Betting odds for 2012 Premier Division

**total hoofball** · 13/11/2011, 7:43 PM

If Cork and Shels were playing in the Premier Division this season they would have finished above UCD, Drogheda and Galway. With Bohs, Dundalk and Bray certainties to be weaker next season, both Cork and Shels should be finishing mid-table at worst next season even if they stick with the same squads as this season. If Cork can pull in 3k punters per game next season they should have the budgetary capacity to push for a top 4 and a possible European spot. I'm sure Shels will strengthen their squad too and if they continue the momentum from their cup run they should fancy themselves for a top 6 spot.

Originally Posted by oriel

Shels were very impressive in the cup final, but that was one game. They need to replace a lot of players to have a chance of even mid table. FD players score goals for fun, as saw with Philly Hughes ourselves, he struggles above that level. You need experience and level heads to play in the PD, not sure if their current team is any better than UCD, and especially over a full season.

The majority of Shels' squad already have PD experience when the league was stronger and have done respectably at that level. Philly Hughes hasn't had the opportunity to play at PD level since he had half a season with an awful Dublin City side in 2004. He is in the form of his career and scoring 27 in all comps and in 4 cup games against PD opposition this season he has scored 3 goals. Those facts don't suggest to me that he will struggle to score goals in the PD unless Shels let go their best players and fail to strengthen.

**oriel** · 14/11/2011, 7:55 PM

Philly will struggle in the PD, trust me. Defences are twice if not 3 times better, he wont get the space he got in the FD. He's a good player, I like him, but FD is his standard. Also its bullish talk saying shels will finish mid table 'at worst', I can tell you there is a huge difference having say two hard away games in a row in the PD, lose both, then your confidence goes and you can go weeks and weeks without a win. I seriously dont think Shels fans are realistic on the step up. 7th tops, and if they did, they should be very pleased too. First year up is all about consolidating.

**Dodge** · 14/11/2011, 8:19 PM

Originally Posted by CSFShels

Yet over 180 minutes you couldn't get near us.

And we beat Sligo twice this season. Anything can happen in a game of football

Over the season, you wouldn't have got near Bohs, and I think you'd be around the UCD level

**born2bwild** · 14/11/2011, 8:40 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

And we beat Sligo twice this season. Anything can happen in a game of football

Over the season, you wouldn't have got near Bohs, and I think you'd be around the UCD level

Shels 4 - 2 Bohs League cup this year. Played them off the pitch. Shels' biggest weaknesses are central midfield, right full - strengthen those up and definite mid table.

**Dodge** · 14/11/2011, 8:54 PM

League cup? LOL

**born2bwild** · 14/11/2011, 9:04 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

League cup? LOL

FAI cup Semi Final? LOL

**pineapple stu** · 14/11/2011, 9:50 PM

Round 1 to Dodge on that one so.

**Dunny** · 14/11/2011, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by born2bwild

FAI cup Semi Final? LOL

This from a Fingal fan...

**Mario** · 15/11/2011, 4:27 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

Philly will struggle in the PD, trust me.

Ditto David Cassidy, didn't cut the mustard for Rovers in the premier under Scully after doing well in the 1st the year before. I think 1st division is his level!

**nigel-harps1954** · 15/11/2011, 4:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mario

Ditto David Cassidy, didn't cut the mustard for Rovers in the premier under Scully after doing well in the 1st the year before. I think 1st division is his level!

On the other side, Premier was arguably stronger then. Philly will definitely pitch in with a few goals next season. Both him and Cassidy would definitely be worth keeping as backup for Shels at least.

**born2bwild** · 15/11/2011, 5:50 PM

Originally Posted by Dunny

This from a Fingal fan...

What's with the smiley??? Is being a Fingal fan inherently funny?

I suppose I should preface everything I say with a health warning - "This comment is coming from the fevered, demented 'brain' of a Fingal fan, and as such, will probably be as vain, misjudged, naive and superficial as the decision to set up that club in the first place."

Hope that helps.

**bluewhitearmy** · 15/11/2011, 6:10 PM

Cant agree at all that 1st division is Cassidys level he is a great player and i think he will still stand out in the premier.

**Jofspring** · 15/11/2011, 6:29 PM

Originally Posted by bluewhitearmy

Cant agree at all that 1st division is Cassidys level he is a great player and i think he will still stand out in the premier.

Agree, plenty of players might not have been up to it years ago but have developed as players over the years. Cassidy was the best midfielder in the first division amongst some very good midfielders with previous premier experience.

**Dunny** · 15/11/2011, 7:23 PM

Originally Posted by born2bwild

What's with the smiley??? Is being a Fingal fan inherently funny?

I suppose I should preface everything I say with a health warning - "This comment is coming from the fevered, demented 'brain' of a Fingal fan, and as such, will probably be as vain, misjudged, naive and superficial as the decision to set up that club in the first place."

Hope that helps.

It was a joke, hence the smiley.....

**born2bwild** · 15/11/2011, 7:47 PM

Originally Posted by Dunny

It was a joke, hence the smiley.....

Ah, Jaysus, Dunny, is it that easy to make you laugh?

"You're a Fingal fan, Ha Ha Ha".

To think Ardal O'Hanlon is from Dundalk.

**MagicMon** · 15/11/2011, 10:39 PM

Oi! Ardal O'Hanlon is from Monaghan (Carrick to be precise)

**Dunny** · 15/11/2011, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by born2bwild

Ah, Jaysus, Dunny, is it that easy to make you laugh?

"You're a Fingal fan, Ha Ha Ha".

To think Ardal O'Hanlon is from Dundalk.

Touchy....

And that gobsheen is not from Dundalk.

**dfx-** · 15/11/2011, 11:33 PM

As is Shels would be midtable easily enough, around Dundalk or Bohs. They'd need to beef up the squad for when injuries hit and Richie Winter sends their players off....

**pineapple stu** · 15/11/2011, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by Dunny

Touchy....

And that gobsheen is not from Dundalk.

Well, he was born in Dundalk anyway. Close enough!

**Macy** · 16/11/2011, 8:27 AM

Originally Posted by adamd164

Just for fun. Paddy Power are already quoting betting odds if anyone is crazy enough to be placing bets before the inevitable licensing saga(s) to come