Eircom Leagues 28th-29th Apr

[Monty]

Ireland Eircom Premier League

28 Apr-19:45 Bohemians v UCD 1.90 3.20 3.60
28 Apr-19:45 Bray Wanderers v Dublin City 2.20 3.20 2.87
28 Apr-19:45 Drogheda United v Longford Town 1.53 3.75 5.00
28 Apr-19:45 Waterford United v Derry City 3.50 3.25 1.90
28 Apr-20:00 St Patricks v Cork City 3.20 3.25 2.20
29 Apr-19:30 Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne 3.50 3.25 1.90

Ireland Eircom First Division

28 Apr-19:30 Limerick v Dundalk 2.20 3.20 2.80
28 Apr-20:00 Monaghan United v Athlone Town 2.30 3.10 2.75
29 Apr-19:30 Kilkenny City v Kildare County 2.20 3.10 2.87
29 Apr-19:45 Cobh Ramblers v Galway United 2.62 3.20 2.30
29 Apr-19:45 Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers 2.80 3.10 2.25

Bet365

[Monty]

team news from rte.ie

Drogheda United v Longford Town team news
Thursday, 27 April 2006 9:50

Longford have been rocked by the news that John Martin could miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

Martin suffered the injury in Waterford last week and won't know the extent of the problem until he sees a specialist next Tuesday.

Fellow midfielder Dean Fitzgerald is also out for a month with a recurrence of a thigh injury. John's brother Robbie Martin (back) remains out.

Steven Gray is set to come into league leaders Drogheda's central defence as Jason Gavin is very doubtful having suffered a head knock in the Setanta Cup final.

Winger James Keddy is out with a hamstring strain while striker Shane Barrett (ankle) remains sidelined.


St Patricks Athletic v Cork City team news
Thursday, 27 April 2006 9:53

"A fan told me this week that he hasn't seen the spirit that's in the team now for some time," said St Patrick's boss John McDonnell.

"We know we haven't done well against Cork in recent seasons, but I've spoken to the players in training this week and stressed that we are better equipped to deal with them this year."

With Colm Foley, Mark Rutherford and Stephen Caffrey all still out, Saints are likely to be unchanged from last week's 3-0 win over Bray.

George O'Callaghan (ankle) and John O'Flynn (hamstring) are out for champions Cork who are still reeling from their Setanta Sports Cup final defeat to Drogheda last Saturday.


Waterford United v Derry City team news
Thursday, 27 April 2006 10:07

Goalkeeper Jimmy Fyfe returns for Waterford along with defenders Krystian Lamberski and Brendan Hughes.

But skipper Chris Deans, banned last week, is now out with the 'flu while midfielder Paul McCarthy also misses out tonight due to tonsillitis.

Derry remain without Clive Delaney, Gareth McGlynn (both knee), Eamon Doherty (back) and Mark Farren (ankle) for tonight's trip to Waterford.

"It's always a battle at the RSC. It's a match you can never take for granted," said Derry boss Stephen Kenny.


Bohemians v UCD team news
Thursday, 27 April 2006 9:44

An ankle injury has deprived Bohemians striker Stephen Ward of the chance to impress Charlton boss Alan Curbishley who is due at Dalymount.

Vinny Arkins is thus likely to start up front with Tony Grant while Jason McGuinness returns to the Bohs defence following suspension.

Striker Paul Byrne should be fit to give College a full strength team.

"Despite losing both, we've done well against Drogheda and Shels in our last two matches," said UCD boss Pete Mahan. "I believe this team has the potential to be one of the best the club has produced."


Bray Wanderers v Dublin City team news
Thursday, 27 April 2006 9:47

Terry Masterson is set for his first competitive start for Bray as regular keeper Chris O'Connor is a big doubt having picked up a shoulder injury in the defeat to St Patrick's Athletic last week.

Alan Young stands by to come into the squad as cover.

