League of Ireland in Europe 2014

[pineapple stu]

Handy enough for Derry.

OK for Dundalk, though the Luxembourg league has improved in recent years; Jeunesse beat a Finnish side last season (and then lost home and away to a Latvian side).

Banga lost 7-0 to an Azeri team last season.

Overall, a hell of a lot better than last season's draws!

[Mr_Parker]

It was noted that in the last day or two Derry City got a 'new' ranking score based on the old club. Think there are being a few questions asked of UEFA about it.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Handy enough for Derry.

OK for Dundalk, though the Luxembourg league has improved in recent years; Jeunesse beat a Finnish side last season (and then lost home and away to a Latvian side).

Banga lost 7-0 to an Azeri team last season.

Overall, a hell of a lot better than last season's draws!

That game against an Azeri team was in 2011/2012.

Banta finished 6th of 9 teams in last seasons league and are in cause they lost 2-1 in the cup final to the team who put Pats out last season.

[ger121]

Decent draws in EL and a chance of progression for all 3 sides. Think Pats might have a sniff against Legia. Fortress Richmond again maybe...

[pineapple stu]

That game against an Azeri team was in 2011/2012.

Banta finished 6th of 9 teams in last seasons league and are in cause they lost 2-1 in the cup final to the team who put Pats out last season.
Good spot.

Cup runners-up opposition is generally the best you can get.

[SPXcyan]

Legia will be an incredibly tough team to play against,technically very good and physically alot stronger than the Pat's players. With all the Polish in Dublin I'd imagine they will sell plenty of away tickets, should be a fantastic atmosphere and hostile.

[nigel-harps1954]

It'll be strange though, there'll be more demand in Dublin for away tickets for Pat's game than for home tickets.

[Dodge]

Dundalk getting a Luxembourg seed is probably the best bit of luck a LOI side has ever received in UEFA draws.

I'd expect all 3 EL sides to progress (and Pats to be thumped)

[Djm1901]

Could have been better for Pats but a good draw for the other sides. Hope sligo perform this year they've been poor in europe lately

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Could have been better for Pats but a good draw for the other sides. Hope sligo perform this year they've been poor in europe lately

We've been poor in most things lately!

[oriel]

Dundalk getting a Luxembourg seed is probably the best bit of luck a LOI side has ever received in UEFA draws.

I'd expect all 3 EL sides to progress (and Pats to be thumped)

AGAIN, as we got another Lux side in Grevenmacher in 2010, it was a brilliant trip also, made hard work of progressing mind, we were 3-1 up away at one stage.

[pineapple stu]

Different Dundalk now though, as I'm sure you've seen! (even if the Luxembourg league has improved)

Said it before, but it's been a while since I remember an LoI side going into Europe on such good form. Sligo/Derry is more typical, where they're not the teams they were last year at all. Interesting to see how far Dundalk can go this year.

[MeathDrog]

Sligo Rovers will face Rosenberg of Norway or FK Jelgava of Latvia if they beat FK Banga.

Dundalk will face Hajudk Split of Croatia if they overcome their first round tie in the Europa League.

[pineapple stu]

Didn't know the second round was being done too.

Hajduk Split, eh? There's a good omen!

[MeathDrog]

Didn't know the second round was being done too.

Hajduk Split, eh? There's a good omen!
Also:
Derry City or Aberystwyth Town (Wales) v Shakhtyor Soligorsk (Belarus)

[White Horse]

Dundalk will face Hajudk Split of Croatia if they overcome their first round tie in the Europa League.

I saw Dundalk beat Hajudk Split in Oriel Park a long time ago. Pop Flanagan with the winner.

[MeathDrog]

I saw Dundalk beat Hajudk Split in Oriel Park a long time ago. Pop Flanagan with the winner.
Any date announced for the home leg yet? I'll try my best to get to it.

[Sheridan]

Dundalk to squeeze through vs. Jeunesse Esch, then lose home and away to Hajduk.

