Ireland's four clubs European adventures

legendary.xix

It was a pity to see Pat's lose last week. I hope they'll be able to get a positive result tomorrow night and get through to the next round.

I thought it was good for the league that Sligo were guaranteed a place in the third qualifying round, because of FC Porto winning the Europa League Cup rather than Sporting Braga, they were forwarded to the 3rd round. It was good that the LoI was at a ranking level that they could take advantage of that. It'd be even better if it could stay there. Generally cup winners of leagues ranked 16-27 enter the Europa League at round 3. If the LoI could get there, it'd be a big prize for FAI Cup winners.

Hopefully there'll be 3 Irish clubs in action next week, Pat's, Boh's and Shamrock Rovers. The third rounds of all competitions are where the bigger games will come. It'll be great if the majority of the clubs are in action then.

If Shamrock Rovers get by their Estonian opponents, they'll be guaranteed at least a Europa League play-off place. It'd be great to see. It'll be great to see big names and European games in Ireland on a regular basis, even if it is just at the rounds 3 and play-off stages.

On Pat's game tomorrow, I think they'll win, possibly after extra time.

LuckyLloyd

I wouldn't back Pats to go through tomorrow night, and it isn't a foregone conclusion by any stretch that Rovers progress to the next round in the CL Qualifier.

I hope they can all do well, but it will require some huge performances for any of our clubs to get to the group stages of a European competition.

legendary.xix

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

I wouldn't back Pats to go through tomorrow night, and it isn't a foregone conclusion by any stretch that Rovers progress to the next round in the CL Qualifier.

I hope they can all do well, but it will require some huge performances for any of our clubs to get to the group stages of a European competition.

Agreed regards any Irish club making groups stages. I can't see that happening in the next few years either. At the same time there is the possibility of some big games in rounds 3 and the play-off round. If 2 or 3 clubs could make those rounds on a regular basis, it'll give the league a good chance of at least being in the top 27 in the coefficient table.

stovelid

Rovers knocked a club in a higher ranked league than ours out of the Europa league last year so won't be counting chickens against a team from a lower ranked league.

Augmerson

Would LOVE to see an Irish team in the Europa League. Would be very unsure how they would do, but it would be a huge step for the domestic game. Really hope Pats make a comeback! Come on Bohs!

legendary.xix

Augmerson wrote: »

Would LOVE to see an Irish team in the Europa League. Would be very unsure how they would do, but it would be a huge step for the domestic game. Really hope Pats make a comeback! Come on Bohs!

I know! It'd be awesome for an Irish team to get that far. They'd be guaranteed 6 groups games, some good opposition and really raise their profile. Before getting that far though, a club will at least need to have the consistency to make round 3 of either competition and the play-offs as well on a regular basis.

The Republic of Ireland had many a near miss on qualifying for a major competition before finally making the breakthrough for Euro '88. If an Irish club was knocking on the door of the group stages over a 3-5 year period, they would build up interest in their story as to whether they could make it. If they can make the breakthrough eventually from a situation like that, it will be seen more than just a once off lucky break and as something which has been well earned.

On a note of caution, I would listen to the Pat's manager. He fears Irish clubs are slipping behind European clubs. He says that the reversion to part-time football at most Airtricity League clubs has seen a drop-off in standards and as a result he reckons expectations need to be lowered.

dsmythy

This season still about improvement of the co-efficient rather than an realistic chance of qualifying if you ask me. Pats losing 1-0 in Iceland shows this to be the case.

legendary.xix

dsmythy wrote: »

This season still about improvement of the co-efficient rather than an realistic chance of qualifying if you ask me. Pats losing 1-0 in Iceland shows this to be the case.

It'll be great to see the coefficient improve. Sligo have seen this year already the mini rewards it can reap. I don't think the clubs will be thinking much about coefficients when they're preparing for games though.

