League of Ireland in Europe 2014

[Stuttgart88]

Well done Pats. Watched second half on Danny's stream. Legia only had two shots on target all game I think.

They looked very composed at times and trusted their footballing ability. Nice to see.

[legendz]

Shame they tired but was going to be hard to maintain it. Pat's once again have excelled when representing themselves, our league and country in Europe.

[Ezeikial]

Whose the fastest player in the LOI?


Kenny Browne -by a country mile

[BonnieShels]

Well done Pats. Watched second half on Danny's stream. Legia only had two shots on target all game I think.

They looked very composed at times and trusted their footballing ability. Nice to see.

Problem being they took one of them. I fear a 2-0 to Legia next time out given they now have an idea and will be less complacent.

[abcd]

Excellent results for Pats, more than anyone could have hoped for. They are well in contention going into the 2nd leg. It'd be fantastic if they finished the job. However, what is it with Irish teams (club and international) away from home on the verge of achieving significant victories, late equalisers seem almost inevitable.

Anyway good start to the week, best of luck to Sligo, Derry and Dundalk tomorrow. Its a major step up on the first round but lets hope all 3 can give themselves a chance ahead of the 2nd leg.

[geysir]

I just knew something bad was going to happen when Birmingham made that tired clearance, which led to the move, which led to the goal. Them's the breaks.
That does take away some of the gloss, but the overall effort remains untainted and proud. Now to finish off the tie at home, even if it's a borrowed home for the evening.

[Fester]

Disappointed in the end but what a great performance. Well done the lads.

[paul_oshea]

Where's the accumulative one of this:
http://uefateamranking.com/team_coefficient/en_US/seasons/15/pages/5

[CuanaD]

Well done Pats. Watched second half on Danny's stream. Legia only had two shots on target all game I think.

They looked very composed at times and trusted their footballing ability. Nice to see.

Sheridan
Only saw the second half, but Pat's must have been amazing in the first, because bar defending their eighteen-yard line well, they were pretty poor. It was quintessential clueless LOI-on-tour stuff, far too many touches in the defensive third, far too many first-time flicks in the attacking third. Still, terrific result.

Did you two watch different games?

Well done Pats - coming home unhappy to only get a score draw away - that's the attitude we need in the LOI

[CuanaD]

Where's the accumulative one of this:
http://uefateamranking.com/team_coefficient/en_US/seasons/15/pages/5
You'll be looking for Berts:
http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/


Probably this page:
http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/data/method4/trank2015.html
has Legia at 108 & Pats at 274

[paul_oshea]

It was somewhere in between they sat back and let warsaw go at them but at times showed food counter attacking ability and good one touch and passing.

[geysir]

At times it was nearly as good as watching Dundalk.

[SPXcyan]

IT's a strange one to be feeling disappointed after a result like that.. before the game it would have been a great result to imagine for Pat's, I'd say Legia will do the business in Dublin.

[MeathDrog]

Yep, even if Pats won 1-0 I'd still fancy Legia to get their act together. As well at Pats played particularly in the first half, you could tell Legia didn't respect them at all.

[Charlie Darwin]

Only saw the second half, but Pat's must have been amazing in the first, because bar defending their eighteen-yard line well, they were pretty poor. It was quintessential clueless LOI-on-tour stuff, far too many touches in the defensive third, far too many first-time flicks in the attacking third. Still, terrific result.
Hey guys, Sheridan is here.

[adamd164]

In the first half particularly, Pat's looked very composed on the ball and were all over Legia at times. Some very nice passing in midfield. Disappointing to see the equaliser go in, the big pitch didn't help with fatigue.

Hopefully Pat's see that Legia are beatable and don't set out too defensively at home.

[Sheridan]

Hey guys, Sheridan is here.
What's your problem, dude?

[gufcfan]

So what did that do for the co-efficient? Roughly even?

[nigel-harps1954]

Tallaght pitch to be watered using a special system next week.

http://waxingsupply.com/images/EZFlow-50926.jpg

[ger121]

Well done Pat's, despite the late equaliser. Least they're still in the tie. Friday's draw should add extra incentive to what should aready be a confident group of players.

