While I would've generally agreed with your opening point, I've just seen there was a blatant handball in the build up to Noonan's goal (right in front of the ref), and the tackle on Freitas looked a definite penalty for me as well, so factoring those in you've a different game.Originally Posted by sbgawa
Shels players were very annoyed with the linesman for Pico's goal, but I have to say from my view behind the goal I thought he looked on, just really bad marking and allowed a free run.
Well the lad that scored the second was signed as a reserve /u20 player last year on amateur terms. Now he is scoring against you in his first Prem start. There is no doubt in my mind Kilduff is getting the very best and the utmost buy-in from the whole squad. Which is all you can really ask for.
Pats were all over the shop defensively in the 1st half, leaving huge gaps at the back, and if there was going to be a third goal, only one team was going to score it.
Id say Pats fans are smarting over the game... As before it, I thought if they could win at Oriel, they could possibly run away with the title. Still might - but it was a game that they need a big performance.
Not having Edmonson and Palmer really changed that Pats team compared to the 1st round game.
Last edited by Kiki Balboa; 06/04/2026 at 10:03 PM.
DVDs and 2011 season banned topics - got it!
I'm speaking in facts my friend.
Missed chances for both teams - fact
Dundalk took two of theirs - fact
We missed all ours -fact
1st goal took a wicked deflection - fact
2nd goal our player slipped in the lead up - fact
Yes we lost to a side where their level is btm half of table. Wow imagine an underdog actually winning a game.
To be fair Kilduff is doing a great job and we were very poor at the back. Not the norm considering the run we were on up until tonight.
Saying that, if u told any Pats fan that we would be top after 1st series of games, they would say your crazy. As per usual, Europe is our target. Anymore is a bonus
The kids said they enjoyed themselves. I’m sure they are referring to McDonalds on the way home.
You are still sounding angrier than you should be. You sure you are not Patsdad?
I was just calling out a post saying Dundalk had their easiest win of the season. I can assure you, that wasn't anger. Just me calllng out some BS.
I'm not Patsdad. He's tucked up in bed from early last night.
Another draw for Harps yesterday was a fairly disappointing return after leading twice. We're dropping very silly points at times, and 5 draws in 9 games isn't going to help in the push for a playoff this season. Really lacking a clinical goalscorer, and our top scorer being a centre half on 3 goals isn't ideal.
Hmm... You are right. I forgot about the Waterford game. But genuinely, it was the second easiest win (considering the other two was only by a goal).
I thought it was the 1st real title test for Pats. Obviously I would have a bit of Grá for Stephen Kenny, hope Rovers lose every week, and out of all the Dublin clubs, I would prefer Pats (and UCD) - so I would be paying some attention. We were blown away in the 1st game, the only time this year, so I was surprised how comfortable Dundalk were yesterday as the game progressed, and how easy it was to create good goal scoring opportunities- helped that Arubi absolutely bullied Pats center halves.
All games are equal at the end of the year, so Pats vs Rovers is really a title 6-pointer, and at this stage, can set the tone for who wins (or at least who is going to be there or there abouts) the league. Feel Pats wilted in their first test of their title credentials, so this can be a great opportunity to prove themselves as legit or pretenders.
Under Kenny (and now Kilduff) , Dundalk were never left found wanting for these kinda tone-setter games. Never really felt that Rovers have been properly challenged under Bradleys titles (not their fault) either. Like Higgins for me never really got that momentum going at Derry - so hoping Kenny can change it.
As a neutral, pretty excited for this Friday.
As for Dundalk being a bottom half team... Maybe. I feel we have more about us than Sligo, Waterford, Drogheda, and Derry (esp if they are missing Michael Duffy).. But roughly on the same level as Bohs, Shels, and Galway (who are a legit good team).
and I specifically disagreed with that opinion - fact
Might be a spoiler alert for you but Pats are not title contenders. Being top of the league after 10 games is a good start but it’s 10 games, not 25 games. For context Drogheda were top of the league after 14 games last season and I don’t think anyone with a brain saw them as title contenders at that point. The goal for Pats is Europe. So as disappointing as yesterday’s result was after a run of 6 wins and a draw in 7 games, on a brighter note, Shels didn’t gain any ground and Bohs and Derry only gained 1 point in a game they should be winning
Last edited by 2 Year Contract; 07/04/2026 at 8:24 AM.
