Weekends Latest (w/e 15 April)

**Ezeikial** · 14/04/2011, 9:17 AM

dundalkfc.com excellent previews continue with some cracking articles on Dundalk V Sligo

http://www.dundalkfc.com/99-games-97...oster-eyes-100

Dundalk FC boss Ian Foster is this week preparing for his 100th competitive match in football management, as he goes in search of his 100th league point.

http://www.dundalkfc.com/take-three-...v-sligo-rovers

The recent meetings of Dundalk and Sligo Rovers have certainly not lacked action, excitement or indeed controversy. In eight encounters since the Lilywhites returned to the Premier Division two years ago, there have been no less than 29 goals, five red cards and five penalties, with three wins apiece and two draws for good measure.

http://www.dundalkfc.com/dundalk-v-s...atch-press-kit

dundalkfc.com has put together an extensive 19-page Match Press Kit previewing the 137th league meeting of Dundalk and Sligo Rovers, which takes place at Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm). The kit includes a statistical review of the clubs’ respective seasons to date, with all the necessary facts and figures, as the Lilywhites look to preserve the only unbeaten home record left in the Premier Division

**SkStu** · 14/04/2011, 9:49 PM

excellent preview of the Bohs Rovers game this weekend by Claire Wolly.

http://clarewollyextratime.blogspot.com/

**Ezeikial** · 14/04/2011, 10:05 PM

Airtricity League preview (courtesy of Stephen Finn, FAI Communications):

Friday, April 15
Airtricity League Premier Division

Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers, Dalymount Park (7.35pm – Live on RTE2). Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

LEADERS and champions Shamrock Rovers face their traditional rivals in a game set to capture the imagination of the Irish football public.

The Hoops suffered a surprise home loss to Bray Wanderers last Friday but were back to form in the Setanta Sports Cup against Sligo Rovers.

Pat Fenlon’s new-look Bohs would leapfrog their great rivals with the three points from this fixture. In 11 league matches in three seasons against Shamrock Rovers, Fenlon’s record reads: five wins, four defeats and two draws.

TEAM NEWS:

Gary Twigg, Stephen O’Donnell and Craig Sives are all out for Rovers hamstring injuries, while Pat Flynn (virus) and Chris Turner (calf) are doubts.

QUOTES:

Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill: “It’s very positive for us to be going into this game on the back of a performance and result like Monday night’s.

“There has been a lot written and said about how young this Bohs side is, but our team is actually even younger. They also have plenty of experience in their ranks.

“There will be a big away support there on Friday night, with all our tickets sold-out, and there should be a great atmosphere. Players relish nights like that, and they are all really looking forward to the game.”

Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon: “You know what the importance of this match is to supporters. But you try not to get involved in that. You try to concentrate on getting the job done.

“If we can nick three points it will be great for us and will give us momentum in this series of tough games.

“This is the first time we’ve had Rovers here on a Friday night for a while. Everybody is looking forward to a Friday game and the fact that the supporters will be quite close to each other should add to the atmosphere. I’d love to see our place full. ”

Bray Wanderers v Drogheda United, Carlisle Grounds. Referee: Rob Rogers.

BRAY proved how far they have come under Pat Devlin’s guidance with an impressive 1-0 win over champions Shamrock Rovers last Friday.

Mick Cooke’s Drogheda side picked up their second point of the campaign and will be looking to build on that. Drogheda have not lost in their last six visits to the Carlisle Grounds – including an EA Sports Cup win in Bray last month.

TEAM NEWS:

Gary Shaw (foot) and Stephen Brennan (calf) remain absent for Bray while Joe Kendrick, who has missed Bray's last two outings with a thigh strain, faces a fitness test.

For Drogheda, Alan McNally took part in training this week so he is expected to return. Stephen McCrossan is the only doubt with a groin strain.

QUOTES:

Bray Wanderers Director of Football Pat Devlin: "The most pleasing thing about last week’s win is that we got the three points and kept a clean sheet. We set out our stall and adapted well. It was an excellent team performance but we won't get carried away.

“Drogheda will be a tough assignment. They are a well-marshalled and organised side. We have already played them in the EA Sports Cup and were beaten, so we know what to expect.”

Drogheda United boss Mick Cooke: “The mood in the camp is very good at the moment. Galway were certainly the better team in the second half last week and it was good to come away from it with a point. But we are still a team trying to settle and I had made five changes to the side.

“Bray will be confident that they can take all three points, but we will have different thoughts on that. It is a bit of a boost that we have already won there this season, but that was in the cup, the pressures of the league are totally different. “

Dundalk v Sligo Rovers, Oriel Park. Referee: Tom Connolly.

