European Qualifying 2013.

[DannyInvincible]

Crusaders played Fulham in their own ground 2 or 3 years ago. So Cliftonville will probably play in Solitude this time round. Don't think its feasible on security ground to play in at Windsor and with the disputes ongoign between the FAI and IFA I highly doubt the IFA would allow it to take place outside NI.

Which disputes are ongoing between the FAI and IFA?

[ArdeeBhoy]

Euphemism for all the player-'poaching' debate?

[Charlie Darwin]

Ok, Shels then. More £ from playing in a bigger stadium, in a tie they're going to lose anyway...
I'd have hoped they'd prefer to give a good account of themselves than making an easy few quid. Just because they've got practically no hope of winning doesn't mean they shouldn't give themselves the best chance possible.


Well, does a team who lost 6-2 in aggregate to the worst Cork City side of the last years has any chance of beating Celtic? Aviva would feel more like home than Windsor Park in my opinion.

It's not the worst Cork City side of the last years and Cliftonville only lost heavily because they sent their reserve side. They'd need a miracle to beat Celtic but it will be a unique experience for the football fans of Belfast and an opportunity to showcase some of the talent we have on this island.

And it wouldn't be their choice whether they'd play in the Aviva or not. They'd need a dispensation from the IFA to play it in Dublin and that's not going to happen, and even if they did it would be a hard sell with the glamorous Liverpool game around the same time.

[DannyInvincible]

Euphemism for all the player-'poaching' debate?

That was cleared up in 2010; the IFA accepted the verdict of CAS in the Kearns case, as has been demonstrated by their words and actions since. If the IFA have any outstanding issues, they'd be with FIFA (and the statutes presently in place to govern player elgibility); not the FAI. Relations between the FAI and IFA are professional and cordial, as far as I'm aware. No problems between the two have ever become apparent whilst they've been working together on such undertakings as the Setanta Cup or Carling Nations Cup, so, whilst other issues may pose stumbling blocks, I don't see why Cliftonville seeking to play their home fixture against Celtic in Lansdowne would necessarily be complicated by alleged grudges or disputes. Simply put, they don't exist.

[oriel]

I'd say that would go down an absolute treat with the locals.

Yep, not long after posting, I realised that, in fact I don't think Celtic have ever played in Windsor, not in modern times anyway. Was tough enough for us to visit in the Setanta 2 years ago (good trip though), so this would be a non runner.

[Dillonman]

Which disputes are ongoing between the FAI and IFA?

Replace disputes then with anger, anger on behalf of the IFA, cause the FAI are getting picked over them consistently by young players from the North.

[oriel]

What was McCarthy doing? Remember watching this in the pub, was no big fan of $hels at the time, but was livid at those two ridiculous handballs. Didnt Pats draw 0-0 with Celtic in Glasgow same day? Second leg the goals went in late iirc so 7-3 was very flattering and against with a team with a couple of world cup winners in it. Advocats first game in charge.

Very tough draws but the ever reliable St Pats european run could happen, Sligo a maybe too. Derry cant see going through so from a domestic point of view an eye off the league could benefit Dundalk and Derry (if Dundalk are still in the hunt after the next 3 games away in Thomand, Brandywell and Turners Cross). Dont see why Drogs wouldnt have taken the cheaper, more convenient option of playing Malmo in Oriel Park? We played them in United park '96 as a new pitch was layed in Oriel.

I find it nothing less than pure arrogance why they didnt look to use Oriel Park. We did indeed do the reverse in 1995, filled the 'home' side, they could have done similar in our place, would have been much better atmosphere too. I`d also suggest we would have given them the use of the ground for a very good deal compared to what SDCC are probably charging.

