Fixtures weekend 20/23rd Feb

**pineapple stu** · 21/02/2026, 1:41 PM

Originally Posted by Inchicore

He got this job on the back of what he did at Dundalk. OK he built the team up but he had the biggest budget, biggest squad, league was a 2 horse race and some teams were still part time. The league is a different animal these days and he hasn't been able to adapt to it.

In his defence, his first half season at Pat's was very promising. 11 wins in a row (was it?) and ended up in a title race.

Last season was a disaster, and this season then needs to be an improvement for a coach of his profile.

**Inchicore** · 21/02/2026, 2:22 PM

He had a slow start to Pats after taking over from Daly. A good run in Europe lead to the 11 wins in a row.....which corresponded with several players looking for a new contract which back fired after several were given big deals to stay on.

**Kiki Balboa** · 21/02/2026, 2:39 PM

Journalists are saying Drogheda fans are going to be banned from some away games.

Which I don't get, it penalising other clubs for Droghedas behaviour. Why not give them a home match ban ?

**ger121** · 21/02/2026, 4:41 PM

Originally Posted by D24Saint

The whole SK era looks like it’s going to be an expensive dead end. The chap looks washed up as a coach at the moment. He might need a break from the game. I find watching his teams very frustrating since the start of last season. There is very little identity to the side and it’s all a bit paint by numbers for my taste.

I know he started coaching at a very young age but he has been around a very very long time. Managers have a certain number of years in the game and it feels like his time is coming to an end.

**Nesta99** · 21/02/2026, 6:47 PM

Ive always that a coaching teams is as important as a manager. Does depend on how much a manager is willing to listen. Its no secret that Kenny has great belief in the way he wasnts the game played, committment to players to a fault. We can all see that the days of slow build-up, possession based game ihasnt the impact it did. Things have gone to higher intesnity, more direct, and posession means little enough. Sam Allardyce would be bank in his element where lesser sides are not trying to outplay quality oppoition but back to POMO, long throw ins in to the box and all. Maybe Gartland is too much a Kenny man to offer alternative thinking. The one strength Kenny had was getting a lot more out of average players than anyone should, creating real belief but from what Pats fans are saying they are not leaving it all on the pitch, no late goals, showing too much trust in some lads. Its not unfixable. Big spenders are not getting the return youd expect recenly. Rovers win leagues but can be sketchy although the can afford to pick and choose when to perform, go up gears or just do enough.

**oriel** · 21/02/2026, 9:11 PM

I think a strong point on any manager is how an opposition fan rates him, for example when Dundalk had that disaster period with Noel King for one month, SK was linked, I would have loved him to come back, but we were a basket case, he was right to pass.

Now with the re-build, and things looking up, the ground finally looking good for all its faults, the lights are amazing strength and the pitch looks great, ball seems to zip across it, back to same Q on SK now, not on your nelly as they say, I wouldn't even consider it if it came to a choice between him and Kilduff.

That said, for some reason I do see him coming back to Dundalk at some point, but years and years away, more so for his personal location as he's living in Blackrock.

On Pats, they have yet to play a home game, I think a little harsh to say he's struggling, but if he misses europe again, I would question if Kelleher will stick with him, then again he will need paid off, as prob has at least 2-3 years left on his contract. Pats may well improve this season though, very early stages.

**oriel** · 21/02/2026, 9:20 PM

Just on the Drogs thing, word on banning them for their next away game, I also don't get the logic on that as its only punishing the home club hosting, and in this case its Sligo (their next home game).

As its a Sat night, its one of the more attractive games, ok the Drogs fans may well miss out, but its more the case that Sligo will suffer as if Drogs took say 350 over, that's around 6k (I've estimated mix of most adults / kids and avg price), so that's not exactly fair why Sligo should take the hit.

Anyway, seems Drogs might have more concerns on a very bad week for them per this and if their owners are seriously considering their position. Anyway thats none of my concern, more is that they should be billed for all damages last night.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...043900578.html

**oriel** · 21/02/2026, 9:42 PM

For some reason, I cannot use the QUOTE function, this is a post in reply to MeathDrog

You seem a decent guy and a proper football fan, appreciate your words after last night, and I can tell you if boot was on the other shoe I`d be furious at Dundalk fans celebrating doing wanton damage, as would any supporter.

We met your club secretary in the away end around 10pm last night, he was absolutely disgusted with the damage and had his hands on his face, I didn't catch his name, he also verbally apologised to the Dundalk CEO on behalf the club.

