1st Divison run in!

**Paddyfield** · 14/10/2006, 9:15 PM

Things just got interesting.

Alan Murphy scored a penalty in Finn Park to give Galway United a seventh consecutive win. Next Friday, Dundalk are in Terryland. It will be no place for the faint hearted.

**manic da hoop** · 14/10/2006, 10:55 PM

If we beat Athlone on Monday it will put all three teams dead level, each with five games to play. You could predict a closer run finale to the season. Still not nearly enough to give the First Division some media attention though it would seem

**Frankfurt Hoop** · 14/10/2006, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by manic da hoop

Still not nearly enough to give the First Division some media attention though it would seem

I dunno, Manic. TG4 are broadcasting a 1st Division match live for the first time in a couple of weeks and might do a second before it's over. And 1,300 for the visit of Kildare is nearly double what I thought we could ever get for such a game. While there isn't much media coverage of the First, it has to be said that most of it is graveyard shift material.

**mypost** · 15/10/2006, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by Paddyfield

Next Friday, Dundalk are in Terryland. It will be no place for the faint hearted.

So we won't be there then.

That game is a win-win game for us, as one, or both teams will drop points from it.

Both of them are on good runs, but if we don't slip up, it's pretty meaningless really. If we win our remaining 6 games, we're champions, irrespective of what happens elsewhere.

**Conor H** · 15/10/2006, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

So we won't be there then.

That game is a win-win game for us, as one, or both teams will drop points from it.

Both of them are on good runs, but if we don't slip up, it's pretty meaningless really. If we win our remaining 6 games, we're champions, irrespective of what happens elsewhere.

No ye're not.

**GalwayFrancis** · 15/10/2006, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

So we won't be there then.

That game is a win-win game for us, as one, or both teams will drop points from it.

Both of them are on good runs, but if we don't slip up, it's pretty meaningless really. If we win our remaining 6 games, we're champions, irrespective of what happens elsewhere.

stupid post!

**oriel** · 15/10/2006, 7:51 PM

Good win by Galway on sat night, seven wins on the trot speaks for itself, I really thought this was the one they would drop points, so fair play.

Rovers dead certs to win tomorrow so thats all 3 on 59 pts. � good teams all on good form, only one winner though.

Horrible thought but if we fail to win on Friday in Galway, thats us finished, and its between them and Rovers, no question about it. Even a draw is no good as Rovers will win (Killkenny away is it ??)

We`ve a lot of fans travelling over (unfortunately not me), thanks to Galway lads for posting messages on oriel web re acommodation etc. Should be some game with a great atmosphere and plenty of tension. We're unbeaten in 18 now I think, Galway unbeaten at home for over a year is it ?

I`ll be closely watching affairs via errortel and cans of stella for my nerves !

**Conor H** · 15/10/2006, 7:56 PM

Updates on GalwayBayfm if you'd prefer!

**Sam Savic** · 15/10/2006, 8:22 PM

Originally Posted by GalwayFrancis

stupid post!

Not stupid really. If we win all our remaining games as he suggest, it means that Galway have to win all their remaining games by at least 2 goals. Not impossible, but a tall order.

**manic da hoop** · 15/10/2006, 10:40 PM

It is stupid if you are basing your team's chances of winning the league on the assumption of winning all six of their remaining games. Right now the only match I'm concerned about is Athlone tomorrow night, and I only begun thinking about that when the final whistle blew against Kildare on Friday. Kilkenny next Saturday is also very winnable but it's very firmly in the back of my mind at the moment. The thought that some are already looking ahead to November 18th and a tally of 18 points out of 18 is absurd. If you really want to think like that then, yes, sure Galway will win all of theirs too, and clock up plenty of goals in the process - their form certainly suggests it. Thre's alot of twists and turns yet to come, but my guess right now is that two if not three teams will go into the final round of games with the title up for grabs.

**Paddyfield** · 16/10/2006, 6:31 AM

The Rovers v Athlone is a potential banana skin for Rovers. Town have nothing to play for but will want to avenge their Cup deafeat to Rovers.

**oriel** · 16/10/2006, 8:28 AM

The Rovers v Athlone is a potential banana skin for Rovers. Town have nothing to play for but will want to avenge their Cup deafeat to Rovers.

If Athlone play anything like they did in oriel last thursday night rovers will be out of sight by half time

**JC_GUFC** · 16/10/2006, 9:14 AM

It's a fascinating run-in but with the 3 clubs respective forms it's hard to see any slip ups at all!

Rovers have much tougher away games than United but we obviously have to play Dundalk on Friday!

If we win that we'll be favourites because of Rovers away games but having said that if we can win 7 in a row so can Rovers and so can Dundalk.

**manic da hoop** · 16/10/2006, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by northside hoop

I'm sure some stato can fill me in but off the top of my head I can think of Dundalk and Finn Harps being Rovers only wins.

Twice away to Athlone (three including the Cup), and Kildare.

