Ireland Eircom Leagues: 17th -21st May

[kompressaur]

Thursday 17th
May 17 20:45 Dundalk v Kilkenny City 1.40 3.75 7.00
odds from bet365

Friday, May 18
8:45 PM Bray Wanderers 2.40 X 3.00 Sligo Rovers 2.75
8:45 PM Cork City 2.10 X 3.10 Bohemians 3.20
8:45 PM Galway United 2.65 X 3.00 UCD 2.50
9:00 PM Shamrock Rovers 1.60 X 3.50 Waterford United 5.00

Saturday, May 19
8:30 PM Longford Town 3.20 X 3.10 Derry City 2.10

Monday, May 21, 2007
9:00 PM St. Patricks Athletic 2.25 X 3.00 Drogheda United 3.00
odds from bwin

All times CET

[Chief77]

Dundalk V Kilkenny: HT-FT @11/10: Dundalk enjoy playing Kilkenny and have won all 5 of their meetings over the last year. Dundalk have a full squad to choose from apart from striker Trevor Vaughan. In truth Vaughan has been poor this season so far and in my opinion his injury could coincide with an improvement in Dundalks play.

Dundalk haven't been great lately but in fairness to them their last 2 games have been away against decent teams and they haven't been beaten. Dundalk have had 4 home games this season and they've scored 13 goals. Only Cobh have kept the league leaders scoreless. While Kilkenny have improved this season, they still lie bottom of the league and they still have the worst defensive record. Tomorrow they play against themost potent attack in the division and I fancy Dundalk to win with ease.

Verdict:
Dundalk HT-FT @11/10-- Confidence 7/10

[bulit]

Eircom 1st Division, Rep. Ireland
Friday, May 18, 2007
9:00 PM Monaghan United 2.65 X 3.00Kildare County 2.50

Saturday, May 19, 2007
8:00 PM Athlone Town 2.25 X 3.00 Limerick 3.00

8:45 PM Cobh Ramblers 1.62 X 3.40 Wexford Youths 5.00

9:00 PM Shelbourne 2.50 X 3.00 Finn Harps 2.65

[bulit]

3:2 (2:0) Well done Chief one more time.
Shamrock is good for me tommoroww but I'm waiting some previews.

[roberto]

Hello Ireland! I am not a expert in this league but i like to bet on Sligo level! Sligo trashed Cork in last round 4-1! Any informations about this game would be welcome! Thanks a lot guys!

[Cinny]

Sligo had a massive win last saturday night was left scratching my head with that result thought cork woulda beat them.

Id back sligo this week surely 15/8 in the local by me but i think 8/13 +1 is a safer bet. Shamrock Rovers always do well against the weaker teams i think they'll win too. Fancy Derry to add to their win on Monday night too on Saturday.

Fancy Cobh big time and Limerick are another decent price.

[Diomed]

Tonights Irish previews


Preview: Cork City v Bohemians

Cork City not only missed out on the chance to close in on St. Pats and Drogheda last weekend, they ended up being humbled by Sligo at the Showgrounds. Bohemians meanwhile found some form in front of goal to double their goal tally for the season with an emphatic win over Longford.

Third placed Bohemians go into Friday's game at Turner's Cross one point ahead of Fourth placed Cork. Although Bohs boss Sean Connor has drawn some criticism for less than exciting performances, his side have become incredibly difficult to beat and have lost just one of their ten league games to date. Three goals conceded in those ten games shows how difficult they have been to break down and it is now by far the best defensive record in the Premier Division.

Cork's 4-1 humbling in Sligo last weekend illustrated how much they must improve to become title challengers. Although they have had off days in recent years, they have never been taken apart in the manner that they were in Sligo last weekend.

Cork remain without the "FIFA two" meaning ex Bohs boss Gareth Farrelly again misses out along with Colin Healy. Sean Kelly and Colm Carroll remain sidelined by injuries but otherwise Cork boss Damien Richardson should have a full squad to call from.

Dessie Byrne, Mark Rossiter and Fergal Harkin have all recovered from recent injuries for Bohs although Dean Pooley and Harpal Singh remain sidelined.

Ahead of the game, Cork boss Richardson is looking for his players to make amends for last week's drubbing, "I don't need to instil in any of my players the importance of this game. My players are experienced and professional enough to understand the necessity of bouncing back from the performance and result in Sligo last Saturday. I have complete confidence and faith in all of my players, and I back every single one of them to the hilt. They know that a good performance and positive result is required against Bohemians."

The Cork boss is also relishing the visit of Bohs, "Games against Bohemians are always one of the most eagerly anticipated here in Cork. As a club, the style of football they play is always appealing, and games between the two clubs have always been close encounters based on the true spirit of the game. The combination of all of these factors make this game not to be missed."

