Setanta Cup 2014

**oldfan** · 10/05/2014, 6:44 PM

Originally Posted by Sligo Hoops.

Nice touch by the Rovers groundsmen when they watered the pitch

SDCC Groundsmen you mean

**Fivesilver** · 10/05/2014, 6:45 PM

Fair play - both sides continued to try to play football despite the conditions, although John Russell might have regretted it after aquaplaning in a two-on-two outside the Dundalk box.

Fair play to the ref - he made allowances for the monsoon and permitted players to compete for the ball.

Dundalk were good, and there were a few times I thought we were on the verge of being overwhelmed. The bit of experience probably told, as well as another shnakey cup final free-kick (thank god they don't talk to each other in Louth).

Just to finish off - Baraclough's not-much-heralded signing of Jeff Henderson has turned out to be one of the best bits of business ever done by a Rovers manager.

**Ezeikial** · 10/05/2014, 7:26 PM

Congratulations to Sligo Rovers.

It was a match of few clear cut chances and really could have gone either way. A fine save by Rogers from David McMillan late in the game prevented what would have been a deserved equaliser. Would the ref have allowed extra time with the pitch becoming almost unplayable?

Dundalk have bounced back from all other disappointments and I expect that again in the league

**redarmyfaction** · 10/05/2014, 8:39 PM

The conditions in the last 5 to ten minutes were the worst I have ever seen, thereseems to be drainage issues at the ground, water flowing in from the by pass/north end of the stadium onto the pitch.

**geysir** · 10/05/2014, 9:34 PM

Bad things happen when the pitch is equitably (over) watered.

**White Horse** · 10/05/2014, 9:51 PM

Originally Posted by redarmyfaction

The conditions in the last 5 to ten minutes were the worst I have ever seen, thereseems to be drainage issues at the ground, water flowing in from the by pass/north end of the stadium onto the pitch.

There was a lot of rain but I was surprised at how quickly the pitch became unplayable.

**Charlie Darwin** · 10/05/2014, 9:55 PM

I was wondering about that myself. The same thing happened last year when Trabzonspor were supposed to play Drogs, which would have been a welcome boost to the local economy as the Turkish were set to travel in numbers. Growing up in Tallaght, the place does tend to waterlog very easily and being at the foot of the mountains doesn't help, but SDCC really should have a draining plan in place especially after last year. It's not as if rain is an unusual event here.

**dong** · 11/05/2014, 8:50 AM

Fantastic to come away with more silverware.
The club is continuing the golden era with the most successful team in its history, built organically with the hard work of many and the loyal support of a core group of fans.
Hopefully now we can push on in the league and consolidate once again. Incredible times and it's just a pity more weren't arsed to travel to see the game.
I guess some people become accustomed to success and almost expect that it's a given but anybody who has ever followed this league knows it's usually sporadic and with the emergence of a strong Dundalk and Cork I foresee a spell where we won't win anything but for now, well, happy days!

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 11/05/2014, 9:41 AM

Great to win that yesterday. 6 trophies in 5 years is unbelievable for us when you consider we had won 2 leagues, 2 FAIs and 1 league cup in the previous 82 years. As Dong said we'll enjoy it while it lasts.

As as for the match itself, thought we were pretty comfortable in the second half with Rogers making one good save from Dave McMillan and but for the puddles might have snatched a second on the break. Hoban came close with a few headers in the first half. Lovely goal by us.

Our defence has been pretty solid this year and Danny North looks to be coming back into form also. Need to start beating the teams at the top in the second series. If we got a European place again it'd be a good season.

Pretty much every time we play in Tallaght it ****es rain. No way they could have played extra time if Dundalk had equalised.

**Ezeikial** · 11/05/2014, 9:44 AM

Originally Posted by dong

Fantastic to come away with more silverware.
The club is continuing the golden era with the most successful team in its history, built organically with the hard work of many and the loyal support of a core group of fans.
Hopefully now we can push on in the league and consolidate once again. Incredible times and it's just a pity more weren't arsed to travel to see the game.
I guess some people become accustomed to success and almost expect that it's a given but anybody who has ever followed this league knows it's usually sporadic and with the emergence of a strong Dundalk and Cork I foresee a spell where we won't win anything but for now, well, happy days!