Defender Stephen Gifford (calf) remains a doubt, though Wes Charles returns to the squad following a knee injury. Paul O'Reilly is also fit to return following a hip problem.

Suspended Paul Crowley and Gavin McDonnell add to Vikings' problems as defender Ben Whelehan (heel) and strikers Ger McCarthy (ankle) and Mark Rooney (knee) remain out.

[Monty]

Monaghan United v Athlone Town team news
Thursday, 27 April 2006 10:09[font="] [/font]

Tadhg Murphy is set to continue in goal for Monaghan as skipper Robbie Horgan is still troubled by a leg injury.

Paul Whelan (knee) remains out while Darren Sargent and Stephen Finnegan are likely to come in if Eoghan O'Shea and Shane Harte are not passed fit.

Athlone have injury problems with striker Stephen Mullan joined on the sidelines by Tom Silke and Jim Sheridan while Zsolt Petro and Colin Fortune are doubtful.

Hungarian Tamas Lakatos' international clearance hasn't come through, but goalkeeper Danny O'Leary returns from a ban.


Limerick v Dundalk team news
Thursday, 27 April 2006 10:08

New First Division leaders Limerick are at full strength for the visit of in-form Dundalk to Hogan Park.

"Limerick are deservedly league leaders," said Dundalk boss John Gill who welcomes midfielder John Flanagan back form suspension.

"I have a lot of time for Noel O'Connor and Danny Drew. I respect what they've done and are trying to do at Limerick."

"Dundalk are a team littered with players with Premier Division experience," said Limerick boss Noel O'Connor, whose side has won their last five games. "I knew they would turn their bad start around."

[townspark]

Bray look good valueto me at that price -dublin city are a v poor outfit at best of times and will miss mcdonnell and also crowley to a lesser extent. Manager keely is a old timer and doesnt like to see histeam pass the ball around - expect them to bypass the midfield most of the time. Keeper is suspect also. I will be having a small punt on Bray

[Monty]

Welcome TP!
There are some problems between Seagulls supporters and Bray star Eamon Zayed, who btw scores just twice so far. Some of them find he is to lazy and doesnt work enough during the game.
Bottom placed Bray are looking here for their 1st win and imo worth a punt.

[Ceirtlis]

I can not see anything particularly enticing in the eircom league this weekend but will have a few small bets.

First Drogheda versus longford. Drogheda have an amazing record of 5 1-0 wins and a 0-0 draw so far in the league. there have been only 6 league goals in longfords 6 games so far. I would not be too keen on the 4/6 for drogheda to win tonite but i will look at correct scores maybe 1-0 and 2-0. By statistics it looks the most definite under (odds around 1.6) of the year but who knows.

I would be having a medium sized bet on derry city if they had a full squad going to waterford but missing mark farren i think it will just be a small one. any odds around 10/11 are acceptable imo. waterford are really struggling at the minute for goals.

Elsewhere i will have a few permutations on draws. 36% of the games so far have ended in draws so i think there is a bit of value to be had on them tonite.

[Monty]

Limerick should be near full strength for the game.

Dundalk are without a number of players through injury. Trevor Vaughan, Aidan Lynch and Derek Griffin are all at best doubtful. John Flanagan is available again after suspension though.

League form for Limerick : WWWWW
League form for Dundalk : WWWLL

Favour home win? Hmmm...
But look at h2h last games:

Fri 04-11-2005	Limerick FC	-	Dundalk FC	0:0
Thu 01-09-2005	Dundalk FC	-	Limerick FC	4:0
Fri 01-07-2005	Limerick FC	-	Dundalk FC	0:1
Thu 21-04-2005	Dundalk FC	-	Limerick FC	1:0
Sat 18-09-2004	Limerick FC	-	Dundalk FC	1:2
Thu 10-06-2004	Dundalk FC	-	Limerick FC	2:1
Sat 27-03-2004	Limerick FC	-	Dundalk FC	1:2

[Monty]

I have interest for
Drogheda @1.60 (price is a bit short though)
Bray @2.30
Derry C. @2.00 could be the best bet here

[daikoku]

Preview from Waterford website:

Waterford United welcome Derry City to the RSC this evening for a clash that is important in more ways than one. The Blues have yet to record a win this season while the Candystripes are looking for three points to keep pressure on leaders Drogheda United.

