EIRCOM LEAGUE 5th to 7th August...c'mon now lurkers!

Odds from Ladbrokes:

Thurs 5th Aug
9/4 Derry Evs Bohs 9/4 7.45
1/2 Bray 5/1 Dundalk 12/5 7.45

Fri 6th Aug
Evs Waterford 9/4 Longford 9/4 7.00
10/11 Drogheda 5/2 Shamrocks 11/5 7.45
7/4 St Pats 5/4 Cork 11/5 7.45
5/2 Athlone 4/5 Harps 5/2 7.45
9/4 Monaghan Evs Galway 9/4 8.00

Sat 7th Aug
9/4 Kilkenny Evs Kildare 9/4 7.30
5/2 Sligo 4/5 UCD 5/2 7.30
8/13 Cobh 7/2 Limerick 5/2 7.45

Thursday's previews from fai.ie:

Derry City v Bohemians – Brandywell (Kick off 7:45)

City caretaker manager Peter Hutton was furious with his team following their 4-0 defeat though the week’s break has dimmed his anger as he hopes his side can muster a backlash against Bohemians.

“I was angry at the manner of our defeat, it was men against boys stuff. But with the benefit of hindsight, I think it shows that our squad isn’t strong enough to cope with seven absences, six of them being first team regulars,” said Hutton.

“Our form had been good up to that point and hopefully with some of the lads coming back, we can get back to that kind of form again.”

Hutton welcomes back Clive Delaney, Ciaran Martyn, Eamon Doherty and Michael Holt back from suspension though Kevin Deery (back), Paddy McLauglin (knee), Gareth McGlynn (toe) and Mark Farren (hamstring) are all ruled out.

Hutton has also warned his players that they will face a determined Bohemians anxious to impress following the dismissal of manager Stephen Kenny last week.

“I think it seems to be the way that players lift their games after a manager goes. That’s not a slight against Stephen Kenny, I think it’s more to do with players’ pride and the need to impress whoever the new man is coming in.

“A lot of the Bohemians players are out of contract at the end of the season and they’ll have their livelihoods to be playing for as well so I expect a tough game.”

Hutton has first hand experience of players lifting their games following the departure of a manager having galvanised Derry City since the resignation of Gavin Dykes at the start of June though he insists that he is still looking forward to vacating the manager’s seat in the near future.

Former Bohemians manager Kenny is, ironically, the favourite for the job and Hutton admitted that he hopes that the new man is in place soon.

“I’m taking it on a game by game basis and if the board tell me they’ve found the right man, I’ll gladly step aside.

“This stint certainly hasn’t put me off management. We’ve been doing okay apart from the Drogheda game though I do want to get back to concentrating solely on playing and enjoying my last few years playing football.”

At Bohemians, Kenny’s former assistant Gary Howlett has stepped into the breach on a part-time basis and he admits that the players are hungry for the game.

“After Stephen going last week and the defeat to Levadia, there was a lot of gloom around but I can sense that the lads just want to play a game to get last week out of their system,” he said.

“I’ve been asked by the board to take things for the moment and I’ll be doing my best to ensure we get the three points to take us closer to Shelbourne,” he said.

Howlett must plan without Damien Lynch (ankle) while he is hoping that international clearance for Dominic Foley’s transfer to the club comes through on time, though not included is Robbie Doyle who hopes to complete a move away from Dalymount Park within the next week.

Bray Wanderers v Dundalk - Carlisle Grounds (Kick off 7:45)

Bray Wanderers can go top of the eircom First Division table with a victory over Dundalk at the Carlisle Grounds on Thursday night.

A defeat by Galway United last week has had bad repercussion for Bray with John Flood and Eddie Gormley both receiving their marching orders meaning they are suspended for the clash with Dundalk.

Also ruled out are Kevin Grogan and Keith O’Hanlon through Stephen Fox and Eamon Zayed will return to the squad.

Dundalk manager Jim Gannon has several injury worries meaning he may travel to Bray with just ten fit professionals.

Ciaran Quinn and Trevor Vaughan are suspended, Paul Marney, Gary Sliney and Stephen Geoghegan are all definitely ruled out through injury, Paul Curran and Stephen McGuinness are big doubts while Michael Coburn is on holidays.

A number of Under 21 players have been drafted in though Gannon insists that he remains confident going to Bray. “We’ll have a good blend of youth and experience. Andy Duffy came in from the Under 21s last week and did magnificent scoring two goals and I think performances like that give us confidence.”

