Ireland: Premier & Division One Aug 29-30

[aliando]

Friday 29 August 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Bohemian v St Patrick's (19:45BST)	1.90	3.30	4.20	106.74 %	Details »
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Bray Wanderers v UCD AFC (19:45BST)	2.10	3.40	4.50	99.25 %	Details »
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Derry City v Finn Harps (19:45BST)	1.56	4.00	7.50	102.44 %	Details »
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Shamrock v Cork City (20:00BST)	3.00	3.25	2.30	107.58 %	Details »
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Saturday 30 August 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Cobh Ramblers v Galway Utd (19:45BST)	2.37	3.30	3.20	103.66 %	Details »
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Sligo Rovers v Drogheda Utd (20:00BST)	3.00	3.20	2.50	104.58 %	Details »

Friday 29 August 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Limerick 37 v Dundalk (18:45BST)	4.50	3.30	1.83	107.07 %	Details »
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Sporting Fingal v Shelbourne (18:45BST)	2.50	3.20	2.80	106.96 %	Details »
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Waterford Utd v Kildare County (18:45BST)	1.50	3.75	7.00	107.62 %	Details »
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Wexford Youths v Athlone Town (19:00BST)	2.30	3.25	3.40	103.66 %	Details »
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Saturday 30 August 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Longford v Monaghan Utd (18:30BST)	2.10	3.20	3.40	108.28 %	Details »

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: Extratime.ie

Bray Wanderers vs UCD


By Finbarr O'Sullivan

Bray Wanderers take on UCD at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night in a bottom of the table tussle.
Bray go into the game without the services of the suspended Ray Kenny and the injured Dane Massey. Central defenders Derek Foran and Kevin Doherty are both doubtful for the game, along with midfielder Mark Duggan. Doherty is struggling with a dead leg while Foran will undergo a late fitness test on his ankle injury. Duggan will also have to wait until a decision is made on his stomach problem.
In the build-up to the game, Wanderers manager Eddie Gormley said: "This is a massive game for us, a real six-pointer and it's crucial we get a result. We gave a good performance against Cork last Friday, particularly the back four and the middle four. We were in the game until the second goal and that really killed us off." He added: "We need to work hard on our forward play and we have done that in training and hopefully we can get back to scoring goals."
UCD go into the game with a clean bill of health and no suspensions.
Speaking ahead of the game, UCD boss Pete Mahon said: "We have a good record against Bray but that counts for nothing on Friday. We're playing with confidence at the moment and we can only hope that continues."
The referee will be Tom Connolly. Kick off is at 7.45pm.

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: Extratime.ie

Derry City vs Finn Harps


By Simon Carter

The Northern Derby takes place for the last time this season as Derry City welcome Finn Harps to The Brandywell (kick-off 19:45). To date, Derry City have had the bragging rights in these games a 2-1 home win in March and a 2-0 away win in May. They also defeated the Donegal men in the League Cup so Harps will be out for revenge.
Stephen Kenny welcomes back Stephen Parkhouse from suspension and is expected to go straight into the team again. Davy Byrne is a slight doubt while Gary Beckett and Cornelius Gallagher remain sidelined.
Last week, Paul Hegarty watched his side go two up on fellow relegation strugglers Cobh before disappointingly ending the game with just a point.
"Last weekend was a massive disappointment, there's no doubt about that. Probably the thing about last week that annoyed us more than anything was the fact that we scored two very good goals to go 2-0 up, but then conceded two very poor ones."
He knows though he will need a bit of luck on his side to get the better of the Candystripes though.
"We've had a go at Derry when we played them this season and have been unlucky in our couple of league games with them. Maybe on Friday we'll get a bit of luck that we don't seem to get too often. I've an idea about how I'll play it on Friday but to tell you the truth there will be no great surprises to it."
The game kicks off at 19:45.

