EIRCOM League 2nd - 3rd July

Premier Division Odds from gamebookers:

Match Odds
1X2:

11/10 Waterford United 2/1 Drogheda United 9/4
7/10 Shelbourne 23/10 Shamrock Rovers 7/2
evens St. Pats 21/10 Derry City 12/5
13/8 Longford Town 21/10 Bohemians11/8 (SAT)


Clean Sheets:

Waterford United v Drogheda United

Waterford United to win to nil 2/1
Waterford United to keep a clean sheet 23/20
Drogheda United to win to nil 15/4
Drogheda United to keep a clean sheet 15/8

Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers

Shelbourne to win to nil 6/4
Shelbourne to keep a clean sheet 10/11
Shamrock Rovers to win to nil 19/4
Shamrock Rovers to keep a clean sheet 12/5


St. Patrick's Athletic v Derry City

St. Patrick's Athletic to win to nil 15/8
St. Pats to keep a clean sheet 11/10
Derry City to win to nil 15/4
Derry City to keep a clean sheet 15/8

Longford Town v Bohemians

Longford Town to win to nil 7/2
Longford Town to keep a clean sheet 7/4
Bohemians to win to nil 11/4
Bohemians to keep a clean sheet 11/8


First Division Odds from Ladbrokes:
12X:

1/3 UCD 6/1 Monaghan 10/3 7.45 FRI

11/5 Limerick Evs Athlone 11/5 6.30 SAT
6/4 Kildare 6/4 Bray 11/5 7.30 SAT
11/5 Kilkenny Evs Dundalk 11/5 7.30 SAT
11/5 Sligo Evs F.Harps 11/5 7.30 SAT
11/5 Cobh Evs Galway 11/5 7.45 SAT

Premier Division Previews

Former Republic of Ireland international Alan Moore could make his debut for League leaders Shelbourne against Shamrock Rovers on Friday evening as the Premier Division season enters its second half.

Elsewhere, St Patrick’s Athletic clash with Derry City with both sides looking for the points in their survival battle while Waterford United take on Drogheda United at the RSC.

Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers – Tolka Park (Kick off 7:45)

29-year-old Moore won eight caps for Ireland in 1996 under Mick McCarthy and has plenty of experience with Middlesbrough and Burnley before deciding to return home to his native Dublin this summer with Shelbourne.

Friday’s clash with Rovers is the first game that he is registered to play for and, along with former Everton and Ireland Youth goalkeeper Dean Delaney, he comes into contention for a place in the starting XI.

“They are both in the squad and could be involved,” said manager Pat Fenlon. “We’ll decide in the morning.”

Ruled out however, are Stuart Byrne (suspended) and Tony McCarthy (hamstring).

12 points clear at the top of the table, Shelbourne are in a strong position as they look to win back-to-back titles for the first time in their history, though Fenlon is taking nothing for granted.

“You’d take being one point ahead so I am delighted with how we are doing, but it’s only half way. We’ve worked hard to get where we are and we’re going to have work harder to get the points we need to win the title.

“Rovers are always a good side to play against and they showed what they can do when they beat us 3-0 so we know we have to work hard.”

Shamrock Rovers travel to Tolka Park for the second week in succession having claimed a 4-0 victory over Dublin City at the Drumcondra venue last week and manager Liam Buckley is hoping that it continues.

“It was a good result and long may it continue. Shelbourne are top of the League on merit and will be difficult to beat,” he said. “But we’re in sixth place only two points off second and that’s what we have to be aiming at.”

However, Rovers will be without Jason McGuinness (suspended) and Paul Caffrey (knee) while Derek Tracey (groin) and Mark O’Brien (hamstring) are doubtful.

St Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City – Richmond Park (Kick off 7:45)

St Patrick’s Athletic and Derry City go head-to-head on Friday night with both sides conceding that a victory could be vital in their attempts to avoid relegation.

Currently two points ahead of Derry, a victory for Pats would open up five point gap between the Saints and Derry and bottom club Dublin City while a defeat would see them slip behind Derry into ninth place.

“With the win making the difference in terms of position and with Dublin City not playing, a win would make it look like you’re miles away from trouble which would give everyone a boost,” said Pats’ boss John McDonnell.

“I don’t think that what happens in the game will affect either team though in the long run – no matter what happens, both sides will still be needing points from other games also and I expect one of the teams above us to slip down because everyone is dropping points.”

With Karim El Khebyr returning from suspension, Joseph Ndo (suspended) and injured duo Barry Prenderville and Paul Donnelly are the only players missing.

“We’re getting players back which will be a big plus towards the end of the season when normally, you’re down to the bones. But I think even with a full strength team, Derry is a difficult match. They are a very strong side with lots of experienced players and we have to perform if we are to beat them.”

The visitors will be near full-strength with Gary Beckett (groin) likely to be the only absentee as Derry look to make it two wins out of two following last week’s impressive 2-0 victory in Waterford.

“We have to carry on from where we left off. There’s no point in doing all the hard work in Waterford and leaving it behind for this game,” said player-manager Peter Hutton.