-----------------------

The bookies seem to have read too much into Dundalk's injury worries. They are unbeaten in 7 games and as their manager said, did well against Athlone last week with a number of youth players. Bray meanwhile have gone 3 games without a win, including a shock home defeat to Kilkenny in the cup and are absolutely no value here at 1/2, with 4 players missing. Dundalk are definitely worth a punt IMO @ 5/1 as they bid to close within 3 points of the top 4.

Ladbrokes give the best price on Dundalk on teletext (aertel) but then when you go to their site there's no mention of any Irish games
Sometimes I have to think they don't even want our money.
At least PP, stupid and all as they may be, have the same markets regularly not just when they feel like it.
b365 only go 10/3 and PP 4/1.

edit: rang them up and got a bet on Dundalk at a tasty 5/1.
Now come on the Lilywhites!

oooops
a 5-1 defeat
I'll get me coat

[PTDSEI]

Usual f.uck all responses

St. Patricks Athletic vs Cork City

Both sides 6/4 , draw 11/5

Can go either way.

We`ve had 2 wins from our last 2 games, our two young strikers Shepphard and Smith seem to be finding their feet, O keefe has been in form knocking a few goals in. However Our left full and one of the senior players that the young players look up to (Dessie Byrne) is suspended. Hes our free taker (our two goals v dublin city last week came from his dead balls). Keith fahy returns. Our defence remains the same apart from Byrne, we should be ok there. Midfield too, Bell and fahy in the middle, o keefe and dunne on either wing.

Previous results:
Cork City 2-1 St Patricks Athletic (04/06/2004) (we were Robbed in that game!)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-2 Cork City (09/04/2004)
St. Patricks Athletic 1-2 Cork City (02/12/2003)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-2 Cork City (20/10/2003)
Cork City 0-2 St. Patricks Athletic (29/08/2003)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-0 Cork City (07/07/2003)
St. Patricks Athletic 1-1 Cork City (06/06/2003)
Cork City 0-0 St. Patricks Athletic (12/04/2003)

My call would be...Draw.

Any corkies have an input.?

not seen results but i take it lower league pick lost 5-1? look at FC Copenhagen last night...2-1 up away leg 5-0 loss at home!?!?

5-1 is not good but what happened with Bohemians in the end - have not had time to read match report - one live score website was showing 1-0 Derry another 0-0? I believe a red card was dished out and the end result was 0-0.

PTDSEI - Cork seem to have the head to head and playing ok at them moment - agree a draw seems on the cards

[PTDSEI]

Derry 0-0 Bohs Full Time.

Bohs missed a penalty @ 51 Minutes
Bohs had a Red Card @ 80 Minutes.

Their season really is falling apart, good enough for the northsiders

Cork do have the head to head and I cannot see any other result other than a low scoring draw. (I hope I`m wrong and Tt Patricks Win )

[PTDSEI]

Drogheda are a great pick @ 10/11 or 4/5 to beat Rovers.

I saw Rovers Play longford on Monday and they were awful, (they managed to win 2-0) The game against Longford was tight untill Longford were reduced to 10 Men then rovers got 2 goals in quick succession and Longfords heads dropped. Drogheda are an allround strong team and I fancy them to score at least 2 golas.

Ill have a wager on the Drogs to win here

Have a read here Galea:
foot.ie/forums/showthread.php?t=16454

Friday's previews from irishfootballonline.com :

Drogheda United vs Shamrock Rovers
(United Park - 7:45 pm - Premier)
Paul Doolin saw his Drogheda side cut the lead at the top behind Shelbourne to just three points after winning their third straight game on Monday. Speculation over Doolin was also ended when he signed a two year extension to his contract, keeping him at United Park until the end of the 2006 season.
Drogheda will ominously have a full strength squad as Alan Reilly returns and would move top with a three goal victory.
Opponents Shamrock Rovers are having a quiet stable season in mid-table and avoiding defeat in Drogheda would be a good result. They welcome back Stephen Grant from suspension but Derek Treacy and Paul Caffrey are still ruled out.
League form for Drogheda United : WWWLW
League form for Shamrock Rovers : WLDWL
Previous meeting(s) : Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Drogheda United (04/06/2004)
Drogheda United 1-0 Shamrock Rovers (09/04/2004)
Drogheda United 0-1 Shamrock Rovers (21/10/2003)
Shamrock Rovers 3-2 Drogheda United (29/08/2003)
Drogheda United 1-2 Shamrock Rovers (06/06/2003)
Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Drogheda United (11/04/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

