2025 Pre-Season Competitions and Friendlies

[Mr A]

Looks a good idea and like that it's moved from a Friday so does not clash with other games.

I do get the points from brendy though but this is very good overall.

[EatYerGreens]

[QUOTE=brendy_éire;2209399]

Not sure what payment Rovers would be waiving, but anyway, a few thoughts on why it's bizarre.

This appears to be a case of two clubs manipulating the fixture schedule for their own financial advantage. Can the other 18 clubs do the same? I don't want us playing at home on Mondays, and during the summer, I only want to play home matches against clubs with large away support.

Footballing-wise. This has astounded me the most of the whole thing. Bohs are giving up home advantage in a hostile Dalymount, with limited away support, run down changing rooms, and a dodgy pitch. Will the same thing be done later in the season and a match moved from Tallaght? Next time Drogheda are hosting us, they should rent out the Brandy instead. They'll make more money. What does a club have to be paid to give up home advantage?
I know people like to slag off Bohs as being a club that forgets they have a football team that's supposed to try and win things, but this backs up their case. I think it's a joke of a decision. But maybe they can release a special jersey for it?

Shamrock Rovers have got an unreal deal out of this, it has to be said.

The reality is that Rovers are likely to win 8+ out of 10 derbies with Bohs as things currently stand. As a members club Bohs don't have wealthy owners/benefactors to help keep the show on the road financially. They need to constantly find of ways of staying in touch with the main pack in the league financially. This easily has the potential to be a half a million quid day out for the club - the equivalent of winning the league 2 or 3 times in a row, but all on one day.

The point about 'manipulation' of the fixtures list is a fair one, but only to a limited extent. Bohs and Rovers will have to play each other at some point, so its hardly manipulation in any real sense. If clubs progress in Europe, the fixtures list gets 'manipulated' to shift games and adjust for that. If clubs change their playing surface, fixtures can get 'manipulated' to provide a run of away games to let the new surface bed in etc etc. The Irish League has institutionalised 'manipulation' of its fixture list for decades to ensure derby games on Boxing Day. I don't see anything to lose sleep over in all of this personally.

It's absolutely worth trying something like this. God knows how in reality it's an unreal deal for Rovers. They'll be filing the coffers of their main rival in a game they'll be the bookies strong favourites to win anyway. What do Bohs realisticlaly have to lose here?

Next time Drogheda are hosting us, they should rent out the Brandy instead. They'll make more money. What does a club have to be paid to give up home advantage?

The obvious difference being that Drogheda would probably win, regardless of where the game was played

[Shinkicker]

[QUOTE=EatYerGreens;2209402]

The reality is that Rovers are likely to win 8+ out of 10 derbies with Bohs as things currently stand. As a members club Bohs don't have wealthy owners/benefactors to help keep the show on the road financially. They need to constantly find of ways of staying in touch with the main pack in the league financially. This easily has the potential to be a half a million quid day out for the club - the equivalent of winning the league 2 or 3 times in a row, but all on one day.

The point about 'manipulation' of the fixtures list is a fair one, but only to a limited extent. Bohs and Rovers will have to play each other at some point, so its hardly manipulation in any real sense. If clubs progress in Europe, the fixtures list gets 'manipulated' to shift games and adjust for that. If clubs change their playing surface, fixtures can get 'manipulated' to provide a run of away games to let the new surface bed in etc etc. The Irish League has institutionalised 'manipulation' of its fixture list for decades to ensure derby games on Boxing Day. I don't see anything to lose sleep over in all of this personally.

It's absolutely worth trying something like this. God knows how in reality it's an unreal deal for Rovers. They'll be filing the coffers of their main rival in a game they'll be the bookies strong favourites to win anyway. What do Bohs realisticlaly have to lose here?




The obvious difference being that Drogheda would probably win, regardless of where the game was played

Several years ago Bohs played rovers in a season opener and it was very much an anticipated fixture. Regarding manipulation of fixtures and as stated by EYG they have to play each other at some point. I think Bohs would have moved it to the Aviva anyway regardless as to when it was to be played but being the season opener adds to it. It will be interesting to see if Bohs are doing well and in a European spot will they give up the home advantage for the second home fixture or try it for the Pats derby game. No mater what happens it will be a great advert for the LOI. It could be a catalyst for the incoming government to get their finger out and fund the game, fund ground improvements and so on. I think it's a great idea and can't wait for the season to start.

[nigel-harps1954]

Bohs with one eye on Aviva as their temporary ground during construction of the new Dalymount perhaps? A tester event?

[brendy_éire]

Looks a good idea and like that it's moved from a Friday so does not clash with other games.

I do get the points from brendy though but this is very good overall.

Certainly in favour of having a match on a standalone day every week/two weeks.

Bohs with one eye on Aviva as their temporary ground during construction of the new Dalymount perhaps? A tester event?

Going from 2018 figures, but Leinster were charged €300k per game to rent the stadium. Bohs would need a significant reduction to make it work.

[Jack B]

Certainly an interesting one. My gut reaction initially was that if this were Pats that I wouldn't like it, but all points in favour of it are absolutely fair.