[ArdeeBhoy]

That was cleared up in 2010; the IFA accepted the verdict of CAS in the Kearns case, as has been demonstrated by their words and actions since. If the IFA have any outstanding issues, they'd be with FIFA (and the statutes presently in place to govern player elgibility); not the FAI. Relations between the FAI and IFA are professional and cordial, as far as I'm aware. No problems between the two have ever become apparent whilst they've been working together on such undertakings as the Setanta Cup or Carling Nations Cup, so, whilst other issues may pose stumbling blocks, I don't see why Cliftonville seeking to play their home fixture against Celtic in Lansdowne would necessarily be complicated by alleged grudges or disputes. Simply put, they don't exist.

Agreed. To rational ​people.

[ArdeeBhoy]

I'd have hoped they'd prefer to give a good account of themselves than making an easy few quid. Just because they've got practically no hope of winning doesn't mean they shouldn't give themselves the best chance possible.

The word is they will play at home (Solitude), but Cliftonville & Celtic have asked UEFA to reverse the fixture, so the home team can get more money in TV rights, whilst the scores are 'level'.
And to deter a massive travelling support?


They'd need a miracle to beat Celtic but it will be a unique experience for the football fans of Belfast and an opportunity to showcase some of the talent we have on this island.
Good luck to them getting any sort of result in the home leg, but regardless of who they played, the record of IL clubs v.seeded sides is v.poor.

Celtic themselves need a good dose of luck to get through to the group stages, almost on a par with what Cliftonville will probably need to even get a draw...

[Charlie Darwin]

I find it nothing less than pure arrogance why they didnt look to use Oriel Park. We did indeed do the reverse in 1995, filled the 'home' side, they could have done similar in our place, would have been much better atmosphere too. I`d also suggest we would have given them the use of the ground for a very good deal compared to what SDCC are probably charging.
I'd say SDCC offer pretty competitive rates since the stadium would otherwise be idle. The location would make it more attractive for away fans too since they can stay overnight and then get the morning flight home.


The word is they will play at home (Solitude), but Cliftonville & Celtic have asked UEFA to reverse the fixture, so the home team can get more money in TV rights, whilst the scores are 'level'.
And to deter a massive travelling support?
As far as I know, the clubs participating in the qualification rounds don't get any share of the TV money.

[ArdeeBhoy]

The rumour mill is that they can negotiate a bigger 'pot' on TV rights in Ireland/Scotland and Celtic will waive their share...

But not many there would know the practicalities of this...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23048207

[seand]

I'd say SDCC offer pretty competitive rates since the stadium would otherwise be idle. The location would make it more attractive for away fans too since they can stay overnight and then get the morning flight home.


As far as I know, the clubs participating in the qualification rounds don't get any share of the TV money.

Dundalk is all of 45 minutes from Dublin airport and not lacking hotels! That said, Tallaght clearly offers better facilities and an off chance of selling more than 3,000 tickets.

Qualifying round participants don't share the big tv pot, but can sell the rights to their own games.

[Charlie Darwin]

Dundalk is all of 45 minutes from Dublin airport and not lacking hotels! That said, Tallaght clearly offers better facilities and an off chance of selling more than 3,000 tickets.

Qualifying round participants don't share the big tv pot, but can sell the rights to their own games.
Yeah but if you're not driving it can be quite time-consuming. I think with Drogs attendances so low they might just be banking on neutrals/away fans to make up the numbers.

[Spudulika]

Yeah but if you're not driving it can be quite time-consuming. I think with Drogs attendances so low they might just be banking on neutrals/away fans to make up the numbers.

Which is why it makes more sense to hold it in Dundalk. While there are clowns on both sides to try to drum up nastiness, I don't know a single Dundalk fan who would genuinely wish ill. And it'd be nice to see them go get tonked :-)

[ArdeeBhoy]

Only because they have a complex about Dundalk.

That is more important than making it easy for the people of Louth to support the Louth team in Europe.

Aye, what they said. Drogheda people look down their noses a wee bit.
I blame the proximity to a certain neighbouring county...
:rolleyes:

[Nesta99]

Aye, what they said. Drogheda people look down their noses a wee bit.
I blame the proximity to a certain neighbouring county...
:rolleyes:

Monaghan? Magicme loves Louth and Dundalk in particular!

