Rogers red turns tide in Rovers’ favour
There can only be one talking point from Friday night’s clash in Tallaght, and it was the one that turned the game on its head. Dundalk were 2-0 up and seemingly cruising when Brian Gartland hesitated, Ryan Brennan nipped in, and goalkeeper Gary Rogers brought the Rovers man down.
Referee Neil Doyle pointed to the penalty spot and sent Rogers off, sparking the comeback that saw the Hoops earn a 2-2 draw — but was it the right decision? A large section of the away fans, as well as manager Stephen Kenny, felt that the foul took place outside the box. We’ll have to wait for Soccer Republic on Monday evening for the definitive answer.
- Niall Kelly
Cork’s watertight defence finally breached
Cork Citys will have to start from scratch next time out as their six game clean sheet record was spoiled by Lloyd Buckley’s late header on Friday night.
Longford and Dundalk both visit Turners’ Cross in the next week, and both might fancy their chances having seen Drogheda’s late rally at United Park.
If you can wrestle control from their midfield, their defence is there to be shot at. Still, a record of just two goals shipped in eight games will have John Caulfield confident.
- Barry Landy
Derry frustration boils over
Ryan McBride’s frustrating night came to the boil five minutes from the end of the game when his robust challenge on Chris Lyons on the halfway line saw him immediately dismissed by referee Paul Tuite.
His sending off ended any slight hope Derry had of getting a last gasp winning goal but the Derry skipper’s automatic one match ban will have bigger repercussions for Peter Hutton’s side as they head into Monday’s clash with Limerick minus McBride and also his defensive partner, Shane McEleney who limped off injured in the second half.
McBride had wasted Derry’s best chance in the first half when he headed tamely into the hands of Bray ‘keeper Stephen McGuinness from Patrick McEleney’s cross when he really should have found the net.
So, all round, a forgettable night for McBride and for Derry City.
- Simon Collins
Pat’s heading in right direction after slow start
After defeats against Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk, in addition to being held to a draw at home by Cork City, St Patrick’s Athletic needed a big result to prove — to themselves as much as anyone else — that they’re capable of being challengers. Bohemians, in spite of their own positive start to the campaign, won’t be title contenders, but winning at Dalymount Park is never easy. This was a very important victory for Liam Buckley’s side, who are undefeated in six games in all competitions and now appear to be heading in the right direction.
Bohemians remain two points clear of Pat’s in fourth place, but the current table isn’t an accurate reflection of both teams. The visitors should have put the result beyond doubt before Derek Prendergast’s injury-time header forced a save from Saints goalkeeper Conor O’Malley. There’s a long way to go, but if Bohs want to stay in the top-four, they can’t afford to be so wasteful on the ball again. Whether it was short passes across the back or long balls forward, the Gypises squandered possession throughout the game; a frustrating fault when you’re chasing a deficit.
- Paul Dollery
Promising signs for Longford
The loss of Don Cowan a fortnight ago was expected to hit Longford’s attacking threat but Ayman Ben Mohamed produced a stellar performance on Friday and if both are fit later in the season will be sure to cement the Town’s place in the Premier Division.
Longford were left unexposed and just lacked the link up play in the final third to grab the winner. They look set to stay in the division on recent displays and if the youth players continue the way they’re playing Longford Town could be a real threat to deal with in the coming years.
- Michael Spencer
Galway do enough but profligacy could have cost them
Galway United had most of the possession during the contest against Limerick and created chance after chance.
The game should have been put to bed by half time with Padraic Cunningham missing several gilt-edged chances and Limerick keeper Conor O’Donnell producing some key saves.
It took the poise of Enda Curran to finally send Galway ahead with time ticking before Gary Shanahan pulled them 3-1 ahead.
Despite netting three times Galway’s finishing up front will concern manager Tommy Dunne as they look to move up the table quickly. However credit must also go to the Limerick defence and goalkeeper who put in a stellar performance.
