Setanta Cup!!

[U What?]

Has anyone else been following the Setanta cup this year??

The results have surprised me with the Irish League team struggling so far.
Mind you group 2 should sort itself out a bit next week..

Was reading a colum yesterday and one of Dungannon's players was able to serve a 5 match ban in 12 days, between Irish League, Irish Cups and Setanta games........

Don't have much sympathy for players who cry on about playing to many games but that just boarders on rediculous..

[Hibernian_Dub]

To be honest, I was more surprised with last years results, with the Northern teams coming out on top. This year, I think the eL sides have prepared themselves a bit better and seem not to be taking the northern teams as lightly as they may have done in the past. As things stand, it's not unlikely for the 4 eL sides to make the semi's? Certainly, Shels and Cork have looked impressive so far and will take some stopping.

[U What?]

What about the mighty D.C.F.C.

You Gypsies never give us credit...

Was at the Linfield game and we completely outclassed tham all over the park...

It was the best One all anililation of a team I've ever seen....

Pat McCourt is looking in superb shape this year......

missed him against Shels..... Mind you they ave an awesome team/squad blooy scary how much talent in that team... If they get their game right the EL is over bar the shouting....

[Rep of Ireland Hibee]

Much as it kills me to say it I can't really see beyond Shels winning Setanta Cup, and the league.

Obviously the Saints will do a cup double


Hope Cork Shity crash and burn this season

[U What?]

Talk of saints actually showing up for the League this year!!!!!

Rumour has it but don't quote me on this that Saints fans reckon they'll give The mighty Dublin City or Rovers a few games this year.....

I'm that funny I craic myself up...

Seriously though hope there's more teams flying at it this year as it will seem like the only way somebody will keep the Trophy's away from Shels cabinets......I reckon that squad would give the bottom half of the SPL a good run..

[Hibernian_Dub]

For what it's worth, I honestly don't think Derry City will be genuinely competing for the league title this year. I fully expect the league title to be a straight head to head between Shelbourne and Cork City. As I said to you at the tail-end of last season, I felt Derry punched above their weight and I think their 'luck' will run out. Oman is prone to regular mistakes which we found to our cost. I think Derry will be in a 3-way challenge for the 3rd [setanta] spot with Drogheda and ourselves. Drogheda will have huge expectations after their cup win and the amount of money that they are spending, however, I don't think they're yet ready to challenge Shels and Cork. We have improved our squad bringing in seasoned-campaigners like McGuinness, Ferguson, O'Brien and oap Vinny Arkins. I think these will help tighten up last seasons very leaky defence. The big question mark will be whether Arkins still has it! If he can score 12-15 goals AND we can avoid serious injuries, we may well challenge for that third spot.

Really think Pats could struggle. But for rov**s 8 point deduction, they would have been in the relegation play-off and in all probability relegated. I have not been impressed with their signings, bringing in 3 players from relegated rov**rs does not inspire confidence whilst the likes of Paul Keegan would be a similar acquisition to Arkins, but never as prolific.

Here's my prediction for the season;

League;

1-Shels
2-Cork
3-Drogs
4-Bohs
5-Derry
6-Ucd
7-Bray
8-Longford
9-Dublin City
10-Pats
11-Sligo
12-Waterford

FAI Cup;

Bohs


League Cup;

Drogs


Setanta;

Shels

[U What?]

The bottom half of the table i'd be fair enough with...

But I seriously reckon and maybe hope that we are the underdogs this year again...

Kenny has got the team working together as a unit..
We've won a few things uin the past few years but I have not seen a Derry City team work so hard together since the Record Breaking Days of the Treble....... so don't be surrprised if we punch above our weight devision again...
Our defence is superb..Oman may be prone to a few mistakes but he's won everything in the air this year that has been thrown at him....(to be continued) Pizza no words needed, Hargy and Eddie McCallion are looking strong as well.
I think up front we have a scary partnership in McHugh and Farren with O'Flynn working his socks off, Beckett is easily one of the best players in the League,
Midfield in the center Molloy is a class act, Martyn runs his big legs off, great player. Killian Brennan when on form is electric when off form still does a lot of ball chasing and works hard.
Pat McCourt is the most Skilful midfielder in the country....
David Forde is as good if not better than any other keeper in the league..

