Promotion/Relegation play off

**osarusan** · 28/10/2015, 8:46 AM

Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy

Draw for the home/away dates for Promotion/Relegation play off is today is it?

Was it held yesterday?

**oriel** · 28/10/2015, 9:56 AM

When was the FD play off structure changed? Didn't this used to be just one game, 2nd v 3rd with team in 2nd having home advantage then the two legs kick in for the play off final. FD winner v 2nd last PD.

**Sam_Heggy** · 28/10/2015, 9:57 AM

Originally Posted by osarusan

Was it held yesterday?

Was supposed to be but still no word.

I think clubs will be notified by carrier pigeon on Monday morning, it's a new ploy to build up hype around the match.....

**Sam_Heggy** · 28/10/2015, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by oriel

When was the FD play off structure changed? Didn't this used to be just one game, 2nd v 3rd with team in 2nd having home advantage then the two legs kick in for the play off final. FD winner v 2nd last PD.

Seems to change every season.

In our last promotion season we beat Dundalk in a 1 off game in Finn Park 2-0 and then beat Waterford over 2 legs to get promoted, 2nd leg was in Waterford.

**gufc2000** · 28/10/2015, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by oriel

When was the FD play off structure changed? Didn't this used to be just one game, 2nd v 3rd with team in 2nd having home advantage then the two legs kick in for the play off final. FD winner v 2nd last PD.

Think this system has been in place since the First Division was cut to 8 teams

**harps1954** · 28/10/2015, 10:48 AM

First Division club will have advantage of 2nd Leg at home in Final - clubs were informed this morning. So, Drogheda or Limerick at home to UCD or Harps on Monday (2nd November). Second leg will be UCD or Harps at home to Drogheda or Limerick on Friday 6th November.

**jinxy lilywhite** · 28/10/2015, 10:56 AM

I would say Harps or UCD would be hoping for Sligo to beat Limerick this weekend and for them to be relegated. Drogheda would be the poorest of the 2.
You would think Limerick should be strong enough to beat Harps or UCD

**ForzaHoop** · 28/10/2015, 10:59 AM

Ciaran Coll’s goal after just 24 seconds of last Friday night’s 1st leg at the UCD Bowl is the difference between the two sides as Harps and UCD meet again this weekend with another step up the ladder on the way to the Premier Division the prize for the victor.

Harps, having won on Friday and with the knowledge that they comprehensively beat the students when they visited Finn Park last month, will go into the game in confident mood and hope to progress to meet the second from bottom team in next week’s play-off final – likely to be either Limerick or Drogheda United.

Harps also go into the game in the knowledge that in eight previous play-off games at Finn Park, they have yet to taste defeat during game time – although Longford Town won on penalties in 2002. Longford are also the only team to have scored in those eight games – the other seven all saw the opposition leave Finn Park scoreless.

Finn Park has also been somewhat of a fortress for Harps this season. In fifteen games in all competitions at the Ballybofey venue this year, Harps have tasted defeat only once. They have conceded only 8 goals on home soil – four of these coming from champions Wexford Youths while UCD and Waterford scored two apiece. 11 of the 15 games have seen Ciaran Gallagher keep a clean sheet.

However, despite all that, Harps Manager Ollie Horgan knows that one poor performance from his side could see UCD overturn the 1-0 scoreline and end his team’s promotion hopes.

“We had a good result last Friday night but we ran our luck to get out of Belfield without conceding at least one if not a couple of goals,” said Horgan as he reflected on last week’s trip to Dublin.

“It was a great start,” he said, “and one of the few times we got behind UCD’s defence. But, the longer the game went on, the more UCD took control.

“We were under huge pressure in the second half, we couldn’t get possession of the ball mainly due to UCD’s dominance at that stage. We will need to improve on our performance to try to stop a very talented UCD side this weekend. With Robbie Benson back, UCD will be even more of a threat than they were the last night. This game could go all the way to extra time or even penalties.”

Harps will have their biggest home crowd of the season on Friday and Horgan paid tribute to the large number of the blue and white army who outnumbered the home support at Belfield last Friday.

“Our supporters were great on Friday as they have been all year,” he said. “Those that were in Belfield would realise that we were very lucky to get out of there with a result. Our home supporters will remember when a full UCD side came up to Ballybofey back in May and played brilliant football. We will need all the help we can get this Friday from those on the terraces.”