Paaatrick's Agletic
Both teams absolutely diabolical. zero football played.
Winchester with a chance from 30 yards smashing the outside of the post and Sligo later on in the game hitting the post coming from a corner.
Sligo probably will feel hard done by not to get a penalty for a handball. The only person not to see it in the ground seemingly was the referee.
Overall the only plus point is us not conceding a goal. Everything else is just ****.
The Dundalk win didnt surprise me.
They were the toughest oponents for Bohs this season.
I think 4th will be between them Shels Derry and Galway.
Having said that, every team this season has a bit about them and one of them could go in a decent run.
Probably beginning with Sligo on Friday given Bohs inability to convert good chances
.
At least ye are in the playoff mix anyway. 6 teams in contention for 4 playoff spots after 9 games completed.
This is a weird weird attitude for me. Pats absolutely should be considered title contenders. Nobody has made winning games look as easy as Pats have this year.
Yous have brought in gems in Brown and Edmonson, have the best keeper in the league, spent huge sums, scored the most goals and conceded the second least, and have King Kenny. There is nothing stopping you puffing out your chest and trying to win it all.
Its almost like feeling embarrassed to go and compete with Rovers. Better to cut yourself down before you really challenge. No wonder then you wont win the league... I am not a big fan of Duffer, but at least he showed some belief.
If I was a Pats fan, I would be treating upcoming Friday as a near existential match, like the clubs history relies on it.
Sure, I was thinking this was a game last night to make Dundalk title contenders... (its more fun to be deluded).
A long rant. But if you are not going to compete this year, when are you going to compete.
Where's the desperation for it.
You seem to be forgetting the lived experience of last year from Pats fans, which is fair enough considering you were in the first division. We went into the season as bookies favourites for the title, huge expectations from the fans and a lot of players absolutely crumbled under it. Treating every game you don’t win as an absolute disaster for title credentials can be a dangerous game for squad morale (and fans!). Look at Derry this season, a lot of external and internal pressure going into the season for a title race, talk about how strong their squad is in all areas and they’re crumbling under that pressure and now come the hindsight revisionism about their squad.
Out of interest, when was the last year a team came from 5th place or below one year to win the league the following year? I’m not sure if it’s ever happened, certainly not in the modern era. (EDIT: from a quick look I think Derry is the most recent example and that was 30 years ago) This season is about getting back into Europe for Pats. If they’re still there or there abouts near the top coming into the last series of games, absolutely the goal would shift to a title charge.
Now that Dundalk are 3 points off top I guess you deem them title challengers too this season given your logic?
Last edited by 2 Year Contract; 07/04/2026 at 9:34 AM.
Paaatrick's Agletic
It just sounds too passive for me personally. Its not about seeing losing as a disaster - you should get over that as soon as the whistle goes - its about seeing the next game as an opportunity to compete for it all.
The league is there to be challenged for. There are not many years when you can, so best take your opportunities and go for it.
Go make your home as hostile as possible. Make them overcome it. Allow for a big game atmosphere. Big it up that the night will be a highlight of the players careers. Treat it with the expectation that everybody , from the stands to the players, will be totally spent at the end of the game.
Dont be hedging your bets before.
I wouldn't have said this about anyone before the year. But now you have seen the league and seen your team, you know Pats can win any game and each team can drop points consistently.
Even winning the game might mean nothing come end of the year. Its only one game.. But still, who cares. Dundalk beat Rovers a couple of times under O'Donnell. Ultimately, it didnt mean much - but I much rather that attitude than always waiting for next year.
Your there or there abouts right now. Rovers are behind you in the league. Put down a marker for the season.
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