Ireland: Premier & Division One July 18-21

[aliando]

Friday 18 July 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Bray Wanderers AFC v Galway United (19:45BST)	2.09	3.50	4.33	99.50 %	Details »
Hide « Bray Wanderers AFC v Galway United
Derry City FC v Bohemian FC (19:45BST)	2.68	3.35	3.00	100.50 %	Details »
Hide « Derry City FC v Bohemian FC
Saturday 19 July 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
UCD AFC v Cobh Ramblers FC (18:00BST)	2.14	3.30	3.85	103.01 %	Details »
Hide « UCD AFC v Cobh Ramblers FC
Sligo Rovers FC v Finn Harps (20:00BST)	2.00	3.40	4.60	101.15 %	Details »
Hide « Sligo Rovers FC v Finn Harps
Sunday 20 July 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Drogheda United v Cork City (15:00BST)	2.45	3.70	3.10	100.10 %	Details »
Hide « Drogheda United v Cork City
Monday 21 July 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
St Patrick's Athletic FC v Shamrock Rovers (19:45BST)	1.70	3.55	5.50	105.17 %	Details »

Friday 18 July 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Monaghan Utd v Limerick 37 (19:00BST)	2.96	3.30	2.75	100.45 %	Details »
Hide « Monaghan Utd v Limerick 37
Shelbourne v Dundalk (19:00BST)	2.50	3.35	3.15	101.60 %	Details »
Hide « Shelbourne v Dundalk
Wexford Youths v Waterford Utd (20:00BST)	4.50	3.70	2.00	99.25 %	Details »
Hide « Wexford Youths v Waterford Utd
Saturday 19 July 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Athlone Town v Kildare County (19:30BST)	2.04	3.45	4.00	103.01 %	Details »
Hide « Athlone Town v Kildare County
Longford v Sporting Fingal (19:30BST)	3.00	3.25	2.80	99.82 %	Details »

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: RTÉ Sport

Derry City v Bohemians

Friday, 18 July 2008 08:08
Bohemians begin life without former captain Kevin Hunt when travel north to take on title-chasing Derry City at the Brandywell, kick-off 7.45pm.
Hunt announced his immediate retirement from the game on Thursday due to family commitments and injury problems.
Bohs know a win would put them back above St Patrick's Athletic at the top of the Premier Division table.

With their European challenge over for the season, Pat Fenlon's side now have the chance to focus on winning the title for the first time since 2003.
Aside from Hunt, Fenlon will have to plan without Ken Oman (knee), Glenn Cronin (knee), Mark Rossiter (hamstring), and Jason Byrne (thigh).
However, Killian Brennan and John Paul Kelly return from suspension to bolster the midfield. And Fenlon, who is returning to the Brandywell after his unsuccessful spell there last season, is pleased to have the duo back.
'I expect a very hard game but we are in a stronger position for this game than we were for our last visit. Killian Brennan and Joxer Kelly will be back in the squad, and we have worked very hard on our preparations for this game during the week,' he said.
Fenlon added: 'It goes without saying that everyone in the team must play to their potential in the Brandywell. If we can achieve that level of performance, the least we can hope for is a draw. We devise a plan before every game with the aim of taking maximum points.'
Stephen Kenny welcomes his former club to the Brandywell desperate for his current club to reignite their faltering title challenge.
He said: 'Bohemians come to the Brandywell as league favourites and we respect that, so we will need to maintain the level of play that we have shown we are capable of. Hopefully, we will finish up with another home victory and the three points.'
Kenny welcomes back Mark McChrystal and Owen Morrison is in contention for a first team place having completed 90 minutes in a midweek friendly against Coleraine. However, Kevin Deery will undergo a late fitness test on a groin injury.

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: RTÉ Sport

Bray Wanderers v Galway United

Friday, 18 July 2008 09:22
Bray Wanderers host struggling Galway United at the Carlisle Grounds looking to get back to winning ways, kick-off 7.45pm.
After defeats to Finn Harps, Derry City and Bohemians, Bray have slipped back into eighth place, but a win tonight would move them back above Shamrock Rovers.
Bray manager Eddie Gormley is not taking the challenge of Galway lightly, despite their lowly position.

