Premier Review

[mypost]

I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Longford crack now that you've put the squeeze on them.

Well, it worked, didn't it??? , or at least, contributed to it, in some way!!

Following the reversal of the decision taken by Longford Town FC, they are now welcomed back to the Premier Review, with immediate effect. Hopefully, the earlier decision made, won't happen again.

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 15/33:
BOHEMIANS 2-1 WATERFORD UTD.
DROGHEDA UTD. 3-0 BRAY WDS.
FINN HARPS 0-2 ST. PATS. ATH.
LONGFORD 2-1 SHAMROCK ROVERS
SHELBOURNE 1-2 DERRY CITY
UCD 1-5 CORK CITY

Week 15 saw 3 home and away wins, with 20 goals scored. The game at Tolka Park was shown "as live" on satellite tv.

Waterford made their second visit to Dalymount where they got their last point, 5 weeks ago. Bohs meanwhile, had just returned from going out of Europe. Normally, that leads to a hangover effect for a club, and maybe it would have happened if they were playing stronger opposition, but this was a home banker, with Waterford in the form they're in, and so it proved. Bohs edged it to win 2-1. Waterford are staring at the relegation zone, following this latest defeat.

Drogheda played Bray at United Park, eager to make up for their last home game, when they lost in the last minute to UCD. Against Bray, who can't buy a point lately, it was a facile job. The home side won 3-0, wrapping up the win early. Bray are enduring a Waterford-esque run instead.

Following their win last week, and Pats defeat, Harps would have fancied their chances going into their home game against the team directly above them. They would be crestfallen though, as two second-half goals gave Pats a comfortable win. Pats have the players to move away from the bottom, but will they ever go on a consistent run?

After all the hulla-baloo off the pitch in the build up, eventually there was a game played at the Flansiro. Despite allowing Rovers fans to attend the game, Longford were determined to not take ANY chances. Not only did they make our security go to supervise our fans, some security genius decided to put an 8ft high barrier around the Rovers fans as well. Since when were fences permitted to be used in football grounds? I thought they belonged to another era entirely. Our security insisted it be taken down, which it relunctantly was. Then the steady rain before the game, turned heavy, then thundery, which wouldn't be an enticing prospect to stand in for 2 hours. Mercifully, it stopped just as the game was about to kick-off. As expected, Longford shaded the first half, without overrunning the visitors. Longford fell asleep at the start of the second half, and Gavin McDonnell powerfully headed home from 12 yards. Rovers continued to dominate and could possibly have added another one, but just when you think you might nick 3 crucial points, you're reminded that when you're bottom of the league, you get no luck of the green. On 72', Paisley hit a Hail Mary shot from 35 yards, which took a violent deflection of a Rovers defender, and went in off the post. 5 minutes later, Longford were ahead, after a free-kick was only partially cleared, allowing Sean Dillon time and space to pick his spot, and find the net. That was that. Rovers were unluckly to not get at least a point, but it is possible for the club to beat the drop, if they can put a couple of wins together.

Shels against Derry was on the telly for the second time in 3 weeks, and like in the first game, Derry flew out of the traps. They were 2 up by the half hour, and despite Shels' attempt at a comeback in the second half, Derry held on once again to win 2-1. There were incidents involving both Shels staff, and fans again at the final whistle, but Rovers fans were behind that as usual, weren't they??

In Week 4, Cork were very frustrated as UCD set out their stall at Turners Cross, rigidly stuck to it, and nicked a point. Cork weren't too happy, and took this opportunity to exact revenge. UCD were all over the place, and were 2-1 down at the break. Cork didn't let up in the second half, and had fun with the hapless home defence, to romp away with a 5-1 victory, maintaining their sizeable advantage at the top of the table. They're clearly the best team around at the moment. Watch out Bohs!!

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 16/33:
BRAY WDS. 1-1 LONGFORD TOWN
CORK CITY 2-1 BOHEMIANS
DERRY CITY 3-2 FINN HARPS
SHAMROCK ROVERS 1-0 DROGHEDA UTD.
ST. PATS. ATH. 0-1 SHELBOURNE
WATERFORD UTD. 0-0 UCD

Week 16 saw 3 home wins, 2 draws, and 1 away win, which came at the live Satellite tv Dublin derby game. 12 goals were scored.

Bray finally had a home game, but haven't had a good time lately, losing 4 on the bounce, while Longford warmed up for Europe. It finished 1-1 at the seaside, Bray will be happy to avoid defeat for a change, while Longford won't be that disappointed either. Bray are 8th.