I think we'll be OK!!!
Still think Shels have a super looking team...

[U What?]

Linfield on Monday night....

do or die for Setanta cup qualification..

[U What?]

Gmae against that weeeeee club from belfast getting closer....

Starting to get my normal pre match nerves....

Leave work 4ish get home a quick bite to eat...

Leave home at 6ish up to Derry...

Over for the match early maybe boarder hop and fill the motor with Die sel.....

Match at 8. should be a large crowd..... Hope it's a good one...

[east calder hibby]

Originally Posted by U What?

Gmae against that weeeeee club from belfast getting closer....

Starting to get my normal pre match nerves....

Leave work 4ish get home a quick bite to eat...

Leave home at 6ish up to Derry...

Over for the match early maybe boarder hop and fill the motor with Die sel.....

Match at 8. should be a large crowd..... Hope it's a good one...

good luck mate stuff it right up them!

i'm going to watch this one tonight on setanta!

[Hibernian_Dub]

Should be a good game, hope you give your friends from Belfast a big Londonderry welcome

Seriously, should be a hell of a game with everything to play for in that group. I'm guessing that Linfield rested a few on Saturday and they have Ferguson to come back in. Hmmm, reckon it'll be a draw, 0-0 or 1-1.

[U What?]

Late leaving work!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Which won't help....

Just heard there's a very big possibility that Linfield fans have purchased tickets for the old shed side, The terrasing apparently the supposed fans are from Derry itself and are coming in with their colours covered.

Not good if they're defying their own club (if they are supporters) and purchased tickets for the Derry end. Only one outcome!!!!

Trouble is the rumour has been rife for a day or two..... which will mean that scumbags who supposedly support city will have also purchased tickets....

I'm going to the match with my dad who's in his sixties so any trouble and I'll be getting him out of there.

You all heard it here and you'll know why if there's trouble at the game..

[Billy Bunter]

Originally Posted by Hibernian_Dub

Hmmm, reckon it'll be a draw, 0-0 or 1-1.

Any chance of this weeks lottery numbers??

[U What?]

Not great..

Thought Linfield came to spoil the game....

Have you ever seen so many head injuries.. was it boxing or footie

And how the referee missed so many handballs is beyond me...
i think there was two deffinite in my views penaltys for both teams that could/should have been awarded...

F88King DUBS!!!

[U What?]

Got my english is rubbish!!!!!

Think that was the referee missed 4 hand balls in the penalty area..

[Hibernian_Dub]

Didn't see all the game, but from what I saw it was poor enough alright. The North Wests Mediteranaen March conditions didn't help the football.

Only saw the 2 'peno' incidents from the first half and I thought the referee called both of them correctly.

Looks like you'll have to win in Tolka next week to qualify and that won't be easy to say the least.

With a home game to come against Glentoran, Linfield were the real 'winners' last night.

Any trouble at the game last night or afterwards?

[east calder hibby]

The lad McCourt looks a bit of a PLAYER!

[U What?]

A bit Pat McCourt is easily (in my view) the most skillful player in the league...
give him the ball and he'll do damage off the ball not so much of a worker.. but if you just put the ball to his feet he's great to watch.

There was a wee bit going on after the game but not between rival supporters!!!

Wee lads from the area were looking to get ripped into the Linfield buses but the NIPS ran decoy buses and took the LINFIELD fans into Donegal.. Which they weren't happy about!!

[U What?]

[Hibernian_Dub]

At least Derrys last minute equalised f**ked-up $hels HOME semi