League of Ireland in Europe 2017

**brendy_éire** · 13/04/2017, 3:59 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Whether or not the IFA and/or UEFA would allow use of a stadium in a different jurisdiction is the real question there. It might well be the case that Oriel is the only option.

You need agreement from UEFA to play outside your 'home' country, but if that applies, it wouldn't be an issue.
Much more likely the club just didn't even contemplate using an IL ground.

Rumours at this stage, but Sligo ones were looking €30k, Dundalk then offered Oriel for free (presumably cost-price really). No brainer.

**El-Pietro** · 13/04/2017, 4:01 PM

Handier for Derry fans in Belfast and Dublin too.

**Viking** · 13/04/2017, 7:51 PM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

We're definitely not seeded in the EL this year anyway. Needed another point at least for that. Some interesting seeds in the Northern region though as things stand. Linfield, Cliftonville Aberdeen and Rangers all in there. I'd fancy a cut off any of those. But on the other end of the scale, Legia Warsaw, AIK Solna and IFK Gotenburg terrify me.

Well... as it turned out, you'll don't have to worry about IFK Göteborg. They're not in this year.

It's AIK & IFK Norrköping as seeded in the first round you might face. Two teams with different kind of style of play. AIK 3-5-2/5-3-2 and usually rock solid defensively, but so so offensively, a bit Italian with defense first attitude and lots of ball-possession these days. Norrköping is a more traditional 4-4-2 team with some variations when they attack. And a team that put more pressure on the opponents and thrive on a fast-paced football. Usually very succesful against lesser opponents, but can have trouble against skilled teams/tactics.
Both teams ended up with 60 points last year in a 30 game schedule. (6 points behind the champs Malmö)

The last team in Europa League will be Östersunds FK who won the cup today, by defeating Norrköping with 4-1. But they will enter in the second round of EL and be unseeded. So I would guess, not a likely opponent for your teams. (if you don't take over a high seed in the first round) A 3-5-2/3-4-3 team with lots of ball-possession. Skilled in the passning-game and have come quite far in just a couple of seasons. 8 in the league last year. Will probably do even better this year.

And since you guys (Cork City) beat Häcken last season, i can't see why you should be out of a chance against any of these teams. Not the way Cork is doing in the league this year. OK, Häcken has in many years been known for their somewhat shady defense (new directions this year and new coach as well) but still. Sure, all of your teams will probably be underdogs, but also as someone mentioned; Irish teams have fared well against Swedish opponents in the past. And not so past as we all saw last year. I sure hope for an other opponent than an Irish one in the first round. Well, travel-wise it sounds good though...

**EatYerGreens** · 16/04/2017, 1:01 AM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

Handier for Derry fans in Belfast and Dublin too.

And for away fans, no matter who the fixture is against.

**Charlie Darwin** · 16/04/2017, 3:30 AM

Hypothetically, if all teams get through a couple of rounds, could we be looking at Cork in Thomond and Derry, Dundalk and Rovers across two days in Tallaght and the Aviva?

Obviously Rovers will be knocked out in the first round, but hypothetically.

**brendy_éire** · 16/04/2017, 9:09 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Hypothetically, if all teams get through a couple of rounds, could we be looking at Cork in Thomond and Derry, Dundalk and Rovers across two days in Tallaght and the Aviva?

You can switch matchdays, so Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday could be done in Tallaght.
Very hypothetical though, aye.

Just on that note, when Pats had their matches switched to Tuesday last year, was it with the agreement of both clubs or how did it work?
Was it known before the draw was made that Jeunesse Esch had to play Tuesdays?

**El-Pietro** · 16/04/2017, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Viking

Well... as it turned out, you'll don't have to worry about IFK Göteborg. They're not in this year.

