Greatest League in the World 2024 [new thread available]

Group stage. The playoff round was tonight.

Tallinn were third seeds . Would rovers have been fourth seeds ?

Pleased to be in the quarter finals but that performance for the 90 was bad. Our very makeshift backline held up ok but our midfield and forwards were dreadful until McCormack came on. Coughlan in particular was really bad. Cork really put it up to us and in fairness they probably deserved their equaliser. We controlled extratime as Cork's fitness ran out but didn't create much however we dealt with the penalties a lot better than Cork did.

It was Hickman's first start since May and only his 2nd appearance for us after 30 minutes against Harps last week. I thought he did fairly well considering he was up against a tricky winger in McGlade. Crossing needs a bit of work but I didn't think he was exposed much defensively. He also lasted very well considering his lack of match practice. He made a great pass in extratime to Lambert that the Cork defender did a fantastic job of blocking. It's hard to know about Nwako so far as he's only been thrown one when we badly need a goal and the ball is generally hoofed at him. He looked ok against Harps but he didn't do a huge amount tonight alright.

Cork were very solid defensively anyway and Coffey looks a very shrewd loan signing. Coleman was excellent also, covers every blade of grass on the pitch similar to when he was with us in 2019. There's a decent core of young players down there, if they keep them they should be in the hunt next year anyway. I think this year would be too soon for them.

I don't think it's a bigger quality gap, fitness levels are really showing. These days now you have teams who are at the bottom of the PD who are full-time professional, it's been evident in recent years that Intermediate/Junior teams are leaking far more goals in the 2nd half of games against LOI opposition

Another awful performance from Rovers today. Bohs deserved the win, two cracking goals, but it nearly would've been a surprise if they didn't win with the team rovers put out. Again I will say it feels like Bradley has no plan B. He persists with that 5-4-1 formation even if it means playing several players way out of position.

We're lucky that there are no other serious teams in the league this season as I feel it's going to be a stumble over the line in the next few weeks.

50% capacity at outdoor sports grounds from September 6th apparently, should be good news for the League of Ireland! I'd imagine outside of Bohs and possibly Dundalk, most other clubs would not regularly get crowds bigger than 50% for a league game.

According to Kilduff, Maynooth University Town were interested in joining the LOI but were told not to bother because their home ground wouldn't be up to it. Bit hard to understand when you think where the likes of Cabo are playing out of.

Maynooth Town FC and the University merged a few years back, hence the name. The university have a top class set up and they've used Carton Houses facilities in the past. So their training facilities would be up their with the very best in the league.

A bit of joined up thinking with Klub Kildares LOI underage set up and they'd be a very strong prospect.

As a Kildare man I'd love to see it, but having heard that myself over the weekend it got me thinking - would I even support a team from Maynooth? I guess if they were named something to represent the county, but I would struggle to get on board with Maynooth Town in a passionate way.

Joining up with a Klub Kildare side would be a very interesting prospect alright. Just where to play the games would be an issue!

That's only for matches with players called up to the Ireland and Northern Ireland u-21s or Senior squads. Seems a strange one to me and should really be changed for next season.

It's very easy to understand why Maynooth UT were knocked back if they don't have floodlights and adequate spectator/media facilities in their ground for a First Division license. Cabinteely at least have this at Blackrock though the rugby pitch is terrible as doesn't do their young players much favours

Seems to be true. In the papers.

Supposed to be 100k per cap up to 10 caps. The whole deal will be worth E1.5 million+. Presumably there`s add ons there as well if he makes appearances for City. This and the clause in Dohertys contract by Bohs was very good business.

Hopefully these are standard now for LOI clubs and the days of future internationals leaving the league for buttons are over.

Mustoe’s goal was brilliant, and Tunde’s wasn’t half bad either, great play by Seymore and Webster in the build up. UTH

That's some result for Harps.

Ollie working wonders with that team.

Should be a good game this coming Friday night, NW derby again.