QuoteTrue, I had momentarily forgotten Croly was sacked.Originally Posted by Aaron
Only way we can get Europe is if we win the Cup
True, I had momentarily forgotten Croly was sacked.
Absolutely true, but it is another potential banana skin out of the way if a full side had been played. A lot of inexperience against the league leaders, with young lads whose confidence are getting a bit of a battering too. At least Soccer Republic will hold some additional interest for me tonight.
In league of Ireland any league position could land you in Europe, didnt we manage it from 6th!
It's always important to bounce back after a defeat. It was a stroke of good fortune that the cup matches resulted in Derry fielding an inexperienced side. It's crazy that we don't have a league game for almost three weeks.
I think we finished 5th from the then 10 PD league in 2009 and took the 3rd spot in Europe as both Derry and Cork who finished higher were both in financial trouble.
Very easy win tonight, could have been 7 or 8, and we totally took foot off the gas for the last 15. Back on track now, Friday forgotten about, this was an excellent response.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), only Irish club to win a game / points in Europa League Group Stage (2016).
Derry were even worse that Roddy's Derry.
Still in all our performance was a joy to behold. 5 different goal scorers.
Nice to get a break now from the league. That was probably out last easy game. Away to UCD, Athlone and Bray with them fighting for their lives. Rovers will always want to give us a game sets up a finale against Cork.
Long Live King Kenny
I really do hope it goes to the last game, even if that means we're three points behind with no realistic hope of winning it. It's been a very exciting title challenge and while Dundalk have been by far the better team our lads haven't given up when it looked lost on a number of occasions and I've enjoyed every minute of this season, except maybe that last minute at home to Dundalk a few weeks back.
Ach I was just being a bit flippant regarding the unpredictable nature of LoI - I believe nothing until it is set in stone that there are no judicial reviews, appeals, dvds, points deductions, trawling through player registrations or financial implosions!
Corks durabiity is impressive, a bit like ourselves last season. The way Cork are hot on the heels is not great for the health but is certainly making for an interesting run in. I want to have the league wrapped up but I also kinda would relish a packed Oriel with a good Cork support with something to play for the last day. With the attendences Cork are getting they are bound to strengthen well and regardless of this seasons finish will be one of the favourites next season. Shams under Fenlon, Pats, + any surprises like Derry or Drogs maybe and we will be moving in to a period of competetition that the league hasnt seen in a while where it will be impossible to to make any obvious predictions for the challangers.
Listening to Radio Foyle earllier and Gerry Malone of LMFM was asked about Dundalks wage bill and the comments by Roddy Collins about it being massive. Malone said that he had seen the figures and that weekly wage bill was just under 13k. I dont think GM would say he had seen the figures if he hadnt but it seems a modest figure nonetheless. If it is the case there must be a pretty big difference between the presumed top earners Towell or Horgan and most of the rest of the squad.
I'd say there would be in any case. A lot of the guys in the Dundalk team, guys like Boyle or Massey, wouldn't have been the most sought players in the league but they're looking like world-beaters now. Still, I would stunned if Dundalk's wage bill is that much different from the other clubs around them. You can't build a league-winning team on the cheap.
John Cauldfield might beg to differ
Well it goes without saying that Cork players would rather die than accept a wage in exchange for serving their moral duty to Mother CorkJohn Cauldfield might beg to differ
Last game last season limerick away to derry. Taylor puts out the under 19s and they duely get hammered. 6 0. Ppl will say it was a grubber game but for the 40 or so who travelled twas unacceptable.
I'd expect Cork to spend big for next season, and why not, they're packing them in at the Cross. It will be interesting to see what Pats do for next season. Will they be able to sustain the same budget? I'd like them to keep the current team together as they reminded everyone on Friday what a quality outfit they are. Then you have the Fenlon factor at Tallaght. Fenlon likes to spend but Rovers seem committed to investing a lot of money in developmental areas such as the B team. Sligo appear to be on the wane, which is a great pity for the league. I struggle to see the current manager building a successful team.
We'll definitely increase our budget but I don't know how big we'll go. We lost a lot of money in 2013 and had to reduce our budget for this season as a result. Our troubles in 2008 and 2009 are fresh in everyone's mind and the board would not be forgiven for taking too big a gamble. You can't guarantee we will repeat the crowds of this season, if the team isn't playing well Turners Cross will empty pretty quickly.
I can't be the only person to log in this morning only to be disappointed City Rebel hasn't posted on this yet
54,321 sold - wws will never die - ***
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New blog if anyone's interested - http://loihistory.wordpress.com/
LOI section on balls.ie - http://balls.ie/league-of-ireland/
I believe only Towell and then Horgan are on big money, the rest are on modest to good wages. Most of the team were not in demand this and last year, so that would be a factor in the overall budget. Most would also be on increased deals from 2013, but remember Hoban came from Mervue, Boyle came from Shels, Massey from Bray, all in 2013 and there was not much if any competition to sign them. This year Gannon came free from Pats, then others like Gartland and Meenan were released by other clubs mid way through last season (Portadown and Pats), others who were kept on from previous season like Cherrie, Shields and Mountney all signed late this season, and some were 'risky' signings in 2013 like Rossiter and O'Donnell both of whom had injury problems previously. O'Donnell was unlucky most of this season, but he was excellent last year.
The pressure will be on next season, as the players will all be looking for better deals, and some may be offered more attractive deals elsewhere (Kenny said 2 were this season but decided to stay). Also we will need to improve if we want to continue to challenge at the top. The figure for the budget definitely went up this year, but I think its still under 15k per week.
As for this season, last night was a step closer to the title, nothing more, still plenty of games left.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), only Irish club to win a game / points in Europa League Group Stage (2016).
This is 100% true. We could probably afford to increase the budget now, but what happens of we stop getting results? and let's face it, we're not going to be knocking in last minute winners every week.
Cobh Ramblers hosting Cork City in a friendly tomorrow night at St Colman's Park. 7:45 kick-off. €5 entry for adults, kids free
The people in charge at Cork would be of a very similar mind to the Shamrock Rovers board. They won't be spending any kind of money if it's unsustainable.
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