FAI CUP FINAL Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers

justshane · 03-11-2019 9:37am #1

Dundalk FC v Shamrock Rovers. Kick off 15:40, Aviva Stadium

Cannot wait for this. Beating Cork and winning the cup in recent times was unbelievable considering the dark times at Dundalk, but beating Rovers would be something else. Rovers have such a huge incentive with the drive for 25, and I know that Dundalk have the treble in their sights but I do get the sense that the pressure is on Bradley and Rovers.

I think Byrne and Duffy will be the keep men on both sides, and I envisage a high scoring game(touch wood). Anyway enjoy the game everyone and if you have not attended a cup final before or are unsure as to go today or not, GO. You won’t regret it.

Omackeral · 03-11-2019 10:10am

I've gone to the last few cup finals but I couldn't stomach seeing Rovers lift the trophy to be honest. I think another year of the Cup Specialists not winning the cup would make me a little happier on this drab Sunday.

No Chris Shields mixes things up a bit. I think the big pitch will actually suit both sides and will lead to a good game and an entertaining one.

Are Dundalk fans as hungry for this as ever or what's the story?

Ferris_Bueller · 03-11-2019 11:31am

I think three big areas of the pitch that will decide the outcome today are Byrne vs Hoare (?), Duffy vs Finn/O'Brien and Gannon vs Kavanagh. Hopefully a really good game as both teams are capable of doing. Dundalks experience in these situations is my big fear today but if Rovers play to their best I think they will win.

kksaints · 03-11-2019 11:36am

Fascinating match ahead. Considering how Rovers strength is their midfield, Shields loss is a big blow to Dundalk. It will be interesting to see who will play in the holding midfield spot for Dundalk. Earlier this season it was Hoare when we beat them and it was really obvious how Hoare was a much poorer passer than Shields and how you could put him under pressure to restrict him spreading the ball and playing out from the back.

Still don't think its enough for Rovers and I still think Dundalk will win but it certainly adds a unknown quantity to the match. Hopefully there will be a large attendance and I'm looking forward to it.

Ohmeha · 03-11-2019 11:52am

Despite the loss of Shields Dundalk's 3 wins/1 draw versus Rovers in the league and Dundalk's experience of the 4 previous cup finals at Lansdowne has to make them clear favourites today

Definitely pressure on Rovers to end this FAI Cup hoodoo since 1987 and pressure is on Bradley to deliver a trophy, today won't be make or break for him but like when Cork beat Dundalk in 2016 that set the momentum for their 2017 title winning season and it would do the same for Rovers going into 2020

Omackeral · 03-11-2019 2:14pm

Perfect conditions at present for a game anyway

D14Rugby · 03-11-2019 2:30pm

Why do the FAI insist on putting the women's final tickets at the centre of the stand that the camera faces? Just makes it look bad once they empty out for the mens final, know a good few will stay but even half leaving looks bad on TV.

applehunter · 03-11-2019 2:37pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Why do the FAI insist on putting the women's final tickets at the centre of the stand that the camera faces? Just makes it look bad once they empty out for the mens final, know a good few will stay but even half leaving looks bad on TV.

If like to know why is the women’s cup final on the day as the men’s final?

D14Rugby · 03-11-2019 2:40pm

applehunter wrote: »

If like to know why is the women’s cup final on the day as the men’s final?

The FAI will say to grow the women's game but the reality is its to save money and use up less of the FAIs allocated Lansdowne Road slots.

03-11-2019 2:41pm

It would never even near fill anyway so might as well have them the same day.

topmanamillion · 03-11-2019 3:14pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

It would never even near fill anyway so might as well have them the same day.

Give it its own day out in Tallaght with a near full house. The women's national side plays out there.
It's daft jamming it in at 12 in an empty LR.
It throws off the kick off time for the men's final.
Doesn't seem to suit anyone.

Ohmeha · 03-11-2019 3:19pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Why do the FAI insist on putting the women's final tickets at the centre of the stand that the camera faces? Just makes it look bad once they empty out for the mens final, know a good few will stay but even half leaving looks bad on TV.

If you are going to have the two finals on the same day infront of the TV cameras then one of the games will suffer from the optics of empty seats in the centre of the East stand. The women's final would look worse if all the tickets are not facing the cameras so it's a lesser of the two evils decision by the FAI as they are all-in on promoting the women's game now

03-11-2019 3:30pm

topmanamillion wrote: »

Give it its own day out in Tallaght with a near full house. The women's national side plays out there.
It's daft jamming it in at 12 in an empty LR.
It throws off the kick off time for the men's final.
Doesn't seem to suit anyone.

If the clubs and the association had half the gumption of the GAA then maybe, but currently this is the best way for exposure.

