FAI Cup 2014

[Charlie Darwin]

Is it not accepted at this point that Rovers were right to get rid of Kenny?

They have gone from strength to strength, lit up the league with beautiful football, and haven't signed a single duff player since.

Well we've unquestionably gotten better and signed better players. The rest is slow progress.

[Fivesilver]

It is,......... but Its because of Kenny and the hangover from his reign that they have become medixocre and horrible to watch.

Glad my hangovers don't last that long.

[Dodge]

Well we've unquestionably gotten better and signed better players. The rest is slow progress.

Unquestionably?

2012 League 4th, 9 points off the top
2014 League 4th, currently 14 points off the top

Kenny made some awful signings, but so did Croly. Still plenty of dross in that squad

[Charlie Darwin]

Unquestionably?

2012 League 4th, 9 points off the top
2014 League 4th, currently 14 points off the top

Kenny made some awful signings, but so did Croly. Still plenty of dross in that squad

It was a lot worse in 2012. Might have ended up closer to the top, but the team at the top weren't as dominant as the two are this year. The final few weeks of Croly's reign were as bad as I've seen Rovers in a few years, but Kenny only barely got above that level.

[Dalymountrower]

Watch most of both games on tv. I do not remember either keeper in the 2nd game rolling the ball out once, which I suppose is what is expected from a Fenlon managed team. It will be difficult to get fans out to watch such negative stuff, even if the team are winning most of the time, ask Bohs.
Fair play to Liam Buckley for always getting his teams to play with a bit of style and to the Harps fans who supported their team. We need a one division league soon or more damage is done to soccer here. Ref in the second game was good (he usually is) but the one in Inchicore and the famous Connolly as 4th official showed again one the major problems the league faces. Crowds again disappointing, but the weather had a lot to do with this.
Think Shamrock Rovers still will make the final, maybe on penalties. Two day turn-around is unbelievable.

You somehow managed to have a crack at Bohs in your comments on yesterdays semis!!!
.Bohs had averages of 2,366 when we were winning the league under PF.Would have him back in a heartbeat, since you ask.

[Dodge]

It was a lot worse in 2012. Might have ended up closer to the top, but the team at the top weren't as dominant as the two are this year. The final few weeks of Croly's reign were as bad as I've seen Rovers in a few years, but Kenny only barely got above that level.

I'm not suggesting Kenny or Croly weren't poor appointments. I'm arguing you're no better off now.

Nutsy won't keep more than 5/6 of the current squad if he has his way

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm not suggesting Kenny or Croly weren't poor appointments. I'm arguing you're no better off now.

Nutsy won't keep more than 5/6 of the current squad if he has his way

Well next season will be a lot different and the bulk of the squad will probably be asked to move on, but the current squad on their day are capable of getting results the 2012 team just never would have got. Croly even had his moments where the team looked well coached.

[Stuttgart88]

Is the replay on TV?

[Charlie Darwin]

No chance.

[jinxy lilywhite]

Also Kenny had a squad that was well past their sell by date.

You do gotta love Rovers revisionist policy of the 2012 era. No doubt if Kenny had of been given free reign and 100 % backing from the board and rovers fans it would of been a different story.

But one teams loss is another's gain and we got a man who built us a team who over the next two years would be title challengers for the first time in a generation and bring a whole different style of football to Oriel park. I don't want to disrespect the McLaughlin, O'Connor era but I don't think they were as technically better but that's a discussion for another evening.

Hope the man stays here for life because to quote "Wayne's world, we're not worthy"

[wonder88]

I suspect Kenny signed Winn on advice from the same source that recommended Pat Hoban.
Not having a go at Bohs at all, but I would be surprised if most of the fans there do not regret letting PF go to Dundee Utd especially when some compensation was available. Crowd numbers did fall under him at Dalymount and Dundee Utd did end up eventually with Jackie McNamara. Even Kerr mentioned yesterday that there wasn't much building from the back, and for me it was a poor game to watch but for others the result is all that matters.
Is it true that Ronan Finn is going to Pats.

[wonder88]

By the way it was a terrible decision to sack Stephen Kenny. It was my opinion at the time and events since only confirm that. If the B team is abolished at the behest of Fenlon, there will be more question marks about the board at Tallaght.

[Charlie Darwin]

Also Kenny had a squad that was well past their sell by date.

You do gotta love Rovers revisionist policy of the 2012 era. No doubt if Kenny had of been given free reign and 100 % backing from the board and rovers fans it would of been a different story.

I'm sure if he'd taken over a club who'd just barely avoided relegation there would have been a bit less of an expectation on him, but by whatever metric he did a bad job, signed badly, played terrible football with no ambition whatsoever, made baffling selections and never earned the respect of his own players. That doesn't mean he's a bad coach - he's clearly a very good one - but it just didn't work for him, and it wasn't because the club didn't back him enough. They gave him a very generous long-term contract, money to spend on players and the chance of working with the bulk of a double league-winning. He just didn't perform.

[PartySaint]

Is it true that Ronan Finn is going to Pats.

There's a rumour going around that we've offered Finn, McCabe and Kilduff contracts.

Also a rumour going around that Rovers have offered Bermo, Forrester, Fahey and Fagan contracts, so we'll see what happens in the off season.

[Charlie Darwin]

There's a rumour going around that we've offered Finn, McCabe and Kilduff contracts.

Also a rumour going around that Rovers have offered Bermo, Forrester, Fahey and Fagan contracts, so we'll see what happens in the off season.

Finn is going to England for trials as soon as his contract ends. If that doesn't work out, I'm guessing he'll have a look at what's happening here. I'd expect Fagan to do the same. Kilduff has seemingly signed something with Pats, though it might not be final, but either way he won't be offered a new deal in Tallaght. The rumours of Bermo being offered a contract seem like they might be true but I can't see it happening. Forrester hates Rovers, but then again so have plenty of wasters and it didn't stop them signing.

[PartySaint]

Finn is going to England for trials as soon as his contract ends. If that doesn't work out, I'm guessing he'll have a look at what's happening here. I'd expect Fagan to do the same. Kilduff has seemingly signed something with Pats, though it might not be final, but either way he won't be offered a new deal in Tallaght. The rumours of Bermo being offered a contract seem like they might be true but I can't see it happening. Forrester hates Rovers, but then again so have plenty of wasters and it didn't stop them signing.

Forrester would be the one I'd have most doubt about going because as you said he hates Rovers.

Fagan is starting college again over here so is staying in Ireland.

[Charlie Darwin]

Fair play to Fagan if true. From what I heard, there was genuine interest from England and further afield, but if he's made his decision, good luck to him.

[Longfordian]

Woundn't Rovers or anyone else have to pay compensation for Forrester given his age? Could be quite expensive.

[Charlie Darwin]

There'd be a tribunal fee unless the clubs could agree something, but like in the Horgan case this year if you think the player is worth it you'll take a one-off hit.

[Longfordian]

I guess so. If they can afford it then why not? Still seems an unlikely one though.