League of Ireland in Europe 2015

[Charlie Darwin]

From what I heard, BATE had scouts at three Dundalk, whereas Kenny only got to one of theirs. I suppose a manager can get a much better insight than scouts, though. But it seemed they took the tie pretty seriously, they just probably didn't expect Dundalk to handle the step up in quality so easily.

[Yossarian]

From what I heard, BATE had scouts at three Dundalk, whereas Kenny only got to one of theirs. I suppose a manager can get a much better insight than scouts, though. But it seemed they took the tie pretty seriously, they just probably didn't expect Dundalk to handle the step up in quality so easily.

One of their assistant coaches was at the Drogheda and Galway games. I imagine they just expected to be able to beat us easily. I can't find the quote but I believe after the game their coach made a reference to Glenavon's defeat to Soligorsk and was expecting us to be a similar standard.

[Charlie Darwin]

One of their assistant coaches was at the Drogheda and Galway games. I imagine they just expected to be able to beat us easily. I can't find the quote but I believe after the game their coach made a reference to Glenavon's defeat to Soligorsk and was expecting us to be a similar standard.
I may be misremembering but I thought the quote was more along the lines they were expecting something similar to Glenavon until they saw Dundalk play.

[White Horse]

I may be misremembering but I thought the quote was more along the lines they were expecting something similar to Glenavon until they saw Dundalk play.

I think that was it. The coach knew it would be a contest. He just didn't get it across to his players.

[Yossarian]

I may be misremembering but I thought the quote was more along the lines they were expecting something similar to Glenavon until they saw Dundalk play.

Could have been that alright. My brain still hasn't fully recovered from the trip.

[Spudulika]

BATE certainly didn't underestimate Dundalk, but they did (rightly) believe they would be better. But it was never going to be more than a goal in it. BATE's tactics, which were clear to see in the 2nd half especially, was about trying to get Dundalk players to react. It is typical of Eastern Europe and especially how they rattle opposition. How many times were Dundalk players upended by sneaky trips, shirtpulls and drags - it was a combo of technical fouling and Dundalk's speed. But the Serbian ref was wise to it as it's rampant in ex-Yugo countries. If it weren't for the eagle eyes of the ref and his assistants there would have been mayhem. As for the headbutt, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6-8ZDvnVFY it's Germany, but same territory. They know what to do to gain an edge.

[dieseldlk]

Hey all, was wondering if there is anyone going to the dundalk match on Wednesday going to passing thru naas willing to give me a lift. I am working until about half three or four.

[nigel-harps1954]

Hey all, was wondering if there is anyone going to the dundalk match on Wednesday going to passing thru naas willing to give me a lift. I am working until about half three or four.

Give me a free ticket, petrol money, and a shotgun and I'll do it.

[dieseldlk]

Give me a free ticket, petrol money, and a shotgun and I'll do it.
Was hard enough getting my hands on the ticket.

[Kingdom]

Agreed, O'Donnell is our best player and the best player in the league by some distance. He was immense against BATE, coolness personified. Keeping him fit is key

and like Towell he was an underage star who just didn't get the break over in England. It's been my belief for a long time that we need to be getting the best of our 19's & 21's into the league here until they're able to make a name for themselves elsewhere.

The FAI need to be more influential in their support of the league, and demonstrating it as a viable career path for underage players who are never going to be playing for the "big clubs" in England, that it is more benefit to the players to be playing at a good level for Dundalk, Rovers, Cork etc than going to Kiddeminster or Dagenham & Redbridge on loan for a season and then getting caught in the lower league mire.

Same with Rovers getting Drennan and Miele.

[White Horse]

and like Towell he was an underage star who just didn't get the break over in England.

O'Donnell has stated that he wasn't emotionally ready for life in England when he went over to Arsenal. He has said that he should have gone down the scholarship route with UCD.

If the FAI is serious about developing Irish talent, they should be working with the Irish clubs to establish 3 year structured scholarship programmes.

[Nesta99]

Well both teams have no suspension worries ahead of Wednesdays game. Rodionov has been cleared of any wrongdoing by UEFA despite an admission of guilt via his apology and the fairly clear TV evidence. The 'headbutt' didnt seem that bad (if you can grade a headbutt) when I initially saw it, but Dane Massey said he was bleeding after! He would have been a big miss for them and if he plays major role in knocking us out there will be plenty of finger pointing at UEFA. Footballing governing body in confusing decision making shocker....

[colonelwest]

Give me a free ticket, petrol money, and a shotgun and I'll do it.

Maxi, is that you? Would have thought you'd have been sorted already with a ticket!

[nigel-harps1954]

Maxi, is that you? Would have thought you'd have been sorted already with a ticket!

I said petrol MONEY.

[PartySaint]

Is the UCD game sold out does anyone know?

[pineapple stu]

Haven't heard that it is.

6pm kick off won't really help. But give the Sports Centre in UCD a ring (or try the modh-er'n facebook way)

[colonelwest]

I said petrol MONEY.