He said: 'It is going to be tough, I expect a real battle. We will need to play like we did in the last half hour against Bohemians. If we do that, we will be okay.'
Alan Cawley's absence through suspension will be a blow for Bray, who will also be without Dane Massey (torn ligaments) and veteran Colm Tresson (hamstring).
Galway travel to north Wicklow with manager Jeff Kenna included in their squad for the first time in the league. Kenna registered as a player earlier this week and played in the friendly defeat to Leeds United on Wednesday.
Kenna said: 'My conditioning is good and I've played competitively at Conference level up until a couple of months ago. With our current lack of strength in depth it now makes sense to make myself available to play.'
Shane Tracy is the only injury doubt for the Tribesmen.

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: RTÉ Sports

Wexford Youths v Waterford United

Friday, 18 July 2008 09:22
Wexford Youths will be looking for their first victory over neighbours Waterford United at Ferrycarrig Park tonight, kick-off 8.00pm.
Youths boss Mick Wallace must plan without Stuart Lawlor, Marty Kelly and Garrett Larkin as they are all injured.
Wallace said: 'We've lost our two games in the league against Waterford by a single goal and it promises to be another close affair this time around.

'Given the proximity of the opposition and the long history of Wexford people going to Waterford in order to see League of Ireland football, there's an extra depth of feeling attached to this fixture.
'Maybe July 18th 2008 will be the day that the Wexford Youths slay their illustrious neighbour for the first time.'
Waterford will travel with a strong squad after an agreement with the players was reached during the week.
Boss Gareth Cronin said: 'This is a really positive step and should enable us to put our promotion push back on track.'
'The players' willingness to renegotiate terms is a clear sign of their commitment to the club.
'I just hope the people of Waterford and the business community in the city and county come out and support them over the second half of the season.'

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: RTÉ Sports

Shelbourne v Dundalk

Friday, 18 July 2008 09:21
Shelbourne go head-to-head with leaders Dundalk at Tolka Park tonight knowing that a victory would see them leap-frog the Louth side at the top of the table, kick-off 8.00pm.
Central defender Ben Whelehan, who missed last week's trip to Kildare through flu, should return for Dundalk.
However, club captain Aidan Lynch is a doubt as he is struggling with a calf injury.

Striker Robbie Farrell (knee) could feature for the first time since May.
Shelbourne will be without Alan Byrne and David McAllister who are both out injured.
And captain Damien Brennan is also ruled out through suspension, however, centre-half Alan Keely returns from suspension.
New signing, striker Andrei Georgescu is also available for selection.

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: RTÉ Sports

Monaghan United v Limerick 37

Friday, 18 July 2008 09:21
Monaghan United entertain Limerick 37 in tonight's eircom League of Ireland First Division clash at Kingspan Century Park, kick-off 8.00pm.
Monaghan will be hoping to close the gap on Limerick who are fouy points clear of United and a win for Mick Cooke's side could see them overtake Longford and move sixth.
United will be hoping to build on last week's impressive performance against Waterford and have no injury concerns ahead of the game.

However, boss Cooke will have to plan without Kevin Williamson who is suspended.
Limerick will travel with a full squad apart from Wayne Colbert who is suspended for the trip north.
The Munster side are likely to hand out several debuts to some of their recent acquisitions as they look to make a late challenge for promotion.

[KurtFurtmustahl]

source: RTÉ Sports

Longford Town v Sporting Fingal

Friday, 18 July 2008 09:21
Sporting Fingal will be looking to stay in touch at the top of the table when they travel to Flancare Park to take on Longford Town, kick-off 8.00pm.
Longford have no injury concerns ahead of the game and are hoping to give a debut to new signing American Neite Weis.
Aidan Collins is an injury doubt for Sporting, the defender missed last weekend's 1-0 win at Wexford Youths due to an ankle problem and will have to undergo a fitness test ahead of the fixture against the Midlanders.

Otherwise, Sporting manager Liam Buckley has a fully fit squad to select from as they go in search of another good result.
Buckley said: 'I was delighted with the victory against Wexford Youths, especially as we weren't at our best on the night.