However manager Mike Kerley is once again facing a depleted squad with Chris Deans suffering from 'flu while Paul McCarthy has been hit with tonsillitis over the past week. However, Jimmy Fyffe returns to the squad and should start between the sticks.

Derry are not without their problems either and Stephen Kenny will be missing four first teamers for the trip the RSC.

Clive Delaney, Gareth McGlynn, Eamon Doherty and Mark Farren will all be missing from the first team panel. Sean Hargan is also an injury doubt and will undergo a fitness test prior to leaving.

Kevin McHugh and Stephen O'Flynn are expected to continue up front, but Gary Beckett will be pushing for a return to the starting line up.

It's difficult to say how important those missing players for Derry are. I think Mark Farren is the only one who has played in the last 3 matches for Derry. Waterford have got their inspirational goalie Fyffe back for this one whilst they've also got some flu casualties. I'd say the price on a Derry victory was decent if they were full strength but I reckon I'll avoid tonight's fixture as it wouldn't seem that this is the case.

[Monty]

Originally Posted by daikoku

..Derry are not without their problems either and Stephen Kenny will be missing four first teamers for the trip the RSC.

Clive Delaney, Gareth McGlynn, Eamon Doherty and Mark Farren will all be missing from the first team panel. Sean Hargan is also an injury doubt and will undergo a fitness test prior to leaving...

Matter a fact Daik none of them played in last Derry visiting vs Longford (1-0, win btw).
Derry City (vs Longford, two weeks ago): Forde, Deery, Hutton, Oman, McCallion, McCourt, Molloy (Higgins, 71), Martyn, Brennan, McHugh (Beckett, 71), O’Flynn.

In add: Match Derry C. vs Drogheda United (April, 21st) was postponed cause Drogs played Setanta Cup Final at the time.

[Beanie]

Was looking forward to an appealing Cork price but 2.30 isn't too impressive, especially with question marks over O'Flynn - like most I can't see much to get stuck in to in the Premier with the exception of a possible small bet on Bray.

[Beanie]

Limerick - Dundalk looks a right tight match, and if anything I'd say Limerick look a touch too short at close to evens. Two in form, full strength sides going head to head, with Dundalk having the big H2H advantage as monty has pointed out - and I could be tempted on the draw at 3.35 with Expekt.

[daikoku]

Originally Posted by Monty

Matter a fact Daik none of them played in last Derry visiting vs Longford (1-0, win btw).
Derry City (vs Longford, two weeks ago): Forde, Deery, Hutton, Oman, McCallion, McCourt, Molloy (Higgins, 71), Martyn, Brennan, McHugh (Beckett, 71), O’Flynn.

In add: Match Derry C. vs Drogheda United (April, 21st) was postponed cause Drogs played Setanta Cup Final at the time.

Farren played in the 1-1 draw match with Shelbourne 3 games ago Monty. He even managed to hit the post with a 30 yard thunderbolt (ok the thunderbolt bit is a lie). You are right though, Derry do seem to be able to cope okay without the missing players.

You've got me interested in Bray though which means they'll lose and Derry will win .

[BABA MARTHA]

What do u think guys? Drogheda clear win today or hard to beat Longford?

Appreciate your help

[Monty]

Picture I got from several forums.
Lot of criticism, fans dont like the way Bray are playing recently, especially midfield and as well they call for more work on the pitch.
Dublin City are doing too much "physicaly" or play rather rough in their oponents opinion. Dermot Keely on the other side deny it and accuse that rivals players so often and so easy falling down in his team matches.

...and Diak best be both Bray and Derry win...