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: Extratime.ie

Limerick 37 vs Dundalk


By David Byrne

League leaders Dundalk travel to Jackman Park on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm) as they look to maintain their five point advantage at the top of the League of Ireland First Division. John Gill’s side will relish the chance to gain revenge on Limerick, after the Shannonsiders defeated Dundalk in Oriel Park two months ago. The visitors know it will be a difficult task as Limerick’s young squad will be full of confidence after a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Athlone last Monday night in Lissywoollen.
Despite this, Mike Kerley’s side have a huge task on their hands on Friday evening as Dundalk have been in unstoppable form with six wins and two draws from their subsequent eight outings, and another victory here will further strengthen their place at the head of affairs.
Dundalk will have one eye on Waterford’s game against Kildare County as the League leaders hope that second placed Waterford will drop points at home to bottom side Kildare.
John Gill’s side will be understandably nervous about Friday’s game as they look to return to the Holy Grail known as the Premier Division after the disappointment of the last two seasons. Last season saw Dundalk travel to Jackman Park on a high as they were still in the promotion race but a 4-1 drubbing of the County Louth side sent the club’s promotion bid into tatters.
Despite Dundalk’s 2-1 victory against title rivals Waterford United last Thursday night, The Lilywhites Central defender Ben Whelehan has insisted that title chasing Dundalk are not yet anywhere near touching this year’s Eircom League of Ireland First Division trophy.
“No, not yet - far from it,” Whelehan stated to dundalkfc.com. “The table looks nice now, but, as I’ve said before in many interviews, it’s about how it looks at the end of the league campaign. There’s a long way to go, there’s a lot of games to go - we still have to go down to Waterford yet - so there’s a lot of points to be played for.
“It’s just one victory on the road to the league. It is a big boost and we needed that. If we had drawn the game, you’d be disappointed, but we got the three points and we’re happy. It gives us an incentive now - we know now that if we win another game and another team slips up that that gap gets bigger.
“It was a very good win. It’s always good to get a win when you’re playing your close rivals, but I think there’s an awful lot that can be improved on from our end of things. I don’t think we were excellent or anything. I think we just battled and defended well and dug out a result. I don’t think we were at our best at all.
“Waterford showed improvement from when we played them last, but they knew that they had to come up here and do something. In fairness, they tried to play football and they kept the ball probably, possession wise, a lot more than us, but, at the end of the day, we got two goals and we won the game really by just digging in and defending. We just need to improve I think.
“They had to sort of chase us in the second-half and they were pushing three and four men up front, so it was difficult, but we defended well. They’re a big physical side, but I thought we coped with them well. They had a few goalmouth scrambles, but I can’t really remember any clear shots on target that troubled Chris Bennion.”
Limerick 37 Team News: Mike Kerley has a full squad to choose for the first time this season. Limerick have no injury worries and Brendan Daly returns from suspension after missing out on his sides victory against Athlone Town.
Dundalk Team News: John Gill has no suspension worries, however, injuries see John Gill’s men depleted for the long trip to Jackman Park. Strikers Robbie Martin (knee), Tiarnán Mulvenna (calf) and Robbie Farrell (knee) will all again miss out, as will centre-half Aidan Lynch (calf). Elsewhere, the Lilywhites are at full-strength, with Paul Smyth, who has impressed up front recently, again likely to partner Dessie Baker in attack.

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: Extratime.ie

Wexford Youths vs Athlone Town


By Simon Carter

It's back to League of Ireland First Division business for Wexford Youths FC on Friday night, after an amazing week for Mick Wallace's young squad.
Wexford pulled off one of the biggest cup shocks in recent history after defeating Cork City at Turner's Cross in the eircom League Cup semi final last Monday, and although Wallace and his players have revelled in the exposure and adulation following the famous win, the Wexford manager knows that it's back to reality for the club and has emphasised that his players need to be focused for the visit of Athlone tomorrow night.
"Monday was fantastic, but it's back to our priority now, which is the First Division and climbing the table," Wallace said. "We enjoyed Monday and look forward to the final, but the Athlone game is just as important and we need to be focused for this and pick up a win. We've never won three games on the bounce and at the moment we're in the mood for breaking records, so let’s hope we break another one against Athlone."
Athlone Town will be looking for a major confidence boost as they make the long trek to the sunny south east
Manager Dermot Lennon has injury and suspension worries leading into this game with Ian Coffey (suspended), Jim Sheridan (knee) and David O’Dowd (arm) all definitely unavailable and Colm Jinks (back) and Niall Scullion (ankle) being major doubts for this game. On a plus side he cam welcome back Joey Maloney and Nigel Keady who missed the 3-0 loss against Limerick 37 Monday their first home defeat in three months.
Kick off in Ferrycarrig Park is 8pm.