The best game on paper was Cork at home to Bohs. If Bohs had started their season like they're playing now, the game would be crucial as regards the championship. But, after their last game at the Cross, Cork re-inforced home rule here. Cork were 1 up at the break, and went two up after it, before Bohs pulled one back which turned out to be merely a consolation. Cork remain well clear at the top, while Bohs head home, before heading to the other end of the country next week, to face Finn Harps.

A home banker would have being forecast in Derry before their game, but as it was a rare Northern derby against Finn Harps at home, the visitors would be up for it. Bringing a defence might have helped their cause also, especially as Derry shot out of the blocks to take another early 2-0 lead. McHugh pulled one back for the visitors on the half hour, and kept in touch 'till half time. Derry restored their two goal advantage early in the second half, before Harps reduced the gap again. But that was as close as they got, as Derry celebrate the double over their neighbours this season, while trying to ensure that, expansion or no expansion, there will be 4 teams in next year's Setanta Cup from Northern Ireland.

Rovers faced Drogheda at Dalymount. A close, but entertaining game was decided by Mooney's goal just after half time, as Rovers finally end the 5-game losing streak against Drogheda. Rovers close the gap at the bottom to 2 points once again.

Pats faced Shels in the live tv game at Richmond. Both sides met in the League Cup earlier in the week, and Pats wanted to bounce back after another defeat to Shels. Wasn't to be though, as Baker's goal on half time won it for Shels, He was sent off in stoppage time, but his team got their third win over Pats this season. Pats continue to struggle, while Shels head off to play in Europe well, Belfast actually.

Waterford against UCD was put back to the Saturday evening at 6.00. The game finished 0-0, as both sides ground out a point. In the long term, it does neither side much good, but Waterford will enjoy seeing the return of their defence from holiday, to claim their first point in 6 weeks.

[TonyD]

Slight correction, Hoolahan scored for Shels, not Baker. Class finish I have to admit. It was definitely Baker that was sent off though, good enough for the little git

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 17/33:
DROGHEDA UTD. 0-1 CORK CITY
FINN HARPS 1-3 BOHEMIANS
SH. ROVERS 0-2 DERRY CITY
SHELBOURNE 1-0 LONGFORD TOWN
UCD 1-0 ST. PATS. ATH.
WATERFORD UTD. 1-2 BRAY WDS.

Week 6 of the second round of games, means that at Week 17 of the championship, it's the halfway mark. The Rovers-Derry game was shown live on Satellite tv, there were 2 home wins, and no less than 4 away wins this week.

Because of Cork's European commitments, their game at Drogheda was put back to the last game of the weekend on Sunday, complete with 41-year old Phil Harrington in goal. Not the greatest game, but Cork didn't suffer a European hangover, as George O' Callaghan's goal on 51' won it for the visitors, who maintain their sizeable lead at the top of the league, while Drogheda have lost 2 in a row, and 2 from their last 3 at home. They remain fourth, but Bohs have 2 games in hand in fifth.

Time for Bohs to get used to long journeys now. After making their annual trip to Cork last week, they faced another trek this week to Ballybofey to face Finn Harps. They went 2 up early on, before Harps pulled one back, and according to Aertel pulled another one back. They didn't though, instead it was Bohs who scored again, to run out 3-1 winners. Bohs' early season form has handicapped their progress this season, while Harps are currently suffering from a bad dose of the "we beat Rovers" bug, as they have followed up their win at Dalymount with 3 straight defeats, and continue to lie 11th.

Speaking of Rovers, it was a rare opportunity this season to achieve a double over Derry, after the win at the North Pole in April. The game was shown live on Satellite tv, and it was a contest for 27 minutes until Will McDonagh, having just come back from a three-game suspension, got himself sent off for dissent. After that, the two sides were Poles Apart in quality terms. Ciaran Martyn scored the opener for Derry on 48', and they secured their win on 80'. Derry lie 7 points off Cork, and are relying on Rovers to do them a favour next week, when we go to the South Pole. How it might happen is a different story altogether. The club remain bottom at halfway, but at least, the 400 club saved the club from extinction, ..again!! Things could have been a lot worse.

Because of both clubs European commitments, the Shels-Longford game was brought forward 3 weeks. Jason Byrne scored the winner on 51', to leave Shels 9 points off Cork, ...in the Intertoto Cup position!

