FAI Cup 3rd Round Games 16-19 Aug

FAI Cup - 3rd Round ties

Thursday, Aug 16
Dundalk v UCD
This should be a good yardstick for Dundalk’s push for promotion. Its make or break time for Dundalk as they are going through their worst patch of the season having been beaten by lowly Monaghan last time out. UCD wont fancy the trip up to Oriel but can take some comfort from their decent league form and Dundalks wobble. It’s a tough one to call; UCD will take the draw and win the replay
Price Guide:
6/4 Dundalk 6/4 UCD 11/5 Draw

Friday, Aug 17
Bray v St Pats
Fridays live game sees an inconsistent Bray team take on a Pats team that have in the space of 3 weeks dropped the ball on all fronts. Embarrassed out of Europe, rumors of player unrest and in all honesty gone from the league title as well, the FAI Cup is their only real chance of silverware this year. Pats have spent this season and will want some return on the investment. This is a real pressure game for John McDonnell & Liam O’Brien. Bray on the other hand will approach this game with a real belief. Franco and the legend that is Colm Tresson should come back in for bray. You should be able to get a good value on Bray – My Nap.
Price Guide:
11/5 Bray Wanderers 10/11 St Patricks Ath 5/2 Draw

Cork v Kilkenny
Much in the same way as Pats, the Cup is Corks (along with a number of clubs) only chance of silverware this year. With the loss of Roy O’Donovan its fair to question where Rico’s charges can find the requisite
Goals. However when the draw for 3rd round was being made I think every club would have wanted Kilkenny at home. In some ways its probably the Kick up the arse that the injury prone John O’Flynn needs. He will bear a huge responsibility to provide the bulk of Corks Goals as its not clear yet how McSweeney will fair in the EL. The only case you can make for Kilkenny is that they’re coming of the back of a decent win against Limerick 37 and that Cork have slipped up on more that one occasion this year at odds on.
Price Guide:
1/5 Cork City 10/1 Kilkenny City 4/1 Draw

Limerick 37 v Douglas Hall
Limerick not in fantastic form going into this game and of all the games featuring non-league opposition this is the most likely for a surprise. Douglas Hall are a well organized outfit who have consistently been getting to the latter stages of big Cup Competitions. The draw back for Douglas Hall will be the fact that Limerick are mid-season and Douglas will be pre-season.
Price Guide:
1/3 Limerick 37 7/1 Douglas Hall 3/1 Draw

Waterford v Sligo
Sligo are on a really impressive run at the moment, Matt Judge picking up player of the month an indication of the good times Sligo are currently enjoying. Indeed Sligo are many peoples pick for the Cup. Having stolen 3 points at the RSC mid-July they will have to fancy it again. I wont try and make a case for Waterford because I cant see past Sligo I’m afraid.
Price guide:
2/1 Waterford Utd 11/10 Sligo Rovers 11/5 Draw




Saturday, Aug 18
Longford v Fanad
A Month ago this game would have appealed as the game most likely to have an upset, but Longford have improved no end since then, wins against Bray, Waterford & Bohs give rise to optimism that Premier Division status is not all but gone. However Fanad have always been a useful side, particularly in this competition and are regular visitors to the latter stages of the Intermediate Cup. Again the fact that they are pre-season is a handicap for them and the move to summer football for the senior sides may see the demise of the Giant Killers going forward. Longford should progress.
Price Guide:
1/4 Longford Town 7/1 Fanad Utd 4/1 Draw

Finn Harps v Derry
Northwest derby, should be a cracker with Kevin McHugh returning to his spiritual home Finn Park. The stats suggest Derry should win, after all Harps haven’t beaten Derry since 98’ but its been a funny season for Derry and Harps haven’t been beaten since May. Derry have been better of late and Ciaran Martyn coming back into the setup is a major plus for me. Draw for me.
Price Guide:
11/4 Finn Harps 5/6 Derry City 11/5 Draw

Sunday, Aug 19
Malahide v Bohemians
Malahide, another slick non-league set up here. Last seasons Metropolitan Cup Winners, always has a good pedigree. For Bohemians nothing but a win would be acceptable to an already disgruntled fan base. Great things were expected from Connors this year. The fact that he apparently doesn’t seem to know where some of his players actually play may account for this. Like Pats, they have invested heavily this year and nothing but a final appearance may end up costing him his job. His players need to deliver. Bohemians should win.
Price Guide:
11/1 Malahide Utd 1/6 Bohemians 9/2 Draw

Eircom League Games 3-6 August

Weekend Games Price Guide

Friday, 3rd Aug

4/6 Cork City 7/2 Sligo Rovers 9/4 Draw 19.45
5/6 Galway Utd 11/4 Waterford Utd 11/5 Draw 19.45
11/8 Limerick 37 8/5 Finn Harps 11/5 Draw 19.45
10/3 Monaghan Utd 8/11 Dundalk 11/5 Draw 20.00
8/11 Shelbourne 10/3 Athlone Town 11/5 Draw 20.00