Well you'd hardly expect to pay for your own self immolation mate.


http://cdn.ymaservices.com/editorial_service/media/images/000/055/244/original/petrolgif.gif.gif?1406852089

[pineapple stu]

Game on in Belfast now - Crues 1-0 up after 50 minutes, with the Albanians down to 10 men since the 10th minute.

4-2 on aggregate now; Crues need two more to progress.

[pineapple stu]

Disregard; Albanians equalise and Crues now need 3 to force extra time.

[Nesta99]

Maybe their keeper or centre halfs were on holiday for tonight too.

[ger121]

Disregard; Albanians equalise and Crues now need 3 to force extra time.

2-1 down last time I checked. Seems the lack of fitness in the latter stages of both games has hurt them.

[Dunny]

BATE Trolling the Oriel park surface through Goggle translate :D

BATE tried lawn "Oriel Park"http://www.fcbate.by/ru/infocenter/club-news/id4362

[Nesta99]

Lawn and Oriel Park in one sentence, well its about time! Id have accepted 'plastic lawn' too.

[pineapple stu]

2-1 down last time I checked. Seems the lack of fitness in the latter stages of both games has hurt them.
Scored twice in injury time to win 3-2! So messes your theory a bit, but they're still out

[TheBoss]

Since the Champions League was introduced in 1992, LOI teams have won 12 games from 61 of which 9 of them have been as the HOME team, here are the victims when playing as the HOME side:



SEASON
HOME
F
A
AWAY
COUNTRY


1993/94
Cork City
2
1
Cwmbran Town
Wales


2001/02
Bohemians
3
0
Levadia
Estonia


2003/04
Bohemians
3
0
BATE
Belarus


2004/05
Shelbourne
2
0
Hajduk Split
Croatia


2005/06
Shelbourne
4
1
Glentoran
Northern Ireland


2006/07
Cork City
1
0
Apollon Limassol
Cyprus


2008/09
Drogheda United
2
1
Levadia
Estonia


2010/11
Bohemians
1
0
TNS
Wales


2011/12
Shamrock Rovers
1
0
Flora
Estonia



Also, the last 4 matches at HOME (W0-D1-L3) have seen the LOI team fail to score, last time LOI side scored at least 2 goals at HOME was Drogheda United in 2008.

Of the 8 previous times, LOI side lost 2-1 AWAY in the first leg in all European competitions, they have qualified on 3 occasions and failed 5 times. Of the 3 that succeeded, 2 of them were in the European Cup (Bohemians v Omonia Nicosia [CYP] 1978, Dundalk v Fram [ISL] 1981) and the other was in the UEFA Europa League (St. Patrick's Athletic v Shakhter Karagandy [KAZ] 2011). Most recent loss was this season when St. Patrick's Athletic lost to Skonto.

[patrickccfc]

http://talkofthetown.ie/2015/07/21/ed-sheeran-rumoured-to-be-attending-dundalks-champions-league-clash-tomorrow/

Will he actually be there I wonder..

[White Horse]

http://talkofthetown.ie/2015/07/21/ed-sheeran-rumoured-to-be-attending-dundalks-champions-league-clash-tomorrow/

Will he actually be there I wonder..

From what I heard lat night, the answer is no. He couldn't get tickets.

[brendy_éire]

Is the UCD game sold out does anyone know?

Some still available. http://www.ucdsoccer.com/airtricity-league/first-division/1855-limited-tickets-available-for-europa-league-tie

[patrickccfc]

From what I heard lat night, the answer is no. He couldn't get tickets.

Good to see that someone's status or wealth doesn't always allow them to buy their way into these things.

[dundalkfc10]

Good to see that someone's status or wealth doesn't always allow them to buy their way into these things.

I know a few geniune fans, was at games with them in the 1st division for years who have no ticket, their own fault for leaving it too late but hearing the club are giving tickets to Martin O'Neill, local TD's etc... has really annoyed me!


Anyway, im more nervous tonight than I was V Cork in October! I really believe we can do this if we perform to our best! Have the auld fella sitting at home ready to book flights to Hungary if we pull this off tonight (although Id love a trip on the boat to Wales)

[PartySaint]

Scored twice in injury time to win 3-2! So messes your theory a bit, but they're still out

Some irregular betting patterns on that game apparently

[L.T.F.C.]

If UCD do the biz who could they be up against?

[pineapple stu]

Some irregular betting patterns on that game apparently
In a game involving an Albanian team?

I refuse to believe it!

So what - bets to lose, hence the early red card, but once again, an Albanian team finds they can't lose to an Irish side even if they want to? Must have almost had to give up by injury time to eventually lose!


If UCD do the biz who could they be up against?
FC Krasnodar.

[D24Saint]

Best of luck to both sides in Europe this week, this euro campaign by UCD has done the club no end of good PR.
I have even softened in my own views on the club, the stick that was used to beat them of poor support can't be used any longer with the way crowds have gone down.They are a stable club with respectable facilties & produce decent young players that try to play the game the right way, best of luck on Thursday.