[Charlie Darwin]

What's your problem, dude?
It's just funny that anytime I see a comment from you it's negative. And the comment didn't even make sense - playing the ball in your own half and little flicks in attacking areas is precisely what they stopped down, and wound up conceding as a result.

[Terry]

Yep, even if Pats won 1-0 I'd still fancy Legia to get their act together. As well at Pats played particularly in the first half, you could tell Legia didn't respect them at all.

The Legia fans here in work with me, whilst very dissappointed, believe that they are in for a very rough season, and are not very hopeful for next week. They lost the Polish super cup last weekend to an average mid-table polish team and they have the opening league game of the season this saturday evening before then travelling over to dublin. Henning Bergs management skills are just not good enough in their eyes.

[Predator]

Most of them would be.Buckley talked of being "predominantly part-time" in the build up to this game.
Think a draw was the 'fair' result. Both teams created chances throughout and all told it was an exciting one to watch. Huge game at Tallaght next week.

[Sheridan]

It's just funny that anytime I see a comment from you it's negative. And the comment didn't even make sense - playing the ball in your own half and little flicks in attacking areas is precisely what they stopped down, and wound up conceding as a result.
They gave away the ball constantly in the second half with glib little one-touch round-the-corners. And watch the equaliser back, the move starts with someone (Lynch I think) taking too many touches forty yards from goal and Legia breaking centrally, four-on-three, as a result. But that's been the pattern of League of Ireland teams in Europe for decades, they just don't get enough practice at this level to realise you can't play that way against teams that are physically stronger and can keep the ball better. So in that sense, the second half performance was poor, but offset against a result that was amazing for a middling League of Ireland side in desperate form.

That balanced and nuanced enough for you, Captain Positivity?

[Dalymountrower]

Amazing performance from a team carrying Oman, Chambers and Quigley..Legia obviously prepared by watching Pats last two games!

[Dave77]

Great result mind you would say pats players and management must be dissapointed not to win. If home leg was in Richmond would be very hopeful for pats to go through. In tallaght I would not be as hopeful. Fair play to pats! Great European record

[paul_oshea]

Can someone please explain to me in this day and age regardless of professionalism or semi-professionalism how players can still be not as physically strong. I can understand that they may be fatter in order to be stronger but there is no reason why they should not be as strong.regardless of whether they are fit enough or not.

[Charlie Darwin]

Buckley talked of being "predominantly part-time" in the build up to this game.
Think a draw was the 'fair' result. Both teams created chances throughout and all told it was an exciting one to watch. Huge game at Tallaght next week.
I think we know what he means though. They're not professional the way Legia are professional, but it is their sole source of income and they're conditioned to play football full-time.


They gave away the ball constantly in the second half with glib little one-touch round-the-corners. And watch the equaliser back, the move starts with someone (Lynch I think) taking too many touches forty yards from goal and Legia breaking centrally, four-on-three, as a result. But that's been the pattern of League of Ireland teams in Europe for decades, they just don't get enough practice at this level to realise you can't play that way against teams that are physically stronger and can keep the ball better. So in that sense, the second half performance was poor, but offset against a result that was amazing for a middling League of Ireland side in desperate form.

That balanced and nuanced enough for you, Captain Positivity?
Glib balls around the corner and flicks are how modern football teams play, particularly when the opposition are bigger and stronger than you. They did it very well for the first half, which you didn't see, and largely abandoned it in the second to play the sort of caveman football you seem to be promoting. I can't remember exactly who gave the ball away in the lead-up to the goal, but you could all throughout the second half Byrne and Brennan screaming at the other players because they'd ignored a simple pass in favour of booting it up in Fagan's general direction (if they were lucky) and inviting pressure back on them. It was the clever passes and flicks that created every opportunity they had.

And who the hell is Captain Positivity? I'm Admiral Brightside. You must be thinking of somebody else.


Can someone please explain to me in this day and age regardless of professionalism or semi-professionalism how players can still be not as physically strong. I can understand that they may be fatter in order to be stronger but there is no reason why they should not be as strong.regardless of whether they are fit enough or not.
Because they don't have world class fitness training, strength and conditioning coaches and dieticians. League of Ireland players are lucky if the club pays for their gym membership and provides a healthy meal on away trips. They're worlds apart from professional outfits in other countries.

