Limerick - Cobh Ramblers, Ironic chants & all

[sadloserkid]

I might as well start by saying that the result was a fair one. We came close early on with one great free kick but overall Cobh were well worth their victory.

Their first goal was well taken but a free header at the back post with nobody to be seen means it was our own fault.

In the second half there was more messing about the back and a brilliant drive from a Cobh player made it 2-0. No complaints. They played calmly and put the ball on the deck and passed it around. We didn't.

As ever we looked pretty guileless throughout switching between long hoofed balls and attempts to chip the ball into space over the top. Neither tactic yielded much in the way of dividends. We had no width and more worryingly very little in the way of passion either. The team seemed nervous and edgy and there was no fluidity or cohesion to their play.

It was a pity because it started promisingly enough, the crowd, while nowhere near 2000, wasn't bad and after a slow enough start as well, they made a bit of noise.

Robbie Kelleher alone came out of the game with any degree of praise due to him. Overall the rest of them weren't particularly poor individually but as a team we were lacking and Cobh punished us.

Obviously the Dublin City result this weekend will have a big bearing but promotion looks a long shot now for this season. Hopefully there'll be a few more twists in the tale but I think that we'll look back at tonight as the game when the dream died.

Team was:

Mooney

Wolfe Buckley Finucane Tobin

Keating Barrett McGrath Molan

Nolan Kellher

Chris Jones replaced Conor Molan and Shane Guerin replaced Jamie Nolan.

[gael353]

We had no width at all. Keating playing out of position, McGrath playing out of position, Barrett playing out of position, Molen playing out of position. No shape, no orginisation, two weeks time no fans, everything was all down the middle and it wasnt working so what happends NOC brings on two central strikers including a target man (who the ****k was going to cross it to him?) The Cobh subs were laughing they thought Wolfe had his best game yet...for them! The team played so bad they were ashamed to come near the fans after. The season is VERY MUCH OVER! Lets start cutting the dross now and start at the top

[sadloserkid]

where he had been trying his level best for nearly an hour.

Not sure what game were you watching to be honest man.

Supporters get frustrated too sometimes when a player's commitment looks questionable.

[gael353]

While i totally agree with you on most i feel if we are to focus on this negitive vibe from last night it might detract from the real issue here, THE NONE EVENT ON THE FIELD! Long ball bootball is a thing of the past and if this is the sign of things to come for the next 5 years then im not going to hang around.
Our record of boring long ball football in front of our own fans is shocking!
Played 14 Won 5 Drew 4 Lost 5 Gf 16 GA 15

In the next two weeks we play the bottom sides and this may lead to some more false dawns again if we pick up maximum points. If we dont beat these bottom two sides, if we dont beat athlone (the bottom side) in two weeks time then role on third last and possible 6th home loss in our last 9.
Fortress Rathbane?

[fc hammer]

The ironic clapping and cheering that went one when a player wearing the blue shirt of Limerick was substituted versus Cobh Ramblers at Hogan Park last night left a bad taste in the mouth that will linger long after the result is forgotten. I can only imagine that the player concerned,who has been the subject of numerous negative comments on this website, was absolutely gutted by the reaction as he was making his way from the field of play
where he had been trying his level best for nearly an hour.Last evenings humiliation of a player in front of over 700 fans, his teamates and opposition is an affront to the inherent sense of deceny and sporting philosophy at this club, an ethos which has prevailed through thick and then since 1937. In short last night was a low point in the clubs sixty eight year history. The ironic cheenting and clapping at the substitution is also an affront to the sporting ethos of Limerick City and County in all sports

fair play samuel,

You dont humiliate players like that.No dought this was comming from a section of the sunshine sopport behind the goals.As the season draws to a close i wonder will these so called fans be back to hogan park again for the rest of the season (or do they just sing when we'r wining) i dont think so.limerick fc dont need A** H**** like these so called fans to support them.maybe these are the scum bags danny drew was talking about..

[gael353]

fair play samuel,

You dont humiliate players like that.No dought this was comming from a section of the sunshine sopport behind the goals.As the season draws to a close i wonder will these so called fans be back to hogan park again for the rest of the season (or do they just sing when we'r wining) i dont think so.limerick fc dont need A** H**** like these so called fans to support them.maybe these are the scum bags danny drew was talking about..

As i said above "While i totally agree with you on most i feel if we are to focus on this negitive vibe from last night it might detract from the real issue here, THE NONE EVENT ON THE FIELD!" 1987 i think was my last season in which i missed more then two games and 2000 when i missed more then 3 away games, so again i mustnot be one of those ppl your taking about.

[sadloserkid]

fair play samuel,

You dont humiliate players like that.No dought this was comming from a section of the sunshine sopport behind the goals.As the season draws to a close i wonder will these so called fans be back to hogan park again for the rest of the season (or do they just sing when we'r wining) i dont think so.limerick fc dont need A** H**** like these so called fans to support them.maybe these are the scum bags danny drew was talking about..

