Greatest League in the World 2024 [new thread available]

Because Waterford aren't good enough to beat UCD in a game we should have a 12 team league? I'd need that one explained to me. Waterford had 2 opportunities to get promoted (win the league or win a one off game tonight) they could do neither so they're where they belong.

Fair play UCD. After a nuclear winter there'd be Cockroaches and UCD playing ball in the Bowl!

Well, that's not actually how the game went at all though, UCD didn't "get at" anyone, they scored from a set piece after 10-15 minutes and went into their shell for the rest of the game.

Waterford just panicked too often when opportunities presented themselves, wasteful with the final ball too often or blazing shots over the bar.

Fair play to UCD, they toughed it out and held on. Always managed to get bodies in the way to block shots and fought hard for second balls.

I’d agree. It’s not UCDs fault, but I do think it’s a poor reflection on the Premier Division, and some of the bigger clubs stuck in Division 1, that they can consistently survive in the Premier, and then usually manage to get themselves back up fairly sharpish when they do go down. As I said, it’s more a reflection on clubs with much bigger fan bases than them, who should be doing better.

Ah ye kinda did like, I'm not saying ye shelled up like ye did in the second half (though still managed a break now and then of course) but for sure the game plan purely became sit back and catch Waterford on the break.

You know what though, there was a short spell after the goal where UCD were totally dominant in fact so maybe I'm misremembering but I thought from about 25 minutes on UCD just sat almost exclusively. The Waterford game plan in the first half was diabolical, and made worse by Waz up top.

It's a little besides the point though to the thrust of my original reply to the poster. It was nothing to do with knowing how to get at Baptiste and Cantwell, it was a set piece goal that decided the game. Not sure who blew the defensive duty to allow him to get a free header in the box but he took it well and carried a threat throughout I thought albeit on breakaways.

In truth UCD were comfortable for most of the game, and when the desperate defending was needed they stood up to the task. I felt Waterford missed Roland too and were pretty one dimensional, phoenix didn't hit the target once I'd say which is unusual for him.

10 shots off target for Waterford out of 12 shots on goal.

Yeah, great move, and Derry deserving of the lead. Just wonder if Brendan Clarke might have done better. Not a lot of pace on the shot.

Shels have been terrible. Can't defend and can't attack. Two nice goals from Derry.

That's humiliating for Shels and Duff.

They were dreadful.

Looking forward to another European campaign next season. Thanks Derry!

Favour returned

If Carlsberg did Cup Final opponents!!

Well McEneff was only on the pitch, and he has only played a matter of minutes for us this season.

So I'd hardly guess he's our best penalty taker. Unless he never misses in training!

And on another subject, a pet hate of mine, nice to see the country's premier cup final relegated to 2nd spot on the TodayFM sports news. Ronnie's relationship with his manager is more important. Kinda sums up our media's attitude to our local game here.

Moylan is a class act already and only just turned 21. Bohs are definitely not happy with their decision to have let him go.

Smith is signed with Derry this coming year, but would like to think/hope he will be back with us.

I'm surprised that Tunde is let go.

What's the deal there KK?

He didn't start very much and while he caused chaos when he came off the bench most of the time. His goals to shot ratio wasn't great and bar a hattrick against Bohs he didn't do much when he started. I'd have kept him as an impact sub but I assume he wanted regular football.