European Qualifying 2013.

[ger121]

Very surprised by Drogs result, was expecting a comfortable win for Malmo. Team Pat's were playing look poor and Pat's should win the home leg handy enough, although could easily have lost tonight.

Once again we'll be Ireland's failures in Europe. Looking forward to it!

Tromso beaten at home by Slovenian opposition, so can be done.

[sligoman]

Tromso beaten at home by Slovenian opposition, so can be done.Yep, everyone gives us a chance and we fail miserably :)

[White Horse]

Drogheda's draw is the result of the night.

A quality opposition and Drogheda going into the game on a disasterous 5 league game winning slump.

It just goes to show what the players are capable of when bothered.

Pat's played really poor opposition and should be well ahead in the tie. They should remedy this in the home tie and progress comfortably.

[MeathDrog]

Great stuff from us tonight. Pity Ryan Brennan had to let us down. We were comfortable at that stage and at the very least looked like seeing it out while trying to nick a winner. Backs to the walls after dropping to 10 men.

We played some great stuff and I wouldn't rule out scoring over there. You never know.

[peadar1987]

Drogheda nick an early goal and it makes that tie very ​interesting.

[sparky12345678]

Yep, everyone gives us a chance and we fail miserably :)

Sligo were deservedly league champions, now they need to show why. Step up and lead the way, forget the past and match drogs at home and pats away and ur through :p

[swinfordfc]

Two good result but we are down to 38th in the co-efficient table - Latvia gone above us !!!!!!!!

[Bawnville Hoop]

Two good result but we are down to 38th in the co-efficient table - Latvia gone above us !!!!!!!!

Only played 2 games relax

[Charlie Darwin]

Well done Pat's and especially Drogs. That Tallaght magic rubbing off.

[MeathDrog]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BOWubtpCAAAzF7C.jpg:large

Pic of Malmo fans in Tallaght.

[ArdeeBhoy]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=473029992790982&set=a.105473786213273.9902.103673066393345&type=1&theater

[MeathDrog]

Highlights of the Pats game here:

http://www.zalgiris-vilnius.lt/video/14689.html

[Acornvilla]

Good work whichever one of you was saying it would be worth betting draws in both matches!

[Charlie Darwin]

That is an outstanding celebration for the second Zalgiris goal.

[gormacha]

Perhaps stating the obvious, but delighted that Drogs and Pat's got good results.

I've just seen that O'Brien goal. Woof.

[bullit]

Loving this photo from Balls.ie

Malmo coach is your ultimate football hipster
I believe he also got stuck into the Malmo crowd post match for booing them off the pitch?https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BOaeUNECEAA1u_9.jpg:large

[Acornvilla]

Jürgen Klopp disagrees.

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSlhCigbsc2CRmHsV-EHCT_X5MpO1oQp-A-PNp0X3AIwiKDS98LuQ

[DannyInvincible]

Highlights of the Pats game here:

http://www.zalgiris-vilnius.lt/video/14689.html

Cheers!

Defending was criminal for the first goal; very sluggish standing off the man like that. Pat's seemed to have been afforded great room to do damage by the Žalgiris left-back down the right wing though. Hopefully, Pat's can expose him further and finish the job with two away goals in the bag for the second leg at home. Ger O'Brien's goal was an absolute belter.

That highlights video is also on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk7IM5uw5b0). Check out the amusing recommendation!:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc12/poguemahone85/youtube_zps09d87c0e.png

Good result for Drogheda too to keep their tie alive. Missed both games due to work last night but hadn't been expecting to come home to what are both very positive results. :cool:

[ArdeeBhoy]

Oh dear, what a complete.orifice.
http://balls.ie/football/picture-shocking-swastika-flag-at-the-brandywell/

[eelmonster]

Highlights of the Pats game here:

http://www.zalgiris-vilnius.lt/video/14689.html

The celebration for Zalgiris' second goal (circa 4.45) is hilarious.

[nigel-harps1954]

Any highlights of Drogs v Malmo? Haven't seen a single piece of footage on the game.

[abcd]

2 good results Thursday evening, there are no handy ties this year unfortunately, Pats probably our best hope of progressing through a round or two. Looks like our co-efficient is going to decline further this year, the 29th position of a few years ago looks a distant memory but who knows a good start has been made hopefully all 4 teams can perform to their potential at least.

[Charlie Darwin]

2 good results Thursday evening, there are no handy ties this year unfortunately, Pats probably our best hope of progressing through a round or two. Looks like our co-efficient is going to decline further this year, the 29th position of a few years ago looks a distant memory but who knows a good start has been made hopefully all 4 teams can perform to their potential at least.
Same every year to be fair.

[nigel-harps1954]

Ireland would need all the teams to pick up a win each at least to make any sort of significant impact on co-efficient. A quick glance at the table and we're fast falling down it. If only Shamrock Rovers actually got a few results in the group stage of the Europa we'd be sorted.