'With the way the other results went last weekend, it was important to pick up the three points in order to edge closer towards the three teams ahead of us in the table.'

[dsmythy]

Drogheda v Cork

I backed Cork to beat these guys in the League Cup with the knowledge of Drogheda resting players. This time they won't be but i'm still going to tip Cork again at 21/10 with BET365. They are well out of line with their fellow bookies on this one.

Drogheda have brought in Kudozovic but have lost other players. Also on a pure stats level at home in the league they have only won one of their last four games and that win came against UCD. In fact they havn't won a home game against any of the top table teams this season.

Cork on the other hand have a good away record. They have only lost twice on the road and they were against the top two in the league at present (a bad sign if they fancy themselves title chasers!).

Coupling the home and away form of the respective teams Cork have a better than 21/10 chance of winning this game. That is a great value price.

[dsmythy]

Other little tidbits of info. Wexford are missing a couple of players including their best player so far this season. Also Shelbourne in their big game against Dundalk are missing their two starting centre halfs for the game.

[Coltron]

Interesting call on the Drogs - Cork game DS. I will back on Sunday for that one. One bet tonight.

Bray v Galway

Bray did very well in the first series of games, getting 17 points from 33. In the second series of games they have taken 5 from 21. Bray create only a handful of chances every game. So they struggle for goals. They have not scored in their last four games. Tonight they are missing their creative midfielder Alan Caweley. So it is difficult to see where the goals will come from. Their usually tight defence is now leaking goals. Conceeding 10 in the last four games. Add in that this will be their third game in a week and Bray will do well to put in a good performance tonight.

Galway are bottom of the league, have money problems and have had to let many player go. In their last few games they have put in decent performances. I'm taking from this that morale in the camp is actually ok. While they have lost their last three away games they have scored in each of them. So they should continue that tonight and create few chances. Manager Jeff Kenna registered to play during the week and is rumoured to start tonight. It is a big unknown what kind of an effect this will have on the team. Galway have no one injured or suspended for this one, except for one player.

I can see Galway getting a result here. Bray rode their luck early in the season and they are now finding their level. Since I favour a low scoring game and a Galway result of some kind I'm betting the correct score market.

Bet: Galway to win 1-0 & 2-0. 6/10 @ 10.5 & 25.0
Draw match 0-0 & 1-1. 6/10 @ 10.5 & 6.5

[dsmythy]

Originally Posted by Coltron

Interesting call on the Drogs - Cork game DS. I will back on Sunday for that one. One bet tonight.

Bray v Galway

Bray did very well in the first series of games, getting 17 points from 33. In the second series of games they have taken 5 from 21. Bray create only a handful of chances every game. So they struggle for goals. They have not scored in their last four games. Tonight they are missing their creative midfielder Alan Caweley. So it is difficult to see where the goals will come from. Their usually tight defence is now leaking goals. Conceeding 10 in the last four games. Add in that this will be their third game in a week and Bray will do well to put in a good performance tonight.

Galway are bottom of the league, have money problems and have had to let many player go. In their last few games they have put in decent performances. I'm taking from this that morale in the camp is actually ok. While they have lost their last three away games they have scored in each of them. So they should continue that tonight and create few chances. Manager Jeff Kenna registered to play during the week and is rumoured to start tonight. It is a big unknown what kind of an effect this will have on the team. Galway have no one injured or suspended for this one, except for one player.

I can see Galway getting a result here. Bray rode their luck early in the season and they are now finding their level. Since I favour a low scoring game and a Galway result of some kind I'm betting the correct score market.

Bet: Galway to win 1-0 & 2-0. 6/10 @ 10.5 & 25.0
Draw match 0-0 & 1-1. 6/10 @ 10.5 & 6.5

Great reasoning on the game there. It really was an awful game. your bets never looked like failing. 19/2 on the 1-0 to Galway looks very big now in hindsight!

[Coltron]

There wasn't much in it. Could have went either way I think but poor finishing really cost Bray. It turned out to be good value. And I think I have found good value tonight, too.

