LOI: League of Ireland Fixtures (WEEK 19) July 20-22 2012

stovelid

Premier Division



All games are 7.45 PM KO unless otherwise stated.

Friday 20 July 2012

Shamrock Rovers vs Bray Wanderers (7.05PM) (LIVE RTE TWO 7PM) - Tallaght Stadium

Dundalk FC vs Derry City - Oriel Park

Shelbourne FC vs Drogheda United (8PM) - Tolka Park

Sunday 22 July 2012

UCD AFC vs St. Patrick's Athletic (3PM) - UCD Bowl

Sligo Rovers vs Cork City (7PM) - URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Showgrounds"]Showgrounds[/URL]


First Division



All games are 7.45 PM KO unless otherwise stated.

Friday 20 July 2012

Limerickvs SD Galway - Jackman Park

Mervue United vs Athlone Town - Fahy's FielD

Saturday 21 July 2012

Longford Town vs Waterford United (7.30PM) - Flancare Park

Finn Harps vs Wexford Youths - Finn Park

General info

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish-soccer/

http://www.airtricityleague.ie/

Monday Night Soccer - Mondays at 7.00pm on RTÉ Two & RTÉ.ie (Worldwide)


Try out a game near you. Click fixture linka for staidum detals.

See club sites for ticket info:

Shamrock Rovers FC
Shelbourne FC
ST Patrick's Athletic
Sligo Rovers
Bray Wanderers
Cork City
Derry City
Drogheda United
Dundalk FC
UCD AFC
Bohemians

Wexford Youths
Limerick
Longford Town
Athlone Town
Finn Harps
SD Galway
Mervue United
Waterford United

Lucan Bohs

Free weekend for us...

Gavin "shels"

Going cold turkey is killing me... can't wait for Friday!

Mushy

Cant see the match as working the late on Friday, not much I can do. A draw a la Sligo will be great, but no higher expectations.

dfx-

Rovers' bogey side. Quigley timewasting. Twigg suspended. Waters suspended. On telly. 0-0 draw so.

BKC

Would take a point away to Sligo. A win would be fantastic though obviously.

flas

have my first weekend off work since january so will get to the town match,hoping we can get back to winnin ways against waterford,we badly need it!

Bateman

Casa Rebelde in Temple Bar are going to be selling tickets for Dublin clubs' games soon enough I believe, anything to help entice casual fans can only be a good thing.

Surprised at Rovers predicting a 0-0 draw, things must be really bad there. No matter how far the players have gone against Kenny they should be capable of beating Bray

Bateman

Derry giving out, now there's a surprise

http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-city/television-is-crucifying-the-league-1-4064401

stovelid

They have a point for once.

TV (and the stupid kick-off time) does hurt attendances and unlike other leagues, there is fuck all compensation for clubs.

dan1895

Although not too confident of a result, really looking forward to Friday night.

Mushy

Here is an open letter to the MNS panel from those working at UCD:

Con,

Having watched last night’s episode of MNS and last week’s episode of MNS there are a number of things that need to be addressed in relation to UCD AFC.

In the episode 09/07/12, Dave Barry remarks, “They are bottom of the table UCD, there is no pressure on them, financially there is no talk about paying rent or mortgages.” “UCD haven’t got that burden, I have to pass my exams, I can go home or whatever.” “Whereas UCD (presume he meant Dundalk) are a professional club, trying to play in a professional league and stay in this league which is very very difficult”

Martin Russell took the opportunity to respond to these remarks because he saw it as an attempt to ridicule the work done by UCD AFC. UCD AFC operates in the same professional league as every other club in the Premier Division, and tries equally as hard on and off the field to stay in the league. Not only that, UCD operate in the same financial environment as every other club in the league, taking on the added expense of putting their players through the education system. Dave Barry was comparing UCD and Dundalk and UCD appear to come off second best in this comparison when he talks about professionalism and a desire to stay in the league, Martin states that his players are encouraged to show the same desire and ambition to ensure they keep improving and as a result UCD remain in the top division. The players at UCD should not be ridiculed for making a conscientious decision to pursue their education while also taking on the pressures of playing against the best sides in the country week in week out.

