Games weekend 17th/18th June

[sbgawa]

Premier Division

Friday 17th (all 19:45)

Bohemians v Shelbourne
Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers
St Pats v UCD
Derry v Drogheda

Saturday 18th

Sligo v Finn Harps

First Division

Friday 17th (All 19:45)

Cobh v Wexford
Bray v Galway
Treaty v Athlone

Saturday 18th

Longford v Cork 19:30

[sbgawa]

Dundalk have the chance to close the gap to 5 points with a game in hand.
Alternatively Rovers have a chance to go 11 clear of them with a win (and a game more played)
After drawing Malteese opposition Rovers should be facing into 8 weeks of European games which will give Dundalk a big advantage in the league.
This game is vital IMO and a game Rovers need to win to give themselves a cushion.

Bohs v Shels is another huge game for 008 but he will surely be left at it for a while now after making a few signings.
Hard to know what to expect from Derry.
Big game in the first division is Cork away to Longford.
Galway kicking their heals instead of playing SRFC 11

[El-Pietro]

Galway kicking their heals instead of playing SRFC 11

Galway are playing Bray.

[sbgawa]

Galway are playing Bray.

Doh
I meant WATERFORD are kicking their heals instead of playing SRFC11.

[oriel]

Really looking forward to the Rovers game tomorrow night, should be an absolute cracker with a big crowd in. Amazing how confidence and momentum builds a team, 2 months ago I'd have been happy with a draw (even though should beaten Rovers in 92nd min in the first round, Hoban skyed it), this time I`ll be looking to win the game.

Might be a bold prediction, but sure what the hell, why not go for it.

[Nesta99]

So back to business this evening. Can we put the squeeze on Rovers with European game on the horizon, I hope so but I dont think so. Its big game for both clubs, Dundalk it builds confidence, continues momentum and will bode well for the target of European qualification. For Rovers a healthy gap is important, breathing room, so players can be rested domestically for the regular 2 games and maybe occasionally 3 per week during European season and the travelling that goes with. Of any club Rovers can field practically 2 first 11s that can hold the fort. It is a grind though when you need to play the best 11 in Europe and also in the league to keep clubs at arms length. I dont think Dundalk can sustain a title challenge but if we get within 2 points and exploit Rovers (and Derrys) schedule well ye never know if we get luck with injuries, strikers really start firing, keeping loanees, maybe strengthen and get the old cliché of winning becoming a habit. I wont be staking anything on it though!

[sbgawa]

Bradser has rarely played our "best 11" he seems determined to rotate since the beginning of the season with a view to having two decent 11's for when we hit Europe.
I've found it frustrating as a bad european draw and all this tinkering could be worthless.
We have a very winnable tie so his policy may yet pay off.
This is a vital game though so it should be a best 11 and go and get the cushion we need.
Manus
Finn, Gannon, Pico, Grace, Lyons
O Neill
Byrne Watts Mandroiu
Gaffney

Burke, Aidemo, Towell, Farrugia and Kavanagh to come off the bench as needed.
We need to win to get a cushion and be able to play without pressure on the weekends of European games (assuming we beat Hibs which we should , no excuses).

[Calcio Jack]

Bradser has rarely played our "best 11" he seems determined to rotate since the beginning of the season with a view to having two decent 11's for when we hit Europe.
I've found it frustrating as a bad european draw and all this tinkering could be worthless.
We have a very winnable tie so his policy may yet pay off.
This is a vital game though so it should be a best 11 and go and get the cushion we need.
Manus
Finn, Gannon, Pico, Grace, Lyons
O Neill
Byrne Watts Mandroiu
Gaffney

Burke, Aidemo, Towell, Farrugia and Kavanagh to come off the bench as needed.
We need to win to get a cushion and be able to play without pressure on the weekends of European games (assuming we beat Hibs which we should , no excuses).

Both Byrne and Burke doubtful for this evening

[oriel]

Even if Dundalk win (long shot, but possible) I would not consider us to be in a title race, simple fact and as many above have stated, just look at the Rovers squad depth, and who they can call off the bench for remaining games.

For example they could field a top xi, and have likes of Burke (when fit), Aidemo, Towell, Farrugia and Kavanagh as sbgawa said to come in, and that's not counting when Jack B back. I don't see any side matching that.

For Dundalk nothing changes, the goal is to qualify for europe, any result tonight is one another point(s) towards achieving that, even a defeat will mean its still 34 points and possibly down to 3rd, 1 or 2 points behind with a game in hand, and still well placed for euro spot at the halfway stage.

[pineapple stu]

Couple of nice games for Sligo and Derry this weekend too to try get some form into them ahead of the European games - Harps and Drogheda at home (and Drogheda after losing a couple of players too it seems, as loans have finished)

If they can't win those, they'll be in trouble in a couple of weeks (with all due respect to Harps/Drogheda of course - I'd say the same if Derry can't beat us next week)

[sbgawa]

Even if Dundalk win (long shot, but possible) I would not consider us to be in a title race, simple fact and as many above have stated, just look at the Rovers squad depth, and who they can call off the bench for remaining games.

For example they could field a top xi, and have likes of Burke (when fit), Aidemo, Towell, Farrugia and Kavanagh as sbgawa said to come in, and that's not counting when Jack B back. I don't see any side matching that.

For Dundalk nothing changes, the goal is to qualify for europe, any result tonight is one another point(s) towards achieving that, even a defeat will mean its still 34 points and possibly down to 3rd, 1 or 2 points behind with a game in hand, and still well placed for euro spot at the halfway stage.

If you win tonight and win your game in hand you are 2 points behind with over half the season gone.
Yes our squad is better but could well be in Europe for the next 8 weeks minimum which evens that up.
I can tell you i will be a happy man if we win tonight

[DCSIL]

Any live RTE games tonight?

[ForzaForth]

Nothing on RTE tonight

[DCSIL]

Hard to know what to expect from Derry.

Probably go a goal down and rescue the game with a 93rd minute equaliser from a Subsitute.

[The Bowler]

Great to be back in action. Looking forward to some nice warm evening Sumner football. Not expecting too much at Richmond Park for our students tonight, but with the worst Harps team in a long time to aim at, we could leapfrog them soon into the playoff spot. Just seen the team, and no Kerrigan, and UCD unable to field their full compliment of subs. Surely they could have brought up a few 19s, that's embarrassing.

[sbgawa]

No jack Byrne, no Burke and lyons starts on the bench. This rotation is doing my head in

[pineapple stu]

Great to be back in action. Looking forward to some nice warm evening Sumner football. Not expecting too much at Richmond Park for our students tonight, but with the worst Harps team in a long time to aim at, we could leapfrog them soon into the playoff spot. Just seen the team, and no Kerrigan, and UCD unable to field their full compliment of subs. Surely they could have brought up a few 19s, that's embarrassing.

Kerrigan is on the bench; may have picked up a knock on international duty.

Keaney and Ryan the only two regulars I see are missing at a quick glance but don't know if they're injured/suspended

U19s likely to have other things on their mind in Leaving Cert week and wouldn't expect them to be brought along to make up numbers in fairness

[placid casual]

No jack Byrne, no Burke and lyons starts on the bench. This rotation is doing my head in

It's not rotation if theyre injured.

[joey B]

Pretty quiet night so far for both keepers at Oriel …

[pineapple stu]

Decent game at Richmond; both sides have gone close, though Pat's have done it more often. Good save by Anang right on halftime to keep it scoreless.