Greatest League in the World 2026 [LOI Thread]

Dogsdodogsstuff · 03-04-2026 10:14PM

Another game shels pull back a 2 goal deficit and lose near the end. Can’t seem to play more then 30 mins of quality football and then just stop.

Good game for neutrals and while I wouldn’t blame ref for result he seemed to lose his cards anytime Dundalk fouled and found them again for shels lads.

CSF · 03-04-2026 10:19PM

Joey is not the one

PGE1970 · 03-04-2026 10:20PM

I'm not sure how we didn't beat Bohs tonight in a 0-0 game that was very entertaining and could have finished 4-3.

Looks like Shane Farrell suffered a delayed reaction to a head collision and please god he is ok.

We desperately need a striker. If we had Josh Thomas tonight or a half-decent centre forward, he'd have bagged a couple.

ben.schlomo · 03-04-2026 11:06PM

Super win against Derry for us. Big crowd, love on TV. Usually that turns out bad for us. Two super goals from Hurley and Pierrot. Beach and some important blocks kept the score to just first half.

Derry much better the opening 15 of the second half and Clarke got a good goal but we made changes and upped it and Derry seemed to wilt from there on.

Derry looked very ropey at the back all night and didn't a lot of threat without Duffy.

dfx- · 03-04-2026 11:26PM

Rovers are an awful side to watch in open play now. The slow build up and recycling the ball at all costs is killing them.

Haaland could be upfront and he would struggle to get his five touches a game.

Trey13 · 04-04-2026 01:02AM

Really enjoyed watching the Galway Derry game on Virgin tonight. The commentary and punditry is really good in that all genuinely seem to care about the league. I tend to only get to games in Dublin but would love to take a trip down to Galway for a game, the place looked like it was hopping tonight.

spurshero · 04-04-2026 02:01AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124361940#Comment_124361940

ya was a great atmosphere tonight and a good win for Galway . Played some decent stuff to be fair . 2 good goals . Derry aren’t in a great spot at moment looked more likely to score from set pieces then open play . Manager must me under pressure and if they don’t win In sligo Monday he mightn’t survive .

ollaetta · 04-04-2026 09:29AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124361818#Comment_124361818

It's painful to watch and I think they do it to death in games like last night. I've always said that when you play that slowly and predictably most teams can set up to defend effectively against it.

BlazingSaddler · 04-04-2026 09:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124361702#Comment_124361702

Agree 100%, I’ve been saying this for a couple of weeks now. Considering he’s been talked about as possibly the best player in the league Devoy has been average at best and Tierney looks like he needs a rest. We need DJT back and go two up top maybe or give Martin/Strods a chance. The build up play can be excellent at times just far too predictable. Would Hickey help us higher up the pitch but then I wouldn’t want to break up the rock solid defence?!

PGE1970 · 04-04-2026 11:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124362185#Comment_124362185

Dougie will spend 80% of the season on the treatment table.

I'll be surprised if he is at Bohs next season.

NIMAN · 04-04-2026 11:21AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124361970#Comment_124361970

He has lost most of the fanbase at this stage. He really isnt liked up here.

NIMAN · 04-04-2026 11:22AM

Do you think they play that style due to their European experience over recent years, where ball possession is paramount. Maybe they are now playing the same way in the league where they could afford to take more chances.

fatbhoy · 04-04-2026 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124362340#Comment_124362340

Rovers? Yes, absolutely. It's awful.

trashcan · 04-04-2026 07:57PM

Pats/Rovers next Friday shaping up to be some game. If we could get another win in the interim on Monday (Which will be tough with Dundalk on a high) it would really set it up beautifully.

ShagNastii · 04-04-2026 07:57PM

I've really started following the LOI this year outside of Wexford Youths over the years.

What is the story with observation that there is a lack of truly prolific striker in the league. It seems many teams struggle to score by default?

Over the years 14, 15 or even 10 goals would bag you top scorer. Hardly impressive numbers? Is there an obivous answer why this is/isn't the case.