BOTH sides come into this tie with something to prove. Dundalk had a poor outing last time out in the league where they suffered a 2-0 loss in Derry while Sligo had a poor outing in their home Setanta Sports Cup semi-final against Shamrock Rovers.

Sligo boss Paul Cook claimed that loss to Shamrock Rovers was one of the worst he’d seen since taking over at the club. A win at Oriel Park tonight would keep the Bit O’Red at least joint-top of the division.

Lilywhites boss Ian Foster takes charge of Dundalk for the 100th time in all competitions. His side are the only team in the Premier Division that still boast an unbeaten home record but they face a Sligo side that are still undefeated on the road.

TEAM NEWS:

Dundalk continue to plan without thigh injury victim Greg Bolger and Stephen Maher (groin). They have no suspension worries. Sligo Rovers will be without Matthew Blinkhorn (back) and Danny Ventre (suspension) but Gavin Peers and Alan Keane return from suspension.

QUOTES:

Dundalk assistant manager said: “It was a poor performance last week. We had a discussion after the game and agreed that we need to be perform at both ends of the pitch. There’s no point being all about attacking. You have to do the other work too.

“We have to pick it up for the next game because it’ll be very tough against a side like Sligo. If we play like we did against Derry, Sligo will punish us but we know we’re well capable of winning this one too.”

Sligo Rovers boss Paul Cook said: “It is a blow losing Matthew and it doesn’t look good for the next few weeks. It is a difficult game. This is an away game where the team that will try to win the match. With a lot of the games so far, it has been a case of the opposition trying to stop us play.

“When you look at their attacking four of Ross Gaynor, Daniel Kearns, Mark Quigley and Jason Byrne, that is a different proposition.”

Galway United v Derry City, Terryland Park. Referee: Neil Doyle.

GALWAY UNITED boss Sean Connor was disappointed that his side failed to claim all three points away to Drogheda United last week and will bit to secure their first home win of the campaign against Derry.

The Candystripes have got off to a solid start in the Premier Division and could conceivably go top if results go their way.

TEAM NEWS:

Brazilian midfielder Eduardo Dusi could be in line for a start for Galway after an impressive substitute display against Drogheda. Gary Curran (broken metatarsal) is out, Alan Murphy (groin) and Steve Feeney (ankle) are doubts for Galway. Barry Molloy and Ruairi Harkin are the only two injury concerns for Derry City, who have no suspension issues.

QUOTES:

Derry City boss Stephen Kenny: “Last week’s performance against Dundalk was very good. The players passed the ball brilliantly on the night and thoroughly deserved to win. We played with great style and the challenge now is the level of consistency.”

Galway United manager Sean Connor: "We will be hoping for a nice evening for football and to maintain the crowds we have had so far this season."

St Patrick's Athletic v UCD, Richmond Park. Referee: Graham Kelly.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC have had a mixed start to the campaign with some impressive victories interspersed with some less convincing displays.

The Saints will be looking to keep on the coat-tails of the title contenders with a home victory against the Students, who have one win from their opening six fixtures.

St Pat’s first team squad has a number of former UCD stars in its ranks including David McMillan, Evan McMillan, Shane McFaul, Ian Bermingham, Conor Kenna, Derek Doyle and Brian Shortall. The Students haven’t beaten the Saints at Richmond Park since 2005.

TEAM NEWS:

Saints captain Conor Kenna continues to miss out through injury but otherwise they have no injuries or suspensions. UCD have Sean Harding and Cillian Morrison back in training.

QUOTES:

St Pat’s manager Pete Mahon: “From my perspective it doesn’t make any difference that it’s an old club that we’re playing against. My only interest now is doing well for St Pat’s and we can’t worry about other teams.

“Some of the players will be playing against their old club but I don’t think it comes to into it. We’re looking for three points in every game and that’s what is on offer regardless of the opponents.”

UCD boss Martin Russell: “We are looking for a better performance then against Bohemians last week, and with the atmosphere in Richmond Park their will be no better game to bounce back in. We are looking forward to the challenge facing us in Inchicore."

**Ezeikial** · 14/04/2011, 10:07 PM

First Division Previews

Airtricity League First Division

Cork City v Finn Harps, Turner's Cross. Referee: John Grimes.

CORK CITY host winless Finn Harps looking to maintain their promotion challenge with all three points. City boss Tommy Dunne has a concern over the fitness of winger Derek O’Brien (groin) but Alan Carey (Achilles) and Stephen Mulcahy are nearing fitness. Harps have only ever once recorded a victory at Turners Cross against Cork City – in September 1996.