It's AIK & IFK Norrköping as seeded in the first round you might face. Two teams with different kind of style of play. AIK 3-5-2/5-3-2 and usually rock solid defensively, but so so offensively, a bit Italian with defense first attitude and lots of ball-possession these days. Norrköping is a more traditional 4-4-2 team with some variations when they attack. And a team that put more pressure on the opponents and thrive on a fast-paced football. Usually very succesful against lesser opponents, but can have trouble against skilled teams/tactics.
Both teams ended up with 60 points last year in a 30 game schedule. (6 points behind the champs Malmö)

The last team in Europa League will be Östersunds FK who won the cup today, by defeating Norrköping with 4-1. But they will enter in the second round of EL and be unseeded. So I would guess, not a likely opponent for your teams. (if you don't take over a high seed in the first round) A 3-5-2/3-4-3 team with lots of ball-possession. Skilled in the passning-game and have come quite far in just a couple of seasons. 8 in the league last year. Will probably do even better this year.

And since you guys (Cork City) beat Häcken last season, i can't see why you should be out of a chance against any of these teams. Not the way Cork is doing in the league this year. OK, Häcken has in many years been known for their somewhat shady defense (new directions this year and new coach as well) but still. Sure, all of your teams will probably be underdogs, but also as someone mentioned; Irish teams have fared well against Swedish opponents in the past. And not so past as we all saw last year. I sure hope for an other opponent than an Irish one in the first round. Well, travel-wise it sounds good though...

Thats good to hear. We have a very good record against Swedish teams but in general we've beaten them when they haven't respected us. Hacken took it for granted that they would win in Cork, even after the game in Gothenburg. The same thing happened with Malmo and DIF. The only Swedish team that respected us and took the game seriously was Hammarby and they beat us. I think if Genk had taken the sane attitude as Hacken we would have beaten them in Cork, but they learned from the first leg and stepped up their game. Thanks for the team information though!

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Hypothetically, if all teams get through a couple of rounds, could we be looking at Cork in Thomond and Derry, Dundalk and Rovers across two days in Tallaght and the Aviva?

Obviously Rovers will be knocked out in the first round, but hypothetically.

We can play at home until the Third round, and might get away with it in the Playoff round with dispensation. Group stages would definitely be elsewhere, we are hopeful that if we get that far we might be able to play at Pairc Uí Chaoimh but that would be a real long shot. Cork GAA are the most anti football County board outside of Ulster.

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

You can switch matchdays, so Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday could be done in Tallaght.
Very hypothetical though, aye.

Just on that note, when Pats had their matches switched to Tuesday last year, was it with the agreement of both clubs or how did it work?
Was it known before the draw was made that Jeunesse Esch had to play Tuesdays?

I think its down to the fact that you can only have one game in a city or a certain distance on the one evening. It was understood that one of the three Lux teams would have to move their game after the draw but it wasn't certain who it would be.

**Ezeikial** · 17/04/2017, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

I think its down to the fact that you can only have one game in a city or a certain distance on the one evening. It was understood that one of the three Lux teams would have to move their game after the draw but it wasn't certain who it would be.

While UEFA can change their criteria to suit their own agenda, the guideline is that the lower ranked team must move their fixture when this occurs

When Dundalk drew Grevenmacher in the Europa League qualifier in 2010 the draw threw up a clash with Dudelange also scheduled to be at home at the same time. As Dudelange had finished 2nd in the Luxembourg league ahead of Grevenmacher they were the higher ranked team. Hence the original draw was reversed for Dundalk- Grevenmacher

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 28/04/2017, 7:59 AM

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

Derry playing EL games in Oriel?

https://www.derrynow.com/soccer/derr...-season/156210

No quotes, so would maybe take that article with a pinch of salt.
How do the trust that own the Sligo Showgrounds operate? Do they set their own prices, or take the lead from the football club?

Looks like The Showgrounds it is

http://leagueofireland.ie/index.php/...s-showgrounds/

**brendy_éire** · 28/04/2017, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Nah Nah Nah Nah

Looks like The Showgrounds it is

http://leagueofireland.ie/index.php/...s-showgrounds/

Happy enough with that now.

**oriel** · 28/04/2017, 11:24 AM

Showgrounds probably will suit Derry better, its 20k closer and a much better ground with seating on 3 sides. If the reported fee of 5k has been agreed that seems fair enough.

I did hear Dundalk were offering OP for cost price, ie pay all extras, but I think 5k still a better option to use Sligo’s ground.