Sligo to be surprisingly comfortable against Banga, then lose heavily to Rosenborg.

Derry to crash out against Aberystwyth.

Pat's to be hockeyed home and away by Legia, after not trying a leg.

[White Horse]

Dundalk to squeeze through vs. Jeunesse Esch, then lose home and away to Hajduk.

Sligo to be surprisingly comfortable against Banga, then lose heavily to Rosenborg.

Derry to crash out against Aberystwyth.

Pat's to be hockeyed home and away by Legia, after not trying a leg.

Ever the optimist.

[Charlie Darwin]

If uefa are saying Derry's coefficient is a point higher then they have to be counting 09/10. When we beat skonto before going out in third qualifying round to CSKA.

Course they could have two entries in their database, like Bert, and be using the wrong one
Two entries on the books... Derry City... careful now.

[Sheridan]

Ever the optimist.
Winning two ties would be a decent return, given where the league is at currently.

[nigel-harps1954]

Dundalk to squeeze through vs. Jeunesse Esch, then lose home and away to Hajduk.

Sligo to be surprisingly comfortable against Banga, then lose heavily to Rosenborg.

Derry to crash out against Aberystwyth.

Pat's to be hockeyed home and away by Legia, after not trying a leg.

Honestly, reckon you might not be too far off with that.


I'd say, Dundalk will just squeeze through against Jeunesse, after completely underestimating them. They'll lose away to Hadjuk but beat them at home, losing out on aggregate or away goals.

Sligo will lose to Banga. Just don't see them lifting their form enough. Could be wrong though, but Rosenborg will definitely be too strong for them.

Derry are in shocking form, but Aberystwyth despite their centre half being a top scorer with 22 goals last season, are a poor team and coming into pre-season. Derry will easily dispose of them before getting beat away in Belarus and drawing at home.

Pat's could shock Legia Warsaw. Will certainly be a much closer tie than people are expecting. Could go all the way to the final few minutes. I reckon Pats will squeeze through this one.

[pineapple stu]

Derry are in shocking form, but Aberystwyth despite their centre half being a top scorer with 22 goals last season, are a poor team and coming into pre-season.
This site (http://welsh-premier.com/) has their top scorer as a midfielder with 24 goals. Helped by the team racking up the goals after the split (31 in 10 games)

Had enough of Welsh banana skins over the year, but this is Aberystywth's first time in Europe and they didn't make the top half last year. Same as Sligo's opponents actually - qualified by losing the cup final. Derry should progress, even allowing that they're awful this year alright.

[pateen]

Will Pats play in Richmond?
Very limited capacity without the terrace

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Lithuanian team we are playing play on, wait for it, it's UEFA approved so must be great, AN ARTIFICAL SURFACE

[PartySaint]

Will Pats play in Richmond?
Very limited capacity without the terrace

Yes we will be. Probably could have went somewhere bigger with the amount of Polish that will I'm sure be looking for tickets but good to have it in Richmond

[CityRebel]

Honestly, reckon you might not be too far off with that.


I'd say, Dundalk will just squeeze through against Jeunesse, after completely underestimating them. They'll lose away to Hadjuk but beat them at home, losing out on aggregate or away goals.

Sligo will lose to Banga. Just don't see them lifting their form enough. Could be wrong though, but Rosenborg will definitely be too strong for them.

Derry are in shocking form, but Aberystwyth despite their centre half being a top scorer with 22 goals last season, are a poor team and coming into pre-season. Derry will easily dispose of them before getting beat away in Belarus and drawing at home.

Pat's could shock Legia Warsaw. Will certainly be a much closer tie than people are expecting. Could go all the way to the final few minutes. I reckon Pats will squeeze through this one.
Sligo could go either way, FK Bunga Bunga are 7th (out of 10 teams) in the Lithuanian A Lyga.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yes we will be. Probably could have went somewhere bigger with the amount of Polish that will I'm sure be looking for tickets but good to have it in Richmond
Would be stupid to cede home ground and possibly crowd advantage just to pull in a few extra Polish fans, especially if you're still in the game.