Kevin McHugh is a doubt after limping off during the latter stages of last week’s first leg as is Damien NcNulty who picked up a knock during the 1-0 victory. Nathan Boyle is a definite absentee but Ciaran Coll, who departed proceedings during the first half last Friday, should be ok for this week’s home leg.

The away goals rule is not used in the play-offs, so if the scores are level on aggregate at full-time on Friday, extra-time and penalties will decide the outcome if necessary.

**Dunny** · 28/10/2015, 11:34 AM

Drogs announce Pete Mahon has returned to the club(as zombie coach)
https://twitter.com/DroghedaUnited/s...44876295843840

**nigel-harps1954** · 28/10/2015, 12:03 PM

Play-off details confirmed by FAI.

Originally Posted by FAI

The draw to determine the order of the ties in the SSE Airtricity League Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Final took place at FAI HQ on Wednesday morning and resulted in the 11th-placed team in the Premier Division having home advantage for the first leg.

The Play-Off will be contested between the team which finishes 11th in the Premier Division and the winner of the First Division Promotion Play-Off between Finn Harps and UCD.

Dates for Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Final

First Leg: Monday, November 2 - 11th-placed Premier Division team v Winner of 2nd v 3rd First Division Play-Off (Finn Harps/UCD)

Second Leg: Friday, November 6 - Winner of 2nd v 3rd First Division Play-Off (Finn Harps/UCD) v 11th-placed Premier Division team.

In the event of the scores being level after the completion of the second leg match, then extra-time of 30 minutes duration shall be played. If the scores are still level, then a penalty shoot-out shall take place to determined the winners.

**Nesta99** · 28/10/2015, 3:43 PM

Must have blocked out that play-off game v Harps. Waterford just dont do play-offs well at all. Quick turn around from Friday to Monday which could be interesting. Limerick having Harps visit after giving themselves a chance will be a lot tougher than a Drogheda side that has been in freefall if Limerick dont beat Sligo. Drogheda, on the other hand could be buoyed if the get a result in Tallaght. That Harps play-off record is impressive but of course mean nothing if they dont keep the tie alive Monday night. If its in Drogheda might head to the game in among the away support of course! All assuming UCD dont turn things aroun...

**nigel-harps1954** · 28/10/2015, 4:02 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

That Harps play-off record is impressive but of course mean nothing if they dont keep the tie alive Monday night.

Funnily, Harps play-off record is abysmal. Only succeeded through the play-offs once in seven tries. The home record is good though alright, so hopefully that record, and this seasons home record of only one loss in all competitions (aside from a penalty shootout), remains intact.

**ForzaHoop** · 28/10/2015, 4:04 PM

Huge crowd in Ballybofey this Friday and possibly larger if they can hold on to beat UCD

**Martinho II** · 28/10/2015, 4:44 PM

thats a strange move to get Pete Mahon back in after leavin the club a few wks ago! wot are Drogheda playin at?

**nigel-harps1954** · 28/10/2015, 5:00 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

thats a strange move to get Pete Mahon back in after leavin the club a few wks ago! wot are Drogheda playin at?

I'd say there were little other options once Kinsellas 60 days had run out.

**Ezeikial** · 28/10/2015, 8:37 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

thats a strange move to get Pete Mahon back in after leavin the club a few wks ago! wot are Drogheda playin at?

Window dressing - Kinsella remains in charge

**nigel-harps1954** · 28/10/2015, 10:11 PM

Promo video from Harps ahead of Friday nights game.

**Straightstory** · 29/10/2015, 10:25 AM

Drogs fans torn between going to Tallaght - where it's unlikely they'll beat Shams (a draw's no use) - or watching a more intriguing and harder-to-call Sligo v Limerick game on TV...

**ForzaHoop** · 29/10/2015, 10:36 AM

I wonder will the final play off games be televised ?

**nigel-harps1954** · 29/10/2015, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by ForzaHoop

I wonder will the final play off games be televised ?

Doubtful really. Unless RTE or Setanta pick up Friday nights game, Monday definitely won't be on. Setanta have rugby on live on Monday night and RTE won't disrupt their regular programming.