St. Patricks Athletic vs Cork City
(Richmond Park - 7:45 pm - Premier)
Cork City lost some ground to leaders Shelbourne when losing to Drogheda on Monday but a win in Richmond Park against the Saints could get them back on track.
St. Pats are hoping to build on two wins from two in the league and move further ahead of the relegation place. Long term injuries such as Gary McPhee and Jimmi Lee Jones remain out. Des Byrne is suspended.
Cork City should be at full strength and will have no enforced changes.
League form for St. Patricks Athletic : WWLLW
League form for Cork City : LWLWD
Previous meeting(s) : Cork City 2-1 St. Patricks Athletic (04/06/2004)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-2 Cork City (09/04/2004)
St. Patricks Athletic 1-2 Cork City (02/12/2003)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-2 Cork City (20/10/2003)
Cork City 0-2 St. Patricks Athletic (29/08/2003)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-0 Cork City (07/07/2003)
St. Patricks Athletic 1-1 Cork City (06/06/2003)
Cork City 0-0 St. Patricks Athletic (12/04/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

Waterford United vs Longford Town
(RSC - 7:30 pm - Premier)
Waterford and Longford are two sides in poor runs of form at the moment. Waterford have seen good early season form slip away and their place in the table slowly drop.
Longford on the other hand are just one place above bottom and need to pick up form or avoid being dragged into a battle by Dublin City. They will also be anxious to wipe out memories of last week's humiliation at the hands of FC Vaduz.
Waterford have a couple of players suspended and a handful more expected to miss out injured. Dan Connor and Mark Clifford return to the squad. Kevin Waters and David Breen are suspended with Willie Bruton, Wayne Fitzgerald, Vinny Sullivan and John Frost expected to miss out through injury.
Longford have their own problems with up to four players set to miss out injured. Barry Ferguson, Sean Dillon, Stephen Paisley and Darragh Sheridan could all miss the game.
League form for Waterford United : LWDLL
League form for Longford Town : LLLDD
Previous meeting(s) : Longford Town 0-2 Waterford United (04/06/2004)
Waterford United 1-1 Longford Town (09/04/2004)
Longford Town 0-1 Waterford United (21/11/2003)
Waterford United 0-0 Longford Town (13/10/2003)
Longford Town 3-1 Waterford United (13/09/2003)
Longford Town 1-0 Waterford United (09/08/2003)
Waterford United 1-1 Longford Town (23/05/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

Athlone Town vs Finn Harps
(St. Mels Park - 7:45 pm - Division 1)
Finn Harps can again return to the summit of division 1 if they inflict a fourth defeat from four for Athlone.
Athlone player-manager Stephen Kelly returns from suspension along with Graeme O'Keefe. Alan Murphy is rated as doubtful but Robbie Shine and Padraig Moran are out through suspension and injury respectively.
Harps should have no worries going into the game and changes are unlikely after twelve league games without defeat.
League form for Athlone Town : LLLWD
League form for Finn Harps : WDWWD
Previous meeting(s) : Finn Harps 1-0 Athlone Town (14/05/2004)
Athlone Town 1-2 Finn Harps (10/10/2003)
Finn Harps 1-1 Athlone Town (11/07/2003)
Athlone Town 1-2 Finn Harps (22/04/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

Monaghan United vs Galway United
(Century Homes Park - 8:00 pm - Division 1)
Galway United still have designs on taking one of the top three slots and nothing less a victory in Monaghan will keep that hope alive.
Anthony Murphy is a major doubt for Monaghan and would be huge loss.
Galway should be at full strength.
League form for Monaghan United : LLWLW
League form for Galway United : WDLDD
Previous meeting(s) : Galway United 4-1 Monaghan United (14/05/2004)
Monaghan United 0-3 Galway United (12/10/2003)
Galway United 4-1 Monaghan United (12/07/2003)
Monaghan United 0-0 Galway United (21/04/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

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Defo Finn Harps are a good bet to make it 4 defeats in a row for Athlone who went down 4-1 to an understrength Dundalk last week.

A lay of Waterford may be on the cards in the premier as their form in recent weeks has been poor, from fai.ie:

Waterford United are down to the bare bones for the visit of Longford Town to the RSC with manager Alan Reynolds struggling with six players out.

Long-term injury victims John Frost, Vinny Sullivan, Willie Bruton and Wayne Fitzgerald are still out while David Breen and Kevin Waters are suspended.

However, returning to the squad are goalkeeper Dan Connor and Mark Clifford.

