Setanta Cup 2014

[White Horse]

That Hoban sitter might yet come back to haunt you.

We are very wasteful, it will haunt us at some stage. The tie is very much alive.

[Charlie Darwin]

We are very wasteful, it will haunt us at some stage. The tie is very much alive.

I really don't think so. Look at the fixtures - Rovers have Pats away on the Friday, then return to Oriel on the Friday after. There will be two full teams put out for the league games, so you're looking at basically the same team Rovers played tonight, with maybe some rotation in centre defence and midfield. Dundalk have UCD away the Friday before, which should be an easy win, meaning you can put out a decent team and put the tie away. Either way, the league game in Oriel will be the priority for both teams.

[Ezeikial]

I really don't think so. Look at the fixtures - Rovers have Pats away on the Friday, then return to Oriel on the Friday after. There will be two full teams put out for the league games, so you're looking at basically the same team Rovers played tonight, with maybe some rotation in centre defence and midfield. Dundalk have UCD away the Friday before, which should be an easy win, meaning you can put out a decent team and put the tie away. Either way, the league game in Oriel will be the priority for both teams.

Of course the tie is alive although Dundalk clearly have the upper hand.

3 games in 8 days usually favours the club with the greater resources / better squad. Rovers clearly have the bigger budget, it is not so obvious that they have superior quality throughout the squad

[PartySaint]

Of course the tie is alive although Dundalk clearly have the upper hand.

3 games in 8 days usually favours the club with the greater resources / better squad. Rovers clearly have the bigger budget, it is not so obvious that they have superior quality throughout the squad

Throughout their squad they definitely do have better quality. Both teams playing their strongest 11 is a bit closer tho.

[Dodge]

Throughout their squad they definitely do have better quality. Both teams playing their strongest 11 is a bit closer tho.

I disagree with this. Cornwall, Bayly, Robinson, Kelly wouldn't get near Dundalk's 14/15

Rovers first choice XI is pretty strong

[PartySaint]

I disagree with this. Cornwall, Bayly, Robinson, Kelly wouldn't get near Dundalk's 14/15

Rovers first choice XI is pretty strong

Dean Kelly is miles better than Darren Meenan.

The Likes of Kilduff, Sheppard, Zayed, O'Connor, McCabe, Marty Waters would walk into the Dundalk team and they all get rotated in the Rovers squad.

[Dodge]

Dean Kelly is miles better than Darren Meenan.

He's a better player but he's not a fecking winger. Useless there

The Likes of Kilduff, Sheppard, Zayed, O'Connor, McCabe, Marty Waters would walk into the Dundalk team and they all get rotated in the Rovers squad.

Waters and McCabe start all the league games for Rovers. They've 4 strikers but play 1 most of the time. That doesn't mean it's a strong squad. Just means it's lopsided

We saw Rovers squad last night. It isn't that good. Can't see how you can say otherwise

[White Horse]

Dean Kelly is miles better than Darren Meenan.

I think fans are too harsh on Meenan at times.

Meenan has improved beyond all recognition in the last year. When he first trialled at Dundalk, I thougth he was very poor. However, he has worked on his physical conditioning and is now one of the fastest and most dynamic players in the division.

Sligo couldn't handle him at all on Saturday.

He will always to limited in certain areas and his temperment is volatile at times.

However, he is a good squad player. His corner kicks were worth about 10 goals to us alone last season.

[PartySaint]

We saw Rovers squad last night. It isn't that good. Can't see how you can say otherwise

I'm not saying it's that good just that it's better than Dundalks squad, which it is.

[Ezeikial]

Dean Kelly is miles better than Darren Meenan.

Meenan has had a lot of clubs before Kenny signed him last season and most (myself included) doubted his ability to make an impact. His improvement has been impressive and he has moved from fringe player to being a regular starter. He has made a real impact with his pace and dead-ball delivery

Dean Kelly is a decent back-up striker but I would far rather have Meenan in the squad

The Likes of Kilduff, Sheppard, Zayed, O'Connor, McCabe, Marty Waters would walk into the Dundalk team and they all get rotated in the Rovers squad.

All good players - but you think all six of these would start ahead of the entire Dundalk midfield and strike force - a team that finished well above Rovers last season and comfortably beat them last night?

Wow!

[Charlie Darwin]

Dean Kelly is miles better than Darren Meenan.

The Likes of Kilduff, Sheppard, Zayed, O'Connor, McCabe, Marty Waters would walk into the Dundalk team and they all get rotated in the Rovers squad.

