Four games drawing my interest in the FAI Cup

Ok---it is about time I checked in on my favorite little league. Dundalk is still out in front, just like last year with Cork City FC nipping at their heels. Dundalk FC was just tied last week end to make matters interesting. So lets take a look at the FAI Cup 2015.

The Cup winner gets a Europa League spot and badly needed finances if they qualify, not to mention the only excitement many supporters feel, when they realize they are out of the league title race.

Round 3 is August 23 and lets take a look at a few matches.

Cork City FC vs Saint Patrick Athletic @ Turners Cross

The biggest match will be played at Turners Cross which pits 2^nd place Cork City against 3^rd place and current FAI Cup Champion; Saint Patrick’s Athletic. This game will get the most coverage because of the popularity of these famous Premier League clubs. Cork will rely on the trio of Billy Dennehy 9 Karl Sheppard 9 and Mark Sullivan 8 to score. City also has the best defense in the league conceding only 11 goals, lowest in the league. The Saints are in great form right now, best in the league. They are on a 5 game winning streak and the have scored 3 goals in each of their last 4 games. The Saints have Chris Forrester who has scored 11 goals, 3 short of League leader for the season. The Saints also can boast of 2014 Player of the year Christy Fagan, who has scored 5 goals this year.  Ohhhh when the Saints –come marching ing in –oh when the Saints come Marching in! The Saints should be feeling good since they just knocked off their Dublin Rival Shamrock Rovers at home.

  

Bohemians FC vs Bray Wanders @ Dalymount Park

                This pits the 5^th place club against the 6^th place club. Both are out of the League race at this point so the Cubs are the tournaments that matter. Bohemians FC are the surprise team for me.  They have one of the smallest budgets but yet find themselves in 5^th place behind their arch Rival Shamrock Rovers.  Both Bray and the Boh’s have good teams…they both know to  the FAI Cup is their realistic glory for 2015. Dalymount Park will host another big game to add to the history.

Derry City FC vs Drogheda United F.C @ Brandywell

                This game pits the 8^th place teams against each other. Derry just found their offence against Galway, scoring 4 goals. This game will be at the Brandywell which is always a bonus. Droghs need something this season and another Cup viscory would go a long way.

Dundalk FC v Galway FC

                This will pit the current league Champions and current League leaders Dundalk FC against Galway FC.  Dundalk can boast goal scoring leader Richie Towell who has 15 goals. Galway will counter with the young (23 year old) Enda Curran who currently leads Tommy Dunn’s Tribesmen with 10 goals himself. Galway as you know just beat Dundalk FC Aug 3^rd in the semi-finals of the League of Ireland Cup. This game went to a penalty shoot out. Dundalk will be looking for payback – however the fans at Edmond Deacy park will be ready to host another great event.

League of Ireland Preview 2015 -A quick look The 4 Dublin area clubs

The League of Ireland 2015 season

            There are 12 Premier clubs fighting for the glory of the Championship of the League of Ireland. Here is a quick look at the 12 clubs broken into my 3 geographical areas. The Dublin Area, the Northern clubs and the Southern Clubs.  I am listing them as where I think they will place at the end of year.

The Dublin Area			Capacity	Attendance (2014)
1	Shamrock Rovers	Tallaght Stadium	6,000	2,319
2	St. Patrick’s Athletic	Richmond Park	5,340	1,359
3	Bohemians F.C.	Dalymount Park	3,191	1,480
4	Bray Wanders	Carlisle Grounds	7,000	855

            The Dublin Clubs

 These are the most famous clubs since they been around longer and have more Championships than the other areas. I will not be including Shelbourne only because they will be playing in the First Division.       
                                                                          

The Shamrock Rovers play in the newest stadium in Southern Dublin, Tallaght. They have the most Championships (17)and the most FAI Cups with an astonishing 24 Cup titles. They usually place 1 or 2 with attendance since their new stadium has been built in 2009. They are the only club to advance to the group stage of the 2011-12 Europa League. This made the hoops a big pay day and great exposure to the league.  The hoops are looking for more success with in the league and on the international stage. Advancing brings badly needed money to the clubs. The Shamrock Rovers are always a threat to win the League, the FAI Cup, the Setanta Cup and tghe EA Sports Cup. They can and will always have one of the top budgets in the league. 

The Saints Finally winning the FAI Cup!

St. Patrick’s Athletic (The Saints) can play without that chip on their shoulder which was the FAI CUP voo-doo. The Saints finally won the FAI Cup after 53 years. They boast of 8 LOI Championships and  will again represent the League in international play this summer. They have played in the international tournaments for the last 4 years....this will be their 5th consecutive international invite......gyfThis should be a fun year for the Saints faithful.  Their attendance is about the leagues average. Their fans light flares in the stands and they are always a threat to win everything.

Bohemians FC are the oldest club in the league and can claim 11 LOI Championships. Unfortunately they are trying to get out of financial difficulties and do not have the budget of the other clubs. They will again struggle with younger players however they will again have a strong fan support at the famous Dalymount Park. Their is chatter from the FAI to referbish Dalymount.

The Saints Finally winning the FAI Cup!

 Bray Wanders are located in Bray which is just 40 minutes south of Bohemians's Dalymount Park.  They were just taken over by the Royal hotel. Their players were told they can use all the Royal hotel rooms and facilities on away trips. This will boost the spirit of all the Seagull players.