[Dodge]

Lithuanian team we are playing play on, wait for it, it's UEFA approved so must be great, AN ARTIFICAL SURFACE
Pats have played on 2 brilliant Astro pitches in Europe in recent years (Elfsborg and Malta). Shame we've only ****e ones in this league

[oriel]

I saw Dundalk beat Hajudk Split in Oriel Park a long time ago. Pop Flanagan with the winner.

That was my first game I can recall at home watching Dundalk, first match was 1977 Cup Final v Limerick. This game v Hajuck Split (Yugoslavia) was in the ECWC, we did win 1-0 (hammered 4-0 away) but I think Terry Flanagan who scored one in the cup final also scored this night?

Pop Flanagan if I recall didn't join until a year later.

Good all round draws for the Irish clubs for a change, I expect us to progress, I would to say it will be plain sailing but we should be stronger than them. This side we are up against came 4th and 18 points behind the winners last season, they can't be that good.

Derry should progress in a normal season, but this isn't one for them as Pineapple has alluded to.

Sligo have a tough one but its not impossible, especially if they get some of their injured guys back.

Pats didn't get any luck with that draw, but they've competed very well previously in difficult circumstances so you never know.

[orielabu]

You’d never guess that the “2 brilliant Astro pitches (Elfsburg and Malta)”, and the Lithuanian one are UEFA approved using the exact same tests and procedures as for Oriel Park and the tests are carried out by the same people.
How does Oriel Park get away with it!!!!

[mcgonigle]

Pats have played on 2 brilliant Astro pitches in Europe in recent years (Elfsborg and Malta). Shame we've only ****e ones in this league

Slope?

[White Horse]

That was my first game I can recall at home watching Dundalk, first match was 1977 Cup Final v Limerick. This game v Hajuck Split (Yugoslavia) was in the ECWC, we did win 1-0 (hammered 4-0 away) but I think Terry Flanagan who scored one in the cup final also scored this night?

It was Terry. How could I mix them up; chalk and chess ;)

[Dunny]

That's Dundalk's pitch across every thread on this board.
**YAWN** It's getting realy f*ckin*g boring now tbh.
Think i'll think another break from here!

[pineapple stu]

Sligo have a tough one but its not impossible, especially if they get some of their injured guys back.
I think Sligo are definite favourites for that one, again with their current form the only concern. Banga are a small team in Lithuania; sixth last season, 27 points off fourth. The top three are ok (as Pat's found out last season), but the Baltic leagues have a big drop off in quality after the top couple I think.

Just as an example, Pat's lost 4-3 on aggregate to Zalgiris last season and were annoyed to do so. Banga played Zalgiris four times in the league - lost 5-1, lost 4-2, drew 1-1 and lost 5-0. They then beat them 2-1 in the cup final I think. Sligo have gotten a great draw there.


Pats didn't get any luck with that draw, but they've competed very well previously in difficult circumstances so you never know.
They got the fourth of six seeds. Can't say they didn't get any luck. Could have been a lot tougher for them. That Bulgarian team got through the Europa League groups last season for example. Legia lost five of six.

[DannyInvincible]

It was noted that in the last day or two Derry City got a 'new' ranking score based on the old club. Think there are being a few questions asked of UEFA about it.

How exactly did that happen then? That's surely the source of the confusion as to what Derry's co-efficient was/is. I can't really fathom how UEFA have included the 2009-10 co-efficient point gained seeing as it was accrued in July of 2009 by a now-defunct entity that ceased to exist in November of that year. UEFA didn't include the point gained by the old club from progression over Skonto Riga in the new club's co-efficient last year, so how can they include it this year? Could it possibly be an administrative error that has been overlooked by UEFA? Bizarre stuff.