[da bishop]

brilliant result,well done pats,fahey top player especially in the first half.

[MeathDrog]

Such an Irish thing to do in the end isn't it. On a cusp of a great victory away from home and concede in the last minute. :)

[pineapple stu]

Can't help think what Roy Keane would have to say about this thread. :)

Great result though. Someone predicted one draw and seven defeats this week. Hope they're wrong!!

[Charlie Darwin]

Peter Hutton doesn't sound like he's too worried about Salihorsk: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/peter-hutton-welcomes-return-of-experienced-duo-at-the-back-for-tricky-tie-1.1868757

[wonder88]

Great result for Pats, but I think it was their home result that saw them exit Europe last year. Also TNS from Wales gave these guys a fair run in first leg last season (in Wales ok), I remember watching it on tv at the time. I also agree that it is time we started questioning the excuse offered by Irish professional players that they "got tired towards the end". I do not agree with you Charlie; that fitness facilities in Ireland and Dublin especially, are that far behind other European countries. And remember that our clubs are at half-way stage in their season and St Pats last two away games in the LoI were in Bray and Phibsborough, little travel involved there.
However with the support LoI clubs get in comparison with Polish clubs, it is a big performance and well done and hope they do it next week.

[paul_oshea]

I don't buy that at all I see lads playing intermediate gaelic football over here and they might not have the bmi of professional soccer players but some of them are very toned and strong....loi would be well ahead of these in terms fitness programmes and access to gyms.

[Charlie Darwin]

I do not agree with you Charlie; that fitness facilities in Ireland and Dublin especially, are that far behind other European countries.
Eh, have you ever been to a League of Ireland club? Legia have a turnover of €50 million, Pats are barely over a million. They have world class facilities and personnel compared to Irish teams. Rovers are the wealthiest team in Ireland and we only got a full-time fitness coach 18 months ago.

[ped_ped]

So what did that do for the co-efficient? Roughly even?

The co-efficient is already quite good this year. 1.5 so far, with at least seven more games to play.

[nigel-harps1954]

I don't buy that at all I see lads playing intermediate gaelic football over here and they might not have the bmi of professional soccer players but some of them are very toned and strong....loi would be well ahead of these in terms fitness programmes and access to gyms.

GAA clubs have a lot more money to spend on their own gyms in their own grounds. Inter county GAA players train to a standard much higher than most LOI clubs too.

LOI clubs could only dream of having money to spend like GAA clubs and county boards have.

[Charlie Darwin]

GAA clubs have a lot more money to spend on their own gyms in their own grounds. Inter county GAA players train to a standard much higher than most LOI clubs too.

LOI clubs could only dream of having money to spend like GAA clubs and county boards have.
Absolutely right. It says a lot about the LOI that you can spot from a mile off that Pat Hoban is a GAA man. He has the physique a football club couldn't provide.

On a side note, Thomas Davis GAA, who tried to run Shamrock Rovers out of business over Tallaght Stadium, are currently in €2.5 million of debt as a result facilities they've built in the area. Rovers went into administration over a smaller amount of money. The difference in resources is astounding.

[The Donie Forde]

Super result by Pats.
It will be a truly great result if it helps inspire the other three this evening.

[Pablo Escobar]

Super result by Pats.
It will be a truly great result if it helps inspire the other three this evening.
Everybody was really disappointed with the draw in the end. It really makes me think that we have moved forward, but more on a physical level. Pats already have the technical players that suit playing European football. It'll be a tough return leg but they really should hold no fears for pats. I'd worry if it was backs to the wall from the start though. Go at them and get the first goal.

[Ezeikial]

Absolutely right. It says a lot about the LOI that you can spot from a mile off that Pat Hoban is a GAA man. He has the physique a football club couldn't provide.



That's a strange statement - Pat Hoban's physique has more to do with his own attitude and application then the fact that hurling is the dominant sport around Loughrea. Its a long time since he played or trained for GAA on a regular basis

http://www.dundalkfc.com/players/patrick-hoban

Graham Byrne, Dundalk's Strength and Conditioning Coach is due enormous credit for the fitness and condition of the squad in general. Andy Boyle and Richie Towell are 2 others who have dramatically improved their upper body strength and appearance over the last 18 months

Your GAA reference is a red herring

[desaintsno.12]

ironically, I think the biggest issue for us next week is the fact that we dont have to score to progress

[Briuk]

If Pats sit back like they did in the second half yesterday, they will be hammered, Legia had no urgency at all during many minutes, but last 5 it was obvious they were going to score, if they play like that, they will beat them easily.