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: Extratime.ie

Sporting Fingal vs Shelbourne


By Gordon Hunt

Sporting Fingal welcome local rivals Shelbourne to Morton Stadium on Friday, looking to bounce back from their poor 1-1 draw at Station Road last weekend. Sporting have endured a difficult fixture list of late, with this game completing their top of the table set having faced Dundalk and Waterford in August.
Brian Kelly (back) and Jim Crawford (calf) continue to recover from injuries and won’t be available but good news for manager Liam Buckley is that Peter Hynes, Chris Deans and Paul Caffrey all return from their suspensions.
Shelbourne have begun to turn their season around, having been bolstered by several acquisitions since the transfer window reopened. Their 5-0 win last weekend against Longford saw two new boys, David McAllister and Darren Forsyth, score four goals between them.
Manager Dermot Keely’s mood must have been lifted following that result, and the return to fitness of Anto Flood and Andrei Georgescu. However Philip Gorman is injured for this game and joins David McGill and Gary McCabe in the stands, as both men are suspended.
In the three games between these sides already this season, there has yet to be a victory for either side. (Shels win in the cup came after penalties) With Dundalk having recently opened up a six point gap over Shels and a seven point gap over Sporting, both sides will surely be looking for a win, with Sporting’s defender Chris Deans keen to address their problem with playing the sides around them.
“Aside from last week’s draw against Kildare, it’s the top three teams in the division that we have dropped points against so far in this campaign. We’re determined to change that on Friday.” [Deans obviously pushing the opening day drubbing at the hands of Longford Town deep into the crevices of his forgotten memories…]
Kick off at Morton Stadium on Friday is 19:45

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: Extratime.ie

Waterford United vs Kildare County


By Simon Carter

Waterford United will be looking to quickly get back to winning ways when they take on Kildare County at the RSC this Friday. (Kick-off 19.45)
After their unbeaten run was finally ended at ten games by Dundalk last weekend, the Blues have slipped five points behind the leaders, and down to third place on goal difference behind Shelbourne, and they will be aiming to bounce right back with a convincing victory over bottom placed County.
That may be easier said than done, as the two games between the sides this season have been close run things, both decided by a single goal in Waterford's favour, and indeed last time at the RSC it took a 90th minute Vinny Sullivan strike to secure the win, after the Blues had trailed up until six minutes from time.
Decent wins at Longford and Wexford for the Thoroughbreds in recent weeks will also serve to warn United against complacency, and manager Gareth Cronin knows his side will have to be at their best to take the three points.
"It won't be easy. They [Kildare] do well against the big teams, they set out their stall to be defensive. We won't show any disrespect to them. We just have to make sure we go and get three points."
The boss was pleased with his team's performance at Oriel Park on Thursday, though bemoaning their defending of set pieces which cost them the match, and will be hoping for similar from his charges this Friday.
"I always thought it would be tight. Dundalk do very well from set pieces, especially here at Oriel, and I always knew they'd be a threat."
"But I can have no complaints, the second half performance was brilliant from us, we passed the ball very well."
He will have to plan without the services of midfielder Luke Fitzpatrick, impressive in the Dundalk game but suspended for this match, but Vinny Sullivan should boost Cronin's attacking options as he returns from honeymoon.