Not that I'm complaining if UEFA are happy to bolster Derry with co-efficient points gained by the old entity! :p

[A N Mouse]

How exactly did that happen then? That's surely the source of the confusion as to what Derry's co-efficient was/is. I can't really fathom how UEFA have included the 2009-10 co-efficient point gained seeing as it was accrued in July of 2009 by a now-defunct entity that ceased to exist in November of that year. UEFA didn't include the point gained by the old club from progression over Skonto Riga in the new club's co-efficient last year, so how can they include it this year? Could it possibly be an administrative error that has been overlooked by UEFA? Bizarre stuff.

Not that I'm complaining if UEFA are happy to bolster Derry with co-efficient points gained by the old entity! :p

Not impossible, but hard to imagine it's an oversight.

Perhaps, if one doesn't already exist, they're trying to introduce precedent on the qt =-O

[Nesta99]

You’d never guess that the “2 brilliant Astro pitches (Elfsburg and Malta)”, and the Lithuanian one are UEFA approved using the exact same tests and procedures as for Oriel Park and the tests are carried out by the same people.
How does Oriel Park get away with it!!!!

Groan! Nothing against you Orielabu, lets just wait for hoprfully 2 Europeans sides to have a pop or not..

[Ezeikial]

Pats have played on 2 brilliant Astro pitches in Europe in recent years (Elfsborg and Malta). Shame we've only ****e ones in this league

Probably the start of Keith Fahey's astrophobia

[Mr A]

MOD HAT ON: Folks- let's can the Oriel Pitch Stuff- it's getting really boring.

[PartySaint]

Pats didn't get any luck with that draw, but they've competed very well previously in difficult circumstances so you never know.

We didn't get lucky with the pot we were in but once we were in it Legia was the second best choice after Finland, so happy enough. We wont go through but at least it's a trip most of us can make.

[Mr_Parker]

UEFA feature on St. Pat's Champions League draw.

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2119073.html

[nigel-harps1954]

Of all the ties, I really hope RTÉ pick up Pat's v Legia Warsaw for live coverage. Wouldn't hold my breath, but it's a massive game and really deserves a bit of attention.

[Charlie Darwin]

Of all the ties, I really hope RTÉ pick up Pat's v Legia Warsaw for live coverage. Wouldn't hold my breath, but it's a massive game and really deserves a bit of attention.
Nah, I'm guessing they'll show an Irish team like Celtic.

[brendy_éire]

With away ticketing for our match in being an issue, out of interest, how have other clubs operated in the past when over-subscribed with fans wanting away tickets?
The FAI go on past away record, as do the GAA. Used that or gone with a ballot for season ticket holders?

[DannyInvincible]

Mr_Parker; I was just wondering who you were referring to when you said it was noted within the past few days that Derry's co-efficient benefitted from the inclusion of a point gained by the former entity in 2009-10. Who was doing the noting? You also said questions were being asked of UEFA. Who's asking these questions and do you envisage answers being forthcoming? For something so perplexing, it's received strangely scant attention. It surely doesn't conform in the slightest with competition rules.

[Dodge]

With away ticketing for our match in being an issue, out of interest, how have other clubs operated in the past when over-subscribed with fans wanting away tickets?
The FAI go on past away record, as do the GAA. Used that or gone with a ballot for season ticket holders?

I'd imagine most clubs would go 1) members/patrons, 2) season ticket holders, 3) the rest...

From memory Pats 1st 2 games in Tallaght (one stand) was the only game where tickets were a problem.

[jinxy lilywhite]

With pats in the cl. Does defeat to legia put you lot in the Europa

[oriel]

Of all the ties, I really hope RTÉ pick up Pat's v Legia Warsaw for live coverage. Wouldn't hold my breath, but it's a massive game and really deserves a bit of attention.

Are they planning to show any? I wouldn't say they are at this stage, maybe if some get further they might.

[Charlie Darwin]

With pats in the cl. Does defeat to legia put you lot in the Europa
No, if they go out in this round they're out. If they progress and go out in the next round, they're in the Europa playoffs like Rovers were. If they progress two rounds and lose, they will be in the Europa proper.