Sligo v Harps

Sligo have a very good home record (4-4-2.) They are unbeaten in their last five games - drawing four of them. Goals are becoming difficult to come by. They have scored 7 goals in 8 games. Three of these against Cobh, the weakest side in the division. The real news for this game is the team news. Doubtful is defender Coleman and midfielder Cretaro. Both important players. They recently sold Faz, their best striker to Drogs. Also, Anto Murphy another good player, has gone to Bohs. And central midfieler O'Grady is also out for this game. Also, Sligo announced this week they will have find a lot of money quickly, or else they will go out of football. All this means to me that Sligo are a team that are in trouble. Will they be focused for this north east derby? It's possible, but what's more probably is that they are not. So, by default the value is with the away side. The current price reflecting more past home form than the current situation.

Finn Harps themselves are down close to the bottom of the league and, like all season, are missing some players. Despite missing players all season they have generally remained quite competitive - bar the odd game. They have most of their key players like Parkhouse fit for this one. They are on average form, losing at home last week (1-0) to Cork, the form team in the league. Harps have a similar scoring record, averaging just less than a goal a game - also scoring three against Cobh.

While not the idea team to be siding with Harps are value and will be competitive here. Similar to last nights bet I favour a low scoring game with Harps to get a result. While I know Sligo are good at home, signs say to me that they may not be good this game.

Bet: Harps to win. 1-0, 2-0 & 2-1. 7/10 @ 10.0, 15.0, 14.0
Draw match 0-0, 1-1, 2-2. 4/10 @ 8.0, 6.0, 15.0
Harps to win +0.5. 10/10 @ 2.1
Harps to win. 8/10 @ 5.2

[Coltron]

Sligo 4-0 Harps

I missed something. That was that Harps are worse.

[littleacca]

What bout your team today vs Cork ?

[Coltron]

Fook! The more I look at that Sligo - Harps post of mine the more I feel that I went a bit tipsy when I got putting down my cash. I shouldn't have put so many points on that. Not going to put that many on this game, but I'm sure I can find reasons that my home team will win. (Becareful of my bias.)

Drogs V Cork

Both sides enjoy playing against each other. They have built up a good rivalry over the last few seasons. This game will be close I feel - a draw or a win by the odd goal. Both sides had important European games in midweek and this will have taken something out of them. Still, I'm looking forward to a good game.

FROM the home sides point of view we are still in rough patch. Form has been up and down. To come from 0-1 down to win against a good team during the week will have given the team confidence. Dan Connor and Declan "Fabio" O'Brian are also back for us. These are important players - Connor a goalkeeper and Fabio is a forward. Defensively though we are only OK. Our back four is steady but will give teams chances. Today, if we give Mooney chances he can take them. Overall, I feel that we are strong enough to win this.

CORK have been winning. They have won their last 7 league games and are unbeaten in their last 10 games. Dave Mooney been the key behind this form, scoring in all those games. However, a team's future form depends on how they have been playing and not just what results they have been getting. Cork reportedly played below what they are capable of in their last two games. So I don't share your confidence in them DS.

Because I feel this will be a very close game and because of the European game only a few days ago I can see this being a low scoring game. Four bets for this one.

Bets: Drogs win 1-0 & 2-1. 4/10 @ 8.0 & 11.0
Mooney to score first. 4/10 @ 7.0
A Hughes to score first. 2/10 @ 15.0

(My bias is in play here. You could argue that a draw is the most favourable result.)

[Coltron]

Originally Posted by dsmythy

Drogheda v Cork

Coupling the home and away form of the respective teams Cork have a better than 21/10 chance of winning this game. That is a great value price.

Drogs didn't create one clear chance. I should really stop betting on them. Luckily Mooney scored for Cork to keep my books in order. Drogs have a Champions League game this week: a good betting opportunity.

[littleacca]

I went with Dave Mooney aswell. This guy has won me over £100 in the past 4/5 odd weeks. Anytime scorer yesterday at 9/4. Lovely Jubly..

[paulie walnuts]

mooney is on fire at the moment!

[Coltron]

to the PL Paulie!

Mooney has continued on from last season. If he keeps going he will find himself playing in the Championship, following on from the Kevin Doyle, Roy O'Donovan and Shane Long. All former Cork forwards too.