Premier Review

**mypost** · 19/05/2006, 2:41 AM

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 10/33:
BOHEMIANS 3-0 BRAY WDS.
CORK CITY 2-1 SHELBOURNE
SLIGO ROVERS 0-0 DROGHEDA UTD.
ST. PATS. ATH. 1-1 DERRY CITY
UCD - LONGFORD TOWN
WATERFORD UTD. 0-1 HOME FARM

Week 10 saw the last unbeaten record in the division go west, Drogheda stumble again, and Waterford staring further into the abyss. 9 goals were scored from 5 games played, resulting in 2 home and away wins, with 1 draw.

Bohs faced Bray at Dalymount. Vinny Arkins opened the scoring for the home side on the half-hour. In the second half, Bray caved in to 2 more goals in 6 minutes from Aidan O'Keeffe, allowing Bohs to head into their game next week at Shels on the back of 4 wins out of 5.

Cork played Shels not on the scheduled date, but the following Monday, just in time to coincide with a train strike, and lessen the numbers of away fans travelling, just for tv!!

Shels were determined to make up for their last three losses at Cork, and preserve their unbeaten record. It looked good for them as Jason Byrne scored from the spot on 40'. Not the wisest move however, as Cork replied with a double blow either side of half time, from George O' Callaghan's free-kick before, and Neale Fenn after. Shels finally lose this season, while Cork take the maximum 9 points from 3 straight home games, go top of the table, and now head up to Derry.

Drogheda headed up to Sligo, and after losing their 100% record last week, the visitors faced a tricky trip to a side who are unbeaten at home. It stayed that way, as the game finished 0-0, and Drogheda lose top spot. They can regain it next week however, when Waterford visit
Co. Louth, if the Derry-Cork result goes their way.

Pats played Derry at Richmond, and the game was set up for the visitors to claim 3 points when Barry Molloy fired home a long-range piledriver after 5 minutes. Pats got back into it with an equaliser from Paul Keegan on the hour, after a case of the butterfingers struck Forde in the Derry goal. Both sides take a point, but while Pats hover around the top, there is little sign that they will chase the top 3 in the longer term.

Not many visitors at the RSC this week, Home Farm being hardly a draw for a club not known for having big crowds themselves. In near silence, the visitors nicked a winner when Dave Freeman was sent clear after 49 minutes to hand Waterford another defeat. Rooted to the bottom, it's a case of damage limitation for them next week too, as they make their first journey to Drogheda this season.

WEEK 3/33:
BRAY WDS 1-0 LONGFORD TOWN

Eventually this bottom of the table struggle could go ahead, and indeed it was a struggle until Wesley Charles scored the winner with 10 minutes left. Bray's first win this season, lifts them away from Waterford, and leaves Longford staring anxiously at the bottom two.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 19/05/2006, 9:03 PM

What do you use to compile your reports? EL weekly?

**mypost** · 29/05/2006, 9:50 PM

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 11/33:
BRAY WDS. - SLIGO ROVERS
DERRY CITY 2-0 CORK CITY
DROGHEDA UTD. 4-0 WATERFORD UTD.
HOME FARM 2-1 UCD
LONGFORD TOWN - ST. PATS. ATH.
SHELBOURNE 2-0 BOHEMIANS

4 games were played on week 11, two games were re-scheduled, another one was on tv. 4 home wins resulted, as 9 goals were scored.

The top of the table clash at the greyhound track saw Derry look to gain some revenge on Cork for their last meeting. Cork haven't pulled up many trees so far this season away from the Cross, and suffered their latest bout of travel sickness here. Danny Murphy scored for Derry before half time, while Ciaran Martyn wrapped up a comfy win for the home side after 54'. Cork were dumped to third spot, and later went out of the Cup, by losing at Longford.

Waterford, travelled up to Drogheda more in hope than expectation, that Drogheda would keep it tight, and settle for just a narrow 1-0 win, like last season. Drogheda, coming off the back of 1 point from 2 away trips, were in no mood to be charitable however, and found some scoring practice, mainly through Declan O'Brien who hit a hat-trick on 15, 30, and 75 minutes. He then took a rest, but Waterford's defence couldn't. The 4th goal came from O' Brien's replacement, Glen Fitzpatrick. Drogheda go top again, Waterford stay bottom. Football's oddities decreed that Waterford would finally win a game, going on a cup rout in the Munster derby against Douglas Hall, while Drogheda retreated back to score-shy mode afterwards. They went out of the Cup, as over two games, Limerick scored once, and they didn't.