Omackeral · 03-11-2019 4:40pm

Classy Alan Mannus not facing the flag or clapping the anthem :pac:

major bill · 03-11-2019 4:42pm

Omackeral wrote: »

Classy Alan Mannus not facing the flag or clapping the anthem :pac:

Ha noticed that! No ****s given

03-11-2019 4:43pm

Omackeral wrote: »

Classy Alan Mannus not facing the flag or clapping the anthem :pac:

That’s the beliefs in fairness. If we support McClean then we can’t say much.

crispsandwiches · 03-11-2019 4:45pm

Omackeral wrote: »

Classy Alan Mannus not facing the flag or clapping the anthem :pac:

WANKER wearing his union jack boxers under the shorts.

average hero · 03-11-2019 4:46pm

Omackeral wrote: »

Classy Alan Mannus not facing the flag or clapping the anthem :pac:

I noticed that too. Doesn't leave a nice impression. Nobody is saying that you have to sing the anthem or anything like that, but an open show of some supposed 'defiance' regarding respecting the country where you work is petty.

On the other side, I respect that James McLean doesn't wear the poppy but he shouldn't openly turn away from it either.

Silly from Mannus and shows his character.

Omackeral · 03-11-2019 4:46pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

That’s the beliefs in fairness. If we support McClean then we can’t say much.

I just think it's rich to not show a bit of respect but to take a wage in the country. That goes for both of them.

Anyway, sod that stuff. This looks great on telly. Proper atmosphere. Fantastic stuff.

03-11-2019 4:48pm

Omackeral wrote: »

I just think it's rich to not show a bit of respect but to take a wage in the country. That goes for both of them.

Anyway, sod that stuff. This looks great on telly. Proper atmosphere. Fantastic stuff.

Yeah it’s only a minor thing in the big picture. This is a proper occasion, I really hope the match lives up.

Omackeral · 03-11-2019 4:49pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Yeah it’s only a minor thing in the big picture. This is a proper occasion, I really hope the match lives up.

Definitely. And for the poster who said ''we'' support Mc Clean when he does it. I think he's a buffoon too.

Looks a great open contest so far.

Quazzie · 03-11-2019 4:49pm

Omackeral wrote: »

I just think it's rich to not show a bit of respect but to take a wage in the country. That goes for both of them.

Anyway, sod that stuff. This looks great on telly. Proper atmosphere. Fantastic stuff.

Atmosphere sounds good but it looks odd that they didn't use the front rows. Makes the place look empty.

Omackeral · 03-11-2019 4:51pm

Jack Byrne is sheer class

Quazzie · 03-11-2019 4:51pm

Omackeral wrote: »

Classy Alan Mannus not facing the flag or clapping the anthem :pac:

Why would a Canadian hate the Irish?

03-11-2019 4:52pm

Omackeral wrote: »

Definitely. And for the poster who said ''we'' support Mc Clean when he does it. I think he's a buffoon too.

Looks a great open contest so far.

Really open and good stuff so far. Should settle into a good one.

More football played in 8 minutes than there has been at the aviva in a year.

.

Omackeral · 03-11-2019 4:54pm

Rovers looking really comfortable out there.

major bill · 03-11-2019 4:56pm

Crowd looks and sounds good Defo could be 35K + here

Good game so far some nice football been played

Omackeral · 03-11-2019 4:57pm

Cleary got bailed out there, silly to be messing with it there.

Corholio · 03-11-2019 5:04pm

Does pitch look heavy to anyone else? Ball doesn't seem to be moving that quick across it.

Corholio · 03-11-2019 5:35pm

Rovers better tactically but Dundalk with the better chances. Duffy not on the ball much in the first half.

osarusan · 03-11-2019 5:45pm

Reasonable game so far. Rovers really pushing up and causing Dundalk problems, but the Greene ball and attempted backheel, and Greene's shot across the box after a lovely ball over the top from Byrne, were was the only real chances so far.

Even though they press really high up the pitch when Dundalk have the ball, I think Greene is quite isolated when Rovers have the ball.

Rovers better in midfield for the first 30 minutes, Hoare giving it away a lot, but they settled a bit more as the half went on.

Cleary should have done better at the back post right on halftime.

Coillte_Bhoy · 03-11-2019 5:54pm

Anyone know a site where i can get the match stats please? Corners especially

tastyt · 03-11-2019 5:57pm

Dundalk been totally outplayed but hanging in.

I know its been said but Jack Byrne is just a level or two above everyone on the pitch. Running the show

MD1990 · 03-11-2019 5:58pm

remember Dundalk fans said McGrath was as good as Byrne. Crazy.

ShatterProof · 03-11-2019 6:05pm

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Anyone know a site where i can get the match stats please? Corners especially

Paddy power app. 2 - 4 at the moment

ShatterProof · 03-11-2019 6:07pm

Or FlashScore app if you don’t want a betting app. 2 - 5 on that 🤫

Corholio · 03-11-2019 6:14pm

Dundalk look more dangerous when they do get near the goal. Rovers for all their midfield passing haven't created great chances, Rogers not much to do. Good chances for both McGrath and Burke there.