We all know clubs have morons (we also have), but last night was just off the scale, plus it was all planned and comments made during the week from the F45 that it would happen too was just unbelievable, and more so given the week that Drogs had with the sensitive behind the scenes things going on.

In summary, not that I have much influence, but any I have and with friends and supporter groups, we will be doing our best to 'guide' away fans going to next Drogs game to behave properly, 2 wrongs don't make a right etc.

**outspoken** · 21/02/2026, 11:40 PM

They've already had a couple of away bans, they are totally ineffective. The FAI need to take some flack here I'm afraid. The level of violence has been escalating very quickly in this fixture in recent years. It's gone from breaking into each other's grounds and stealing flags to on pitch brawls and now plain outright pre planned criminal damage and running battles in the streets.

I don't like calling for it as it effects genuine match going fans but there needs to be a home stadium closure, a serious fine and a concrete warning that if there's as much as a sweet wrapper thrown again it's a points deduction.

If last night is swept under carpet like the 2024 brawl was and like Derry v Bohs was last year then this will only escalate further. What's next, a stabbing? That may sound incredibly dramatic but we are talking about completely brain dead individuals who have been dragged up.

**Nesta99** · 22/02/2026, 2:01 PM

On the 'quote' issue, ive found if you click it and when it start with the loading circle or whatever it called, click it again and it load for me.

**Nesta99** · 22/02/2026, 2:16 PM

Originally Posted by outspoken

They've already had a couple of away bans, they are totally ineffective. The FAI need to take some flack here I'm afraid. The level of violence has been escalating very quickly in this fixture in recent years. It's gone from breaking into each other's grounds and stealing flags to on pitch brawls and now plain outright pre planned criminal damage and running battles in the streets. I don't like calling for it as it effects genuine match going fans but there needs to be a home stadium closure, a serious fine and a concrete warning that if there's as much as a sweet wrapper thrown again it's a points deduction. If last night is swept under carpet like the 2024 brawl was and like Derry v Bohs was last year then this will only escalate further. What's next, a stabbing? That may sound incredibly dramatic but we are talking about completely brain dead individuals who have been dragged up.

I actually think that suspended bans are effective and a middle ground. But be prepared to actually implement a ban for any infraction. It has everyone on tenterhooks, fan self police, players and management start influencing with stroking ultras egos with best fans in the league, we need their support, comments. Clubs up their game with security and apply ground regs. Make the supension severe like for 2 seasons and a serious fine. If you significantly fine host clubs away fans can do stuff to activate fines so something has to happen to prevent that thinking. I would go as far as any ban, suspened or not, including a ban on a next qualification for Europe. If an issue happens in a cup game its ejection from that competition. It needs to hit fans, yes there is collateral damage, but it is what it is until the message gets through. The English self imposed (or government) ban on clubs playing in Europe helped clean up English football at all clubs in 5 years (along with Taylor Report on grounds), crowd problem on a major scale across every club.

**Nesta99** · 22/02/2026, 2:29 PM

Originally Posted by outspoken

They've already had a couple of away bans, they are totally ineffective. The FAI need to take some flack here I'm afraid. The level of violence has been escalating very quickly in this fixture in recent years. It's gone from breaking into each other's grounds and stealing flags to on pitch brawls and now plain outright pre planned criminal damage and running battles in the streets. I don't like calling for it as it effects genuine match going fans but there needs to be a home stadium closure, a serious fine and a concrete warning that if there's as much as a sweet wrapper thrown again it's a points deduction. If last night is swept under carpet like the 2024 brawl was and like Derry v Bohs was last year then this will only escalate further. What's next, a stabbing? That may sound incredibly dramatic but we are talking about completely brain dead individuals who have been dragged up.

Its not at all dramatic. We have often commented on the potential for a fan getting badly injured by flares and it has now happened. If I were that family Id be suing the FAI for including flares in promotional material when its against their regulations. Along with club fo not dealing with fans and then the fans themselves as its is all negligence. If we cannot say that a fan wont be badly injured or even a death, as a result of fans misbehaviour, including stabbing, beating the sh1t out of someone etc. then it is not dramatic, it is something we have in the back of the minds just hoping that it wont happen. Which it will evetually if there isnt proper intervention now. Its just a matter of time. This Dundalk Drogheda ultra thing has had tit for tat escalation already happening. Tbh I dont get it, its a younger Dundalk fan things. The rivalry with Drogheda would be a bit like Shels ultras reacting to UCD, geographical proximity but its not that much of a sporting rivalry when 1 heavily dominates bar occasionally. These Dundalk ultras should be laughing at the idea of a rivalry. It would annoy F45 an awful lot more than engaging with them.