There are many people involved in the LOI who constantly strive for progress, many people around the country who put often tireless energy trying to improve the domestic game. And then you find situations like when Home Farm and UCD clash. The word "clash" is a bit inappropriate with these two, as barely anyone turns up to watch them, and certainly not when they play each other. The last game of the series, was played on Monday evening. In previous years, this game has competed with bogball, boghockey, and Sky Sports tv games for counter-attractions. None of this applied on a fine Monday evening for playing/attending football. Despite it, the grand total of 83 people showed up to Deserted Dalymount for this fixture, a sight which shows the ugly face of Premier Division football.

In the game, UCD took the lead after 3 minutes from Paul Byrne. But just as on their last away trip on the No. 10 Belfield-Dalymount bus a few weeks ago, UCD lost their lead and the game in the second half again. Mark Rooney notched the equaliser on the hour mark, while Robbie Heffernan headed home the winner with ten minutes remaining. If Home Farm can take 12 points from upcoming games with Cork, Derry, Drogheda, and a visit to Sligo, then they'll stay up. (on the pitch at least).

Obviously there was a bigger crowd at the other Dublin derby, where Shels faced Bohs. Shels hit Bohs with a goal in each half, to ensure a facile win, and pile more pressure on Gareth Farrelly.

On the completion of the first round of fixtures, Drogheda Utd lead the table with 23 points, followed closely by Derry and Cork, in turn 1 point behind. Bray occupy the provisional play-off spot, having won 6 points so far, while winless Waterford stare up at everyone else, and wonder if they can make any improvement.

**Dazzy** · 29/05/2006, 10:11 PM

Danny Murphy scored for derry

**Student Mullet** · 29/05/2006, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

In previous years, this game has competed with bogball, boghockey, and Sky Sports tv games for counter-attractions.

There were no previous years. That was the first time this fixture has been played.

**p�l-dcfc** · 29/05/2006, 11:41 PM

I love mypost's weekly inane ramblings. His lack of accuracy is hillarious.

You should try and get on the ELW panel...

**mypost** · 30/05/2006, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by Student Mullet

There were no previous years. That was the first time this fixture has been played.

The teams played in the Cup last year at Belfield, and have been playing against each other in both divisions for decades.

Originally Posted by pol-dcfc

I love mypost's...lack of accuracy

**DmanDmythDledge** · 30/05/2006, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

The teams played in the Cup last year at Belfield

Exactly, it wasn't in Dalymount and it wasn't in the league.

**John83** · 30/05/2006, 4:34 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

The teams ...have been playing against each other in both divisions for decades.

Unless you're counting Home Farm, no, UCD and DC have never been in the same league before.

**pineapple stu** · 30/05/2006, 4:38 PM

I think he is. mypost has a curious habit of mixing his own imagination with reality.

In any case, UCD have only been playing Home Farm since 1979 - hardly "decades" in the conventional use of the word.

**mypost** · 31/05/2006, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by dmandmythdledge

it wasn't in Dalymount and it wasn't in the league.

It doesn't matter where or what competition the game was, it was played. There have been many more games played between the sides over the past 27 years too.

**p�l-dcfc** · 31/05/2006, 1:53 AM

"This fixture" would indicate that it was in the same competition and in the same place.

**mypost** · 31/05/2006, 9:31 PM

Originally Posted by p�l-dcfc

"This fixture" would indicate that it was in the same competition and in the same place.

Not imo. A fixture, is where two teams play each other, regardless of the comp, or venue. It could be a game in the LOI or the LSL, and in Belfield or Balbriggan, but the fact is that they have played each other before, and that's it.

**Student Mullet** · 31/05/2006, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

Not imo. A fixture, is where two teams play each other, regardless of the comp, or venue. It could be a game in the LOI or the LSL, and in Belfield or Balbriggan

If that's the case, how can a fixture be reversed?

Originally Posted by mypost

Week 8 saw the fixtures reversed from Week 8 last season, showing how much thought goes into them when they're been drawn up.

**p�l-dcfc** · 31/05/2006, 11:34 PM

And this weeks Ron Atkinson Spotters Badge goes to *drumroll* Student Mullet!

Mypost, your posts are really entertaining, but do at least try and get your facts right, rather than just lifting them from ELW.

**mypost** · 13/06/2006, 4:14 AM

Premier Division Results:

WEEK 12/33:
DROGHEDA UTD 1-0 BOHEMIANS
HOME FARM 0-4 CORK CITY
SHELBOURNE 4-1 BRAY WDS.
SLIGO ROVERS 3-1 LONGFORD TOWN
UCD 0-0 DERRY CITY
WATERFORD UTD. 1-3 ST. PATS. ATH.

