2018 Predictions

**Lilywhite77** · 16/02/2018, 1:55 PM

[COLOR=#333333]1. Dundalk[/COLOR]
2. Cork City
3. Shamrock Rovers
4. Derry
5. Pats
6. Sligo
7. Bohs
8. Waterford
9. Limerick
10. Bray

Cup - Dundalk
League Cup - Cork

First Division:

1. Longford
2. Galway
3. Harps
4. Drogheda
5. UCD
6. Shels
7. Cabo
8. Cobh
9. Wexford
10. Athlone

**bennocelt** · 16/02/2018, 1:56 PM

I am going for Cork City to win the Premier and Galway for the first (a tenner on a 9/1 double). I think it comes down to strikers, as always. Graham Cummins over Hoban for me, and if they do get him, Danny Furlong surely will be decent again in the first.

Would go with Limerick for relegation, and maybe Cobh to come second and beat Bray in the playoffs.

**Ezeikial** · 16/02/2018, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by bennocelt

I). I think it comes down to strikers, as lways. Graham Cummins over Hoban for me,

Have you seen either of them play recently or are you going on a hunch?

**Risteard** · 16/02/2018, 2:29 PM

1. City
2. Dundalk
3. Rovers
4. Derry
5. Pats
6. Bohs
7. Waterford
8. Sligo
with Bray bottom.

Top Scorer: Kieran Salier
First sacked: Reynolds moved to one side.

First Division:

1. Galway

2. Finn Harps
3. Longford
4. Cobh
5. Drogs
6. UCD
7. Shels
8. Cabo
9. Athlone
10. Wexford

**El-Pietro** · 16/02/2018, 3:11 PM

I can't see Murray playing as a ten given the sheer volume of attacking midfielders that Kenny has at his disposal. Unless he plans to play with one "holding" midfielder hes already a little overwhelmed at that position. Is Chevdukas (thats an appalling attempt) more of a Stephen O'Donnell or a Benson? The Dundalk squad to me looks a little unbalanced. Lots of quality but lacking depth at full back and central midfield.

**bennocelt** · 16/02/2018, 3:28 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Have you seen either of them play recently or are you going on a hunch?

Well he did hit the ground running last week, and I think Hoban is not fully fit yet. He has also played upto a decent level recently with St Johnstone whereas Hoban didnt get upto a whole lot in England. Would that not be more than a hunch? I like Hoban but I feel Cummins will fit in quicker.

**wonder88** · 16/02/2018, 3:55 PM

1. Dundalk
2. Cork
3. Derry
4. Shamrocks
5. Sligo
6. Bohs
7. Waterford
8. Pats
9. Limerick
10. Bray

Murray top scorer

First Division:

1. Galway

2. Finn Harps
3. Drogs
4. Cabo
5. longford
6. UCD
7. Shels
8. Cobh
9. Wexford
10. Athlone

**passinginterest** · 16/02/2018, 6:19 PM

Ah the annual embarrass yourself thread. I always do well at that!

1. Cork
2. Shamrock Rovers
3. Dundalk
4. St. Pats
5. Bohs
6. Waterford
7. Sligo
8. Derry
9. Limerick
10. Bray

First
1. Longford
2. Galway
3. Finn Harps
4. Cabinteely
5. Cobh
6. Wexford
7. UCD
8. Drogheda
9. Shelbourne
10. Athlone

I�d say picking the names out of a hat would be an equally accurate way to predict the top 9 in the first. First series of games will be crucial.

FAI Cup: Waterford
League Cup: Bohs

Top Scorer: Christy Fagan
First Sacked: Kenny Shiels

**Ezeikial** · 01/04/2018, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Hoban should start in the No 9 position once fit. His style fits with Stephen Kenny's preferred formation. Although Murray has played there in preseason, he appears to be more likely to play as a No 10 or second striker (which would be an unusual formation for SK). There is intense competition there and any player will have their work cut out to nail down a regular attacking spot

I obviously hope that Murray bangs in the goals, but at 6/1 is poor odds. Hoban is a better 6/1 shot

Dinny Corcoran is more likely to start every game for Bohs. Adam Morgan could be a wild card.

I don't know what sort of odds bookies are currently offering on the leagues top goalscorer, but if Hoban is still available at anywhere near 6/1, its worth putting on the confirmation money now that he is also taking penalties.

On current form he is likely to surpass the 20 league goals he got last time around

**oriel** · 01/04/2018, 11:01 PM

Good shout on Hoban and especially as he has taken on pens now, 5 goals in 7 starts is impressive. Cummins wont be far off mind and Sadlier too.

On the team predictions, I think unless Waterford drop silly points in series 2 they have to be considered for a surprise euro spot now, they impressed me on the game up in Dundalk a few weeks ago, but there is a long long way to go, plus Derry are getting into gear now too. I wouldn't rule them out for the euro spot.

On the title, Dundalk definitely appear to be playing the much better stuff, but Cork obv on top, could be very little separating both come end of season, the head to heads will be key. Was looking at the league table in the DFC programme earlier, if Dundalk had lost to Cork earlier in the month we would be 7 points behind now as opposed to one, so these games will more than likely define the eventual winners.

**micls** · 02/04/2018, 8:00 AM

I took Sadlier e/w at 25/1. 7 goals already is impressive, although most are penalties. Being the penalty taker makes a huge difference.

**mcgonigle** · 02/04/2018, 12:34 PM

He should get at least another 15 in that case 😉

**micls** · 02/04/2018, 1:25 PM

Originally Posted by mcgonigle

He should get at least another 15 in that case ��

Thats the plan. One brown envelope at a time.

**mcgonigle** · 02/04/2018, 3:24 PM

Originally Posted by micls

Thats the plan. One brown envelope at a time.

You've upgraded from crisp packets?

**micls** · 02/04/2018, 3:32 PM

Originally Posted by mcgonigle

You've upgraded from crisp packets?

The crisp packet were Kennys thing. I think he just got a bit confused.

**bluemovie** · 02/04/2018, 8:07 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

On the team predictions, I think unless Waterford drop silly points in series 2 they have to be considered for a surprise euro spot now, they impressed me on the game up in Dundalk a few weeks ago

Europe would be a dream....we've been waiting 32 years for it! But even if we fall away a bit, the people predicting us to finish bottom already look a bit naive.

**outspoken** · 02/04/2018, 8:34 PM

Originally Posted by bluemovie

Europe would be a dream....we've been waiting 32 years for it! But even if we fall away a bit, the people predicting us to finish bottom already look a bit naive.

Has anyone been able to clear up if Waterford FC will be eligible for Europe as they aren�t 3 years old? I know FM Ireland raised this on Twitter and nobody could seem to give a concrete answer

**Charlie Darwin** · 02/04/2018, 8:39 PM

Originally Posted by outspoken

Has anyone been able to clear up if Waterford FC will be eligible for Europe as they aren’t 3 years old? I know FM Ireland raised this on Twitter and nobody could seem to give a concrete answer

I assume it's the same club as Waterford United so it's a lot more than three years old.

**pineapple stu** · 02/04/2018, 8:45 PM

Didn't they go bust and reform though?

Wexford did, and I seem to remember Fran Gavin implying at the start of last year that another club (could only be Waterford) had done the same