[ArdeeBhoy]

Not exactly.

Unless you're from there, wouldn't dare slag the good people of Monaghan...

[Charlie Darwin]

Which is why it makes more sense to hold it in Dundalk. While there are clowns on both sides to try to drum up nastiness, I don't know a single Dundalk fan who would genuinely wish ill. And it'd be nice to see them go get tonked :-)
Depends how they pitch it I guess. There are a lot more people in Dublin than there are in Louth.

[Ezeikial]

Depends how they pitch it I guess. There are a lot more people in Dublin than there are in Louth.

Drogheda are entitled to make whatever illogical or madcap decisions they choose.

Opting to pay SDCC a hefty rental could only work out if they got a glamour draw that would draw a big travelling support or a UK club that would attract bar-stoolers.

For all other clubs it is irrelevant that Dublin has a greater population then Louth - Drogs will be lucky to attract more then 1000 punters to Tallaght.

[Charlie Darwin]

How many do you reckon they'd get in Oriel? I'd say there are plenty of Drogheda and Louth folk living in Dublin who'd struggle to get up north for a game on a Tuesday night but would gladly drop down to Tallaght for the game, and two decent teams facing off against each other should attract a fair few neutrals.

I think you're overestimating how much SDCC would be charging for rent - the council will pretty much accept any offer they get, whereas I'm guessing Dundalk aren't really that pushed about renting out Oriel unless it's really worth their while.

[White Horse]

I think you're overestimating how much SDCC would be charging for rent - the council will pretty much accept any offer they get, whereas I'm guessing Dundalk aren't really that pushed about renting out Oriel unless it's really worth their while.

Don't understand that logic. Dublin council are desperate for cash and Dundalk are well off?

Anyway. The logic behind having the game in Louth is that it gives a opportunity to attract the casual sports fan in Louth to the match. These casual fans may like what they see and might decide to see Drogheda play in a league game. How will Drogheda United or any other LOI team progress if they do not use the opportunity of playing big(ish) games to market their team and club to the casual sports fan in their local area.

This is a missed opportunity by Drogheda to promote their club in their county. That they do not see the opportunity is not a surprise. They have consistently failed to get the town of Drogheda behind their club. This is nothing new.

[DannyInvincible]

Replace disputes then with anger, anger on behalf of the IFA, cause the FAI are getting picked over them consistently by young players from the North.

My understanding is that the IFA have moved on from their pre-Kearns case perspective and have accepted that it is their own responsibility to convince eligible dual citizens to play for them rather than blaming others for their woes. Any anger towards the FAI would be misdirected. I think you're confusing the outrage of some of their crackpot fans with some sort of official association stance.

[ArdeeBhoy]

'crackpot fans' ​? Surely not...

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Sligo Rovers can confirm that tickets for the home leg of the Champions League qualifying game with Molde have sold out.

Just under 3,500 tickets have been bought by Rovers fans for the home leg on Wednesday 17 July in The Showgrounds.

Molde will receive 10% allocation of the 3,900-capacity for the game.

Kick-off for the home leg will be 6pm

[Charlie Darwin]

Who gets the other 10 tickets?

[Ezeikial]

How many do you reckon they'd get in Oriel? I'd say there are plenty of Drogheda and Louth folk living in Dublin who'd struggle to get up north for a game on a Tuesday night but would gladly drop down to Tallaght for the game, and two decent teams facing off against each other should attract a fair few neutrals.

I think you're overestimating how much SDCC would be charging for rent - the council will pretty much accept any offer they get, whereas I'm guessing Dundalk aren't really that pushed about renting out Oriel unless it's really worth their while.

Sometimes it's hard to know if you are pulling the pi$$.

Hold on......