Saturday, 4th Aug

6/4 Wexford Youths 6/4 Kildare County 11/5 Draw 18.30
2/1 Longford Town 11/10 Bohemians 11/5 Draw 19.30
4/9 Cobh Ramblers 5/1 Kilkenny City 11/4 Draw 19.45
5/4 Shamrock Rovers 7/4 Derry City 11/5 Draw 20.00

Monday, 6th Aug

10/3 Bray Wanderers 8/11 Drogheda Utd 11/5 Draw 15.00
8/13 St Pats Ath 4/1 UCD 9/4 Draw 20.00

Midweek First Division Games 31st July 1st Aug

Tuesday, 31st July

Kilkenny v Shels
The Black Cats are yet to record a home win this season, hammered by Monaghan last time out. Shels come into this game after beating Dundalk so the form card couldn’t be more different. Away Win.
Price Guide: 11/5 Kilkenny City 1/1 Shelbourne 11/5 Draw 19.45

Match Result: Kilkenny 2-5 Shelbourne

Dundalk v Athlone Town
Dundalk have hit a wobble, the fact the Cobh only drew on the weekend means they held onto top spot, just. What might get them back on the road is the opposition, Athlone have not won a game in their last 7 attempts, and the last win was way back at the start of June. Home Win
Price Guide: 1/2 Dundalk 5/1 Athlone Town 12/5 Draw 19.45

Match Result: Dundalk 3-0 Athlone

Wexford v Limerick
Wexford recorded only their second away win ever up in Lissywollen on the weekend; they should take a lot of confidence from that. If we take Athlone as the yardstick then you have to say Limerick should win here as they stuck 4 past Athlone the week before, but Wexford have only ever been beaten by the odd goal at home. I’d be backing Limerick alright but I’d want odds against.
Price Guide: 11/5 Wexford Youths 10/11 Limerick 37 5/2 Draw 20.00

Match Result: Wexford 1-1 Limerick (match abandoned after 76 mins due to floodlight failure)

Finn Harps v Monaghan
Harps extended their unbeaten run to 9 games against Cobh on Saturday and should add another 3 points in the quest for promotion on Tuesday night against a Monaghan team that has failed to beat a team higher in the league all year. Home Win.
Price Guide: 8/15 Finn Harps 9/2 Monaghan Utd 5/2 Draw 20.00

Match Result: Finn Harps 3-0 Monaghan

Wednesday, 1st Aug

Kildare County v Cobh
Kildare haven’t managed a win in 5 games and are up against it with a Cobh team buoyed by hitting the dizzy highest of being joint table toppers. Cobh will have the comfort of knowing the Dundalk result & should Dundalk slip up on Thursday then have your house on Cobh on Wednesday. Away Win
Price Guide: 4/1 Kildare County 8/13 Cobh Ramblers 9/4 Draw 20.00

Match Result: Kildare 1-2 Cobh

Weekend First Divison Games 27th -29 July

First Division Games

Friday 27th July

Limerick 37 v Kildare County
Limerick 37 are having a solid enough first season in existence, sitting 3rd in the league, just 1 defeat at home all season & 12 pts from the last 15 available its easy to see why. The Thoroughbreds have just 1 win in 5 going into tonight’s game and look unlikely to take anything tonight. Home win.
Price Guide: 8/13 Limerick 37 4/1 Kildare 9/5 Draw 19.45

Match Result: Limerick 0-0 Kildare

Monaghan v Kilkenny
Monaghan look likely to miss Peter Darcy to injury while Mooney is suspended, Monaghan who drew last time out away in Station rd, have been beat 6 times at home already this season including an early season loss to the Cats. Unfortunately for Kilkenny the table doesn’t lie and having lost 10 games on the road its hard to make a case for them tonight, Willie Tyrrell should debut tonight. Monaghan should just edge, but only just.
Price Guide: 11/10 Monaghan 2/1 Kilkenny 11/5 Draw 20.00

Match Result: Mons 3-0 Kilkenny

Shelbourne v Dundalk
Dermot Keely waxes lyrical about Dundalk in the press today, and its easy to see why, only one defeat this year, away to 2nd place Cobh, they have been the pace setters all year banging in 5 for 0 in their 2 previous meetings this year with Shels. Shels are trying desperately to rebuild a dynasty and with Keely at the helm who wouldn’t bet against them? Well I would tonight.
Price Guide: 10/3 Shelbourne 8/11 Dundalk 11/5 Draw 20.00

