Games weekend 18th 19th October

[Stuttgart88]

The path is easy to set out but unfortunately it’s now very unlikely.

Pats have to win their remaining two (very likely)
Shels must drop points to Drogs in next game and to Derry in last game (quite likely)
Rovers must drop points either away to Dundalk or home to Waterford (very unlikely) and add 2 less to their GD than Pats do.

That Dylan Watts goal for Rovers last night is going to be the difference.

I think if both Derry and Shels win on Friday (away to Pats, home to Drogs) it becomes almost impossible for Rovers due to GD, unless we get two big wins. I think only once in recent years (the 0-4 game with Jack Byrne's amazing goal from a tight angle) have Rovers won well in Oriel. In normal circumstances I'd take any win up there.

Equally Shels could do with a big win over Drogs. Drogs have nothing to play for now I think but I expect will relish the occasion.

[TonyD]

I think if both Derry and Shels win on Friday (away to Pats, home to Drogs) it becomes almost impossible for Rovers due to GD, unless we get two big wins. I think only once in recent years (the 0-4 game with Jack Byrne's amazing goal from a tight angle) have Rovers won well in Oriel. In normal circumstances I'd take any win up there.

Equally Shels could do with a big win over Drogs. Drogs have nothing to play for now I think but I expect will relish the occasion.

It could go either way for Drogs. They could well play with more freedom now that the result is academic, or they may have one eye on the cup final. Shels will have got a boost from beating Waterford, so I suspect they may have enough to get the job done. If they do win they become favourites again I would think.

[total hoofball]

Two seasons ago Shels played Drogheda in the exact same penultimate game of the season at Tolka and we trashed Drogheda 6-0 who were uncharacteristically awful that night looking like like they had downed tools on their season where they achieved their goal of survival with a minimum 8th place finish

You would think Doherty won't allow a repeat of that but they certainly cannot afford any injuries or suspensions to key players with these two massive games ahead. I remember Shels after that Drogheda game against Pats on the final night away with the Cup Final the following week and our mainly full strength starting XI were clearly timid and were easily trashed by Pats 4-0

[Onapointoforder]

Although it looks like Europe might be slipping away, it's been a great year. We really need a leading front man. Best defence in the league for a promoted side must be a very rare occurrence in LOI circle. But, conversely, having almost the worst goals for, and too many 0-0's (6) has left us a bit short going into the last hurrah. It seems silly to be too critical of the season though. JC and Ollie have molded a seriously well drilled side together, whatever of their sideline antics. The trick now will be to see if we can sustain a similar effort again next season, just with a few more goal scoring moments! Great attendances all season for the most part in Terryland as well which has been great to see, remembering going to games 15 years ago with 800 at them.

Enda Curran to Galway ???

[CorribsideSteve]

Enda Curran to Galway ???

I mean, we could do worse, but I think he's close to the end of his playing days.

[Kiki Balboa]

Derry were poor for large spells in Oriel.

Really, it was Dalys subs that changed the tie - for the worst for Dundalk. After Daly "made his impact", Derry looked very comfortable.

Some very strange decisions from Daly.

Taking off Dundalks most technical players in Ostenbrink and Hakiki at once, took any Dundalk ability to hold onto the ball away. Putting Mayowa at full back marking Duffy is bizarre- gave Derrys best player all of the freedom. The game was tight until this point. Moving Mountney into center midfield has never worked.

I don't want to criticise players or managers at Dundalk considering all of the shannigans off the park... but in a pure football sense... since the summer, Daly has done some very inept things with this squad.

We should have been more competitive ... even though again the off field stuff probably meant we were destined for the drop.

Anyways... Will be glad Daly is gone at the end of the season. Completly the wrong man for the moment. Clearly doesn't want to be at Dundalk any longer, and is managing like he didn't want to us to be competitive.

Very disappointing after a bright start. (Can hear all the Pats fans cheering when they read this).

Ps. I hope Derry win the league, but I would be very surprised if they win their last two.

Rovers have the two most winable games left.

[outspoken]

I mean, we could do worse, but I think he's close to the end of his playing days.

He's said himself in interviews his body simply can't cope with full time football so highly doubt he'll move to a PD club. As for the Dundalk shouts on here, no way is he signing for a club that play on astro.