"SDCC Stadium is dead cheap - any rental offer at all is fine with the council"

"Drogheda will attract more by staging the match in Wicklow then in Louth"

You would skate on to the Drogheda board with that logic / sense of humour (delete as appropriate)

[Mr A]

Maybe they just don't want to give money to their fiercest rivals? Seems reasonable to me.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yes, they do rent the stadium out dirt cheap. They play schools rugby, U19s games, women's games - these aren't events that attract thousands. They make a real effort to get all and any events held there and I have no doubt they have been lobbying Drogs for some time to have the games held there. Dundalk, on the other hand, probably aren't hugely pushed about renting the stadium out unless it's really worth their while, ie the money is very good. Add to that the fact players hate the surface in Oriel, and the fact that Swedish players will be much more used to artificial surfaces than they are, it's not hard to see why they'd want to go with the Tallaght option, even if it is inconvenient for their local support.

[oldfan]

not hard to see why they'd want to go with the Tallaght option, even if it is inconvenient for their local support.
Yes, we've got to stop those bloody locals attending games :mad:

[Charlie Darwin]

I think Drogs have done a good enough job of that so far.

[White Horse]

Add to that the fact players hate the surface in Oriel, and the fact that Swedish players will be much more used to artificial surfaces than they are, it's not hard to see why they'd want to go with the Tallaght option, even if it is inconvenient for their local support.

You have a point. The pitch could be a factor.

Drogheda like to play long balls into the corners. The Oriel Park surface is fast and suits teams with a passing/possession style of play. Every team plays to it's strengths, so perhaps they realise that Oriel Park is not for them.

Leaving an extra few millimeters of grass in Tallaght and not watering the pitch may be a better option.

[MariborKev]

Who gets the other 10 tickets?

The football family.....

[MiniMourinho]

Loving how wound up the Dundalk fans on here are getting that the Drogs didn't choose to play on their pitch. I could think of one good reason not to hold the game in Dundalk - the awful pitch!! Speaking as a Drogs from from the town who knows what he is talking about, holding the game in Dundalk over Tallaght would not attract a noticeable amount more to turn out. I also know that SDCC is not THAT expensive to rent! Get over it lads! :-)

[Charlie Darwin]

You have a point. The pitch could be a factor.

Drogheda like to play long balls into the corners. The Oriel Park surface is fast and suits teams with a passing/possession style of play. Every team plays to it's strengths, so perhaps they realise that Oriel Park is not for them.

Leaving an extra few millimeters of grass in Tallaght and not watering the pitch may be a better option.
Exactly, although I wouldn't go as far as saying it "suits" anybody - it forces Dundalk to play a short game but it hampers them when they would actually benefit from going more direct. To be honest, apart from being nearby I can't think of a single reason why Drogs would want to play in Oriel.

[gufc2000]

I don't recall all the Dundalk fans crying foul when Drogheda played in Dayler in their last few European campaigns.
I think the last time Drogheda were in Europe, Oriel Park wouldn't have met Uefa's stadium regulations. It only became Uefa compliant when Dundalk played in Europe in 2010 or 2011

[MeathDrog]

I think the last time Drogheda were in Europe, Oriel Park wouldn't have met Uefa's stadium regulations. It only became Uefa compliant when Dundalk played in Europe in 2010 or 2011

You're right apologies.


Still think Dundalk need to get over themselves though. I don't want it played in Tallaght either, would prefer Dayler myself tbh.

It could just come down to Drogheda not wanting to play on an artificial pitch. That and I wouldn't be in a rush to show the Molde fans the away section in Oriel.

As far away as Tallaght is, it is still an impressive ground that reflects well for a European tie. We don't know the ins and outs of the cost of pitch rental so that is all speculation. Our crowds won't be great regardless of where it's played anyway.

[Charlie Darwin]

Still think Dundalk need to get over themselves though. I don't want it played in Tallaght either, would prefer Dayler myself tbh.
How come? (Out of interest, not in a 'grr, how dare you' kind of way)

[White Horse]

Our crowds won't be great regardless of where it's played anyway.

