Wednesday 15 August 2007

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

Thursday 2 August 2007

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