Match Result: Shels 1-0 Dundalk

Saturday, 28th July

Athlone v Wexford
This season promised so much for Athlone with the new stadium unveiled they were going to concentrate on building a team. With only 3 home wins all season there hasn’t been much to cheer about at Lissywollen (the best named ground in the league) although one of those wins did come against Saturday night’s opponents. Wexford’s away form is marginally better than their home strangely enough, but are up against it tonight with only 1 pt taken from their last 4 games. Home Win
Price Guide: 1/1 Athlone 11/5 Wexford Yth 11/5 Draw 19.00

Match Result: Athlone 0-1 Wexford

Cobh v Harps
Only beaten twice this year Cobh are on a real charge and a win against Finn Harps is vital to keep on Dundalk’s coat tails. They’ve and excellent home record this year, just 1 defeat. Harps had a poor enough start to the season but are on an eight game unbeaten run at the moment. The only negative is the away form doesn’t really stand up, they’ve beaten Kilkenny, Wxford & Monaghan, (3 of the bottom 4 clubs) but they have struggled against the top-sides losing to both Dundalk & Cobh. I’d expect the same result here. Home Win
Price Guide: 1/1 Cobh 11/5 Harps 11/5 Draw 19.45

Match Result: Cobh 0-0 Harps

Weekends Premier Division Games 27th - 28th July

A rough stab at what prices will generaly be;


Friday, 27th July

Bray v Longford
Bray have hit a rich vein of form in the last month and with the acquisition of Pat Kavanagh Bray is a potent force going forward. Longford got only there second win of the season against UCD last week and fully deserved it with Darren Quigley pulling of a string of saves. They should travel to Bray with some confidence considering that Bray have a mini injury crisis this week up front. On balance Bray should win but 0-0 shouldn’t be ruled out.
Guide Price: 5/6 Bray Wanderers 11/4 Longford Town 11/5 Draw

Match Result: Bray 1-3 Longford

Drogheda v Waterford
What happened in San Marin last week? As I watched the game on line I couldn’t believe how complacent they were in the 2nd half. Then on Sunday an understandably sluggish performance against Cork. Waterford can expect a backlash this weekend. Waterford were sloppy in the second half against Sligo last week and will rue the points dropped particularly as Bray pulled away again.
Guide Price: 2/5 Drogheda Utd 6/1 Waterford Utd 11/4 Draw

Match Result: Drogheda 3-0 Waterford

Sligo v Rovers
Sligo on a good run at the moment, tough to beat at home and nicked the points against Waterford on Friday. Faz banging in goals for fun. For my money I thought Rovers shaded it on Monday, although Murphy did have to make a point blank save near the end. Most bookmakers will have Rovers marginally favorite, looks like a draw to me.
Guide Price: 7/4 Sligo Roves 5/4 Shamrock Rovers 11/5 Draw

Match Result: Sligo 2-0 Shams

Pats v Cork
Cracking game, Cork need to win this in my opinion to stay in the title hunt. If Pats are to win the league then they need to win these games. Pats seem to have unsettled their midfield bringing in Keane and are missing Ndo. Cork are in danger of becoming toothless when O Dononvan leaves, O Flynn isn’t doing it this year, although McSweeney looks decent. Tough game to call, sit on the fence here with a draw.
Price Guide: 11/8 St Pats Ath 8/5 Cork City 11/5 Draw

Match Result: Pats 1-1 Cork

UCD v Bohs
UCD going through a bad patch lately, losses to Bray, Roves & Longford recently, always tough to beat at home though. Bohs by their own admission are probably too far back now to win the league, some might say they were never really in it. Bohs 1-0 for me.
Price Guide: 9/5 UCD 6/5 Bohemians 11/5 Draw

Match Result: UCD1-0 Bohs

Sunday, 29th July
Derry v Galway
A lot might depend on their midweek exploits but its hard to make a case for Galway to beat Derry in the Brandywell. Ciaran Martyns return to the Derry midfield has brought a goal threat back to the midfield & Morrow has added to a front line that is always capable of scoring.
Derry 2-0.8/13 Derry City 4/1 Galway Otd 9/4 Draw

Match Result: Derry 0-0 Galway

I'll do the first division games later today.

Eircom League Games 22nd & 23rd July

So Sundays & Mondays Games..

Sunday 22nd

Cork City v Drogheda

Cork are back in the hunt, out of Europe early than expected, Farrelly & Healy settling in well and with their game in hand a win here will see them right back challenging. Drogheda slipped up late in Sanmarino and the travelling may take its toll on them, its a tough game to call but Cork might just edge this one. Home win.