Well I'll be honest enough to admit that I joined in. I shouldn't have done but it happened in the heat of the moment. That said, I don't think it would have happened to any other player because said player's lack of commitment and interest hadn't gone unnoticed all season. That doesn't justify it and I'm not attempting to, it was poor form on behalf of myself and the others involved. I'm not going to be drawn on the issue somebody raised today as to whether it's any worse than turning up but making a token effort and collecting a wage week in week out.

I haven't missed a home game all season (and I've only missed four overall) so I don't think that I personally fall into the fairweather fan category. In fact I'm just back from the 21s game in Cork, I must have missed you there fc hammer! I'm not planning on missing any games between now and the season's end either (except for Monaghan this Friday, work alas...) Also I think it's only fair to note that most of the people involved are about the only ones who start any noise good, bad or indifferent in Hogan Park these days.

Overall... it shouldn't have happened and I've no problem in holding up my hand and saying 'yeah, bad slk, that was stupid of you.' That said I do think there's an element of some people trying to use the incident to divert from what happened on the pitch Friday night. It was uncalled for and borne out of sheer frustration. I can't imagine it will happen again and already myself and another lad are planning to make up a 'Jamie We're Sorry' banner for the Athlone game. I suppose a lot of similarities can be drawn between the whole incident and the Thomas McGauley departure which, if Samuel will permit me to disagree with him, was the real low point of the season given the personalities involved.

[Westside]

Not sure what game were you watching to be honest man.

Supporters get frustrated too sometimes when a player's commitment looks questionable.

No need for that kind of abuse though SLK shaking keys and all that, I too don't agree with Nolans selection but its not his fault the GIT keeps starting him. Having a pop a the wrong man me thinks

[sadloserkid]

No need for that kind of abuse though SLK shaking keys and all that, I too don't agree with Nolans selection but its not his fault the GIT keeps starting him. Having a pop a the wrong man me thinks

The shaking keys had nothing to do with Nolan actually.

[Conor H]

What was the attendance?

[sadloserkid]

What was the attendance?

8/900 I'd say. I've heard everything from 700 to 1500 but I'd say it was in around that.

[4tothefloor]

God dammit, the one home game that I miss in ages and something happens! So the crowd clapped ironically when Nolan was taken off (yet again) - why am I not surprised? Nolan has been outstanding all season - outstandingly useless that is. I have no sympathy for him because the bottom line is if he was performing and putting real effort in, he wouldn't be the butt of ironic cheers. Simple as that. So instead of feeling sorry for himself, maybe he'll finally realise that he is not doing enough on the pitch?

[The Stars]

Lads I dont know the player in Question but if a player isnt pulling there weight they deserve what they get in terms of abuse.Only thing to do is to show him the door.Derek O Brien who played for us under the managarial genuis of Don O'Riordon got abused every week and he deserved it.He made no contribution after his debut and was more than happy to come in and collect his wages every week.
BTW 4tothefloor,Its time to change your quote.No one cares how many European titles ENGLISH teams won and Limerick arent coming to a Premier ground soon.

[rammie]

Enough about the team performance, what about the supporters? I was at the Ramblers game (1-1 draw) earlier in the season and I thought ye were very vocal that night. Ye didn't really get behind your team the other night..
so lads take the plank out of yer eyes!

[declan hide]

it all came to a head the other night and i just couldnt take it anymore. in a moment of silence among the group surrounding me i roared at NOC to sort out a left winger (this was when he went 3 in the middle up front and 3 in the middle of midfield). NOC looked at me as to say "what can i do?".

the group i was standing in also had an incident with jamie nolan. we were saying things like "cmon jamie get stuck in" , "dont be afraid of it" etc, when nolan turned around and said something at us. none of us heard what he said.
but that sums him up.

however i felt disgusted when i heard what was going on as he was substituted. if you did that to nolan the other night we may have done it to the whole team (bar robbie). of course you shouldnt have done it at all.

mooney. usual 2 great saves. bit usual flapping at crosses also.
i wouldnt play wolfe. plain and simple. when o'mahony is fit he has to come in there. wolfe doesnt cross the half way line.
chukka and finny were grand...lost their played for the first goal though.
tobin. poor. caught out all night.
barrett. chasing shadows. getting no help from mcgrath.
mcgrath. too light for central midfield. dives in to much also.
keating. out of position. put him in the centre with barrett.
molan. a non starter. for NOC to even consider him for left wing was beyong belief.
nolan. usually shugs of the shoulders and half arsed attempts. had a great chance in the first half when put through but couldnt* hold his marker off.
* didnt want to perhaps?
robbie. ran all day. NOC needs to tell him to push up. no good robbie picking the ball up in his own half and having to beat 5 players.

subs. no impact from either.

at least there was no chris kearins.

95fm interview the next morning and leonard burke barely asked NOC a question about the match. instead he asked him about the fai cup and the under 21s.