“It’s a hugely important game for both clubs. Pats will be looking for the points to put a gap between themselves and ourselves and we want the same thing. But it’s important that we keep ourselves focussed on our job and get the points.”

Waterford United v Drogheda United – RSC (Kick off 7:30)

Waterford United take on Drogheda United hoping to arrest a slide that has seen them lose three games on the trot with manager Alan Reynolds telling his players not to lose faith.

“We’ve done well this season and have bounced back from disappointing results before so I’m not worrying about the run. If we keep doing things right, results will change,” said Reynolds.

With Dave Mulcahy suspended and Wayne Fitzgerald still not fully fit after his knee problem, it means the Blues will be without two key men.

Drogheda United meanwhile will be without midfield Alan Reilly (knee), and manager Paul Doolin is hoping for his side to continue their good showing from the first half of the campaign.

“We’re ahead of where I thought we’d be but I’m not being smug when I say that because I know that a couple of bad results would put us behind where we should be. We’re only half way and we’re not going to be bold and aim for Europe, it’s too early so we’ve just got to go and get the points.”

First Division Preview

UCD v Monaghan United – Belfield Park (Kick off 7:45)

The students currently trail Bray Wanderers by two points but have a game in hand and, with Bray not playing on Friday, they have an opportunity to go top though manager Pete Mahon will have to make several changes after his side suffered several injuries from Monday’s eircom League Cup quarter-final defeat by Bohemians.

Striker Robbie Martin (medial knee ligaments) and Brian Gannon (knee) both suffered problems and could be out for some time with Gannon due to see an orthopaedic surgeon.

On top of that Sean Finn and Pat Burke are also unavailable and Mahon admits that it is the first time this season that his side have suffered an injury crisis.

“It’s a worry. We don’t have a very experienced set of players anyway so to lose any is a big blow because we have to draft in players who haven’t got any experience yet, but I think we should be okay,” he said.

Despite UCD’s injury problems, Monaghan United boss Mick Cooke believes that the students will still be a difficult test. (yes - the odds would suggest this :rolleyes )

“We had a good game with them when they played us at home and we’re going there confident after last week’s win (against Cobh Ramblers). Our performances have been good, but we know what we’re going to face,” he said.

“I would say that UCD are certain to win promotion because they are the best team in the Division. Pete has done a magnificent job and it’s going to be hard to get a result out of them.”

Anybody got any opinions on these?
Some varying prices if you trawl throught the various bookies. Boylesports offer Longford at 12/5 although the draw or U2.5 is also tempting, with Longford drawing a huge amount of home games and 9 draws out of 18 games and have scored a whopping 2 goals in 9 games.

Some interesting games in the first division with possible insider info to be got at the various club forums on foot.ie.

Limerick played a game the other night against Bray with just a squad of 11 so their main keeper was up front and their reserve keeper in goal (as he's too heavy!). Bray won just 2-0 with Limerick missing a peno and having their striker cum keeper sent off for obstructing the Bray keeper (yes, only in Ireland!!) Apparently Limerick put up a mighty battle and I rate them a value bet for this Saturday's home game against Athlone who haven't improved at all since sacking their manager a few weeks back. Limerick should be able to afford a few subs for this one. If games ended around the 85th minute, Limerick would have a lot more points than they do now, having thrown away many leads this season. I feel they've a great chance of getting their second victory of the season here at 5/2 with Boyles.

Bray are away to Kildare on Saturday. Kildare have become a club in turmoil in recent weeks with crowds decreasing every week. Defeats to Dundalk and then bottom club Monaghan coupled with boardroom upheaval with the local Junior league cutting all ties with the club mean that all is not well in the Kildare camp. Bray are trotting to promotion with only one defeat since the opening day and are worth a bet here at 6/4 (Ladbrokes).

[PompeyPunt]

I was looking at Shelbourne myself as a possible bet, thought the price seems good. You can get 1.80+ at betfair.

Alan Moore is a half decent player, and should do very well in this league.

Was looking for any of the irsh guys to tell me a little more about this fixture, it's a local derby against Shamrock isn't it?

Someone try and put me off it

Yeah Pompey, Shamrock ROVERS (they are not from a place called Shamrock ) play their home games this season at Tolka Park which is Shelbourne's home ground so this is as local as you'll get.
I don't have much other info on it other than Shams already beat $hel$ 3-0 this season as it says above.
PTDSEI probably has an opinion on it as he's from Dublin and should have "the word on the street".

[PompeyPunt]

Cheers Irish, i don't like local Derby's. so i will probably stay clear of this one, especially as they play at the same ground.

I read earlier that they had already beaten Shelbourne 3-0 this season like you said, and that put me off abit to

[PTDSEI]

Rovers play their home games in Richmond Park (Home of St Pats) TW:b Dont meant to be pedantic!

Pats 0-1 Derry City

No comment >:

Thanks PTD, it's hard to keep up with the homeless hoops at times.
Sorry PompeyPunt for the misinformation although it did end in a draw anyway.

A nice win for Bray 2-0 while Limerick like so many times this season couldnt hold onto a lead and lost 2-1 with goals in the 75th - 78th minute after leading 1-0 from the first half.
At least Longford-Bohs was under 2.5 as expected.