What Sligo Rovers have achieved, both on and off the pitch, in recent seasons is outstanding.

However, I have significantly revised my impressions on the dedication of the Sligo supporters based on the pathetic numbers who supported the team in Tallaght

Fair play to the hundreds of Sligo fans who did provide support to their team

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 11/05/2014, 9:57 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

What Sligo Rovers have achieved, both on and off the pitch, in recent seasons is outstanding.

However, I have significantly revised my impressions on the dedication of the Sligo supporters based on the pathetic numbers who supported the team in Tallaght

Fair play to the hundreds of Sligo fans who did provide support to their team

Wasn't overly surprised with the crowd we brought. We've never gotten big crowds at home games in the competition. Just hasn't gotten the interest in the way the FAI Cup has. The club then totally messed up by making that statement and then giving people a ready made excuse to stay at home.

Dundalk fans were brilliant yesterday with the majority hanging around and still singing when we lifted the cup. Guards were highly complimentary of both sets of fans on the way out saying there wasn't one bit of trouble.

What was the attendance?

**White Horse** · 11/05/2014, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

However, I have significantly revised my impressions on the dedication of the Sligo supporters based on the pathetic numbers who supported the team in Tallaght

I have to say that I also find it difficult to understand why fans who turn out in big numbers for home matches would not travel on a Saturday afternoon to see their team playing in a cup final.

Congratulations to Sligo. They defended their well taken goal effectively and, on a big pitch, gave us little space. It was obvious that our players are inexperienced in finals as I thought they lacked composure when in threatening areas.

**Fivesilver** · 11/05/2014, 11:32 AM

That point about composure is spot on - they were class until they got into the final third, at which point things fell to bits. From about 10 minutes after we took the lead I never felt like we were in danger of losing it. If Kenny gets that sorted this season Dundalk are a strong shout for the title, as I think they have possibly the best 11 in the league and a strong bench. But naturally I'm hoping it becomes a major issue as the pressure increases during the run-in - and that we're still in touch by that stage.

**oriel** · 12/05/2014, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Nah Nah Nah Nah

Wasn't overly surprised with the crowd we brought. We've never gotten big crowds at home games in the competition. Just hasn't gotten the interest in the way the FAI Cup has. The club then totally messed up by making that statement and then giving people a ready made excuse to stay at home.

Dundalk fans were brilliant yesterday with the majority hanging around and still singing when we lifted the cup. Guards were highly complimentary of both sets of fans on the way out saying there wasn't one bit of trouble.

What was the attendance?

Less than 3k which was very disappointing, obviously not helped by 500 - 600 max from Sligo, not a dig just pointing out.

If oriel park was a better ground, I would have supported a toss for the venue, but it would have been unfair advantage if the Showgrounds was just chosen.

**avvenalaf** · 12/05/2014, 1:12 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

Less than 3k which was very disappointing, obviously not helped by 500 - 600 max from Sligo, not a dig just pointing out.

If oriel park was a better ground, I would have supported a toss for the venue, but it would have been unfair advantage if the Showgrounds was just chosen.

That's true. Dundalk have won there on their last two visits.

**Louth4sam** · 12/05/2014, 2:21 PM

Sligo played the conditions perfectly and Barraclough got his tactics spot on so deserves a lot of credit. In the second half they sat back and defended brilliantly knowing that they are a good side defensively and the conditions wouldn't favour attacking football. Dundalk tried hard but were unable to penetrate. Anytime we got near the box there was swarms of Sligo players surrounding the attacker. Dundalk might feel unlucky with the weather but there would be very few that would argue with the result.
It's such a shame about the weather as it ruined the game completely as both teams were unable to play any kind of football.

**Charlie Darwin** · 12/05/2014, 2:33 PM

To be fair, Rogers won the game for Sligo in the last 20 minutes. Dundalk had the chances to win it.

**Fivesilver** · 12/05/2014, 9:52 PM

Rogers' contribution to Rovers' success is very underrated. There are flashier keepers in the league but there's not one I'd for a moment consider swapping him for.