[paul_oshea]

GAA clubs have a lot more money to spend on their own gyms in their own grounds. Inter county GAA players train to a standard much higher than most LOI clubs too.

LOI clubs could only dream of having money to spend like GAA clubs and county boards have.

This seems strange because for years I have been told on here how LOI players are in better shape than Inter county gaa players and are fitter etc. I'm sure they probably are fitter because a game of football is 90 mins.

I still can't understand how going to the gym 3 times a week they couldnt build up that strength. Isn't McMahon the strength and conditioning coach at rovers anyway, he would have devised a very similar program for them tailored specifically to football players but I'm sure some elements of gaelic training. I don't really believe that.


Graham Byrne, Dundalk's Strength and Conditioning Coach is due enormous credit for the fitness and condition of the squad in general. Andy Boyle and Richie Towell are 2 others who have dramatically improved their upper body strength and appearance over the last 18 months

This is exactly it, its down to the individual, application, and a set program. The other is a load of wolly, its a cop out.

They only looked like scoring because pats had tired mentally and physically, i think the mental played as much a part as the physical, I don't think you can compare physical fitness for a semi-professional against a professional team, and that showed in the last few minutes.

[White Horse]

Absolutely right. It says a lot about the LOI that you can spot from a mile off that Pat Hoban is a GAA man. He has the physique a football club couldn't provide.



He was a slip of a lad when he joined us, but so many of the lads were, Towell, Boyle, Meenan, etc.

Dundalk take physical conditioning very seriously. Forrester would really benefit from a move to Dundalk. Kenny would make him into twice the player he currently is.

[DannyInvincible]

I'm sure this alone wouldn't have changed the outcome of Legia getting their late equaliser, but just something I noticed when Fagan was being substituted off late on in the game; he was jogging to the touchline, as if there was some sense of urgency or need for him to get off the field quickly. The crowd were on his back, but what of it? He should have been absolutely dawdling, as slowly as was physically possible. It's small things like that that can make a difference. Maybe it's naivety or inexperience at this level, but we could certainly be a lot more savvy in the dark art of killing off a game. Falling over, winning fouls; that sort of thing. Not running to the corner flag with six minutes to go!

[White Horse]

ironically, I think the biggest issue for us next week is the fact that we dont have to score to progress

You are 100% right.

However, you do have good experience in your side that will see that sitting back is just playing into Legia's hand.

In my opinion, you will have score two goals to progress. I'll be there cheering you on.

[desaintsno.12]

I'm sure this alone wouldn't have changed the outcome of Legia getting their late equaliser, but just something I noticed when Fagan was being substituted off late on in the game; he was jogging to the touchline, as if there was some sense of urgency or need for him to get off the field quickly. The crowd were on his back, but what of it? He should have been absolutely dawdling, as slowly as was physically possible. It's small things like that that can make a difference. Maybe it's naivety or inexperience at this level, but we could certainly be a lot more savvy in the dark art of killing off a game. Falling over, winning fouls; that sort of thing. Not running to the corner flag with six minutes to go!

he did take his time i thought. If anyone should have taken their time it was Killer when he was coming off., straight away he said take me off. he should have milked it first. But neither were the make or break of the game

[desaintsno.12]

You are 100% right.

However, you do have good experience in your side that will see that sitting back is just playing into Legia's hand.

In my opinion, you will have score two goals to progress. I'll be there cheering you on.

the sitting-back mind-set is very hard to shake once it sets in. Players react entirely different. The likes of Fats, Killer and Bolger probably will keep playing as normal, but others may just let it seep in. Hopefully Bucko has them alll pumped to go and win and not just get through by not conceeding.

[Straightstory]

Can't help think what Roy Keane would have to say about this thread. :)

Great result though. Someone predicted one draw and seven defeats this week. Hope they're wrong!!

What's the Roy Keane reference about?