[Dodge]

Ireland would need all the teams to pick up a win each at least to make any sort of significant impact on co-efficient. A quick glance at the table and we're fast falling down it. If only Shamrock Rovers actually got a few results in the group stage of the Europa we'd be sorted.

It doesn't really matter. Our ceiling is about 28th and our floor is about 38th. There's very little difference between those positions. Maybe the cup winner gets into QR2 instead of QR1. Is that really a positive looking at Derry's draw?

[Sean South]

It doesn't really matter. Our ceiling is about 28th and our floor is about 38th. There's very little difference between those positions. Maybe the cup winner gets into QR2 instead of QR1. Is that really a positive looking at Derry's draw?
Agree with that, and when I hear people banging on about the leagues co-efficient for a reason for a love in when other teams are playing in Europe besides your own I think yawn you super fan.

[DannyInvincible]

Agree with that, and when I hear people banging on about the leagues co-efficient for a reason for a love in when other teams are playing in Europe besides your own I think yawn you super fan.

The benefits may seem negligible on a year-by-year basis, but, long-term, surely every little helps?

[nigel-harps1954]

It doesn't really matter. Our ceiling is about 28th and our floor is about 38th. There's very little difference between those positions. Maybe the cup winner gets into QR2 instead of QR1. Is that really a positive looking at Derry's draw?


Sorry Dodge, but I disagree. It's any reason to improve the status of the League of Ireland more than anything.

To say we're 38th best league in Europe is pretty bad.

To say we're 28th best league in Europe is reasonable.

Long term, if the league keeps steadily improving, and after one or two breakthrough years, there's a possibility of reaching the top 20 in any given 5 year period.

That, to me, would be a massive boost to the League, an argument to say, we're now the 18th best League in Europe, for instance.

I know that would be 5-10 years down the line before even thinking about that, but surely we should look at this sort of thing long term rather than the next year or two?

[dantheman]

http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/access2013.html

This is a summary of the benefits from continued coefficient progression. TBH it doesn't really kick in until 19th place, the real benefits are seeding for more teams in earlier rounds

[Charlie Darwin]

I wouldn't be too worried about the coefficient. The only real litmus test in European football is competing and that means getting to group stages. If clubs can do that, Ireland will be seen as a more attractive prospect for better players. The little bit of extra money it brings in would be handy for the league too. Apart from that, European results don't matter massively in the grand scheme.


Sorry Dodge, but I disagree. It's any reason to improve the status of the League of Ireland more than anything.

To say we're 38th best league in Europe is pretty bad.

To say we're 28th best league in Europe is reasonable.

Long term, if the league keeps steadily improving, and after one or two breakthrough years, there's a possibility of reaching the top 20 in any given 5 year period.

That, to me, would be a massive boost to the League, an argument to say, we're now the 18th best League in Europe, for instance.

I know that would be 5-10 years down the line before even thinking about that, but surely we should look at this sort of thing long term rather than the next year or two?
Clubs around the top 20 are all getting teams regularly in the Europa League and sometimes Champions League groups. Even thinking 20 years down the line, it's massively optimistic.

[nigel-harps1954]

Maybe top 20 is a bit of a reach, but there's no reason we shouldn't be able to have a co-efficient similar to that of Scotland or Norway.

I must be the only one here that truly believes Irish clubs severely under-perform in Europe.

Put it this way, Europa League group stage shouldn't be out of reach of one Irish club each season.

[mightaswell]

No way near Scotland in the least hahaha that was funny....maybe just maybe near Norway...i'd say we're about right considering

[Charlie Darwin]

Can't see us getting near Scotland unless we get a superclub like Celtic. In fact, all things being fair, we really should get Celtic's ranking points since they're basically Irish. And Liverpool's too.

[Schumi]

Can't see us getting near Scotland unless we get a superclub like Celtic. In fact, all things being fair, we really should get Celtic's ranking points since they're basically Irish. And Liverpool's too.

Can't see that helping much.

[nigel-harps1954]

No way near Scotland in the least hahaha that was funny....maybe just maybe near Norway...i'd say we're about right considering

Nowhere near Scotland, but maybe near Norway...that makes perfect sense, considering the two of them are one place apart.

Apart from Celtic, Scotland have nobody in Europe really, which is evident by the fact, despite Celtics run in Europe last season, Scotland only gained 4.300 points.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong..but this happens, for instance.

Pat's - win the next game, win both games in the next round against whatever armenian or such side they get, and then win one and lose the other and go out in the 3rd round. That's 4.5 points.
Sligo - Beat Molde at home and draw away, they go through, face some team they can't beat, and get a draw out of one of the games. 2 points.
Derry - draw away and win at home against Trabzonspor. They draw Stuttgart or something mental and somehow come away with a draw from one of the games. 2 points.
Drogheda - draw first game, and then they lose to Malmo in Sweden. 0.5 points.

