IST Division Outright Prices

I thought Keely was retiring?

Originally Posted by Dodge

He hasn't change in nearly 25 years of management. He's not changing now

Watch us play and you'll change your mind, seriously. I didn't believe it either at first.

Originally Posted by CSFShels

Watch us play and you'll change your mind, seriously. I didn't believe it either at first.

Easy to knock it around in pre-season in fairness. When the serious business starts it could be a different story.

Originally Posted by Longfordian

Easy to knock it around in pre-season in fairness. When the serious business starts it could be a different story.

Have heard his pre-match teamtalks have centred around it. We haven't signed any hoofball defenders, all our defenders this year look comfortable on the ball and don't want to waste it. Any Drogs, Rovers or Dundalk fans will testify to this, what we've been lacking so far, is someone to put the ball in the net. And that'll be alot easier to do against First Division defences.

I would say Limerick but with O flynn gone I just dont know where da goals are gonna come from. so I jus hope we at least get playoffs.

Originally Posted by Schumi

I thought Keely was retiring?

Nope. You may be thinking of me screaming at him to f*** off and retire at the final whistle of the 2-2 game.

We are twice the team we were last season, I would like to think a play-off position is within our means.

Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy

We are twice the team we were last season, I would like to think a play-off position is within our means.

same as that

Derry for me. I would say Waterford but I just don't see WJK scoring the goals required. Or Timmy Purcell for that matter. I could be wrong but we'll see. If we had Stephen O'Flynn I'd have us at 12's, but I think we'll be 3rd at this stage. Can't see Shels being much good based on the squad so far. Monaghan are dark horses, but I think Longford haven't a hope to be fair. Given Scully's record with Kilkenny and Rovers. Best bet would be Limerick at 12's I think, but I think Derry.

Everybody is thinking they're a lot better than last year but in fairness so are all the other clubs except maybe Wexford and Mervue. It's going to be a very tight league I reckon. I don't realistically expect us to be in the play offs at all, fifth or sixth will do for this season if we finish ahead of Athlone as well that's an added bonus. We're on an upward slope again off the field though so we'll be making progress year or year I think.

Hopefully we will have the league wrapped up by the end of Sept and can concentrate on winning the F.A.I. cup.

Originally Posted by Candystripe

Hopefully we will have the league wrapped up by the end of Sept and can concentrate on winning the F.A.I. cup.

Lots of bold claims in here, but I'd be very surprised to see any of the improved teams challenge Shels, Derry and Waterford for the top 3 positions.

Originally Posted by LFC-Zulu

Derry for me. I would say Waterford but I just don't see WJK scoring the goals required. Or Timmy Purcell for that matter. I could be wrong but we'll see. If we had Stephen O'Flynn I'd have us at 12's, but I think we'll be 3rd at this stage. Can't see Shels being much good based on the squad so far. Monaghan are dark horses, but I think Longford haven't a hope to be fair. Given Scully's record with Kilkenny and Rovers. Best bet would be Limerick at 12's I think, but I think Derry.

You dont see him getting enough goals. Hes been up near top of scorers the last 2 years.

You're certainly mistaken. He hasn't been in the top 10 scorers for the last 2 seasons.

Originally Posted by CSFShels

You're certainly mistaken. He hasn't been in the top 10 scorers for the last 2 seasons.

Thats 100% our problem at the moment! We've nobody to get 20+ goals this season at all, dont see WJK, Vinny, Grincell or Purcell doing it, but hopefully i'll be proved wrong, or else Cummins decides to sign instead of thinking about cork!

I think we're all in the same boat there, except for Derry having Farren. But as always someone will come from nowhere and bang in loads. Much like Cummins for yous last season.

Originally Posted by passerrby

Made me laugh...I agree btw.

Originally Posted by harps1954

While Derry may win it, it certainly won't be easy. Some decent sides in First Division this year. Derry seem to have a decent first eleven, however, how they cope with injuries/suspensions remains to be seen. Shels will also be there or thereabouts but tend to blow it in the final few games. Waterford, for me, could be the Champions this year.

Our whole squad is good, and deep enough to cope with a few injuries. Farren will terrorise first division defences, and Davy McDaid has started pre-season the way he finished last season. Vinny Sweeney has had a storming start to his Derry career too. Our midfield is solid as, and our defence is actually looking better than at any time in the past 3 years in my opinion.

Davy McDaid is not up to the standard, we should know, we had him for most of last season - 1 goal to his name.
Farren will get kicked from pillar to post in the first division and Derry will have block defences out against them, unlike in the Prem (most of the time), it will be tougher to break down.
Vinny Sweeney wasn't up to it either, we had him pre-season last season and to say he was bad would be an under statement.
In defence, Scoltock is shocking bad, Eddie Mac aint getting any younger, Friars is untested in LOI (although quality in IL), and how many games will McCrystal stay around for this time round?
Midfield you have Henry, Clarke, Harkin and Cassidy as cover none of which are going to win you any division (granted Henry is a great prospect and Clarke has potential).

As Harps 1954 says, your first 11 is strong but you will struggle if you get hit by injuries and suspensions.

Unfortunately, we first division regulars know all too well that it's a tough division to get out of. If ye think ye will "cake-walk" the division, yer in for a rude awakening.

What would you guess your starting 11 to be btw?