burke is a massive loss for Rovers, as it gives others around him the space to do their thing. dundalk are scoring freely at the moment, and Rovers back 4 will need to be on their guard. If dundalk play their ageing midfield I think Rovers will win. If they don't I think dundalk will sneak it 2:1

**sbgawa** · 15/09/2017, 8:56 AM

Losing Grace as he is cup tied is a bigger loss than Burke, the two together is a real blow.
I still think it could go either way , both sides runs have included a few matches that were uncompetitive but on balance Dundalk start favourites and deservedly so.
The next two matches between these two are huge , for Dundalk it could mean 2nd in the league and a cup Double , for Rovers 3rd or 4th in the league and a cup double. Season defining stuff , win two matches and its a "great" season , lose two and its a "failed" season.

I actually don't believe two matches should define the season for either club, Rovers have made huge progress on and off the pitch this season and Dundalk have consolidated their position at the top table without recklessly blowing the euro millions beyond a few bob extra on a few players.

**Nesta99** · 15/09/2017, 9:22 AM

I dont recall any claims of smashing up the Emerald - that would be an improvement and you would have been more likely to have been applauded, I too will bow to to Rovers fans superiority on what Dundalk fans think in the face of accusations of misbehaviour (what happened on the way to the ground again? apart from the Gardai letting yiz wander off the wrong way). Little bit touchy Charlie, I'm only repeating what was stated at the time on various fora by yer own fans. If you remember there was plenty of winding up by Dundalk fans saying that we would use the temporary stand for the following game to conniption fits by some Rovers fans who genuinely believed they ponied up for the stand themselves - for an FAI run even I still dont know why either club had to pay but the FAI have it every way to suit themselves of course. A lot of Rovers fans chose not to use the stand as was said at the time and it was to be the 'family area - not too many families travelled to the match it seems. But I note you neither confirm or deny that you were on the beers in the Emerald

Actually in a rammed Oriel Park for the league decider v Cork the stand temporary stand wasnt full in a sold out game as a lot of Dundalk fans chose to cram in to the shed instead of taking their designated place as per the ticket. It was very poorly dealt with by stewarding where they allowed a free for all and let people with tickets for other parts of the ground in to the shed and then people with shed tickets turned up and were refused entry to that area -after a lot of dignified protesting and polite discussion they were allowed in to the shed. Lack of common sense and both games in question had a mix of home and FAI stewards but the FAI ones were calling the shots.

**ger121** · 16/09/2017, 1:32 PM

Any links for this?

**sbgawa** · 16/09/2017, 3:34 PM

Feckin ref has killed this game

**RathfarnhamHoop** · 16/09/2017, 3:36 PM

I said it in the fixtures for this weekend thread before i remembered there was this but what an absolute joke of a red, clearly got the ball but trust vemmerlud to act as if hed gone in two feet off the ground on him

**sbgawa** · 16/09/2017, 3:47 PM

Shame good game up til then. Two good sides

**RathfarnhamHoop** · 16/09/2017, 4:03 PM

Was a great game until that decision. Salt in the wounds then too when vemmerlud went through the back of a rovers player, got nowhere near the ball and nothing given just not long after

**Nesta99** · 16/09/2017, 4:59 PM

Originally Posted by RathfarnhamHoop

I said it in the fixtures for this weekend thread before i remembered there was this but what an absolute joke of a red, clearly got the ball but trust vemmerlud to act as if hed gone in two feet off the ground on him

Take off the hoop tinted specs! It was the wrap around/kick out with the other leg that got the second yellow. Both commentators on TV suggested it could have been a straight red but that may have been a bit harsh. There had been a few tasty tackles prior too. Sadly these days winning the ball is not the only consideration for a tackle, follow through, going to ground et al are considered. The mob that surrounded the ref after could each have been carded. On the balance of things Dundalk deserved the win and even if the red card hadnt happened Rovers were no certs to level the game. There is a quick turnaround for you in another cup game where home advantage cant be handed over and try to get one over us.
Pitch looked very heavy and a little dead in the stands too.

**White Horse** · 16/09/2017, 6:17 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

Feckin ref has killed this game

Nah, Bolger killed the game.

Nice player, but it was stupid to get himself sent off.

Rovers long ball game didn't work today. They badly missed Shaw.

Dundalk were streets ahead of Rovers but that shouldn't be that surprising given the youth of several of Rovers better players. Rovers will improve if they keep this group together and Bradley allows them to play football.

**Olander** · 16/09/2017, 6:37 PM

Take the goggles off lads, Bolger received a deserved red card - in fact, he could've got a straight red, never mind just a second yellow. There was absolutely no need for him to follow through on Vemmelund with his left foot, it was an idiotic, reckless challenge that ultimately cost you. You should be blaming Bolger for ruining the game, not the ref.

**RathfarnhamHoop** · 16/09/2017, 6:43 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Take off the hoop tinted specs! It was the wrap around/kick out with the other leg that got the second yellow. Both commentators on TV suggested it could have been a straight red but that may have been a bit harsh. There had been a few tasty tackles prior too. Sadly these days winning the ball is not the only consideration for a tackle, follow through, going to ground et al are considered. The mob that surrounded the ref after could each have been carded. On the balance of things Dundalk deserved the win and even if the red card hadnt happened Rovers were no certs to level the game. There is a quick turnaround for you in another cup game where home advantage cant be handed over and try to get one over us.
Pitch looked very heavy and a little dead in the stands too.