UCD played Pats at Belfield. Pats' boss, was upset at his players attitude during the game, and there was no sign of their blistering start against UCD at Richmond in April. UCD won 1-0. Both clubs have surprised this season, but for different reasons. Pats should not be 9th, and UCD are usually miles away from 7th at the halfway mark of the season.

Waterford and Bray was the first game to take place at the weekend, but if you were late, you would have missed a fair bit. All the goals were scored in the first half-hour, and Bray ended up winning it 2-1. Waterford continue to struggle, while Bray head into successive home games, with an easy start, as the champions are the first visitors to the seaside!!

After Week 17, Cork lead the league with 40 points, Derry are second with 33, while Shels lie third with 31. At the bottom, Finn Harps and Rovers scrap it out for the play-off spot with 11, and 9 points respectively. How will it all end up after the second half of the campaign?

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 18/33:
BOHEMIANS 3-2 DROGHEDA UTD.
BRAY WDS. 2-2 SHELBOURNE
CORK CITY 3-0 SHAMROCK ROVERS
DERRY CITY 3-0 UCD
LONGFORD TOWN 1-0 FINN HARPS
ST. PATS. ATH. 1-0 WATERFORD UTD.

Week 18 saw a good week for the home sides, 5 home wins, with Shels being the only away team to snatch a point away from home. 17 goals went in this week, with late drama at Dalymount Park, shown "as live" on Satellite tv.

It's there where we go to first, as 5th place hosted 4th. Bohs were one up at half time, through Dom Foley on 35'. Drogheda scored two in two minutes just after the hour to lead, and looked to be heading for victory until Harkin's equaliser with two minutes left. Drogheda then slumped to their third defeat in a row, and their second in 2 weeks at Dalymount, when Foley nicked the winner for Bohs in injury time. The barstoolers who tuned in were surely entertained by that game.

Shels had won their European tie, only 2 days before their trip to Bray. The party mood continued as they went 2 up early on. Then they retreated into their shell, and Zayed struck again to half the deficit, before Tresson equalised with 9 minutes left. Shels had better learn to defend a 2-goal lead in Europe if they get one in the next round, but if they don't pull their socks up soon, they could be staring at the glamour of the Intertoto Cup next season. With their next game postponed, they could be an incredible 14 POINTS behind Cork with 14 games left, before they play again. Even 11 points looks too much for them to pull back at this stage.

Top v bottom in Cork, and you would have got long odds on Rovers doing a favour for Derry before the game, which became even longer when Rovers' defence could only last 3 minutes, before Joe Gamble nodded in. It looked like a long night for the visitors, but the defensive damage was limited to one goal at half-time, thanks to O'Callaghan's missed penalty. Like at Longford 3 weeks ago, the home side went asleep at the start of the second half, and McCourt's deflected shot hit the bar, but unlike in Longford, the ball stayed out of the home side's goal this time. It was a wake-up call for Cork, who got their second on 61' through John O'Flynn, at which point it really did become damage limitation. Despite that, Cork got a third on 80', when for the third time in three weeks, a goal was deflected into the net off a Rovers defender, this time, Doyle. But all in all, I think Rovers were happy and lucky to keep it to 3-0, as this one was the proverbial home banker, and so it proved, while Cork provided their fans in The Shed with a good send-off, before it serves it's European suspension in midweek.

As Rovers headed for Cork, UCD headed in the opposite direction to Derry, having won the earlier game in Week 7. No chances of the same happening here though, as Derry ruthlessly put away the students, winning 3-0, with Ciaran Martyn scoring against his old club twice in the second half. Derry keep Cork honest at the top, and the gap remains at 7 points.

Their last trip to Derry was their shortest this season, and this week Finn Harps made their second shortest trip of the season for the Saturday night derby at Longford. They continue to suffer from "we beat Rovers" syndrome, and lost 1-0 thanks to Gareth Cronin's winner on 70' for the home side. As if losing 4 in a row wasn't bad enough, Finn Harps' manager was later sacked, and they know that if Rovers win next week, they're back at the bottom. But as they were due to play Shels, it may not be such a bad thing for them to have the game called off, and have the game in hand instead. But the long, long away trips resume from here on for them.

Pats began their set of home games with the visit of Waterford to Inchicore, with the home side looking for revenge for their defeat earlier in the season. The visitors were also looking for revenge, after losing to Pats in the Cup. The kudos went to Pats this time, who won 1-0, and gear up for their clash with Cork next week. That looks to be the pick of next week's games.