In episode 16/07/12, you appear bemused by the fact Martin is upset with Dave Barry’s comments, “I’m not 100% sure what upset Martin Russell, I know Dave was saying that UCD aren’t under the same pressure that maybe some of the other clubs are under financially and so on with the whole college structure behind them. Martin didn’t seem to be too happy with what Dave had to say. UCD what do they bring to the league in terms of...?”. I hope the previous paragraph has gone some way to explaining Martin’s sense of injustice. To say UCD do not incur financial pressures like other clubs is just not true. We do not attract sponsors to our club in the same way that others do and this means that the funds needed to ensure our ability to compete financially must come from other sources. While the College do provide support, our Summer Camps and internal Superleague are as important to the financial well being of the club. Two activities that require much more than the presentation of a cheque from an interested company.

“What do UCD bring to the league in terms of...?” starts the debate which goes no further than Pat and Liam telling us how difficult it is to play in UCD’s home ground because of the lack of a crowd. This was not what Martin took exception to, the debate then goes on with one mention of UCD’s financial situation. UCD AFC does not budget on its crowds, it would be foolhardy to do so, if other clubs realised the fickle nature of football fans they might not find themselves in such difficult financial positions. At the end of the 2010 season 14 players left our first team squad, not because we didn’t want them but because we could not afford to keep them. It was a difficult decision to make no doubt but ultimately a sensible one that was made for the good of the club and the next generation of players coming through.

Martin’s post match interview was carried out on Sunday afternoon, presumably on Monday you would have had the opportunity to speak to Martin to find out exactly what his grievance was with what Dave Barry had to say. Instead what followed was an ill informed chat about what UCD bring to the league that started and finished with a comment about crowds. UCD do not bring great crowds to the league, that is not up for discussion, what should be up for discussion is that UCD have produced, nurtured and developed players that have gone on to successful careers both in football and in the business world. UCD gives every player that plays for UCD the opportunity to grow and be ambitious, surely that is what UCD AFC should be known for.

You do say that you enjoy going to watch games in the Bowl which is brilliant, and that you wish more people would go to watch the club play. Why not do something about it? Stop calling into question UCD’s place in the Airtricity League Premier Division.

I have been watching UCD play for over 15 years, a drop in the ocean compared to others involved in our club, several things have remained consistent in this time. UCD’s ability to produce top quality players, remain in the top flight of Irish football and unfortunately have their status questioned time and again on the basis that our support base is not what it could or should be.

This mail is borne out of the frustration I feel having worked for UCD for the last 2 years trying to build up the profile of the club and to watch that work torn apart in front of a considerable television audience. UCD AFC works tirelessly with local schools, local schoolboy clubs, charities and students to try and raise our profile in the wider community. We are battling with the huge popularity of Leinster rugby as well as the poor image of the game of football in Ireland. It is often said that UCD should have more students following the team. The league runs from March to the end of October, this year the league started during the two week break on campus, after that break the run in to exams starts. Students are under huge pressure to pass exams and as a result do not feel they have time to go watch a football game. Come May the campus is empty, the students return in the second week in September and by the time we get to the end of October we will have played 3 home games.

I would love to construct a marketing campaign that incorporates print media in the locality, including bus shelters and local DART stations, but the budget simply does not exist for this to happen. In its place we connect with a smaller number of local groups through summer camps, charity events, soccer blitzes etc. If this situation was reversed and a bigger budget was given to the marketing of the club, we would have a well marketed club with no money to pay the players, no one wants that. Now tell me we don’t operate with financial pressures.

If there is one thing that I would like you to take from this mail it is that every time your show belittles or condescends our players or staff think about what that does to the people that have worked tirelessly to put the club in the position it is in today. Dundalk has run itself into the ground if media reports are to be believed but somehow they manage to come out of a discussion on MNS with more positive words than UCD do. Let us not forget that UCD went from tenth in the table to bottom of the league by virtue of the fact that Monaghan United ceased to exist.

Let us end on a positive with a suggestion that might once and for all end this “debate” about UCD’s reason for existence. Round up all the current players playing in the LOI or abroad who have come through the UCD system. They have left UCD, they are no longer connected to the club, ask them for their opinion on this club. They are what is important in this league, if they feel that the club has hampered their development then maybe UCD AFC should drop out of the league, but if the response is in any way positive then that surely should end the era where it is acceptable to pose the question, “What do UCD bring to the league in terms of...?”

This league will never reach the heights it deserves to reach if all those interested in seeing it succeed do not work together.