[LTFC]

On a really bumper weekend of attendances the 5 home games in round 1 could hit 30,000. With this fixture that first round could be closer to 50,000. Bit of clever fixture setting for week 2 with Rovers at home and Cork at home could hit the 30000 in second week.
I think this is a good idea, and you could see this repeated.

[total hoofball]

Unlike the FAI Cup final are neutral fans other LOI teams outside of Rovers really going to be rushing out in droves to buy tickets for an additional game that weekend for what is effectively a fundraiser for Bohs 2025 budget?

[Another Bohemia]

Unlike the FAI Cup final are neutral fans other LOI teams outside of Rovers really going to be rushing out in droves to buy tickets for an additional game that weekend for what is effectively a fundraiser for Bohs 2025 budget?

Considering the amount of tourists I've seen at Bohs games in recent memory (I'm sure other LOI teams are the same), yes there is an appetite for this. Add to that the "event junkie" nature of the Irish public I believe that with the right promotion this could be a very well attended event. Especially the first time around. If it becomes an annual thing I could see the novelty wearing off.

[nigel-harps1954]

On a really bumper weekend of attendances the 5 home games in round 1 could hit 30,000. With this fixture that first round could be closer to 50,000. Bit of clever fixture setting for week 2 with Rovers at home and Cork at home could hit the 30000 in second week.
I think this is a good idea, and you could see this repeated.

Bohs are definitely going to have a big fat asterisk on my attendance table anyway.

[placid casual]

Whatever about the financial aspect of the deal, it's an absolute dead cert to be a nil all draw.

[pineapple stu]

Still not recovered from that game v Pat's in the RDS, eh?

[Nesta99]

Its understandable why its being done and its good to see some creativty and willingness. I do think this should be held on a bank holiday or St Patricks weekend. Let the Presidents Cup be the 'big' curtainraiser. If you want to showcase some quality a 1st game is more unlikely. Assuming the fixture list is random computer generated and it has presented an opportunity this season so be it, otherwise play an ace when its most effective - may be opening day but I dont think so?

[2 Year Contract]

Worth pointing out that rovers will likely (as in it looks like they’ll qualify) be playing their European knockout games on the Thursday before and after this game vs bohs. A good result in the first leg and you could see a weakened and side put out for this game in the Aviva which won’t do any favours for the standard of the match

[Another Bohemia]

Worth pointing out that rovers will likely (as in it looks like they’ll qualify) be playing their European knockout games on the Thursday before and after this game vs bohs. A good result in the first leg and you could see a weakened and side put out for this game in the Aviva which won’t do any favours for the standard of the match

Sometimes I feel the standard of the match is secondary to a lot of average footballing fans. They'll tune in for the spectacle. Look at any league in the world and there will be terrible games especially in derbies. As long as both teams play with intensity and fans get behind every challenge and goal scoring chance it will look and feel like a good match and the stadium should add to that feeling

[2 Year Contract]

Sometimes I feel the standard of the match is secondary to a lot of average footballing fans. They'll tune in for the spectacle. Look at any league in the world and there will be terrible games especially in derbies. As long as both teams play with intensity and fans get behind every challenge and goal scoring chance it will look and feel like a good match and the stadium should add to that feeling

That’s a fair point and I agree with it to an extent, but seeing both teams strongest sides up against each other after a few weeks of getting used to playing with each other would’ve produced a better match which would produce an even better atmosphere and spectacle for any viewers at home, given the atmosphere in the stands doesn’t translate as well on tv as it does actually being at the match (I’m assuming it’ll be on tv)

[Another Bohemia]

That’s a fair point and I agree with it to an extent, but seeing both teams strongest sides up against each other after a few weeks of getting used to playing with each other would’ve produced a better match which would produce an even better atmosphere and spectacle for any viewers at home, given the atmosphere in the stands doesn’t translate as well on tv as it does actually being at the match (I’m assuming it’ll be on tv)

Yeah there is a bit of give and take on that for sure. For what it's worth I can't see rovers playing a weak team. Bradley seems to take the Bohs matches seriously (as any Bohs or rovers manager should). And with the European finances available you would expect some significant signings for rovers in the depth department.

[Calcio Jack]

Yeah there is a bit of give and take on that for sure. For what it's worth I can't see rovers playing a weak team. Bradley seems to take the Bohs matches seriously (as any Bohs or rovers manager should). And with the European finances available you would expect some significant signings for rovers in the depth department.

Bradley may take Boh’s matches seriously but this season our Sunday performances after a Thursday match in Europe have been dreadful ( eg cup match against yourselves) …. Anyway still haven’t qualified for latter stage so unlike some of our smug politicians this week who think they’ve ‘momentum’ we’ll worry about Feb when it/if comes around

[Dermobohs]

Bohs are definitely going to have a big fat asterisk on my attendance table anyway.

I’ll be handing back my harps membership in protest

[nigel-harps1954]

I’ll be handing back my harps membership in protest

I'm sorry to hear this.


You'll still have your asterisk.