[pineapple stu]

UCD are usually miles away from 7th at the halfway mark of the season.

No we're not. Just the last two seasons in the Premier under Doolin. In fact, the previous few seasons, we were usually around mid-table. Your anti-UCD bias is really irritating at this stage. I suppose now our 1-1 draw in Dalyer will be due to us putting ten men behind the ball, playing hoofball and hanging on for the draw?

[BohDiddley]

I suppose now our 1-1 draw in Dalyer will be due to us putting ten men behind the ball, playing hoofball and hanging on for the draw?

Well ...

[De Town]

oh the tension is killing me......I just can't wait for mypost to tell us the results from the weekend

[mypost]

I can't wait for mypost to tell us the results from the weekend.

Like I said before, this a review of the week's games, not a scoreboard, nor a spelling test. It's not scientific, but it's the only thread here that has all the results from this season, whilst reviewing all the games in one thread. It is also a useful reference point for statisicians searching for results from earlier in the season. That's why it's here.

[mypost]

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 19/33:
BOHEMIANS 1-1 UCD
BRAY WDS. 2-3 SHAMROCK ROVERS
DROGHEDA UTD. 1-1 LONGFORD TOWN
FINN HARPS 0-3 SHELBOURNE
ST. PATS. ATH. 0-2 CORK CITY
WATERFORD UTD. 1-3 DERRY CITY

Week 19 saw 5 games played on the weekend, with Harps-Shels originally postponed. Some geniuses at 3 of the home teams' games decided to play the games on the Sunday afternoon of a Bank Holiday weekend, perfectly timed to compete against live GAA tv coverage, which in turn affected attendances. They couldn't play them on the Monday evening, no?? Bohs against UCD was live on TG4, while there were 15 goals scored. Not a good week for home sides as none of them won. There were 2 draws, and 3 away wins.

The Dublin derby was shown on TG4, where Bohs hosted UCD. Both goals were scored in the first half, as it finished 1-1, as UCD grind out another point, their second against Bohs this season. Both sides consolidate their positions in the table.

Bray's first home league game on Sunday this season was against Rovers. 4 players left Rovers only days before the game, and Bray took advantage when Zayed continued his recent scoring run on 9 minutes. Rovers soon equalised through McDonagh on 17', and took the lead on 31' through O' Connor. Within a minute Bray had equalised through their Romanian, Gheorgescu. The second half was less frenzied, and both sides' defences improved. Rovers took the lead on 67' when Tony Sheridan fired home from the edge of the box. Bray couldn't come back, and Rovers won 3-2, for our first win at Bray in the league since November 1998, and the treble over Bray this season. It moves us off the bottom too, after 10 weeks looking up at everyone else in the table.

Finn Harps took on Shelbourne, in a re-scheduled game in September. At the time, Harps had taken 4 points from 2 games, and it looked a tricky game for the visitors, especially with it being 0-0 at the break. Normal service was resumed when Shels took the lead, and scored two more to coast home 3-0. Finn Harps long battle against the drop continues.

After disgracing the league (again) in Europe in midweek, Longford returned to more mundane matters of league action at Drogheda. With the pressure off, they took the lead, and took special delight at Gartland getting sent off for the home side. They hung on until the 93rd minute, when Drogheda equalised, to make up for losing 2 points in injury time last week. Swings and roundabouts comes to mind.

Cork lost in Europe also during the week, but not by 5, and went through, and Pats packed it in easily against them at Richmond. Fenn put City ahead on 40', and they clinched it with 10 minutes to go. The only fight Pats showed at the game, was when one of their fans attacked a Cork fan in the stand. Their players meanwhile, were saving their own fighting spirit for the West Dublin derby at Rovers next week.

Derry had to travel to Waterford on the last day of the season for the last 2 seasons. They won 1-0 to stay in the division the first time, but lost 1-0 to an injury time goal last season. Ouch!! However, their fans who made the long journey down there this time were not to be disappointed, as they beat a hapless home side 3-1 to keep the gap at the top at 7 points. Waterford however, are in freefall, and will be lucky to escape without a hammering in the Munster derby at Cork next week.

[pineapple stu]

I suppose now our 1-1 draw in Dalyer will be due to us putting ten men behind the ball, playing hoofball and hanging on for the draw?

Well, not in those exact words, but...

it finished 1-1, as UCD grind out another point

Well done!