They're all attacking players and three of them are competing for one spot in the team. Our previous squad depth has all signed for Pats. We have three defenders who have to play every game now that O'Connor is crocked.

[oriel]

Meenan can be frustrating at times, and his challenge away to Drogs in the cup semi last year was just wreckless, and warranted his red card, he had no business putting that challenge in either on such a wet pitch, but thats in the past.

Wasn't my favourite player by any stretch, however to be fair he assisted on plenty of crucial goals last season, but I'm still not sure if he deserves a starting spot, I will admit though he has improved, at long last.

I think we are strong favourites to make the final, but its far from over, we probably will need to score at least once in the return leg, but we are definitely in the driving seat.

[PartySaint]

All good players - but you think all six of these would start ahead of the entire Dundalk midfield and strike force - a team that finished well above Rovers last season and comfortably beat them last night?

Wow!

Yes, on an indivdual basis they would all get into the Dundalk team. I'm not saying you would start all of them together but if say Kilduff was there he would start every week, so would McCabe etc etc.

It's not a dig at Dundalk, they'll all good players and would get into nearly every team in the league. Like Towell and Hoban probably would.

[wonder88]

I still would put Rovers squad ahead of Dundalk's, but that is only an opinion. Players like everyone change, some improve their skills as they get older others do not. I find it interesting that many who comment on the LoI fail to spot the player/players who are likely to make it at a high level over in England. Most would have predicted that Finn and Forrester would be playing for a Premier league club in England by now and be full internationals while the Dublin media completely missed Seamus Coleman for example.
By the way that was a bad miss by Hoban last night. He would be an example of someone who has improved a lot, and has surprised me, while the Brennan who has gone to Rovers this season I think will do a good job for them. I would be interested in what Limerick fans in general think of Folan as the few times I have seen him he looks decent, but apparently some are not too impressed.

[White Horse]

Yes, on an indivdual basis they would all get into the Dundalk team. I'm not saying you would start all of them together but if say Kilduff was there he would start every week, so would McCabe etc etc.

It's not a dig at Dundalk, they'll all good players and would get into nearly every team in the league. Like Towell and Hoban probably would.

Dundalk typically play one up top, so Kilduff and Hoban would compete for the same place. In my opinion, Kilduff is the only player of the six you mention that I would be interested in. I wouldn't take Marty Waters over Daryl Horgan, for example. Don't forget we have Keith Ward to come back in.

Dundalk have good options in midfield and up front. The weak area in the squad is the depth and quality of defensive cover. From what I know of the Rovers squad, it is a weak point of theirs too.

[Dodge]

The weak area in the squad is the depth and quality of defensive cover. From what I know of the Rovers squad, it is a weak point of theirs too.

And Pats, and Sligo and etc etc

Most will be grand if there's no long term injuries

[Dodge]

I still would put Rovers squad ahead of Dundalk's, but that is only an opinion. Players like everyone change, some improve their skills as they get older others do not. I find it interesting that many who comment on the LoI fail to spot the player/players who are likely to make it at a high level over in England. Most would have predicted that Finn and Forrester would be playing for a Premier league club in England by now and be full internationals while the Dublin media completely missed Seamus Coleman for example.

Coleman was very highly touted by the press and won multiple under 21 caps with Sligo. He was not an unknown going over to Everton

Dublin media....

[ger121]

I'm probably stating the obvious here but Towell really is a talent. Haven't had a chance to watch him much to date but his strength, skill and pace really make him stand out. I'd be amazed if he's still in the LOI next season. I hope Dundalk have him on a 2 year deal.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm probably stating the obvious here but Towell really is a talent. Haven't had a chance to watch him much to date but his strength, skill and pace really make him stand out. I'd be amazed if he's still in the LOI next season. I hope Dundalk have him on a 2 year deal.

As the Setanta commentator expertly put it last night: "You can see he's played in Scotland..."

[PartySaint]

Dundalk typically play one up top, so Kilduff and Hoban would compete for the same place. In my opinion, Kilduff is the only player of the six you mention that I would be interested in. I wouldn't take Marty Waters over Daryl Horgan, for example. Don't forget we have Keith Ward to come back in.

Dundalk have good options in midfield and up front. The weak area in the squad is the depth and quality of defensive cover. From what I know of the Rovers squad, it is a weak point of theirs too.

In fairness I've totally forgetting about Daryl Horgan so you have a point there. Still better than Meenan tho.

On Forrester being with a Prenier League club, I don't think anyone would have taught that but I fully expected him to be at a lower division English side by now and probably would have if whichever Bristol club he was on trial at didn't sack their manager a week later.