Combined that's 9 points. Divide by four teams..we've 2.25 points

That should, in theory lift us up a few places to early 30s.

Consider a few extra shock results on top of what's there, Pat's get into group stages. Drogheda pull off a famous victory in Sweden. Sligo surprise everyone and also get to Europa League group stages through losing the Champions League qualifying round. There's potential for a few big scalps, and a big year for co-efficient points.

Another year the same next year lifts us up further in the table. All of a sudden we find ourselves not with 5.125 points, but something more like 8.500 or 9.225 or something.


I know one can dream.

[mightaswell]

well thats very likely isnt it

[ped_ped]

well thats very likely isnt it

Whoa! Cool it with the optimism there! You might actually enjoy being a football fan for a second!

[bullit]

Paddys bet -

Malmo FF 1/6 Draw 6/1 Drogs 10/1 (ko 6pm BST)

St Pats.Ath 6/5 Draw 23/10 VMFD Zalgiris 2/1 (ko 7.45pm)

http://www.paddypower.com/football/football-matches/europa-league-coupon

[nigel-harps1954]

well thats very likely isnt it

Coming from the guy who said we might get near Norway but not Scotland...I'll disregard your opinion.

[mightaswell]

Pfft fine then best to leave realism at the door i see

[redron]

The celebration for Zalgiris' second goal (circa 4.45) is hilarious.

Here's a clip with that goal and "celebration" isolated:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZU833bCLdk
Such a pity the camera is zoomed in slightly too far to really see it/enjoy it.

[CuanaD]

No way near Scotland in the least hahaha that was funny....maybe just maybe near Norway...i'd say we're about right considering
You really don't have a clue what we are talking about, do you:

http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/data/method4/crank2015.html

[DannyInvincible]

Any highlights of Drogs v Malmo? Haven't seen a single piece of footage on the game.

Highlights on this week's MNS a few minutes in: http://www.rte.ie/player/gb/show/10163378/

Drogs were very unlucky not to have had a penalty awarded.

[Dodge]

Sorry Dodge, but I disagree. It's any reason to improve the status of the League of Ireland more than anything.

To say we're 38th best league in Europe is pretty bad.

To say we're 28th best league in Europe is reasonable.

To say to who? Who are you trying to impress with being the 28th best league in Europe?




That, to me, would be a massive boost to the League, an argument to say, we're now the 18th best League in Europe, for instance.

Have you experienced football in Denmark (19th at the moment)? It is light years away from what LOI clubs can achieve.


I know that would be 5-10 years down the line before even thinking about that, but surely we should look at this sort of thing long term rather than the next year or two?

We should look at improving facilities for players and spectators and then see where that brings us. Fanciful goals for the league in Europe don't help one bit IMO.

Clubs who qualify for Europe don't owe the league anything. They play for their team and their fans. That's it. The co-efficient is a by product, it's not a goal to aim at

[peadar1987]

To say to who? Who are you trying to impress with being the 28th best league in Europe?


The teams from 29th downwards (Such giants as Azerbaijan, Moldova and Latvia)

[mightaswell]

You really don't have a clue what we are talking about, do you:

http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/data/method4/crank2015.html
I dont? Interesting how you know what I have a clue about mr. psychic man reading my mind

[bennocelt]

But co efficients are important. If Pats win the league they will be seeded next year in the CL (most likely) and play a welsh team or the likes rather than a toughy from Norway for example.

[ped_ped]

I dont? Interesting how you know what I have a clue about mr. psychic man reading my mind

Well in all fairness you did claim that being close to the 25th placed team would be achievable and being close to the 24th placed team wouldn't, so yeah, he doesn't have to be a mind reader to realise you haven'y a clue.

[nigel-harps1954]

To say to who? Who are you trying to impress with being the 28th best league in Europe?


Have you experienced football in Denmark (19th at the moment)? It is light years away from what LOI clubs can achieve.


We should look at improving facilities for players and spectators and then see where that brings us. Fanciful goals for the league in Europe don't help one bit IMO.

Clubs who qualify for Europe don't owe the league anything. They play for their team and their fans. That's it. The co-efficient is a by product, it's not a goal to aim at


All valid points. Arguments could be made however, for extra revenue for certain clubs from European progression to be used to improve infrastructure.
Say Pat's get into the Europa League group stage this year..get their million euro. Couldn't that be used to put extra seating in? Build a half decent stand at one end?

I'm not about to say we're ever going to become a European superpower. But it'd be nice for once to say the league isn't ranked as one of the worst in Europe.
A little rise in rankings, coupled with a bit of European success can only be good for our league.

[peadar1987]

I'd argue that the coefficient is secondary in importance to the good publicity that could be generated. Shams getting to the Europa Group Stages was great, but it would look good for the whole league if that sort of thing was happening on a semi-regular basis, and might even swing some people round to the idea of attending games, even if it's just when Shams were in town.