Going on the fact that you couldn't even name which TV station showed the match, I can only assume you didn't watch it and are, once again, making things up. Ground out a point?! Setanta's commentators were "very impressed" with UCD, pretty much every Bohs fan on their forum has said we deserved to win and comments here have been about an "entertaining game". We created the bulk of the scoring chances, made the most of the running, but give us credit?! No! We "ground" out a point instead!

[De Town]

Going on the fact that you couldn't even name which TV station showed the match, I can only assume you didn't watch it and are, once again, making things up. Ground out a point?! Setanta's commentators were "very impressed" with UCD, pretty much every Bohs fan on their forum has said we deserved to win and comments here have been about an "entertaining game". We created the bulk of the scoring chances, made the most of the running, but give us credit?! No! We "ground" out a point instead!

In fairness, UCD deservde to win. After they equalised, they destroyed Bohs until with about 10 minutes to go and then Bohs started to pressure UCD a bit more without really creating a chance. O'Donnel's miss was shocking, as was Hurley's (?) in the first half, he should have at least hit the target. They certainly didn't grind out a result.

[BohDiddley]

Well, not in those exact words, but...



Well done!

Going on the fact that you couldn't even name which TV station showed the match, I can only assume you didn't watch it and are, once again, making things up. Ground out a point?! Setanta's commentators were "very impressed" with UCD, pretty much every Bohs fan on their forum has said we deserved to win and comments here have been about an "entertaining game". We created the bulk of the scoring chances, made the most of the running, but give us credit?! No! We "ground" out a point instead!

For the record, Pinapple, I think everyone does agree you were the better team on the day. Passed better, showed more hunger for more of the game, and in general played quality football. All you needed was someone who could finish (you could have come away with three), and the ref made up for that with the most blatant penalty shocker I can remember.
All of that was influenced by Farrelly being taken out in a brutal tackle that bizarrely went unpunished. I think that if Farrelly had stayed on we could have got a grip on the game, and that it also would have been a fabulous display, despite the horrible conditions. We were on top in the last 20, but couldn't make it count. Is that fair?

[pineapple stu]

For the record, Pinapple, I think everyone does agree you were the better team on the day.

Yeah, I know - just mypost has really annoyed me previously with some ridiculously stupid anti-UCD comments before (such as the one above), so always like to point out when it's wrong!

All you needed was someone who could finish (you could have come away with three)

Definitely. I wonder at times how good we could be if we could take more of our chances, to be honest. That's twice we've outplayed youz, to add to another two points taken off Shels (lead in both games but didn't kill the game off), while against lower teams, we struggle for some reason. If we could score more and kill off teams better, we'd be challenging for Europe with this squad.

All of that was influenced by Farrelly being taken out in a brutal tackle that bizarrely went unpunished.

Yeah, that was a turning point alright. My take (see the match report in the UCD section as well) is that Tony Mac isn't a dirty player at all, and that the ref must have allowed for the slippery surface having an effect on his tackle. Even then, I think it was definitely a yellow.

[mypost]

Going on the fact that you couldn't even name which TV station showed the match,

I'll give pedantic stu that one. I could name the channel, but I got it mixed up with the channel showing the live game next week. Shows that only one station should have the rights to games. Multi-channel tv rights only confuse everyone. Typical FAI. Error corrected.

I can only assume you didn't watch it and are, once again, making things up.

And as it was a derby, why weren't you there instead of watching it on the box instead? Oh sorry, I forgot that a calculator isn't required to count UCD's support at their away games, is it?

[pineapple stu]

Multi-channel tv rights only confuse everyone.

Only confused you, by all accounts.

And as it was a derby, why weren't you there instead of watching it on the box instead?

I was on holidays. Is that acceptable to you?

Oh sorry, I forgot that a calculator isn't required to count UCD's support at their away games, is it?

Do you often sit at games adding up the crowd on your calculator? Would explain how you have so little to contribute on them, I suppose. In any case, what's your point?

Actually - don't answer that. Tell me what your point about UCD's low crowds has to do with our performance? Which you still haven't in the slightest acknowledged.

A review is all well and good, but if you're going to let it be coloured with your own personal opinions and likes/dislikes, then it's about as useful as a Paul Doolin/Roddy Collins management team.

[joeraki]

I Hate this thread, its stupid

[Poor Student]

I Hate this thread, its stupid

mypost defiantly goes on working on it despite no praise and only detractors!

[De Town]

I Hate this thread, its stupid

I think its funny mypost insists on typing out the results for us every week, although we know them already Keep up the good work mypost