I moved to Ireland, so I'll try and keep ye lads posted on the latest results and standings in the Irish League. Last night was the first round of matches. Shelbourne won 1-0 against Shamrock Rovers, Cork beat newly promoted Dublin City 3-1, Waterford Utd beat Drogheda 2-1 and St Pats drew with Derry City 1-1.
Standings: 1-Cork City 3pts P1 2-Shelbourne 3pts P1 3-Waterford Utd. 3pts P1 4-Derry City 1pt P1 5-St Pat's Athletic 1pt P1 6-Bohemians 0pts P0 7-Longford Town 0pts P0 8-Shamrock Rvrs 0pts P1 9-Drogheda Utd. 0pts P1 10-Dublin City 0pts. P1
Great result for Derry there. Without pretty much half their starting 11 to get a draw away to Pats was a great result. They could finish pretty high this year, they certinaly wont be in the relegation dogfight like last season, espically with only one going down this year. O'Flynn back and scoring again too despite missing half of last season and nearly all of Corks pre season, he is class. I'd definitely have him in the Irish senior squad, his U21 form backs that claim up too.
I think Cork will have a great chance of the title this season! Expect them to challenge Bohemians and Shelbourne.
I'm not sure. Going forward they definitely have the players but they're top heavy with strikers, I don't think they can win the league this year anyway.
I have a question hopefully someone can answer for me. I will be in Ireland at the end of May until the begining of June, and I was wondering if the league will still be playing? Also where are the stadiums, I have been to Ireland twice and dont remember seeing any, except the one in Dublin? I will be staying in CO. Mayo and CO. Claire, can anyone help me out?
If you are going to be in Mayo and Clare, the closest game will be Galway United-Kildare County at Terryland on May 28. Here is a link to United's website: http://www.galwayunitedfc.ie/
Latest table: Bohemians 4pts P2 Waterford 4pts P2 St. Pat's 4pts P2 Cork City 3pts P2 Shelbourne 3pts P1 Shamrock R 3pts P2 Derry City 1pt P1 Drogheda 0pts P2 Dublin City 0pts P1 Longford 0pts P1
the biggest match of the eircom league is on tonight, Bohemians V Shelbourne, the two best teams in the country, in Dalymount park. There's good previews at www.eleven-a-side.com and www.soccercentral.ie and i'd say to any neutrul who is lukewarm to the league and wants to goto a few matches, this is the match to goto. Kick off tonight is 7:45.
Bohs and Shelbourne drew 1-1 last night. The match looked on course for a Shels win, but Bohs scored a late goal to level it.
Why is the ROI league only starting in March?? And would the teams be able to compete with the Irish giants of Linfield and Glentoran.
I'd imagine the ROI sides would beat them well to be honest. The league switched to summer football and it's proved a fantastic decision.
Why would they beat them. When the all Ireland league was tryed the ROI teams couldnt compete with the NI teams.
Ahh, I can see your logic there. Obviously the sides are at exactly the same level they were 50 years ago.
summer football is the best thing to happen to the eircom league ever,you cant beat going out to the cross watching city in the sunshine (except their not doing to good at the moment,) but with summer football the crowds are up and most games are friday nights at 7:45,which means their not clashing with premeirship games so a lot more people are comeing along,which is great for the league.