Ireland were 29th this year based on:
# country 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 ranking teams
29 Ireland 1.833 2.833 1.000 2.500 1.375 9.541 4

For next year Ireland will be 31st after a poor showing last season:
# country 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 ranking teams
31 Ireland 2.833 1.000 2.500 1.375 1.000 8.708 4

27th up is where country gain more rewards as the cup winner is guaranteed a round 3 placing for the Europa qualifiers. Sligo got this placing this year as leagues 28th and 29th cup winners were forwarded to round 3 due to Porto's win. Hopefully starting tomorrow night, the league can start picking up the points and some good news stories.

dreamers75

I think if Mahon wants to beat IBV we will, they are not that good tbh. But i reckon the result of Koper vs Borat will have a big influcence on the team selection and formation(its over at 4pm irish time)

Kinda agree with him tbh cost guts of 100k to get to Borat Land and tbh we cant afford it, we done enough for the coefficent time for others to bring our work on 1 round win last season shows it may not happen.

if we go 442 with our best 11 we will beat them.

ShamoBuc

It would be great for Pats to comeback and go through. Rovers have a good chance also. The more wins in Europe for Irish teams the better - obviously enough. Most fans will generally cheer on any club in europe.... nearly any club maybe!

iregk

Well I don't think that we are counting chickens just yet. The team we have been drawn against are very beatable but then again at this level so are we. Either was its a difficult draw but were we expecting anything less from the champions league?

Pats tonight, its only 1-0, thats very doable. I actually fancy pats to do this one 2-0, I just really hope they don't get stung on away goals or something. Best of luck pats and do the league proud, what ever way the end result goes.

Augmerson

Is the Pats 2nd leg on Telly?

stovelid

Augmerson wrote: »

Would LOVE to see an Irish team in the Europa League. Would be very unsure how they would do, but it would be a huge step for the domestic game.

It would be a great step for the club involved to get into a group as the money involved could set them up for a great period of development and pay off debts, albeit when you factor out the big travel costs for the club.

Not sure about the benefit to the floating Irish supporter (as in existing adult supporters, not kids) as there might be a few hidings if you ended up in a tough group, especially involving a team from a rival league.

stovelid

Not sure where the other thread is but best of luck to Pats the night.

doncarlos

dreamers75 wrote: »

Kinda agree with him tbh cost guts of 100k to get to Borat Land and tbh we cant afford it,

You would get €90k for getting in to the round, plus home gate receipts plus extra merchandise sales. Can understand not wanting to play as it might effect league form but financially you won't be any worse off no matter what Mahon says

dreamers75

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/st-pats-live-commentary


Audio commentary for tonight.


http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/david-kelly-pats-true-wealth-is-integrity-and-fans-2814913.html

dsmythy

Augmerson wrote: »

Is the Pats 2nd leg on Telly?

I don't think the Icelandic team is sexy enough for RTÉ.

legendary.xix

doncarlos wrote: »

You would get €90k for getting in to the round, plus home gate receipts plus extra merchandise sales. Can understand not wanting to play as it might effect league form but financially you won't be any worse off no matter what Mahon says

I hope Irish clubs go all out 100% to do the best they can in Europe. Some clubs see it as a bonus. I don't like that mentality. European games offer clubs a great chance to raise their profiles. Hopefully clubs can do it without a casino type financial structure that has led to the ruin of previous champions.

GLaDOS

Best of luck to Pats tonight, should be able to turn the tie around

dsmythy

Pats best priced at 4/7 to win, but 11/10 to qualify.

_blank_

Come on Wiwouftgv;jhb!!

dyl10

Hope to god they get through tonight.

More generally, I think the league is in for disaster in terms of European competition due to the timing of recent developments.

We have taken a step forward in terms of coefficient and that's good but I really think the last 18 months has seen the league significantly decrease in quality.

So now with no longer having the really weak teams to beat in the first round to keep improving our coefficient, we have to go in at a later stage, with a higher proportion of games against better opposition with teams that are comparatively worse than those previous Irish teams that got us to where we are.

legendary.xix

Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers and possibly Derry City next year should be able to represent Ireland well in Europe. From what I've seen they all seem to have decent teams while the standard elsewhere might have gone back a bit.

Jmac24128

its a pity the match isnt on tv.

antomorro-sei

Kazak side won. Effort of going there for an away game :pac:

dan1895

Jmac24128 wrote: »

its a pity the match isnt on tv.

Yeh, would be hilarious watching two teams going out to lose.

dreamers75

dan1895 wrote: »

Yeh, would be hilarious watching two teams going out to lose.

FT Shakhtyor Karagandy 2 - 1 NK Koper

There can be only 1!!!!!

**** Asia tbh

dfx-

Come on you Saints!:pac:

HyperSkypeWiper

1 nil up, ian daly!

