Digger gone

[sligoman]

Claims that Longford Town goalkeeper Stephen O’Brien has already agreed to move to First Division Kilkenny City at the end of the season have been denied by the Cats player-manager Pat Scully.

O’Brien has been one of the top goalkeepers in the league in recent seasons, winning back-to-back FAI Carlsberg Cups and an eircom League Cup winners’ medal with the midlanders.

He revealed earlier this year that he wished to end his eight-year stint at Flancare Park at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old had hinted at retiring from the game altogether, but he has now decided to prolong his career by one more season – but a claim by Kilkenny chairman Jim Rhatigan that he his signature was already signed and sealed has been denied.

Kilkenny boss Scully told the Irish Daily Mirror: “I wish it was true. I know Stephen really well, but I doubt it very much. Wagewise, we’d struggle. I’d really love a player of his calibre at the club but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/first/i...p?newsid=19800

[themull69]

I for one would love to see digger stay on for another season with us. We will have some job replacing him. Total legend.

[ccfcman]

but you're not for one, everyone wants to see him @ lgford ±_±

[Sonic]

Great to hear other fans outlining our achievements ................ sligoman can we swap you for sonic et al. ??

in case you hadnt noticed that came from eleven-a-side you fool

what the hell is your problem. can one not have a difference of opinion or does everyone have to agree with an obnoxious fool like yourself

[Sonic]

Now all of a sudden, sixteen short weeks later we have some of the most FICKLE fans in the league calling for Matthews' head.

I know nothing about you but i think it calls for me to say copon grow up and start realising that the world doesnt spin to your tune. Im so sorry that we dont all agree with you that alan matthews is a brilliant manager. I think he is a crap manager before anyone else did you as much as anyone knows that. That is my opinion as a fan of the club watching the games week in week out. You have your opinion and i respect it. not agree with it but respect it nonetheless its time you did the same.

[joeSoap]

he does not intend to retire he does intend to join his mate Pat Scully in Kilkenny next season.

I'd say he might go to Kilkenny, but he won't be joining Scully there. I would have Scully down for the Rovers job when it no doubt becomes vacated by that big fat ignorant twerp. Or theres probably going to be a vacancy at Pats too. Given the progress Scullys made from a managerial viewpoint this season, he won't stay long at Kilkenny. Good luck to him.

[Bosco]

My problem is that four short months ago we were riding the crest of a wave - had wallopped Camarthen at home (oh Jaysis the hangover!), were doing well in the league & were still in ALL competitions.

Now all of a sudden, sixteen short weeks later we have some of the most FICKLE fans in the league calling for Matthews' head. (aping a trait prevalent in the english league. Problem is, we have a totally different set of circumstances here. Even more importantly, we are doing well in the league all things considered !)

Stop repeating yourself and just accept that other people have a different opinion then you.People wanting matthews is not just because of our current form.For christs sake even fans from other clubs have been calling for him to be sacked for months

[Bosco]

Cop on,the point is that you still wont admit that matthews is and has been disliked for a long time.I only mentioned other clubs as another example of him being disliked

[Bosco]

Was he disliked even on the 14th of July when we had beaten Camarthen off the park and were still in ALL competitions ?

Yes he was.I know this because i have spent soo much time in the past defending him.

If so, when did this disaffection start ?

Not sure,hard to tell.But as i said on another post,there was a large number of people in vaduz who were very unhappy about his management,so around a month or two before that i suppose.
Alot of people were also upset at the way he distanced himself from the fans in the bar in vaduz after the game.
His tactics are obviously something to give out about and this has probably been the reason fans of other clubs dislike him.When things are not going our way he never seems to have the answer to changing it,can you remember any games under him were we have come back from atleast a goal down to win it?His plan is to keep it tight at the back and maybe nick a goal or 2,defence is the most important thing and this is the reason we have done soo well in the cup,some even say he was "lucky" in winning certain cups.Also his use of subs,he aways seems to bring them on with3 or 4 minutes to go,hardly enough to make an impact.
His man management has been questionable in the way he has fallen out with soo many players.Observers post in another thread says it all on this subject regarding adrian murphy.He is unwilling to try out new young players.
Maybe someone like sonic could add some points to this as i was always a suuporter of alan.

Did it start between when we won the cup last November and July 14th ?

Allready answered NO.

Or, was he disliked even after we had won the cup ??

Yes,but i would imagine that the critics would find it hard to criticise at such a time

(I am not arguing with you at all. I am merely trying to get my head around this. From what I can make out, you are telling me Matthews was disliked - and that's putting it mildly - even when we were winning cups ?? Am I hearing you right ??)

Thats what im saying.It seemed as do you were just ignoring the fact that he was disliked,but maybe you were just unaware which seems unusual to me anyway

[Xlex]

I have alot in agreement with Bosco. Alot of people, media and public, dislike the fact that he wasn't as public friendly as Kenny.

[Maz]

I have alot in agreement with Bosco. Alot of people, media and public, dislike the fact that he wasn't as public friendly as Kenny.

I have spoken to Alan Matthews and I have always found him to be very friendly after games. I think the problem is the players are more professional and they dont tend to stick around after games to meet supporters and are not always very approachable for the kids who attend games

[Sonic]

professionals or knobs which is it????????? Id suggest its the latter.