**Charlie Darwin** · 29/04/2017, 1:50 AM

Is Sligo all that easier than Dundalk to get to from Derry? As somebody pointed out, Derry would have a decent support base in Belfast and Dublin where Dundalk would be more accessible. I do think it's good to keep it in the north(ish) west though.

**Nesta99** · 29/04/2017, 3:54 AM

Showgrounds is a much better venue and i'd say it will sellout with local interest too. Capacity of 3000 approx at Oriel is small as Derry fans alone would hit that figure. A sell-out in Sligo would be a lot more of a 'home' atmosphere imo. Though i'm a little disappointed as i'd loved to have been able to go to the game, if there were tickets available in Dundalk as the atmosphere created by a good Derry support is hard to match.

**Charlie Darwin** · 29/04/2017, 4:06 AM

What's the capacity of Sligo seated? Wikipedia says 4,000. Not sure if Derry would get that outside Derry but depends what the tie is I suppose. Either way it'd be good I'd say. I couldn't make it to either on an evening when Rovers aren't playing, but hopefully the neutrals in Sligo would get out too.

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 29/04/2017, 7:09 PM

3,800 I think

**DannyInvincible** · 30/04/2017, 12:17 PM

'DERRY CITY: City CEO 'delighted' to secure Sligo Showgrounds for Europa League qualifier': http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/fo...fier-1-7940002

Originally Posted by Simon Collins

Derry City CEO, Sean Barrett insists there was 'never any doubt' the club would be playing its UEFA Europa League qualifier home leg at the Sligo Showgrounds this summer. Commenting for the first time since the decision was confirmed on Friday, Mr Barrett said he was 'delighted' the club had managed to secure the Showgrounds which was always the 'preferred' location.

"We're delighted as it's a great facility there," he told BBC Radio Foyle during half-time in Derry City's 2-2 draw with St Patrick's Athletic at Maginn Park on Friday night. "We were obviously looking at all our options and we're delighted to be playing the game at the Showgrounds which is a great venue and a super surface and we're absolutely delighted Sligo will help us on our European adventure." Mr Barrett admitted there was several options considered, which included both Oriel Park in Dundalk and Tallaght Stadium, home of Shamrock Rovers. However, given the distance from Derry, Sligo Showgrounds made logistical sense for the Candy Stripes.

**pineapple stu** · 01/05/2017, 10:33 AM

Worth noting UCD are still in with a reasonable shot of making the UEFA Youth League this year. We need 8 clubs to qualify for the Champions' League group stages and to win their domestic underage league. At present, there's about 20 countries where the Champions' League qualifiers (including those starting in, say, round 2) are also in with a chance of winning their underage league.

Barca just got knocked out of the Spanish underage league this morning, but Celta, Atletico and Real are all still in, and are in with a shot of being in the CL group stages next season (Celta by winning the Europa League)

Anderlecht won their underage league this weekend and are leading the Belgian league too. Chelsea are top of the English league; FC Basel are the best team in Switzerland (though the title is decided by play-off, which makes it that bit more unpredictable). Dinamo Kiev, Ajax and Sporting Lisbon are almost certain to win their underage leagues, but their senior teams look like starting in the third round of the CL. Then there's APOEL, Copenhagen and Ludogorets, all on course for the double and all quite capable of qualifying from the second round.

Monaco, Juve, Bayern, Dortmund and Roma all still in underage contention too.

Think it's slight odds against at this stage, but given we're 41st in the rankings, slight odds against is quite positive.

Cork qualified last year from 40th - 41st did get through as well. The year before, 37th was the cut-off.

The winners of the league this year will be almost assured a spot for the 2018/19 competition as Dundalk have hefted us up to 37th in the rankings.

**pineapple stu** · 06/05/2017, 12:55 PM

Real Madrid win the Spanish underage league, so that's one of the 8 UCD need.

Next, Chelsea need to beat Arsenal on Tuesday

**Charlie Darwin** · 07/05/2017, 1:24 AM

Would be mad if UCD got into the UEFA Youth League after sacking the manager who got them there.

**pineapple stu** · 07/05/2017, 6:29 AM

Yeah, was surprised to see a change of manager alright. Was he sacked or is it just that underage managers change a lot anyway? Do a lot of them take the role to get badges?