Greatest League in the World 2024 [new thread available]

i would say Irish team are not getting squad turnover that some of these mercenaries teams in the east of Europe are getting. That are more settled, know their roles for not just a couple of months but often a couple of years.

A massive win for Harps, there's a bit of fight in them yet. UCD away next week can be filed under 'must not lose'

Yep it's Corks to lose now. We weren't great tonight, two mistakes gifted Wexford their goals. Although they did play some lovely stuff in the first half, must be said.

Héry was superb for us, went off with a hamstring strain late on though. We huffed and puffed a bit, hit the bar and the Wexford keeper made a couple of great saves too.

We have to just keep ploughing on and hope ye drop points and that there's something to play for when ye to come to us next month.

In fairness, all 4 goals last night were as a result of poor defending. Wexford on a bit of a run at the minute and the manager sends them out to try and win every game, no matter what the opposition. Confidence in the group is very high and they hunt down every ball. Great to watch after years of horrible gloop.

Ya I've been impressed by ye in both games this season. Second half ye tired, noticeably, but still kept going and had a couple of chances late too. If ye can hold onto the manager ye are definitely going in the right direction.

I know Shels have already been furious with the FAI this season over three late date changes or postponements I won't be surprised if things escalate legally with the FAI on this as the club is bleeding matchday revenue with a midweek home fixture pileup accumulating. I also wouldn't believe a word out of Pats

On what basis legally?

Have they suffered a loss? What happens if the attendance at the re-arranged fixture is higher? Will they give money back?

Just to reiterate Shels are a sad bastard of a club and I welcome their demise.

Thankfully i can go for a carvery today rather than stand in a piss filled " stand", would prefer to play Fingal than have to attend Tolka tbh

I hope that you don’t choke on your carvery. That would be just terrible.

Will the Rovers match tomorrow night be shown anywhere? Hard to believe that a game where a LOI is likely to qualify for European group stage football won't be televised, but also doesn't sound as if there are any streams arranged by the club either?

Disgusting stuff. If I was Clarke I’d be in no hurry to leave unless I got a better offer elsewhere. Otherwise let them keep paying him. Sort of what Barcelona are up to, on a smaller scale.

Kerry continue the preparations for a First Division licence application by appointing Damien Locke as Head of their Youth Academy, he having acquired the necessary UEFA qualifications during his spell at Wexford. The U19s appear to be fairly promising on the pitch, but it's the other criteria that will have to be ticked off over the next three months:

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/sport/soccer/kerry-fc-snap-up-damian-locke-as-new-head-of-academy-41897731.html

The Shams game has been picked up by Supersport in Albania but I'd say it is too late now for RTE or Virgin to sort out buying the feed. If they were motivated enough I'm sure they could.

There'll be dodgy streams available now at least.

Best of luck to Rovers tonight

No matter what club you support a result tonight is important for the whole league of Ireland as its guarantees at least a 'a European group stage' by an Irish club team

Well done Rovers. A great achievement, and we all benefit from it in the league.

Will be very impressed if we sell out three stands. Although it’s the kind of thing that should be a given for a European game. Would give us a much better chance if it was in Richmond though.

Unfortunately with the way European competition is now, that's inevitable for the smaller leagues.

The vast majority will have a Rosenborg type team, dominating the league most years and ensuring their success with the guaranteed higher prize money the league winner gets in Europe, and the vastly greater money if they win a few ties in Europe compared to the teams starting in the Conference League.

I hope that doesn't sound pessimistic, I believe the league will increase in standard as a whole, but Rovers with the biggest fan base, already being the dominant side and European money to go with it will likely take over.

Hopefully Pat's can get another team through on Thurs now.

Well done Rovers.

The money that they will get from european competition alone this season is Drogheda's budget for nearly ten years!

Whilst it can create a gap in the league, it also shows the possible rewards to potential investors in clubs.

heard Gav cooney say on OTB that teams from the third round in European competition have to charter a flight to games? Why would that be? More risk of Covid infection on commercial flights?