Football has gone completely to pot when a perfect tackle like that could even be mentioned in the same sentence as "potential red", youre man vemmerlud was awful too, went down as if he'd been shot then as soon as the cards came out was back up and fine again, he'll be a saint in no time with healing powers like that, then the in consistency of the ref not to even give a free when vemmerlud went through the back of a rovers player just compiled it all.
Dundalk deserved the win but not the score line today but hopefully we'll reverse the result in the cup semi

**Nesta99** · 16/09/2017, 7:27 PM

Originally Posted by RathfarnhamHoop

Football has gone completely to pot when a perfect tackle like that could even be mentioned in the same sentence as "potential red", youre man vemmerlud was awful too, went down as if he'd been shot then as soon as the cards came out was back up and fine again, he'll be a saint in no time with healing powers like that, then the in consistency of the ref not to even give a free when vemmerlud went through the back of a rovers player just compiled it all.
Dundalk deserved the win but not the score line today but hopefully we'll reverse the result in the cup semi

You sure you are not a Cork fan masquarading as a Shams fan??

**mcgonigle** · 16/09/2017, 8:02 PM

Originally Posted by RathfarnhamHoop

Football has gone completely to pot when a perfect tackle like that could even be mentioned in the same sentence as "potential red", youre man vemmerlud was awful too, went down as if he'd been shot then as soon as the cards came out was back up and fine again, he'll be a saint in no time with healing powers like that, then the in consistency of the ref not to even give a free when vemmerlud went through the back of a rovers player just compiled it all.
Dundalk deserved the win but not the score line today but hopefully we'll reverse the result in the cup semi

You're letting your bias rule your head here. It was an awful and needless tackle, thought it was a straight red at the time. He won the ball first but went through Vemmelund needlessly and with intent.

It didn't ruin the game either, Rovers wouldn't have scored if they were there until Christmas, absolutely clueless.

**Kiki Balboa** · 16/09/2017, 9:04 PM

Originally Posted by RathfarnhamHoop

Football has gone completely to pot when a perfect tackle like that could even be mentioned in the same sentence as "potential red", youre man vemmerlud was awful too, went down as if he'd been shot then as soon as the cards came out was back up and fine again, he'll be a saint in no time with healing powers like that, then the in consistency of the ref not to even give a free when vemmerlud went through the back of a rovers player just compiled it all.
Dundalk deserved the win but not the score line today but hopefully we'll reverse the result in the cup semi

He tried to hurt the Dundalk player, and was a dirty tackle. He did something similar for the first yellow. Fairly laughable if you think that was a 'perfect tackle'. Hes a young player, but the blame has to be on him for tackling like that, especially when on a yellow, its asking for trouble.

Rovers are a very physical team, but where toothless going forward. There more of a bullying team than a football playing team. They hassle a lot and defend with intensity, but never brought that into there attacking play.

Interesting match up in that sense, as they dont give Dundalk the time that other teams do, but with Duffy and Fats, there is an abundance of guile in midfield for Dundalk, and McMillan up front to finish, Dundalk are always a threat. Also, with 3 starters out of their back 5 not starting, they looked incredibly solid. If Dundalk hold on to Vemmelund at the end of the season, they will be in great shape next year.

Rovers are 4 wins and 37 goals for and against behind Dundalk in the league who are in second. Its a big gap to close next season to win the league. I think once a team can match Rovers physically, Rovers will struggle, and will be dropping points to lower teams in the table to often to win the league next year with how they play.

**oriel** · 16/09/2017, 9:13 PM

Interesting selection by Kenny retaining the players who played most of the EA campaign, which meant he selected Sava over Rogers, Grimes over Massey, Hoare over Gartland and possibly even Shields over the return from injured O'Donnell.

Delighted with the win, some nice passages of play especially last 25, thought Rovers were on top lat 15 of the first and possibly first 5 after the break, 3-0 probably flattered Dundalk a bit but no question about we were deserving winners.

The bigger game is in 2 weeks time though, cup semi final.

Interesting to note this was Kenny's 6th trophy so far with Dundalk, 3 Leagues, 1 Cup, 2 League cups.

**Ezeikial** · 16/09/2017, 10:36 PM

Stephen Bradley on whether the scoreline was harsh on Rovers
"To be fair to them, they go and take their chances - so yeah they deserve to win 3-0"

On whether he is concerned that Rovers have got red cards in 3 of the last 4 meetings, Stephen Bradley said
"No, no"

https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/909090692995133441

Could it possibly escape him that these two factors are directly related?

**sbgawa** · 17/09/2017, 4:31 AM

It's ages since we had a peno whine whine whine....

**placid casual** · 17/09/2017, 6:25 AM

Kenny was smart to drop the ageing O'Donnell & Gartland as they would have handed the initiative to Rovers. Rovers players need to learn to " maximise" tackles the way Dundalk do. The ref was clueless the entire game. Rovers were indeed toothless up front, and once they resolve that situation will be able to match dundalk and cork.
Game in 2 weeks is more important, and once Rovers use their intensity wisely, will give dundalk a good game. Price being back at centre half should help, as the 1st goal yesterday was a farce.