Eircom Leagues: 3-6th July

[daikoku]

Not much I fancy from tonight's fixtures but I'm quite liking Limericks chances at home to Kilkenny.

The home side surprised a few with an excellent away win at Dundalk last week. They've acquired quite a few new players during the transfer window and have a couple of players returning tonight, including captain Purcell.

The visitors have doubts over striker Philly Gorman. I'm going for Limerick to continue the momentum after last weeks victory against Dundalk.

Medium stakes around the 1.80 mark are generally available.

More news here:

RTÉ Sport: Limerick 37 v Kildare County

July 4th Celebration V Kildare this Friday Night.

[newuser]

Cork City -1 hc at first look for me i see nice odd 2,2 in interwetten, but any info from Irish Experts would be very useful

[kompressaur]

it would be too newuser. Ive been farting about on Irish Teletext for 15 minutes trying to find the pages that show team news and match reports etc
RTÉ Aertel

Anyone know? I used to be great at teletext too.

[jimmyt]

Dundalk to get back on track tonight what you think guys ??

[kompressaur]

Dundalk can regain top spot in the eircom First Division if they overcome Athlone Town by two clear goals at Oriel Park tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

The Lilywhites' title challenge has faltered in recent weeks, but John Gill's men still remain within striking distance of the summit.

A win for the Louth club is vital in the context that Waterford United and Shelbourne meet each other on Friday.

But Dundalk goalkeeper Chris Bennion insists that he and his team-mates are not looking for the others to do the hard work for them.

'We've just got to concentrate on ourselves,' Bennion said in an article for the game's programme.

'I've said to the lads that we've just got to concentrate on and look at our own results. I wouldn't even bother with Shels. I couldn't even tell you who they're playing this week.

'Shels, Waterford and Sporting Fingal are all there, but, at the end of the day, we just have to focus on Dundalk. I don't know who anyone else is playing, but the results will take care of themselves.'

Dundalk have had to contend with a lot of suspensions, and will have defenders Ben Whelehan and Shane Grimes sitting this one out after they both accumulated four penalty points.

That is balanced by the return of David Cassidy and John Flanagan from their bans. Captain Aidan Lynch is back training and could start at centre-back.

Athlone will travel with a lot of confidence after a run of three league games without defeat, including a 3-1 over Wexford Youths, which helped them off the foot of the table.

Manager Dermot Lennon will again be in the stands as he serves the last game of his touchline ban.

The Midlanders are without Dave O'Dowd whose arm injury will keep him out of action for four weeks.

RTÉ Sport: Dundalk v Athlone Town team news

[Wexford Bhoy]

Komp, you'll get team news on the day of the games - check pg222 for team news on Dundalk's game tonite

Dundalk have lost their last two games while Athlone have lost only one of their last six.

Might be better waiting for the Cork game tomorrow night

[Cinny]

On first glance this week i like Cork, whose in super form, Shamrock Rovers, aswell who have improved in recent weeks with 2 wins in their last 2 home games. They play a poor Cobh side who are in terrible form. i also think Drogheda can beat a UCD side badly out of form. Fingal could also potentially be backed with a super home record. Possibly Waterford too who are the form side in the 1st division. Personally i wouldnt touch dundalk.

[kompressaur]

Thanks Wexford i see it now



Maybe things werent better in the past Cork you all say? I better go havea look at this. My betting is like my brain at the moment as in scrambled. I just noticed this in our Betting Tips 'news' category. Don't blame me im just sharing the news.

Johnny Ward has cast his net over this weekend's Eircom League games and is confident of pulling in some tasty punting profits, with Drogheda United topping the list.

BOHEMIANS' Intertoto Cup involvement deprives the league programme of one game this weekend, leaving five encounters and the chasing pack clamouring to close the gap on the Gypsies.
Pat Fenlon's record at Shelbourne speaks for itself regarding his ability to nurture title challengers, and he has done a fine job so far with Bohs. Players such as Neal Fenn - maligned somewhat in previous campaigns - have suddenly found themselves playing the best football of their career.

Saint Patrick's Athletic are in danger of replicating their near-capitulation last season. The Saints, whatever about something of a temporary slump, are vastly better than Finn Harps and are an acceptable price at [1.45] to land the points at Inchicore. Harps were predicted to struggle and so it has been: indeed it looks bleak for themselves, UCD, Galway United and Cobh Ramblers, three of whom are almost certain to be victims of the need to cull a couple of teams and bring in next year's ten-team league.

The Saints slipped up last time at home to Bray, but really ought to have won and in any case the surprise-package Seasiders are stronger than Harps, who have lost ten of their 16 games.

Cork City are slightly shorter to dispatch Galway United, who got a nice boost when trouncing Bray in the League Cup during the week. Cork's 3-2 win over Derry - perhaps the season's most extraordinary game to date - may indeed have transformed their season. At [1.41], they look about right against Galway, who are capable enough on their day but will probably worsen their relegation woes at Turner's Cross.

Under 2.5goals at [2.0] is worth considering: expect United to keep it tight.