That's it in a nutshell. It might surprise you but most Dundalk fans wish you well in Europe.

You are missing an opportunity to develop your support base. It's bad enough not being able to play your home ties in Drogheda but choosing not to play them in Louth???

Also, if the reason really is the pitch, why are you planning the same pitch for your new ground?

[MeathDrog]

How come? (Out of interest, not in a 'grr, how dare you' kind of way)
Closer to home I suppose. Have good memories of the games against Kiev, IK Start etc.



That's it in a nutshell. It might surprise you but most Dundalk fans wish you well in Europe.

You are missing an opportunity to develop your support base. It's bad enough not being able to play your home ties in Drogheda but choosing not to play them in Louth???

Also, if the reason really is the pitch, why are you planning the same pitch for your new ground?

I understand that most Dundalk fans wish us well, and it would be vise versa from me if the foot was on the other shoe.

Is playing a tie against Malmo (most likely going to lose anyway) going to enhance our fanbase by playing it in Oriel as opposed to anywhere else? Really?? Don't think so. The people of Drogheda and Louth to a lesser extent have had many opportunities to back the team and for the most part they don't.

I haven't heard a lot about the plans for the new pitch. Taking it all with a pinch of salt until I see some action.

[Charlie Darwin]

Closer to home I suppose. Have good memories of the games against Kiev, IK Start etc.
Yeah but have you been to Dalyer recently?

[MeathDrog]

Yeah but have you been to Dalyer recently?

Season after last. All you'd need is the main stand though.

[oriel]

I would safely say around 200 DLK fans (myself included) would have gone to watch Drogs play if it was in Oriel Park, plus it would have been so much easier for the majority of Drogs fans to travel up, could have even arranged a train up, could have met in Drogs station, then a 2 min walk to Oriel from DLK station.

I'd say they would be lucky to get more than 7 or 800 now, cant see too many Rovers fans being interested. Anyway, their choice.

[A N Mouse]

I would safely say around 200 DLK fans (myself included) would have gone to watch Drogs play if it was in Oriel Park, plus it would have been so much easier for the majority of Drogs fans to travel up, could have even arranged a train up, could have met in Drogs station, then a 2 min walk to Oriel from DLK station.

I'd say they would be lucky to get more than 7 or 800 now, cant see too many Rovers fans being interested. Anyway, their choice.

Would you lot ever devolve? I don't recall this clamor when they were playing at Dalymount.

Whatever else about the why's and wherefore's - who would pay for the, inevitable, improvements required at oriel?

Who would pay for improvements at sdcc stadium?

[White Horse]

Would you lot ever devolve?

Eh???

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't think either stadium would need improvements unless Drogs qualified for the group stages, which would be 6 games away.

[Nesta99]

Would you lot ever devolve? I don't recall this clamor when they were playing at Dalymount.

Whatever else about the why's and wherefore's - who would pay for the, inevitable, improvements required at oriel?

Who would pay for improvements at sdcc stadium?

You obviously havent being paying attention!

[A N Mouse]

You obviously havent being paying attention!

Feel free to let me know what I missed while trying to sleep.

The bit where no one will be breaking out the paint brushes, in preparation for european night(s).

The bit where the oriel pitch has been fifa 2 star tested and approved, annually, since the last game in europe.

[Nesta99]

Feel free to look back over the last couple of pages to get your answers. Otherwise i will go and devolve!

[Dodge]

Why would Drogheda want anyone thinking they're associated with Oriel? Maybe Mick Cooke's first rule for the game was "it needs to be on grass".

Really is hilarious how annoyed some Dundalk posters are about this. Even feigning that they're posting out of concern for Drogheda's crowd.

[MiniMourinho]

Why is this 'I can't believe the Drogs didn't come to Dundalk' thing still being discussed! Dundalk would attract no more blow ins than it being in Tallaght will!

Really slow news week?