League form for Cork City : LWDDD
League form for Bohemians : WDDDD

Previous meeting(s) : Cork City 1-0 Bohemians (15/09/2006)
Bohemians 0-0 Cork City (27/06/2006)
Cork City 1-0 Bohemians (24/03/2006)
Bohemians 1-2 Cork City (31/10/2005)
Cork City 2-1 Bohemians (08/07/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

Preview: Bray Wanderers v Sligo Rovers

Bray Wanderers will be one of a number of clubs boosted by Longford Town's points deduction this week. Bray were one of four clubs at the bottom split by just two points but now Longford have sunk back to where they started from. Sligo visit the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening looking to build on one of the big results of the season so far.

Bray are currently "top" of the four sides at the bottom and do have a game in hand after their game with Drogheda was postponed last weekend. Their two league wins came in the first three weeks of the season and they have picked up just two points from their last six league games. However, one of those draws came against Cork City.

Sligo know all about picking up a good home result against Cork. Going into last weekend's home game with City, Sligo had picked up just one point in their previous five games. Cork were thoroughly taken apart with Rovers winning 4-1 and absolutely no-one claiming they were lucky to do so.

Last season the sides met four times with Sligo winning three before a 1-1 draw right at the end of the season - Rob McDonald's only game in charge of the Bit O' Red.

Paul Caffrey is definitely out with a calf injury for Bray while manager Eddie Gormley has a number of other injury concerns ahead of the game. Kevin Cronin, Mark Duggan, Paul Dunphy, Stephen Gough and Colm Tresson are all struggling with strains or knocks ahead of the game.

Brian Cash is still about a month or so away from a return for Rovers. Gary Curran, Jason McCartney and Conor O'Grady are all shorter term problems and all three are in expected to return to action in a week or two.

League form for Bray Wanderers : DLDLL
League form for Sligo Rovers : WLDLL

Previous meeting(s) : Bray Wanderers 1-1 Sligo Rovers (17/11/2006)
Sligo Rovers 2-1 Bray Wanderers (26/08/2006)
Sligo Rovers 2-0 Bray Wanderers (18/08/2006)
Bray Wanderers 1-2 Sligo Rovers (18/07/2006)
Bray Wanderers 2-0 Sligo Rovers (24/09/2004)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

Preview: Shamrock Rovers v Waterford United

Shamrock Rovers lost narrowly on their trip to Derry on Monday night and will be hoping to put some form together having lost three of their last four in the league. They host Waterford United at Tolka Park on Friday night. Waterford themselves have recovered in recent weeks picking up five points from their last three games.

Derek Pender, Tommy Barrett, Paul Shiels and Eric McGill all remain sidelined through injury for the Hoops. Danny O'Connor returns after suspension. Both Tadhg Purcelll and Ger Rowe are struggling with knocks, possibly limiting Rovers striking options.

Rovers boss Pat Scully is hoping to for an improvement in front of goal from his team, "I thought we were brilliant against Derry. I'm not one to accept defeat but couldn't fault the team's performance. We did absolutely everything but score. We created so many chances ? and that's been the story of our season against the top teams. We lost four games we could so easily have won. That's football."

"We went to the Brandywell and took the game to Derry. Most sides would go there, play deep and hope for a break but we played really well and were so unlucky. All we lacked was a little bit of composure in front of goal and we would've won the game. I'm proud of our performance and very proud of the players", added the Rovers boss.

Robert Brosnan and Vinny Sullivan are both struggling to overcome knocks ahead of the game for Waterford but Stephen Cooling is again set to miss out with an ankle injury.

Waterford boss Gareth Cronin is hoping to build on recent performances, "I was really impressed with the lads over the last three games. The performance against Sligo was impressive, so was the performance against Drogheda. I know we had the blip in the middle against Cobh [in the league cup] but the lads really did well against Galway and let's face it, three points in the league is more important than the league cup. We go to Rovers who are a good side and Pat Scully will have them very organised. But we are organised as well and there is no reason why we can´t get three points again."

Friday's game is the first meeting of the sides since 2005 when either side claimed an away win with the other game ending in a draw.

League form for Shamrock Rovers : LWLLD
League form for Waterford United : WDDLL

Previous meeting(s) : Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Waterford United (11/11/2005)
Waterford United 0-1 Shamrock Rovers (12/08/2005)
Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Waterford United (20/05/2005)
Waterford United 2-0 Shamrock Rovers (31/10/2004)
Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Waterford United (13/08/2004)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

Preview: Galway United v UCD

Galway United host UCD at Terryland Park in the Premier Division of the eircom League of Ireland on Friday night, the first league meeting between the sides since 2004. Despite a recent revival, Galway are still struggling near the foot of the table but UCD sit comfortably in mid-table.

Galway fell to an important defeat at the hands of Waterford last time out, knocking the Tribesmen down to second from bottom although the gap was increased during the week thanks to Longford's points deduction. Galway had been unbeaten in four league games prior to that and will hope to bounce back straight away.