CSF · 04-04-2026 08:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124363763#Comment_124363763

Gap between the top teams and the pack isn’t as big. You look at a player even like Haaland and look at the spread of his goals. His hattrick against Liverpool today isn’t really the bulk of it.

artanevilla · 04-04-2026 09:18PM

I think it's just the way football is now in general. The No. 9 out and out goalscorer is a rarity worldwide, not just in Ireland.

topmanamillion · 05-04-2026 01:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124363763#Comment_124363763

Comes down to money. Players capable of more are sold predominantly to the UK market. Even in the last window, Elding and Melia went and both would be hitting 20+ goals this year in the league. The likes of Noonan at Shams will be snapped up when he hits 18 this summer.

Oat23 · 05-04-2026 01:23PM

If you're on twitter this account popped up recently and is posting some great videos from the past. Worth a follow.

https://x.com/AaJ1532082

andekwarhola · 05-04-2026 03:05PM

The rain has just been so bad and ground so soft this year,otherwise I don't think you would notice the rugby marks.

Usually this is the time of the season where the the Tallaght pitch starts to look decent, but this year really was an outlier - hopefully.

trashcan · 05-04-2026 03:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124365131#Comment_124365131

Yep, this is it. Goalscorers are in such demand that anyone who is capable of getting circa 20 goals a season here will be gone to the UK. We are left with players who have been to the UK and now are back here. I think Aidan Keena at Pats is probably capable of hitting a decent amount of goals over the season. With Edmondson and Mata there as well I think it bodes well for us.We also have midfielders such as Palmer chipping in at the moment.

Barnaboy · 06-04-2026 07:20PM

Another frustrating draw for Bohs. I thought we played ok today. Really should have won it. Their keeper made some astonishing saves.

Waterford offered nothing going forward. For the life of me, I don't know how we let them score.

Rennie won't be resting/dropping Flores again in a hurry. We were so much better going forward when he came on. Tierney offered feck all.

Nice to see Hickey up front for a while. Great option when chasing a goal.

Seriously need to beat Sligo now as we are about to face Rovers, Pats and Shels next.

CSF · 06-04-2026 07:23PM

Rovers don’t look as good as before. We look f*cking dreadful.

ben.schlomo · 06-04-2026 07:27PM

Game of two halves in Drogheda. We were poor enough first half and conceded twice to two well delivered set pieces. We got back into it with a great finish.

Wind was a major factor, judging by the noise on the stream. Change of personnel and shape at HT and we were well on top then. Twardek scores with his first touch and sets up the winner for Piesold. Great turnaround from 2 down to win it.

Dogsdodogsstuff · 06-04-2026 07:29PM

Shels self imploding again , rovers weren’t even that good , we did more damage to ourselves. Not sure why Jarvis starting up front ahead of Martin. Dan Kelly offers so much more on the wings and actually attacks. Way too much ponderous stuff and playing back to defence

artanevilla · 06-04-2026 07:39PM

Poor again from Bohs. No ideas up front.

Waterford are bad.

tayto lover · 06-04-2026 07:58PM

The Town win again and are only 3 points off the leaders. Playing well in patches and with a few players approaching fitness things can only get better. Another great night in Oriel park.

CSF · 06-04-2026 08:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124367987#Comment_124367987

It’s like that every game in fairness. No idea what we are supposed to be good at.

kksaints · 06-04-2026 08:17PM

No complaints about the result in Oriel this evening. We had enough chances to get something from that match and we didn't take them. Hope the injuries to Keena and Palmer aren't too serious. Dundalk were impressive and Arubi is a real handful.

Ohmeha · 06-04-2026 08:19PM

Shels 2026 - I've seen this movie before with Cork and Dundalk dismantling title winning squads to supposedly 'improve' by doubling budgets building on dogshit UK/Foreign footballers

Duff knew exactly he was doing bailing out 10 months ago

Greatest League in the World 2026 [LOI Thread]

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