- Jason Byrne
Fair play to them. Dead right.
What Delaney gave each club a fortnight ago wouldn’t cover a 2 week holiday away for himself and the blonde
I would love it if all the clubs did likewise. Keep the pressure on Delaney and someday he will topple. We can all live in hope.
Love the way Delaney said that he cares about the loi yet he called it irish footballs problem child. Loi needs some proper investment. There is absolutely no marketing or promotion for the league. Eir do show a match a week but thats it. The fai’s website has no mention of the league. The league has potential but there is not a lot of intrest unfortunately
Every other club should follow suit. It was an absolute derisory “grant”. It’s like Delaney sat around the table with the other suits and thought “what’s the best way we can troll the clubs”.
There not the only club to reject it i can promise that. Also the 100k is to hire a consultant employed by the fai. The clubs wont see one cent of any monies
This has so backfired on the bourgeois FAI, viva la revolution
5k is a slap in the face!
Fran Gavin and Fai taking the piss and they know it. He was on radio 1 earlier to boast about how the fai are great facilitating dundalk by having next game at lansdowne road…that it’s the only place deserving for such a momentus fixture. The only fitting place for a home leg to be played is at home. But Delaney and co couldn’t care less.
Fair f-ing play, say it like it is! With the money earned by Dundalk they should take the FAI to court, this is nothing short of disgraceful!
Delaney calls the league a problem Child but refuses to do anything about it. He probably thought the 5k would shut them up. He’s all that’s wrong with irish football.
Full credit for the bluntness. FAI have a lot to answer for and they’ve been getting away with too much in relation to salaries. The €5k hand out is an insult and clubs should rally to the public to put the FAI to shame. At least a minimum of €2m should be going into the league each season. Do the FAI not realise what Dundalk and Cork have achieved over the last few weeks? Based on the quality and achievements we have made with limited resources, surely the FAI identify the league as a serious opportunity? The more we can bring awareness and create public debate about the allocation of our national association’s finances, the more likely change will have to happen to get rid of cronyism.
Steven stick to Kerry GAA because you know Sweet F%@k all about LOI. Hopefully all clubs will refuse the paltry breadcrumbs handed down from the head honcho. 100K between 20 Clubs is an insult to the hardworking people of the LOI. How much did that pre season friendly in the Aviva make them last week when 45000 turned up.
I know plenty about it actually for your information. So keep your comments to yourself. I also happen to know how much clubs waste funding when it’s just handed to them. Have you do much when it comes to helping LOI clubs? Or are you just one of them people who just complain about everything?
So you know plenty about clubs wasting funds? Enlighten us….. Yes I Do do a lot for my club. I try to attend every home game and im driving 3 hours tonight to watch them and have been doing so for the past 13 years. So the answer to your question is no, I’m not one of those ppl who complain about everything. I’m one of those who actually gives a F@#k about football in this country and supports his local club.
As someone who sometimes pokes fun at the LOI he is dead right. It’s an insult to offer them 5k
The key word there is “claimed” While it’s a ridiculous amount considering what would have been gotten after the Euros I can’t see too many clubs saying no to it. As I’ve said before just handing out money to clubs will not solve anything. It’ll just be wasted and they’ll be back again looking for more. Clubs who want money to improve Grounds etc should be given money from the fai definitely, but they shouldn’t be just handed lump sums just for a sake of it
Bitter sweet moment for the league as Dundalk on brink of incredible financial windfall. But fact remains, FAI is a fiefdom that serves the interests of one man.
http://soccerful.com/2016/08/dundalk-fc-european-success-reward/
Time for Delaney to go but won’t do so. Keeps fininical matters very close to himself. Rest of FAI officials are yes men. League needs a new man to strive for real change and progress for league. Many matche’s been played in front of a few hundred people ! Delaney has no love for local soccer just the buzz of the International scene. 5 k grant a total embarrassment. Sad !