UCD GAA’s Dave Billings put it best http://ucdsoccer.com/component/content/article/49/1454

Kind regards,

Philip Bourke

UCD AFC

Any thoughts or opinions? Can't really argue, but he may have come across harsh on Dundalk.

That_Guy

Bah. No Bohs game this week.

Gavin "shels"

Bateman wrote: »

Casa Rebelde in Temple Bar are going to be selling tickets for Dublin clubs' games soon enough I believe, anything to help entice casual fans can only be a good thing.

Only Bohs atm.

Bateman wrote: »

Derry giving out, now there's a surprise

http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-city/television-is-crucifying-the-league-1-4064401

Always the victim, it's never your fault...

In all fairness, all clubs get stung by the live games nearly (expect Shels ), so it's all a level playing field, although they have a point.

Zebra3

Gavin shels wrote: »

In all fairness, all clubs get stung by the live games nearly (expect Shels ), so it's all a level playing field, although they have a point.

Long live the bogey gantry. :pac:

Ollie's breaking his sh*te laughing somewhere.

Can't see us getting anything from tomorrow night's game. Would gladly take a draw now if offered it.

dan1895

Zebra3 wrote: »

Long live the bogey gantry. :pac:

Ollie's breaking his sh*te laughing somewhere.

Can't see us getting anything from tomorrow night's game. Would gladly take a draw now if offered it.

"Bogey" gantry that was passed fit for purpose how many times by the engineers?

Yes a draw would be delightful tomorrow.

Gavin "shels"

Zebra3 wrote: »

Long live the bogey gantry. :pac:

Ollie's breaking his sh*te laughing somewhere.

Can't see us getting anything from tomorrow night's game. Would gladly take a draw now if offered it.

dan1895 wrote: »

"Bogey" gantry that was passed fit for purpose how many times by the engineers?

Yes a draw would be delightful tomorrow.

Forza bogey gantrys and defamatory songs! :cool:

CSF

Damien Hancock. Get the **** out of football. That is all.

Mushy

Delighted a draw. Was it deserved or could somebody have won it?

BKC

Mushy wrote: »

Delighted a draw. Was it deserved or could somebody have won it?

Rovers could have and probably should have won, but Bray were good value for their point - defended well.

Rovers missed Twigg, a lot.

bohsman

Jason Byrne could very easily have snatched it for Bray but a draw was a fair result.

Mushy

bohsman wrote: »

Jason Byrne could very easily have snatched it for Bray but a draw was a fair result.

Heard that one before.

paddy978

CSF wrote: »

Damien Hancock. Get the **** out of football. That is all.

Can you explain for those of us not at the game?

Crazy to think Drogs are 3 off top Mick Cooke doing a super job.

PDN

paddy978 wrote: »

Crazy to think Drogs are 3 off top Mick Cooke doing a super job.

I keep wondering when I'll wake up and find myself back in reality where we need someone else to get kicked out of the league in order to avoid relegation.

NufcNavan

paddy978 wrote: »

Can you explain for those of us not at the game?

Crazy to think Drogs are 3 off top Mick Cooke doing a super job.

Shels lost. All you need to know.

CSF

paddy978 wrote: »

Can you explain for those of us not at the game?

Crazy to think Drogs are 3 off top Mick Cooke doing a super job.

Hancock randomly decided 2 foot challenges are only yellow cards (despite us getting a sending off for them every second week), apparently you can push someone over now and get away with a yellow card and go up and score the winner. Apparently you can control the ball in the box with your arm now and it isn't a penalty either. Disgusting refereeing performance.

dreamers75

paddy978 wrote: »

Crazy to think Drogs are 3 off top Mick Cooke doing a super job.

Best team i have seen this season, we were lucky to get a point off them.

dan1895

CSF wrote: »

paddy978 wrote: »

Can you explain for those of us not at the game?

Crazy to think Drogs are 3 off top Mick Cooke doing a super job.

Hancock randomly decided 2 foot challenges are only yellow cards (despite us getting a sending off for them every second week), apparently you can push someone over now and get away with a yellow card and go up and score the winner. Apparently you can control the ball in the box with your arm now and it isn't a penalty either. Disgusting refereeing performance.

The most bizarre was when Gorman was through on goal and the defender came across him and won the ball fairly but completly took Girman out of it. Somehow a free out instead of a reds throw!!!

dfx-

Ah, another Hancock 'performance', so...