Including the League and League Cup UCD are now unbeaten in eight games after two impressive results last week. Not only did they eliminate league leaders St. Pats in a low key League Cup game, they went on to score two late goals to claim a 2-2 draw with the Saints at Belfield Park the following Friday.

Galway will be near full strength with just Regi Nooitmeer missing through suspension.

Galway boss Tony Cousins will not be taking anything for granted going into the game, "I have seen UCD twice this season and have had them watched on two other occasions. They are a very dangerous side and they are capable of beating the top sides in the league. Like any other game we will be well prepared. We have trained hard and have tried to put things right in training. Myself and the lads are ready for this game and we will be looking to get the win we need."

UCD's Tony McDonnell limped off early in last week's draw and looks certain to miss out while Shane McFaul is a doubt.

League form for Galway United : LDWDD
League form for UCD : DDDWW

Previous meeting(s) : UCD 3-0 Galway United (01/10/2004)
Galway United 1-1 UCD (25/06/2004)
UCD 4-0 Galway United (09/04/2004)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

Preview: Monaghan United v Kildare County

Monaghan United host Kildare County in Friday's only eircom League First Division game. Kildare go into the game with a four point lead over the home side. Monaghan though picked up their first win of the season last weekend beating Wexford.

The win brought to an end a three game Monaghan losing streak and lifted them off the bottom. Kildare have drawn their last three and are unbeaten in six league games.

The earlier meeting between the sides this season ended in a 1-1 draw in Newbridge.

Thomas Heffernan and Darren Meenan return from suspension for Monaghan.

Kildare's Alan Byrne is suspended after being sent off last weekend. Gary Walsh and Fiachra McArdle remain out injured while Daragh Hanaphy and Padraig Amond are both injury doubts.

League form for Monaghan United : WLLLD
League form for Kildare County : DDDWW

Previous meeting(s) : Kildare County 1-1 Monaghan United (17/03/2007)
Monaghan United 0-2 Kildare County (18/11/2006)
Kildare County 4-2 Monaghan United (16/09/2006)
Monaghan United 1-1 Kildare County (16/07/2006)
Kildare County 2-0 Monaghan United (06/05/2006)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

[Cinny]

Ive gone for a Shamrock, Sligo and MK Dons treble heres hoping

[Chief77]

Shamrock Rovers V Waterford(+1) @5/4: Too big a price for me to ignore against an average Shamrock Rovers side. Rovers did play well against Derry last week but again they were very poor up front and failed to score. That made it just 3 goals in 5 games. Making matters worse is the fact that their two strikers Rowe and Purcell are rated doubtful tonight. If they don't start then this price will look a real cracker.

Waterford have been staging a mini revival of late and they're last 3 games have seen them beat Galway, draw with Drogheda and come away from Sligo with a creditable draw. If they continue in the same vein I reckon they can get a draw tonight. The last 5 meetings between the sides has seen Rovers win just once, losing 3 times.

Longford Town V Derry City @5/6: Longford were hit with a hammerblow during the week with the news of a six point deduction for failing to keep their house in order. This will have been a crushing blow to the players and all but seals their relegation (Personally I reckon they would have been relegated anyway).

Derry are unbeaten in 4 and although still way off their best form there at least proving hard to beat of late. Longford were crushed 5-0 by Bohs last week and really should be there for the taking tonight. Derry have won 7 of the last 8 times these teams have met, including a 2-0 win here last year.

Cobh Ramblers V Wexford Youths HT-FT @7/5: The straight win @8/15 is almost banker material for anybody wanting to play it safe. The Chiefs daredevil streak means HT-FT is the bet for me though. Cobh have been excellent at home this season and have won their last 6 on the trot, scoring 11 and conceding just 1.

Wexford had a great start to the season and actually beat Cobh back in March. However its been pretty grim of late. THey got hammered by Dundalk, lost home games against Monaghan and Kilkenny and drew a home game with Shels. So thats 3 home games against the bottom 3 teams and just 1 point to show for it. Cobh at a canter for me.

Verdict:
Waterford(+1) @5/4--Confidence 5/10
Derry City @5/6-- Confidence 8/10
Cobh HT-FT @7/5 Confidence 7/10 (Straight Win @8/15--Confidence 9/10)

Good Luck With Your Eircom League Bets!

[roberto]

Thanks a lot guys for useful infos!!!

Sligo level @1.975 my bet!! Cmonnnnn Sligo

[junior98]

Shamrock n UCD my big bet hope my luck will go on

[Cinny]

Sligo getting beat 1-0 and so are Shamrock Rovers, hopefully this isnt one of those nights long way to go though

[balsinjo]

anu chance to continue until monday for shamrock

[Diomed]

Shels - Harps game off

Shelbourne have announced that their scheduled game with Finn Harps on Saturday has been called off amid safety concerns at Tolka Park.

Friday's Shamrock Rovers - Waterford United game at the same venue was abandoned after a floodlight pylon began swaying violently in the wind.

[Moriarti]