Price Guide: 6/4 Cork City 6/4 Drogheda Utd 11/5 Draw 15.00

Match Result: Cork 0-0 Drogheda

Monday 23rd

Rovers v St Pats

Rovers live on the box for the second Monday on the trot. They face a tougher task this week and if Pat Scully's claim that he thinks Rovers are genuine contenders is to be borne out then a win against Pats is a must. Pats held Odense on Thursday night to a scoreless draw, they same here would be taken if you asked most Pats fans. No Bet.

Price Guide: 11/8 Shamrock Rovers 8/5 St Pats Ath 1/5 Draw 20.00

Match Result: Rovers 0-0 Pats

Eircom League Games 21st July

Ok so now to Saturdays Games;

Saturday 21st

Wexford Youths v Cobh

Cobh are still very much in the hunt for the title showing the form that may just have them pip Dundlak to the post. Wexford are struggling to come to terms with life in the EL, with players have to juggle college, work and training & while its more that admirable what Mick Wallace is doing with Football in Wexford, it may be a number of years down the line before they have any measurable sucess. Away win.

Price Guide:7/2 Wexford Youths 4/6 Cobh Ramblers 9/4 Draw 18.30

Match Result: Wexford 0-0 Cobh

Bohemians v Derry

Mouthwatering tie, Bohs are solid in defence, classy in midfield but toothless up front. Their failure to score against Drogs last week has more or less ruled their title tilt out for this year. Derrys' season has been a non-runner with the debacle of Pat Fenlons reign at the helm. Ciaran Martyns return will bring goals back to midfield and while I would fancy a cup double for Derry Bohs should take the spoils on this one.

Price Guide; 1/1 Bohemians 11/5 Derry City 11/5 Draw 19.00

Match Result: Bohs 0-0 Derry

Longford v UCD

Tough enough to call this one, Longford have resigned themselves to first divsion football next year, with 6 points deducted and only 1 win. UCD are formidable at home but suspect on their travels and a dip in form of late leaves them vunerable against Longford. No bet.

Price Guide; 7/4 Longford Town 5/4 U.C.D 11/5 Draw 19.30

Match Result: Longford 1-0 UCD

Kildare County v Monaghan

Both sides failing to capture the imagination this year and while most layers will have the thoroughbreds and slight favs here I fancy Monaghan to sneek this one, they have shown some decent form of late, albeit mostly draws but Kildare are nothing special.

Price Guide; 11/10 Kildare County 2/1 Monaghan Utd 11/5 Draw 19.30

Match Result: Kildare 1-1 Monaghan

Kilkenny v Dundalk

Dundalk will have far too much for Kilkenny, even if they have shown signs of late of buckling under the pressure of look down the table at everyone else.

Price Guide; 5/1 Kilkenny City 1/2 Dundalk 12/5 Draw 19.30

Match Result: Kilkenny 0-0 Dundalk

Remainder of games on saturday...............

Eircom League games 20th July

Random thoughts on the weekends game

By centremid


Friday 20th

Galway v Bray

Bray's poor away from should continue against a Galway side that have a times struggled to come to terms with life in the top flight, but have found some decent form of late.

Guide Price; 11/10 Galway Utd 2/1 Bray Wanderers 11/5 Draw 19.45

Match Result: Galway 0-1 Bray

Waterford v Sligo

Toss a coin in the air here, Waterford got a cracking result against Pats and indeed have been showing a lot more recently, Can Sligo hang on to Chris Turner?

Guide Price; 6/4 Waterford Utd 6/4 Sligo Rovers 11/5 Draw 19.45

Match Result: Waterford 1-2 Sligo

Athlone seem to be focusing more on their Ground Developments than developing on the pitch, Limerick should pick up a handy 3 points.

Guide Price; 8/11 Limerick 37 10/3 Athlone Town 11/5 Draw 19.45

Match Result: Limerick4-1 Athlone

Harps v Shels

Harps are probably out of the league race now but they are still one of the better sides in the first division, particularly at home, Shels it has to be said are doing OK of late, probably better that Dermot Keely would have thought. Harps will win this one.

Guide Price; 8/13 Finn Harps 4/1 Shelbourne 9/4 Draw 20.00

Match Result: Harps 1-0 Shels

Saturdays Games will be previed on Thursday..........here is the guide though

Saturday 21st
7/2 Wexford Youths 4/6 Cobh Ramblers 9/4 Draw 18.30
1/1 Bohemians 11/5 Derry City 11/5 Draw 19.00
7/4 Longford Town 5/4 U.C.D 11/5 Draw 19.30
11/10 Kildare County 2/1 Monaghan Utd 11/5 Draw 19.30
5/1 Kilkenny City 1/2 Dundalk 12/5 Draw 19.30

Sunday 22nd
6/4 Cork City 6/4 Drogheda Utd 11/5 Draw 15.00

Monday 23rd
11/8 Shamrock Rovers 8/5 St Pats Ath 1/5 Draw 20.00