LoI Fixture 6-7 April

**Ezeikial** · 04/04/2018, 2:15 PM

Premier Division
Fri Dundalk V Shamrock Rovers 7.30KO
Fri Bohemians V Limerick
Fri St Patrick's Ath V Bray Wanderers
Fri Waterford V Cork City
Sat Sligo Rovers V Derry City

First Division
Fri Drogheda Utd V UCD
Fri Shelbourne V Athlone Town
Fri Finn Harps V Galway United
Fri Wexford V Cobh Ramblers
Sat Longford V Cabinteely

Some really interesting fixtures this weekend especially in the Premier Division where the top four clash - with 1st against 3rd and 2nd against 4th. There is also an opportunity for both Derry and St Pats to take advantage of any slip up ahead of them in the table. Bohs V Limerick also presents both teams with an opportunity to move away from the relegation area.

**placid casual** · 04/04/2018, 7:44 PM

This must be like the run up to Christmas for you ezekial.

**Ezeikial** · 04/04/2018, 8:58 PM

Originally Posted by placid casual

This must be like the run up to Christmas for you ezekial.

I've no doubt that you are also eagerly anticipating this weeks matches.

There's a chance for Rovers to go to 2nd in the table!

**Dundalk daz** · 04/04/2018, 9:19 PM

Really looking forward to the game in oriel on Friday, should be a cracking atmosphere,hopefully plenty of goals and excitement, and seeing as it’s on tv another superb advertisement for the league.

**Charlie Darwin** · 05/04/2018, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

I've no doubt that you are also eagerly anticipating this weeks matches.

There's a chance for Rovers to go to 2nd in the table!

We never said we could go second. In fact, we said we couldn't.

**Yossarian** · 05/04/2018, 7:15 AM

Originally Posted by placid casual

This must be like the run up to Christmas for you ezekial.

It’s his cup final.

**Ezeikial** · 05/04/2018, 9:40 AM

Originally Posted by Yossarian

It’s his cup final.

I'm afraid we will get battered (Can you get battered and still win by a goal or two?)

**El-Pietro** · 05/04/2018, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

I'm afraid we will get battered (Can you get battered and still win by a goal or two?)

Of course. Sure Rovers battered us last year. They even hit the bar.

**Trainee** · 05/04/2018, 10:28 PM

Rain could affect games tomorrow. Expecting upto 50mm of rain in South of country so waterford v Cork & wexford v Cobh could be called off if rain is as bad as expected.

**osarusan** · 06/04/2018, 6:47 AM

What is the weather like in Dublin? Rained all night in Limerick.

**pineapple stu** · 06/04/2018, 7:26 AM

Just drizzle at the moment. To get heavier later on, but stop by evening I think.

I'd say the deciding factor will be how bad the pitches were hit earlier in the week and how much they've recovered in the meantime. The rain now is nothing to worry about, but a pitch unplayable on Monday may still be bad today

**Ezeikial** · 06/04/2018, 10:35 AM

I've never considered Daniel McDonnell naive, but I am struggling to get how he concludes there is any indication of Rovers taking a positive approach tonight based on the quote he has reproduced in his Indo piece

Meanwhile, Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has promised a positive approach from his side as they seek to become the first team to score against Dundalk this season.

"We just have to play to our levels. If we do that we're good enough to create chances against any team in the league," said Bradley, whose side have suffered three defeats in their four away games to date.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-36779948.html

I expect Rovers will create chances and maybe even score, but I certainly don't expect a positive approach.
I fully expect Rovers to take a cautious attitude. be physical and hope to get a goal from counter attacks, route one ball or set-pieces.

**osarusan** · 06/04/2018, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Just drizzle at the moment. To get heavier later on, but stop by evening I think.

I'd say the deciding factor will be how bad the pitches were hit earlier in the week and how much they've recovered in the meantime. The rain now is nothing to worry about, but a pitch unplayable on Monday may still be bad today

What was it like on Monday, anybody? It was playable then anyway at least. Any Bohs fans think it might be called off?

**sbgawa** · 06/04/2018, 11:13 AM

id imagine it was a reflection on the entire conversation rather than that specific line about creating chances, McDonnell is anything but naïve.
We will see tonight I guess.
Hopefully it will be a good game that makes the league look good.

**MattB11** · 06/04/2018, 11:42 AM

Pitch inspection at 1pm for finn park

**Dalymountrower** · 06/04/2018, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by osarusan

What was it like on Monday, anybody? It was playable then anyway at least. Any Bohs fans think it might be called off?

Raining heavily in North Dublin for the last two hours, due to ease off and then be dry from 3 pm. If there`s 4 hours of drying, Dalymount should be OK as it drains pretty well, but if a ref was to call it now , I would say it it would be off.

**pineapple stu** · 06/04/2018, 11:51 AM

Game in Dalymount went ahead on Monday, unlike other pitches (Richmond Park was unplayable for one), but the pitch was heavy enough.

**nigel-harps1954** · 06/04/2018, 12:07 PM

Game off in Finn Park.

**Ezeikial** · 06/04/2018, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

id imagine it was a reflection on the entire conversation rather than that specific line about creating chances, McDonnell is anything but naïve.
We will see tonight I guess.
Hopefully it will be a good game that makes the league look good.

There is a larger piece of the interview on the Shamrock Rovers site but still nothing from Bradley to indicate that Rovers will take a "positive approach"

Greg Bolger offers a more realistic assessment

“The aim for us, the same as every game, is to try and get three points but I don’t think a draw would be a bad result either,” Bolger says. “We drew with them at our place so there’s nothing between the teams. We’re going there in good spirits and if we can perform well I think we can get a good result. But everyone will need to be 8/10, 9/10.”

http://www.the42.ie/greg-bolger-inte...40062-Apr2018/