Halfway point in the first

[superfrank]

As a wise man on EL weekly once said: "The table never lies"

Who do yez think can stay up at the top? Will it be Sligo to win?

Also what about Kilkenny? Three wins in a row now, off the foot of the table for the first time in ages.

As for Athlone, will they even be in the First to see their new stadium?

Current standings; Sligo-36, Dublin City-34, Cobh-29, Limerick-26, Dundalk-24, Kildare-22, Galway-20, Monaghan-20, Kilkenny-16, Athlone-16.

[Poor Student]

I think with Athlone's long term plans and the lack of anyone wanting to step up to the eL there isn't a chance they'll lose re-election.

[superfrank]

If Wayside hadn't sold the Golden Ball they might've had a chance. They could always ground-share with us.

Also, what about Belgrove? I heard they had a few million in the bank.

[Poor Student]

If Wayside hadn't sold the Golden Ball they might've had a chance. They could always ground-share with us.

Also, what about Belgrove? I heard they had a few million in the bank.

I'm not well up on the Leinster Senior league or the other ones for that matter but the general consensus is that no club wants to make the step up. It costs too much for travel expenses and they are cosy doing well in their smaller pond.

[Rory H]

i think it is between the top ..with limerick playing cobh this weekend...good chance they could fall away especially limerick..thursday week is a huge game-dublin city vrs rovers..

[monutdfc]

Sligo Rovers and Dublin City have been the 2 teams that stood out. In my opinion Dublin City are the stronger of the two top teams.
The other 8 could all beat each other on a given day, there's not a lot between them.

[Maynard]

Could be set up for a run in similar to Dublin and Bray in 2003 (hopefully not that close though ) Lims and Cobh will battle it out behind and may have a say in where the title goes by nicking a few points from the top two. As for the bottom, depending on who Athlone appoint they could be royally screwed.
Overall I reckon the 1st division may have the most exciting run in between the two divisions...

[ThatGuy]

My only interest in Div 1 is that Dublin City mustn't be promoted.

Ultimately I would like to see Galway up.

[garykelly]

It's going to go to the wire. Hopefully we can stay on top but it's going to be a tough slog. Of the teams in the league I cant see anyone below Cobh challenging. Two many mid table teams are not putting runs together so i cant see them making up ground. Dublin City are looking strong and have kept with us throughout .

Sligo Rovers came from 14 points back to win the league in 94. I think we may have to come from behind again this season. Hopefully not but that's just a thought i have.

Dublin City is a massive game next week in Dublin. I'd recommend going to this one, even if u dont support either team. should be a very good game and will show what the top two in this division can offer.

[Conor H]

Sligo are IMO promted and Dublin probably will hold on to second.There the 2 strongest teams but both aren't good enough to run away with the league and with every game a tough one in the 1st Division it will be an interesting finish.IMO Cobh ,limerick and ourselves will in the end be the main loosers out but there could be a twist in it because in this division 3 or 4 wins can put you up the table by about 4 places egCobh are only 5pts behind dublin in 3 rd but if they lost 2 and we won 3(Monaghan,Athlone and Kilkenny)plus our game in hand against Athlone we coul;d be 3rd
Predicted final positions......
1 Sligo
2 Dublin
3 Cobh
4 Galway
5 Limerick

[superfrank]

Could be set up for a run in similar to Dublin and Bray in 2003 (hopefully not that close though ) Lims and Cobh will battle it out behind and may have a say in where the title goes by nicking a few points from the top two. As for the bottom, depending on who Athlone appoint they could be royally screwed.
Overall I reckon the 1st division may have the most exciting run in between the two divisions...

Hopefully not so dissapointing!

[Rory H]

it will be exciting....nerve racking mostly though....

tomorrow week is huge.....after that ill have a good idea how it will end up...not too sure now

[Da Real Rover]

Its between Dublin and ourselves, the rest dont have the squads for it. Id like to see Limerick get 2nd cause they have a sizeable amount of fans.

[sligoman]

Of the teams in the league I cant see anyone below Cobh challenging

Agree with that. I think it's too late for anyone below Cobh and even they have just a slim chance in my opinion.

[holidaysong]

We have got to play sligo twice yet. We play Athlone and Kilkenny next - If we beat them both we will be right back in it.

[Battery Rover]

We have got to play sligo twice yet. We play Athlone and Kilkenny next - If we beat them both we will be right back in it.

Well best of luck against us Friday night but I think your challenge will finish then. I am sure the Sligo, Kildare and DC lads will tell you it wont be easy against us. We might be losing but we are creating enough chances against teams but just cant find the net.

The 1-0 win against Coventry last night should have given the team a boost of confidence.

So heres to a good game Friday night and I am sure John Flanagan will have your team well up on our players even though he is suspended for this one.

As for Athlone, will they even be in the First to see their new stadium?

Of course we will still be here

I think with Athlone's long term plans and the lack of anyone wanting to step up to the eL there isn't a chance they'll lose re-election.

True

We will be in our new stadium for the start of next season from what we hear. The main pitch is ready and is good enough to play on even now. The work is continuing on the under 21/training pitch and the contract has been awarded to build the stand for the first phase of the development.

Have a sound structure in place now with a good youth policy and a hard working committee who keep the purse strings tight. Dont want to break the bank here to build a successful team if we are going to be another Rovers or whatever other teams are in financial trouble. Team will take time to build but we will get there.

[holidaysong]

The main pitch is ready and is good enough to play on even now.

You have two pitches and we have none!

[Battery Rover]

You have two pitches and we have none!

Whats happening with the non existent plastic. Is there goin to be a positive outcome. I have good memories of travelling up there for the matches over the last 30 years following the town

[holidaysong]

The club has said that the Dundalk vs. Drogheda FAI cup match on 26th August will be in Oriel Park (and live on RTÉ2). However they also said it would only take a few games into the season to complete.

[eamoss]

But there is work goin on inside the ground ie the new shed & car park. Heard the pitch is coming monday but knowing Dundalk that monday is in 2057!

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