Mervue United v Limerick FC, Fahy's Field. Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

LIMERICK FC will look to bounce back from their shock defeat to Wexford Youths last week when they take on surprise packets Mervue United. Gary Sheahan (broken leg), Garbhan Coughlan (groin) and James O’Brien (hernia) are missing for Pat Scully’s Shannonsiders.

Shelbourne v Monaghan United, Tolka Park (8.00pm). Referee: Phil Caschera.

LEADERS Shelbourne will face one of their main promotion rivals Monaghan United in a tie that is expected to be the main focus of attention in the First Division this weekend. Shelbourne have Kevin Dawson back after illness while Stephen Paisley has recovered from injury. Roddy Collins will take his Monaghan United side to Tolka Park knowing a win could see them overtake Alan Mathews’ men. Both sides are unbeaten after five games.

Wexford Youths v Athlone Town, Ferrycarrig Park (8.00pm). Referee: Keith Callanan.

WEXFORD YOUTHS grabbed their first three points of the new season with victory over Limerick while Athlone are looking to bounce back following their 4-0 home loss to Shelbourne. Athlone boss Mike Kerley has no suspensions but hamstring problems cost him Jamie Carr and Gary Higgins.

Saturday, April 16
Airtricity League First Division

Longford Town v Waterford United, Flancare Park (7.30pm). Referee: Darren Coombes.

LONGFORD TOWN and Waterford United are two sides who have swung from highs to lows already this term with both outfits looking for consistency to stay in the promotion picture. Paul Hunt is likely to continue in goal for the Midlanders while Michael Lee is an injury worry.

**bullit** · 14/04/2011, 10:36 PM

Off topic but Mark Quigley has been named Player of the Month for March.

**Magicme** · 14/04/2011, 11:33 PM

Even further off topic but I got my new jersey. Can't wait for tomorrow and going to tolka with a bus load at last.

**The Lilywhites** · 15/04/2011, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by bullit

Off topic but Mark Quigley has been named Player of the Month for March.

http://www.dundalkfc.com/quigley-nam...onth-for-march

More on tonight's game

Foster http://www.dundalkfc.com/fantastic-h...portant-foster

Gaynor http://www.dundalkfc.com/gaynor-love...50th-milestone

Kearns http://www.dundalkfc.com/third-degree-kearns-part-four

**poster** · 15/04/2011, 11:02 AM

Mark Quigley happy:

Mark Quigley not so sure now:

**Eminence Grise** · 15/04/2011, 12:50 PM

Uncanny...

**razor** · 15/04/2011, 1:06 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

First Division Previews
Airtricity League First Division

Cork City v Finn Harps, Turner's Cross. Referee: John Grimes.

Not Jedwards cousin again.

**dublinred** · 15/04/2011, 3:22 PM

Is there anywhere where you can bet on red cards now ? used to be a nice little earner but most bookis stopped it when Sean Connor was in charge of Dundalk.

**Mr A** · 15/04/2011, 3:33 PM

Originally Posted by poster

Mark Quigley happy:

Mark Quigley not so sure now:

Mark Quigley still unsure:

**A face** · 15/04/2011, 4:17 PM

Packie Bonner is going to the City Harps game tonight.

**thischarmingman** · 15/04/2011, 5:34 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

excellent preview of the Bohs Rovers game this weekend by Claire Wolly.

http://clarewollyextratime.blogspot.com/

We've signed her up.

Galway United v Derry City is live. us usual on Drive105- http://www.drive105.co.uk/
Chatroom here: http://www.irishfootienetwork.com/de...hat/index.php3

**bullit** · 15/04/2011, 6:02 PM

DUNDALK: Cherrie, Madden (C), Hawkins, Hector, N Murphy, Bennett, McDonnell, Kearns, Quigley, Gaynor, Byrne.

SUBS: P Murphy (GK), Ward, Griffin, Breen, Philip Duffy.

SLIGO: Clarke, Horgan, Russell, Doyle, Peers, Dillon, McGuinness, Davoren, Cretaro, Ryan, Keane. SUBS: Kelly (GK), Kirby, Foran, McGoldrick, Greene.

Twitter updates

http://www.dundalkfc.com/live-updates-d ... igo-rovers

Commentary

http://delicast.com/radio/Ireland/Dundalk_FM

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/04/2011, 6:59 PM

Dundalk 1 Sligo 0 - Jason Byrne doing the Hoops a favour.

**SkStu** · 15/04/2011, 7:24 PM

Heary has been immense and we are far and away the better team. Rovers are cat malojan. You just know theyre going to go and bag a winner into the shed though...