**oriel** · 22/02/2026, 4:01 PM

Originally Posted by outspoken

They've already had a couple of away bans, they are totally ineffective. The FAI need to take some flack here I'm afraid. The level of violence has been escalating very quickly in this fixture in recent years. It's gone from breaking into each other's grounds and stealing flags to on pitch brawls and now plain outright pre planned criminal damage and running battles in the streets.

I don't like calling for it as it effects genuine match going fans but there needs to be a home stadium closure, a serious fine and a concrete warning that if there's as much as a sweet wrapper thrown again it's a points deduction.

If last night is swept under carpet like the 2024 brawl was and like Derry v Bohs was last year then this will only escalate further. What's next, a stabbing? That may sound incredibly dramatic but we are talking about completely brain dead individuals who have been dragged up.

There was a report that a Waterford female fan was punched in the face after attending last Friday's match in Drogheda, while walking past the home end going to the away bus. This lot are getting out of hand, and they have only played 3 games.

**Nesta99** · 22/02/2026, 4:19 PM

Do we have a police force that these things get reported to. Are they as passive as it seems at face value. I have wondered what they actually do in grounds bar watch the game. When something happens you rarely see a move toward the problem. What is their role, or the legal status of arresting people at a game. Is it that laws are inadaquate. Like pitch incusions, maybe that isnt a legal offence, maybe flares aint either so on what grounds can people be prosecuted bar endangerment stuff which have pretty high bars of burden of proof?

**2 Year Contract** · 22/02/2026, 6:58 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Do we have a police force that these things get reported to. Are they as passive as it seems at face value. I have wondered what they actually do in grounds bar watch the game. When something happens you rarely see a move toward the problem. What is their role, or the legal status of arresting people at a game. Is it that laws are inadaquate. Like pitch incusions, maybe that isnt a legal offence, maybe flares aint either so on what grounds can people be prosecuted bar endangerment stuff which have pretty high bars of burden of proof?

Article on the assault on the female Waterford fan last week below. Not only did she report it to Gardai, but their response was to villainise her! Absolutely pathetic from Drogheda Gardai and should be investigated further.https://x.com/betweenstripes/status/...485738204?s=46Drogheda United really should be due a stadium closure for several home games to honest, far too many incidents have gone on and banning fans from attending a few home games might just force their absolutely useless owners to do something about the huge problem they have within their support

**Kiki Balboa** · 22/02/2026, 7:17 PM

Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

Article on the assault on the female Waterford fan last week below. Not only did she report it to Gardai, but their response was to villainise her! Absolutely pathetic from Drogheda Gardai and should be investigated further.https://x.com/betweenstripes/status/...485738204?s=46Drogheda United really should be due a stadium closure for several home games to honest, far too many incidents have gone on and banning fans from attending a few home games might just force their absolutely useless owners to do something about the huge problem they have within their support

Not to change the subject too much... But getting the Gardai to do anything for any crime is a losing battle.

Kind of lucky people are not so bad in general in the country, because the last thing a Garda wants to do is their job.

**ger121** · 22/02/2026, 8:49 PM

Got to say it really seems that violence at the grounds is on the rise. Reminds me of 20+ years ago. The irony is the Aviva games with bigger crowds and fans mixing before and during the games seem to be just fine. Maybe it is time to punish offending clubs with early Sunday kickoffs and bans on away fans. Not fair on the away fans but too many scumbags causing havoc on a Friday night under the cover of darkness.

**Nesta99** · 22/02/2026, 9:00 PM

So Drew Harris was right to try to move people about, break up cliques, change rosters and try to develop a different ethic? I typed Hugh Ord first but copped it before posting, bit where tf did that come from!!

**Kiki Balboa** · 23/02/2026, 9:45 AM

Listening the Minister of Sport, seems Droghedas actions made LOI as a whole less attractive for Government funding.

**ontheotherhand** · 23/02/2026, 9:53 AM

Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa

Listening the Minister of Sport, seems Droghedas actions made LOI as a whole less attractive for Government funding.

No point funding facilities if toerags are gonna toerag.

The premeditated nature of the damage combined with the online gloating afterwards is despicable tbh. Add in the fact that the group is organised and well known makes it worse. Comparing it to one dope letting off a firework down in Waterford and being soundly called out by other fans is nonsense. This is a whole different level. The entire ultras group should be banned. It's a shame as some of the displays they do are great. They've really made a show of themselves here though.