Sligo Rovers and Derry City contest a north-west Derby at The Showgrounds as Paul Cook's men begin life sans Faz Kudozovic. The Bosnian is a high-class player at this level and is a major loss for Rovers, but such is the way it generally has been at the club: the best players aspire to live elsewhere. 'Under 2.5 Goals' looks a fairly safe investment here at [1.63]. Sligo do not concede much at home and, as with any team Stephen Kenny manages, defence is a primary concern for the Candystripes.

Drogheda, meanwhile, can give Faz a win on his debut at home to UCD, and they look the bet of the week at [1.61], a price that surely exaggerates the admitted disappointment that this season has been for the champions. For all that they have under-performed, they beat Galway away last time and UCD are not much better than the Connacht men. Cork disposed of them easily last week, and Drogheda are liable to dominate this game for most of it. I would certainly not be laying them at any bigger than [1.5]. If you prefer better odds, consider them at [2.0] on the -1 Asian handicap line, with your money returned if they only oblige by the minimum.

Shamrock Rovers have had a very moderate campaign, particularly relative to last season, when they over-performed for at least the first half. Despite that, they are worth a small bet at home to Cobh Ramblers at [1.67]. Stephen Henderson's charges will go down, as they did when defending appallingly in a drubbing at Turner's Cross last week. Pat Scully's antagonistic character has had repercussions at the Hoops this term, but they will exploit a team that struggles to defend, as is the case with Ramblers.

Johnny Ward's Recommended Eircom League Bets:

1. St.Patrick's Athletic @ [1.45] vs. Finn Harps
2. Under 2.5 goals Sligo vs. Derry @ [1.63]
3. Drogheda @ [1.61] vs. UCD (NAP)
4. Shamrock Rovers @ [1.67] vs. Cobh Ramblers

from
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We Own it now!!

[Chief77]

Dundalk V Athlone
Exactly the game Dundalk need to get their title bid back on track. We love playing Athlone, I was walking past Oriel Park yesterday and the players weren't even bothering to train. They had formed a conga and were singing "Athlone play like schoolgirls, Athlone play like schoolgirls a la la la a la la la la.

Normally I'd frown at such a lack of professionalism but to be honest they had a point. Dundalk always beat Athlone and in recent years they've beaten them without even breaking sweat. Dundalk have won the last 8 meetings between the teams scoring 24 goals and conceding just 3. Last 4 games in Oriel have ended up 3-0 3-0 6-2 and 4-0. Cassidy and Flanagan are back tonight for Dundalk. No more needs to be said, take Dundalk(-1) @Evens.

Verdict: Dundalk(-1) @Evens.

[Chief77]

Originally Posted by Chief77

Verdict: Dundalk(-1) @Evens.

Dundalk win 1-0 with a late penalty. Wasn't at the game as I'm in work but listened to it on the radio and it seemed to be lots of possession for Dundalk but doing nothing with it. All of which means my bets a loser. God damn it!

[jimmyt]

Right then, tonight im going to be on Cork, Drogs, and Shamrock treble and single on Drogs methinks, what you guys dabbling with ?? Tempted by Sporting Fingal as Cinny said but will decide later

[rockshark]

Sham Rovers v Cobh Ramblers / Over 2.5 goals @2.3 half stakes

[daikoku]

Not much I fancy from tonight's fixtures but I'm quite liking Limericks chances at home to Kilkenny.

The home side surprised a few with an excellent away win at Dundalk last week. They've acquired quite a few new players during the transfer window and have a couple of players returning tonight, including captain Purcell.

The visitors have doubts over striker Philly Gorman.

I'm going for Limerick to continue the momentum after last weeks victory against Dundalk.

Medium stakes around the 1.80 mark are generally available.

More news here:

RTÉ Sport: Limerick 37 v Kildare County

July 4th Celebration V Kildare this Friday Night.

[Chief77]

Cork City V Galway: Confidently went for the handicap win for Dundalk last night and was left looking like a ninny as they scrambled their way to a late 1-0 victory. Not learning anything from that failure I'm going for a similar bet this evening. Cork(-1) @10/11 against Galway looks decent to me.

Cork have won their last 4 games by more than one goal including a 5-0 win against Cobh in their last home game. Galway have improved slightly but that said they've still lost 4 of their last 5. Finally when the two teams played in Galway just 2 months ago Cork won 3-1. With Mooney in the form of his life I reckon it could be even worse for Galway this evening.

Drogheda V UCD Going to take a chance on Drogheda HT-FT this evening @7/5. Drogheda haven't actually been playing too bad but they're problem has been in the final third of the pitch where they've been wasteful beyond belief. Doolin has tried to remedy this by bringing in Kuduzovic from Sligo and he should start this evening. He's a very useful player and could be what the Dirty Drogs need to finally get their season started. Drogheda beat UCD 3-1 in Belfield back in April.

Waterford V Shels: Shels are in the midlle of a blip at the moment without a win in 3 games. Waterford are the form team in the division at the moment and it's hard to see them losing this evening. I'm going to take them (DNB) against Shels @4/5

Verdict:
Cork(-1) @10/11
Drogheda HT-FT @2.48
Waterford(DNB) @4/5

[jimmyt]

Chief you reckon Shamrock will win tonight ? Your views much appreciated mate