StickyMcGinty

2-0, Doyle with the second. Need to hold out for 10 mins now...

PaddyBomb

Well done, Pats. The lads on that U Stream commentary were gas.

dreamers75

Started well , died on our arses after an hour we look shattered. PLayers need rest least they get some sleep on the 3 day journey to China.

Crackin atmosphere.

Lad fell tru our new stand thankfully hes fine but club gonna have to do something about that, its not safe.

adox

StickyMcGinty wrote: »

2-0, Doyle with the second. Need to hold out for 10 mins now...

I work with him so will never hear the end of it tomorrow. :pac:

Well done Pats. Delighted for them.

dreamers75

Irelands European Club.

Your welcome.

stovelid

Nice one lads. Fair play. Bring on the Borats. Bit of a nightmare trip to make for supporters.

dreamers75 wrote: »

Lad fell tru our new stand thankfully hes fine but club gonna have to do something about that, its not safe.

What's the crack with them? Was it temporary seating and you were allowed to keep it?

Glad he's OK.

legendary.xix

PaddyBomb wrote: »

Well done, Pats. The lads on that U Stream commentary were gas.

Agreed, they were hilarious, "Finally they are taking off someone who's name we can pronounce"

Good results for Pat's tonight. They've done well for Ireland. Hope all three Irish clubs involved over the next two weeks will do well!

dreamers75

stovelid wrote: »

Nice one lads. Fair play. Bring on the Borats. Bit of a nightmare trip to make for supporters.

Not possible have morrow to get a visa and most likely it be turned down.

There be 0 fans at this.



IBV had 6 fans and by god they were the best fans ever :pac:, dancing for the lads in mac dowells before the game. Seeing as im married its only lapdance i getting

stovelid

dreamers75 wrote: »

Seeing as im married its only lapdance i getting

Good call, playing safe with the statements on a public forum, lad...

:pac:

Augmerson

Well done Pats! Doing the country proud!

mal1

I went down to the match tonight as a poor LoI and Dundalk fan. Thought it was a good game. Enjoyed it.

St Pats deserved it even though they tired badly in the last 30 mins. They were also lucky not to have it stolen from them in the end. Best of luck for the next round.

ShamoBuc

Great to see them go through!

antomorro-sei

Wooooooooooooooooooo

dyl10

Great success!

doncarlos

dreamers75 wrote: »

Fair enough their stupid volcano ruined many a holiday but how can you stay mad at those faces....

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Have a feeling this will be the season an Irish club breaks into the Europa League group stages. Not getting my hopes up too high though!

legendary.xix

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

Have a feeling this will be the season an Irish club breaks into the Europa League group stages. Not getting my hopes up too high though!

I wouldn't go that far! I think at best over the next few years, one or two clubs will feature in rounds 3 and possibly the play-offs on a more regular basis. Hopefully Ireland's clubs can keep their financial houses in order and not take any risks in pursuit of the European dream and crock of gold! The two Rovers' and Derry City have the look of teams who can do well.

shanec1928

doncarlos wrote: »

You would get €90k for getting in to the round, plus home gate receipts plus extra merchandise sales. Can understand not wanting to play as it might effect league form but financially you won't be any worse off no matter what Mahon says

you dont get that money till the season is over so you have to get loans to pay for it and then with interest on that the costs mount up

dreamers75

forza rovers wrote: »

you dont get that money till the season is over so you have to get loans to pay for it and then with interest on that the costs mount up

FAI have paid it out early numerous times.

shanec1928

dreamers75 wrote: »

FAI have paid it out early numerous times.

thats if ya get a kip to go to that's ridiculously expensive

GLaDOS

forza rovers wrote: »

thats if ya get a kip to go to that's ridiculously expensive

Like Kazakstan?

legendary.xix

Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Uefa Champions League Qualifying
Shamrock Rovers v FC Flora Tallinn, R2, L1, 20:00

Thursday, 14 July 2011
Uefa Europa League Qualifying
FC Shakhtyor Karaganda v St Patricks, R2, L1, 14:00
Olimpija Ljubljana v Bohemians, R2, L1, 18:00

It's going to be a big two weeks for Ireland with three clubs in European action. Hopefully all 3 will make August and none of their players will need to be a part of the Dublin Super Cup.