Week 12 saw Cork and Drogheda recover from their cup blips, Longford, Bray, and Waterford suffer a cup hangover, Setanta showing UCD-Derry Part II, which by LOI logic, would naturally be the only game of the weekend to end 0-0. 18 goals were scored elsewhere, from 2 away wins, and 3 home victories.

The "Farrelly Out" army made their way up the coast, to see if Bohs could break out of lethargy mode at Drogheda. Not quite, as Declan O'Brien scored the only goal against a disinterested outfit, whose sole threat came from their support who ran amok, stealing the lid of Drogheda's Setanta Cup trophy in the process, the only bit of silverware they'll lift this season! Drogheda stay top, while Bohs stay in first gear.

After finally getting past Mighty Monaghan in the cup, Co-cky Keely declared his Home Farm side to be "comfortable" in the league, but sixth spot might feel like being top of the table after playing their next few games. First up, a date with Cork, at the Dalyer Desert. Cork may not have won away from home yet, but a trip to Home Farm is the ideal way to cure travel sickness, and they showed why when going 2 goals up in 13 minutes from John O' Flynn and Neale Fenn. One half, and 2 home players less later, comfy Cork doubled their advantage from George O'Callaghan's peno, and Ray Lally late on. Keely, and Home Farm crashback down to reality with a thud, head off to Derry and Drogheda next, and start the long road back down to the drop zone.

Shels took on struggling Bray at Tolka. Gary O'Neill put the home side in front after 15', and after the break Bray's ex, Jason Byrne doubled their lead on 62'. Brian McGovern pulled one back for the visitors, but O'Neill scored his second and Shels' third on 76', while Ollie Cahill completed the scoring late on. Bray need a break badly.

Fresh from beating Cork opponents in the cup, Sligo and Longford met in the Saturday night derby at The Showgrounds. Predictably, Longford suffered the hangover, as Darren Mansaram scored early in both halves. Keith Foy added the insurance goal from the spot, despite Dave Mooney replying for Longford. Unlike Home Farm, Sligo sit comfortably in mid-table, as expected.

Setanta Sports may have revolutionised the broadcasting of live domestic football, but all the marketing brains in the country, would still find a UCD-Derry game a hard sell. However, the game did stand out, as a no score bore. The less said about this game, the better.

The sunny South-East lived up to it's name on Friday, when Pats travelled to Waterford. In the league however, the sun shines out of Waterfords backs. In particular for Chris Deans, whose night out was marked by an own goal after 15 minutes, and a second yellow card later on. By that stage, Pats were out of sight, as they scored the rest of the game's goals, going 3-0 up through Paul Keegan, and Michael Foley after the break. Darragh Maguire took pity on the home side by scoring an own goal himself afterwards for winless Waterford, who are going nowhere fast.

WEEK 4/33:
SHELBOURNE 1-0 DERRY CITY

Derry's coach driver, is working overtime these days, and was busy getting out the AA road map again, sending the club on their third long-haul journey in 10 days, this time to face Shels. When Derry scored a late equaliser on their last visit in the Setanta Cup, it ultimately turned out to be meaningless. However, when Jason Byrne scored the winner for Shels here in the 88th minute, it was far from meaningless. Shels beat Derry for the first time in 27 months, and go into the break one point behind Drogheda, while Derry have the chance to gain revenge on their rivals in the return in 5 weeks time.

Despite Ireland not playing in the World Cup in Germany, there is now a pause in domestic football proceedings, as those of us who go to games week in, week out, are not trusted by the FAI to prioritise the needs of the domestic game, against the competition with the likes of Togo-South Korea, and Tunisia-Saudi Arabia on the telly.

Normal service is resumed in 2 weeks.

**passerrby** · 13/06/2006, 5:01 PM

adult education classes you cant beat them (Im assuming your an adult)

**R�iteoir** · 13/06/2006, 9:48 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

Despite Ireland not playing in the World Cup in Germany, there is now a pause in domestic football proceedings, as those of us who go to games week in, week out, are not trusted by the FAI to prioritise the needs of the domestic game, against the competition with the likes of Togo-South Korea, and Tunisia-Saudi Arabia on the telly.

Normal service is resumed in 2 weeks.

er - FIFA Regulations state that all domestic football be suspended for a period of some kind during the staging of a World Cup Finals tournament - nothing to do with the FAI at all.

Plus the dates for the break were decided and passed by the League BEFORE the World Cup Finals draw was made - so they wouldn't know what games would be on during that period.

But then - when have facts got in the way of anything you write?

**DmanDmythDledge** · 13/06/2006, 9:54 PM

Originally Posted by R�iteoir

er - FIFA Regulations state that all football be suspended for a period during the staging of a World Cup Finals tournament - nothing to do with the FAI at all.

I thought Shels were starting their Inter-Toto campaign during the WC?