[Trainee]

Ed wants to go to Dundalk tonight

http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2015/0722/716405-ed-sheeran-cheerin-dundalk-in-champions-league/

[Spudulika]

If UCD do the biz who could they be up against?
http://backpagefootball.com/eastern-promises-league-ireland-sides-europe/97260/

If UCD go through they've a great chance to catch Krasnodar cold. They were terrible in beating the worst team on Monday night and the coach is being courted for the Russian job. He'd a public row with the owner (who's as mad as a bag of cats) over players and the Russian job, so it's perfect for UCD.

Dundalk have a terrific chance against BATE and there is no reason they can't go through. Physically, tactically and skillwise they can match them, it's now all about belief. It'd be top-3 in Irish Euro results in the last 15 years (for me).

[pineapple stu]

Ed wants to go to Dundalk tonight

http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2015/0722/716405-ed-sheeran-cheerin-dundalk-in-champions-league/

Just so long as he's still ok to take his place on the bench in the Bowl on Thursday

http://img.rasset.ie/0009ac63-642.jpg

[dundalkfc10]

Ed wants to go to Dundalk tonight

http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2015/0722/716405-ed-sheeran-cheerin-dundalk-in-champions-league/

Dundalk FC have confirmed yesterday on twitter that this is bull****!

Id hope if it was true, they would have told him to **** off

[Nesta99]

In a game involving an Albanian team?

I refuse to believe it!

So what - bets to lose, hence the early red card, but once again, an Albanian team finds they can't lose to an Irish side even if they want to? Must have almost had to give up by injury time to eventually lose!


FC Krasnodar.

I was looking at that result and was thinking wtf something not right there with the red card and then 2 quickfire goals in injury time. Seemed a bit too tidy for a side that won 4-1 with ease a week ago. Had totally forgotten there was form previous (v Sligo?).

[Nesta99]

with the way crowds have gone down.

Speak for yourselves!!

[D24Saint]

Don't be conceited the whole league doesn't revolve around the ongoings at Oriel Park I meant the league as a whole has stuffered a hit since the crash.

[PartySaint]

Speak for yourselves!!

According to the attendance thread on here our attendances are actually up this season from last.

Not being Champions and not having an Irish International in our team anymore is obviously a good thing for our crowd numbers..

[pineapple stu]

I was looking at that result and was thinking wtf something not right there with the red card and then 2 quickfire goals in injury time. Seemed a bit too tidy for a side that won 4-1 with ease a week ago. Had totally forgotten there was form previous (v Sligo?).
Sligo, yep. Against Vllaznia six (!) years ago.

Allegedly.

Edit - in fact, they were named (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8379251.stm) as a side being investigated at the time. Sligo game not specifically mentioned though. Don't know what came of it. They were also implicated in 2003 (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/vllaznia-face-match-fixing-inquiry-1-667738)

[osarusan]

The FAI need to be more influential in their support of the league, and demonstrating it as a viable career path for underage players who are never going to be playing for the "big clubs" in England, that it is more benefit to the players to be playing at a good level for Dundalk, Rovers, Cork etc than going to Kiddeminster or Dagenham & Redbridge on loan for a season and then getting caught in the lower league mire.


At what level do you think that LOI offers better money than England?

Same question regarding quality of training.

[D24Saint]

The budget even at lower leagues in England is much superior to the LOI for example Hartlepool United finished just outside the relegation places in the forth tier last season & so far have sold 2700 season tickets for the coming season. The financial freedom that gives a club must be huge Id say on average LOI clubs sell 400-500 season tickets.The only ace our clubs have is european money but very often that covers other expenses & doesn't get invested in infrastructure.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Sligo, yep. Against Vllaznia six (!) years ago.

Allegedly.

Edit - in fact, they were named (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8379251.stm) as a side being investigated at the time. Sligo game not specifically mentioned though. Don't know what came of it. They were also implicated in 2003 (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/vllaznia-face-match-fixing-inquiry-1-667738)

Alan Keane must have had more on them to win they had on us to win. Missed a penalty and scored an own goal.

[pineapple stu]

The only ace our clubs have is european money but very often that covers other expenses & doesn't get invested in infrastructure.
A good Cup draw in England will help counteract that as well.

Away v a Premiership side in the FA Cup has to be worth two European ties given gate money is split?

[Nesta99]

the whole league doesn't revolve around the ongoings at Oriel Park

Really? But I thought when you get your own special thread on Foot that was it! Get out of the other side of your bed tomorrow ;)

[Nesta99]

Away v a Premiership side in the FA Cup has to be worth two European ties given gate money is split?

Chelmsford City drew Colchester United at home a few seasons back in the 1st round and banked nearly £1mil between prize money, TV revenue and sponsorship/gates. Not bad for a Conference South team. Ok it was a rare Derby and got a lot of attention but still. That money would increase per pround I presume. It eclipses European money but for a run in the competition.

[nigel-harps1954]

The budget even at lower leagues in England is much superior to the LOI for example Hartlepool United finished just outside the relegation places in the forth tier last season & so far have sold 2700 season tickets for the coming season. The financial freedom that gives a club must be huge Id say on average LOI clubs sell 400-500 season tickets.The only ace our clubs have is european money but very often that covers other expenses & doesn't get invested in infrastructure.

I'd be surprised if there's more than maybe two or three clubs in the entire League of Ireland that sell 400-500 season tickets.