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: Extratime.ie

Sligo Rovers vs Drogheda United


By Simon Carter

Sligo Rovers match against Drogheda United will be overshadowed by the looming deadline for the moneys owed by the club. Despite many pleas to their support, the club will fall short of the required amount unless they can find a last minute saviour. The players however can only help out by focusing on matters on the pitch.
Last week, Rovers went down to St Patrick’s Athletic, and manager Paul Cooke will be hoping his side can get the better of current Champions Drogheda United. He will be boosted by the return of Danny Ventre from suspension, but Steve Feeney is out having only returned from six weeks out. Matthew Judge is also sidelined.
Drogheda United will travel to Sligo Rovers trying to push their way into contention for a UEFA Cup spot.
United, who lost 2-0 to Bohemians in a midweek league tie, have fitness doubts over attacking midfield pair Shane Barrett and Richie Baker, while Dan Connor remains absent with a hip injury. Manager Paul Doolin will have to wait and see if either player can prove their fitness. "We're not sure about Shane or Richie yet, not 100%. But we'll see how they go tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, before making a decision on them."
With Stuart Byrne out, Brian Shelley is likely to revert to his preferred right-back position, with Shaun Maher, Graham Gartland and John Tambouras fighting it out for the two centre-back positions. Joe Kendrick is likely to continue on the left.
The midweek defeat to Bohs has left the Drogs a full 23 points behind the league leaders. Doolin feels it was a definite improvement on their FAI Cup defeat the previous week. "We started a lot better and matched them for the early spell - there wasn't much in it. But they probably should have scored before they did, they had a good chance. Their two goals, we didn't defend well, and we were punished." He also admits that his side have conceded too many soft goals. "People speak about he goals scored, but for me, we're conceding too many goals, goals we wouldn't have conceded last year. We had a settled back five last year, something we haven't had for long spells this year."
Regarding this season, the United boss believes that the aim must be a high league finish. "We have to go about our business and get as many points as we can, starting on Saturday. Our aim has to be to get back in a position to qualify for Europe. I can't fault the players, they've been brilliant for this club for the past few years. Every club has dips in form, bad spells. It's easy when you're winning and everything is going your way, but it's harder when you're going through a bad patch, we have to work through it. For whatever reason, it's just not there for us at the moment. But we'll finish the season out the very best we can, hopefully qualifying for Europe, and look to next year."

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: RTÉ Sport

Shamrock Rovers vs Cork City



Shamrock Rovers will be without a trio of first choice players for the visit of crisis torn Cork City to Tolka Park this evening, kick-off 8pm.
Manager Pat Scully has been denied the services of captain Aidan Price for at least six weeks after suffering a shoulder injury, while Eric McGill (knee) and Stephen Rice (suspension) are also ruled out.
However, Scully does face one welcomed dilemma with the return of goalkeeper Barry Murphy from suspension. Robert Duggan deputised superbly in the 1-1 draw with Drogheda United last week and Scully must choose between the two this evening.

Speaking of Price's injury, Scully revealed: 'It's bad news again for Aidan Price. He'll be out for at least six weeks and may not play again this season. We can only wait and see what the specialist says.
'It's a huge blow for the team, but even more for him personally.
Aidan's been very unlucky with injuries and has only played in a small number of games for us over the last two seasons.'
Looking back on last Friday's draw against Drogheda, Scully admitted: 'To be fair, they deserved a point. I thought Robert Duggan was superb in goal for us and pulled off some great saves, but we gave them too many chances and paid the price by conceding a late goal.
'It was a really good game, and once again we showed that we're not far behind clubs such as Drogheda. I also thought our goal was fantastic - but we got no credit for it, which was surprising.'
Looking forward to tonight's game with City, he said: 'We played well against Drogheda and aim to carry on from there. This is our second time to play Cork City in a couple of weeks and these
games are always tight. This one will be no different.
'I feel particularly sorry for the players and the supporters. They're the ones who suffer the most. But you have to question the way the club has been run since Arkaga took over.'
Arkaga's withdrawal and the club's subsequent plunge into examinership saw Cork deducted ten points by the FAI last night, and following on from all remaining staff's decision to take a 70% pay cut until the end of the season.
But manager Alan Mathews will hope his players can restore some stability following Monday's surprise League Cup semi-final defeat to Wexford Youths and a 10 point penalty. Danny Murphy is Cork's only absentee through suspension.
City advanced to the quarter-finals of the FAI Ford Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Hoops at this venue two weeks ago, and Mathews will be hoping for more of the same.
Speaking ahead of the game, he told CorkCityFC.ie: 'It's been a difficult week for all concerned at the club and we need to respond by doing our work on the pitch.
'The attitude of the players has been fantastic, not just in the last few weeks, but over the whole season. I know we will put in a hard-working and whole-hearted performance as we bid to claim another vital three points.'

[Belkin]

bray vs ucd under 1.65, both very defensive with lack of shhoting ability

dundalk at limerick @1.88, inform dundalk to maintain their div1 lead. limerick despite last 3-0 win at athlone don't seem to be in their best shape.