[backodanet]

I thought the abuse the player got was a disgrace i wouldn't think calling him a pr**k is going to make him try harder or increase his confidence


on the game I thought limerick were the away team, far too defensive minded both "wingers" were back on top of the full backs all night, everyone back for throw ins crazy so when the back 4 or 2 midfielders got the ball there was no one to give it to only into space for nolan and kelliher - wouldn't agree that they hoofed the ball only the keeper who persisted in kicking it as long and as straight as he could,
if he halved the distance and hit the wings the back four would not have been under so much pressure
when they went 2 down molan and keating pushed on and limerick played there best football with the fullbacks getting wide and looking dangerous especially woulfe

probably the most annoying thing was even with the 11 on the field it could have been change for the benefit of the players and the team

nolan keating molan mcgrath
barrett kelliher

kelliher was anonymous for the majority of the game it was only when he started doing his own thing that he looked good maybe the rest should do this

I seriously doubt if the man in charge knows what he is doing and him being mute for the 90 mins proved this to me

[LFC in Exile]

It was an awful performance. We never really threatened. It was a great opportunity for us to mount a challenge for a play-off spot but we blew it. There is still a slim chance of nicking it - but I expect to be in the First Division next season.

I was very annoyed at the chanting. I understood completely the frustration but it was out of order, as SLK acknowledged. The problem of course is that the most vocal fans - both at the ground and on here - are the ones who only have negative things to say about the club and its management. They set the agenda because they are loudest. It would be better if the positive chants got more support - but of course fans feed off players and players feed off fans (for good and ill). Clubs will always have fans that are vocal in criticism and the important thing for the club/management/players to realise is that those fans do not represent or even reflect the majority view of fans - either in the ground or on this site. In relation to the player involved - I have never been as critical of him as others. I think he is a fine footballer and a lot of the criticism reflects a lack of knowledge of football and an idea that running yourself into the ground and busting your guts is the standard by which a footballer is judged.

[declan hide]

It was an awful performance. We never really threatened. It was a great opportunity for us to mount a challenge for a play-off spot but we blew it. There is still a slim chance of nicking it - but I expect to be in the First Division next season.

I was very annoyed at the chanting. I understood completely the frustration but it was out of order, as SLK acknowledged. The problem of course is that the most vocal fans - both at the ground and on here - are the ones who only have negative things to say about the club and its management. They set the agenda because they are loudest. It would be better if the positive chants got more support - but of course fans feed off players and players feed off fans (for good and ill). Clubs will always have fans that are vocal in criticism and the important thing for the club/management/players to realise is that those fans do not represent or even reflect the majority view of fans - either in the ground or on this site. In relation to the player involved - I have never been as critical of him as others. I think he is a fine footballer and a lot of the criticism reflects a lack of knowledge of football and an idea that running yourself into the ground and busting your guts is the standard by which a footballer is judged.

your final comment is rubbish and an insult to most of us on this board.

jamie nolan can play football. but we have yet to see it. i believe his best position is right wing. NOC believes its centre forward. its people opinions. i certainly dont believe "running yourself into the ground and busting your guts is the standard". but if it was nolan certainly doesnt do that. instead when hes tackled he shrugs his shoulders or complains to the ref - (its a spoilt child on the pitch, he'll probably pick up the macth ball and go home with it some week) thats what we dont want to see - the shrugging shoulders etc. do you believe nolan is giving his all? well if he is then his "all" doesnt amount to much.

a goalkeeper has a team playing better football than us. a goalkeeper FFS!
did NOC rob those coaching badges?

BTW what were the positives from the performance the other night?

[backodanet]

do you believe nolan is giving his all? well if he is then his "all" doesnt amount to much.

well "fans" calling him a Pr**k and cheering when he is taken off isn't going to make him try harder - the blame has to lie with the mananger and assistant they watch the matches like all the fans and aren't making the changes which seem blatantly obvious to everyone

did NOC rob those coaching badges?

a good coach doesn't mean a good manager ask brian kidd for example

[gael353]

a good coach doesn't mean a good manager ask brian kidd for example

2002/2003

Team P W D L F A Pts
Waterford United 22 13 7 2 37 25 46
Finn Harps 22 12 5 5 41 22 41
Galway United 22 10 6 6 34 21 36
Cobh Ramblers 22 10 5 7 39 38 35
Kildare County FC 22 9 6 7 32 31 33
Sligo Rovers 22 8 6 8 28 27 30
Dublin City 22 8 4 10 36 35 28
Monaghan United 22 5 11 6 26 27 26
Dundalk 22 5 8 9 28 36 23
Limerick FC 22 6 5 11 26 36 23
Athlone Town 22 5 6 11 26 40 21
Kilkenny City 22 3 7 12 23 38 16

2001/2002
Team P W D L F A Pts
Drogheda United 32 14 16 2 52 28 58
Finn Harps 32 15 9 8 51 47 54
Dublin City 32 15 8 9 55 45 53
Waterford United 32 13 12 7 47 35 48
Kilkenny City 32 12 9 11 47 39 45
Sligo Rovers 32 8 9 15 35 48 33
Athlone Town 32 7 11 14 40 53 32
Cobh Ramblers 32 8 7 17 32 42 31
Limerick FC 32 8 7 17 32 54 31