Cork City V Dundalk | Fri 18 Oct | 7.45pm | Turner's Cross | Matchday 35

[El Paso]

Knew we weren’t scoring within 5 minutes of the second half starting. Their keeper made a couple of great saves but we strolled around the place all night.

I know it doesn’t matter but momentum is a thing in football and all of a sudden we have none.

[El Paso]

Doubt any of the players are overly worried.

Starting 11 in the cup final becoming a little bit clearer cos no one has given Perth any headaches the last three games. Think Boyle and Murray might have played their way out of the starting 11. No sign Jarvis will displace Massey either.

So:
Rogers, Gannon, Cleary, Hoare, Massey, Shields, Benson, Duffy, McGrath, Kelly, Hoban I’d say. With Kelly losing out if McEleney gets fit.

[Louth4sam]

Doubt any of the players are overly worried.

Starting 11 in the cup final becoming a little bit clearer cos no one has given Perth any headaches the last three games. Think Boyle and Murray might have played their way out of the starting 11. No sign Jarvis will displace Massey either.

So:
Rogers, Gannon, Cleary, Hoare, Massey, Shields, Benson, Duffy, McGrath, Kelly, Hoban I’d say. With Kelly losing out if McEleney gets fit.

I'd have McEleney for Benson if he's fit

[Johnnybegood33]

Very hard to get motivated when League is won , doing handstands. It’s all about minding the body .
Bring on Aviva & see the real Dundalk.

[El Paso]

Benson was probably our best player tonight. Not saying much, but what little we created he was involved.

Duffy caught POTM-itis. One appalling dead ball after another.

[Blackandwhite10]

Terrible goal gave away by Dane massey. Clearly the suspension thing is stopping jarvis being selected as massey has been terrible. play dummigan left back instead. Momentum is lost

[Martin Lawlor80]

Terrible goal gave away by Dane massey. Clearly the suspension thing is stopping jarvis being selected as massey has been terrible. play dummigan left back instead. Momentum is lost

Yes he seemed unsure whether to step up or not but Boyle charged into midfield and didn’t win the ball which caused the problem in the first place imo but yes I’d have Jarvis and dummigan ahead of him alright

[colymull]

Shite half of ball. Good pass played in O’Connor, finished well. I suppose when teams play so deep against us we don’t get to see goals like that, but it looked so easy compared to how difficult we make things look sometimes.

Obviously nothing on the line but two defeats in a row not exactly a good prep for the two cup finals ahead

Stuey Byrne made a good point on RTE last night. He said that these couple of defeats might actually be a good thing for Dundalk heading into the cup final. It might give us a kick up the arse and reignite a bit of fire in us instead of just cruising into it. Let's hope he's right!!!

[Weelilywhite]

Agree with Blackandwhite. Wasn't at the game but saw the goal on RTE. Terrible defending by Massey. How often this season has he been to blame for goals we conceded. Will be a cause of concern, if selected in the Aviva. A few observations:
According to Dundalk Twitter, apart from Hoban's fall in the first few minutes, we had 14 chances & Cork had 3.
Given our record with injuries, it is understandable that the players were looking after themselves, to ensure they do not miss the Cup Final. Murray got clattered by Mc Cormack, ( surprise, surprise) and was withdrawn . Was he injured ?
Our game in Sligo deteriorated badly, after Mc Eleney got injured and we have not been the same since, as he was coming into a rich vein of form. Crucial he is fully fit for the final.

[El Paso]

I’m not sure I agree. Boyle left the line and Massey moved across to plug the gap. The moment Boyle sells himself is the moment the goal is made. When the ball is played Boyle is in the centre circle. Ludicrous. I don’t see how Massey can avoid the Cork player getting the run on him from there, even if he doesn’t try stepping up.

Also at the time I thought the Cork player who passed it had come back from an offside position. Can’t see Gannon in the video so can’t be definite, but I’m pretty sure he held the line. You can clearly see him come from behind Hoare to pick up the ball, so it should have been flagged.

[Blackandwhite10]

Your opinion but don't agree at all.. when the center back ever steps into a higher position it's up to the full backs to tuck in and cover . Step up was terrible and never on. He should have got narrow and let the pass go wide .