Longford, meanwhile, will be without Sean Dillon (suspended), Darragh Sheridan (knee) and Stephen Paisley (knee) while Barry Ferguson (thigh) remains a doubt.

Without a League win in nine games, Town desperately need to pick up points soon. Manager Alan Mathews said: “We just have to keep working hard and the results will come. We were going well in the Cups and our performance against Shamrock Rovers shows we got over the European disappointment (when they lost to Vaduz).

“The pressure on us comes from within. We set targets for ourselves at the start of the season and we have to aim to achieve them.”

According to PTD (and the Longford manager), Longford did well against Rovers the other night before going down to two goals after a sending off so no way should Waterford be so short-priced. Attendances are dropping in Waterford with players being sent out on loan to reduce costs so all is not well in the Waterford camp.

Drogheda are back to full strength against Rovers and I back up PTD here by saying they are a solid bet. I backed Drogs on betdaq in midweek at 11/1 to win the league (still available btw). A win tonight will take them level on points with $hel$ at the top.

I went looking for opinions on foot.ie as I thought Limerick were priced very high v Cobh:

foot.ie/forums/showthread.php?p=148471#post148471

Originally Posted by eL Bettor
What are yer chances here?
The bookies (PaddyPower) make ye 7/2 to beat Ramblers, seems a good price to me.
Apparently (in the Cobh forum) no-one can agree on whether Cobh played well or were just lucky to get a draw with UCD, while ye did OK to hold cup high fliers Kilkenny to a draw!!
Any opinions much appreciated.

_________________________________
7/2 seems good to me. I might spare a fiver on it.

We did very well against them in the Cup match down there with the bare 11 fit players. Came back from a goal down twice and they needed an equaliser three minutes from time. The replay in Limerick went to penalties. So I think the sides are very evenly matched. Much more so than 7/2 suggests. We have Brendan Hughes back in midfield apparently - don't know if Eoin keating will be available. If so it could give us an edge. At least it will give options in terms of being able to make changes.

On top of all that we have a good record down in Cobh. I think their draw against UCD was a better result than ours against Kilkenny. The most important thing though was to stop the losing streak. Maybe the worm is turning on our season

[sonofsanta]

id say avoid the city/pats game, as mentioned above has all the makings of a cagey low score draw with city coming off a poor result and pats in some run of form.
will have a look at the other games in a mo

[PTDSEI]

Finalised bet for me tonight:

Medium stake on Drogheda to win @ 4/5

Gopod luck all eL punters , except the mugs betting ion Cork

[PTDSEI]

Good work tonight eircom league Punters

Drogheda 3-0 Shamrock Rovers

Waterford 0-1 Longford.

I won`t even mention the pats result :banghead

Waterford 0-1 Longford (hope some of you backed Longford rather than just laying Waterford)

Drogheda 3-0 Shamrock Rovers (cheers PTDSEI)

Athlone 1-2 Finn Harps (looking doubtful when Athlone took the lead but Harps came back well)

Tonight's bet is Limerick at 7/2 with PP/Lads, worth a punt IMO.

Good stuff lads. Wish I'd seen this thread earlier though, would probably have put some cash on Longford and Drogheda based on your advice

[PTDSEI]

:banghead Is it even worth bothering our arses typing this sh!t out , come on fellow paddys more posts please.

The P.L. euro section really is going to sh!t ( i know seria a, laliga etc hasnt started and its still early days) and ive noticed other forums with e.l. threads started by greek,turkish and slovakian lads! come on, theres serious money to be made here, example was drogheda to beat rovers. Thats was the banker of all bankers, I`d probably get a game for rovers if i was fit for fucksake! I`d imagine theres even more money to be made in divison one too for anyone whos in the know there just post up a simple "my bet is on kilkenny city to win @ finn harps @ 5/1"
:banghead

just post up a simple "my bet is on kilkenny city to win @ finn harps @ 5/1"

Well I did just that:

Tonight's bet is Limerick at 7/2 with PP/Lads, worth a punt IMO.

I even gave some analysis that I sought from another forum. And guess the result?
1-0 to Limerick

I wonder how many lurkers had a few with their winnings or is anyone paying any attention to this?

I`d imagine theres even more money to be made in divison one

As I always say (to myself ), "the lower you go the less they know", with "they" being the bookies. You can find some strange, (i.e. good) prices in the 1st division at times from PP and Lads.

I understand your frustration PTDSEI, 4 winning picks from 5 this weekend, and only jcaple acknowledges that the thread even exists.