**hoops1** · 16/10/2006, 11:05 AM

Jesus dont forget Bohs aswell

**centre mid** · 16/10/2006, 12:10 PM

Rovers better goal difference will possibly be the deciding factor - presuming they beat athlone tonight by the odd goal this will be the way it will look
.......... pld pts GD
Rovers 31 59 +30
Galway 31 59 +22
Dundalk 31 59 +20

**Conor H** · 16/10/2006, 1:17 PM

Originally Posted by centre mid

Rovers better goal difference will possibly be the deciding factor - presuming they beat athlone tonight by the odd goal this will be the way it will look
.......... pld pts GD
Rovers 31 59 +30
Galway 31 59 +22
Dundalk 31 59 +20

I thought we were +24?

**Jerry The Saint** · 16/10/2006, 2:18 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

Jerry the saint

I think you`re been really narrow minded saying things like 'you`re shocked
this thread has gone on so long'

Lets put things into place. and its really as simple as this, with Cork losing tonight and Derry also during the week, the premier div title is all but Shels, game over.

FAI CUP - great semi final draws, 2 north west rivals Sligo V Derry and two of DUblin oldest teams in the second game, both should get full houses.

International scene - well last wed was an improvement but the whole country is still a bit in shock in my opinion and we`ve no chance of making euro 08

First Div ??

Come on give us fans of Dundalk, Rovers and Galway a bit of credit, we`ve all come out in large numbers this season, some crowds over 3,000 and all averaging well over 1,000, thats a lot better than a lot of premier clubs. Generally this div is like a dead duck, trust me i`ve seen enough of it. Also with the lack of media attention, forums like this is our only way of communicating, not to mention the fun aspect. So thats why the thread has lasted so long. We`re having a bit of fun, as we`re all excited and very enthuaistic about the 3 teams we passionately support. no harm in that is there ?

Ps I`ve officially lost interest in this seasons premier div such is the ferocity of this year first div race.

No harm in that either

I agree with most of what you say and that's why I'm disappointed that the clubs voted for these changes. The First Division could have been the most exciting ever but there's just far too much confusion for it to merit the wider attention it would normally desrve.

And I agree with the comment that Pats run-in is meaningless, it has been for most of the season. The only Premier clubs that still seem to hold interest are Shels, Derry and Sligo (with, I suppose, Waterford and Bray trying to finish 10th). Continued involvement in the FAI Cup is a cruel trick to make it look as if we have something to play for but it's not fooling anyone. Normal cup service will be resumed shortly...

There seems to be an assumption that the final placing will be given a bigger weighting than the FAI criteria allow for; i.e. for PR reasons, the FAI will fudge the points awarded for other factors to ensure that the D1 champions are promoted. It's not enough just to have minimum standard for facilities, finances etc. (as with UEFA Licensing) - each team is supposed to be ranked against each other and the points allocated accordingly. As was said, it will be vital that this process is transparent and that full results are published if the new Delaneyship is to have any credibility.

**mypost** · 17/10/2006, 1:23 AM

Originally Posted by manic da hoop

It is stupid if you are basing your team's chances of winning the league on the assumption of winning all six of their remaining games. Right now the only match I'm concerned about is Athlone tomorrow night, and I only begun thinking about that when the final whistle blew against Kildare on Friday. Kilkenny next Saturday is also very winnable but it's very firmly in the back of my mind at the moment. The thought that some are already looking ahead to November 18th and a tally of 18 points out of 18 is absurd.

Ah, the old "one game at a time approach".

I am not assuming we will win all six of our remaining games, I did say if we won them, we would be champions. The league isn't won by adapting a one-game approach, it's won over 36 games, and so you have to look at the bigger picture.

Having finally caught up with everyone else for the first time since April, we are of course, top of the league on the back of 3 straight wins. Galway and Dundalk could win the league, but as they have shown all season, only by playing more games than us.

**scotsbeer** · 17/10/2006, 2:48 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

All games should be on Saturday nights, period.

sorry but thats absolute pish. every club in eircom league are trying to get as many fans as they can through the gates and if they have a decent enough marketing department and know their fan base then it only makes sense to try to have their home games when it best suits the fans and at the same time maximising attendances. prob the main reason ga;way have home games on fridays. a fair argument can be made from away fans on how diffficult it would be to get to galway for friday night games and i can agree with that but there are very few clubs who have such a decent travelling support for most eircom league clubs to consider the benefits (gate money from them) of changing traditional kick off times. with no set standard kick off times in place in the league it only adds to the problems of attracting fans to games.united fans have had to endure thursday friday saturday and even sunday afternoon kick offs the last few seasons but at least away fans generally know that our home games at terryland are on friday nights. and before anyone sets the record straight, i know that this season once or twice there have been stupid saturday afternoon and evening games at terryland but generally they do play fridays. reasons for these kick of times still havnt been explained to me which again shows how much the league are doing things without considering the fans. lets hope that will all change next season