How many of his Mons team are at Drogheda with Cooke?

dfx- wrote: »

Rovers' bogey side. Quigley timewasting. Twigg suspended. Waters suspended. On telly. 0-0 draw so.

If only it wasn't so predictable. Kavanagh was terrible.

CSF

dfx- wrote: »

Ah, another Hancock 'performance', so...

How many of his Mons team are at Drogheda with Cooke.

What's this?

dreamers75

dfx- wrote: »

Ah, another Hancock 'performance', so...

How many of his Mons team are at Drogheda with Cooke?

5?

CSF wrote: »

What's this?

he took a few with him Brennan sisters being the main ones. got another 3 in the window so think thats 8 but not sure.


they sacked him for Roddy or he left....debatable.....

Gavin "shels"

Hancock can't ref.
Bennion can't save a free kick 25 yards out, right into his hands.
Hurley can't defend.
Shels can't not get a red card.
Shels can't not concede a 90+ min goal.
Did I mention Hancock can't ref?

Pighead

Another fighting performance from Dundalk last night against superior opposition. Derry controlled the majority of the match and hit the post three times before they finally scored. We really came into the match for the final twenty minutes and got ourselves a much needed equaliser. Like last weeks game against Rovers, we could have actually nicked all three points as we had two very decent chances late on.

Speaking of Rovers apparently a good lot of their fans paid a few quid extra for their ticket last week to help us out. Decent of them if true. Also nice touch by the Derry City fans last night bringing this banner with them.

stovelid

The time has come to finally officially offer my best wishes to Drogheda for their title push.

Hammer Archer

We're slowly getting cut adrift at the bottom. Really need to pull out a performance like the Sligo one tomorrow. Kind of depressing that that was the last time we won a league game and it was two months ago

dan1895

stovelid wrote: »

The time has come to finally officially offer my best wishes to Drogheda for their title push.

Amazing that most of their squad have played mostly first division football the last couple of years.

upandcumming

applehunter

stovelid wrote: »

The time has come to finally officially offer my best wishes to Drogheda for their title push.

Can a good footballing team not win the title in this league for a change?

stovelid

applehunter wrote: »

Can a good footballing team not win the title in this league for a change?

If you watched the game last night, the problem was that we played too much nice football.

dreamers75

Think drogs will run out of players.

born2bwild

dan1895 wrote: »

Amazing that most of their squad have played mostly first division football the last couple of years.

Yeah, but the quality of the league has gone down a step for one thing.

More importantly, they have a core of decent players who are used to playing together - the Brennans all their lives and the likes of Fabio from Monaghan.

Possibly the best keeper in the league, too.

Don't fancy them to win the league but you could see from even before the season started that they were going to do very well.

Mushy

Quality day for a match. Little bit windy but still perfect. Hopefully crowd builds a bit

southlouth type

applehunter wrote: »

Can a good footballing team not win the title in this league for a change?

Bitter ? If we went on to win the league , which imo wont . We will deserve it more than any team i can remember in recent memory . A bunch of part time players who where playing in the first division last season .. Time to get real here :eek: And we played cork off the pitch in turners cross with some class football .

Mushy

St pats lads doing commentary if anyone is around and gonna listen.

Mushy

Cracking match.

Sligored

am hearing Sean O'Connor headbutted fellow Pats player Ger O'Brien

stovelid

Sligored wrote: »

am hearing Sean O'Connor headbutted fellow Pats player Ger O'Brien

Was he on a stepladder at the time.

Mushy

Sligored wrote: »

am hearing Sean O'Connor headbutted fellow Pats player Ger O'Brien

In changing room?

dreamers75

Entertaining game UCD scored at the perfect time, we were dead on our feet. Love playing them both managers shouting the exact things. We should have been out of sight but as usual cant kill a game and get another draw. Their keeper made some really good tv saves.

Mushy wrote: »

In changing room?

On the pitch just before he was subbed after the goal, right in front of pats fans.


O Connors a muppet, GOB shouting at him to track back and he throws a few shapes. Wanted to meet a pats fan outside after it He was poor today.

Mushy

Be a bit harsh on ucd to say ye should have been out of sight. Both teams had chances. Could see the Pats lads were dead after it. Will hopefully be there Thursday to cheer them on.

Never saw that headbutt, talking too much ****e Id say.

ShamoBuc

City one up at ht!