League of Ireland in Europe 2015

[TonyD]

Yep. Fenlon to try play it cagey, snatch a goal at home and hang on. What's the worst that could happen? (http://www1.skysports.com/football/shelbourne-vs-hibernians/27290)

Still expect them to go through though.

Ha ha. That still gives me the chuckle.

[geysir]

Not directly related but top Faroe island team B36 Thorshavn in mid season at home to a welsh team and 11/4 to win looks easy money, as long as the home team win of course.

I'll go for a score draw between Cork and KR but I would not be surprised if KR win. For the most part Icelandic clubs do okay in european competition. KR are by far the biggest football club here, much bigger club than Cork City. At the last count they have about 60 teams competing at various levels, male/ female. About 30 youth coaches all told. About 7 of the first team are from the academy.
It's a very good KR team, though "not a great" KR team, but they are just hitting their stride in the local league, they badly need a front man. Cork's claim to fame, according to local press, is the presence of Liam Miller and his (very modest) connection with Manchester United. Liam is what makes Cork City famous.

[Hibs4Ever]

Not directly related but top Faroe island team B36 Thorshavn in mid season at home to a welsh team and 11/4 to win looks easy money, as long as the home team win of course.


UCD at 5/1 at home to the Luxembourg team ain't a bad bet either

[ForzaHoop]

Rovers goalkeeper Craig Hyland made two remarkable saves after the break in what proved to be the proverbial game of two halves at the Stade d'Oberkorn in Differdange, last night.

And though both sides also hit the woodwork, on the evidence of the first half, Rovers' manager Pat Fenlon must feel quietly confident of getting through this tie at Tallaght Stadium next Tuesday night.

Despite the stifling 30 degree heat, Rovers started boldly, passing the ball well and opening Progrès up down the right flank on five minutes.

Simon Madden got forward to cut back and cross off his left foot. Marty Waters' glancing header wasn't far wide of Sebastian Flauss' far post.

Rovers got in behind on the opposite flank five minutes later. This time Brandon Miele, after working a one-two with Gavin Brennan, put Mikey Drennan in down the inside left channel. French defender Samuel Dog got across well to nick the ball off the Hoops' striker's toe for Rovers' first corner.

Four minutes after that Drennan was inches from punishing a defensive mistake when shaving the outside of a post with a low drive as Rovers maintained the upperhand.

Brennan then brought the first save out of Progres keeper Sebastian Flauss with a header from Gary McCabe's free kick on the right.

And the chances kept coming for Rovers. McCabe cleverly beat two defenders only to scuff his shot off target on 21 minutes.

Progres gradually came into it with Hakim Menai having their first chance when shooting into the side-netting on 27 minutes.

The Luxembourg side were gifted a second sight of the Rovers goal on 35 minutes from Hyland's poor clearance. But Giuseppe Rossini skied the chance over the top. Rovers then had a right let off two minutes later. Valentin Poinsignon picked out poorly marked dangerman Rossini whose lob came back off a post.

Their confidence raised, Progrès had another chance before the break with Rossini bringing a comfortable save out of Hyland from Poinsignon's left wing cross.

But Hyland had to make his first telling save with a superb stop from Rossini's header from Thill's cross with the ball frantically scrambled clear in the first minute after the restart.

Not surprisingly in the heat, the tempo of the game dropped, before Rovers had Hyland to thank for the save of the game on 74 minutes.

Cassan had a shot blocked away with the ball setting up nicely for Thill and the midfielder's curling shot with the outside of his left foot was brilliantly touched away one-handed by Hyland.

P NIEDERCORN 0 SHAMROCK RVS 0

[Real ale Madrid]

. Cork's claim to fame, according to local press, is the presence of Liam Miller and his (very modest) connection with Manchester United. Liam is what makes Cork City famous.

Edit - read it wrong.

[El-Pietro]

Where in the Cork Press did you read that Liam Miller was Cork's claim to fame? Have you a link?
I assume hes talking about Reykjavik press. He always talks up Icelandic teams and talks down Irish teams chances against them.

[OwlsFan]

I assume hes talking about Reykjavik press. He always talks up Icelandic teams and talks down Irish teams chances against them.

With the mention of Luxembourg and Iceland, Rovers two best aggregate scores in Europe where against teams from Luxembourg and Iceland. I had the pleasure of attending the Spora Luxembourg game back in the late 60s I think (4-1 and also won the away leg by the same score - the late Johnny Fulham scored) and the great game against Bayern Munich followed next and they also stuffed Fram Reykjavik in the early 1980s and it's no co-incidence that both were excellent Rovers' sides.

[Real ale Madrid]

I assume hes talking about Reykjavik press. .

That makes a lot more sense alright thanks.

I wouldn't be overly confident but we have a lot of experience in the team. I think it might stand to us. I hope a big crowd shows up.

[Pablo Escobar]

That makes a lot more sense alright thanks.

I wouldn't be overly confident but we have a lot of experience in the team. I think it might stand to us. I hope a big crowd shows up.

It's hard to gauge this one, but hopefully their 60 teams and 30 cause them a bit of a selection headache.

[El-Pietro]

I think were about even. Its really hard to know as we have nothing to measure them against.

They've beaten Glentoran twice in the past few years but its hard to give them credit for that as Northern Irish clubs just don't care about European football. They have also beaten MSK Zilina though back in 2011.

Zilina were in the CL group stages the year before that but haven't done much since so I don't know how good they were that year and its been several years since, I know we've improved a lot since 2011!

[oriel]

Not LOI but definitely Europe related, I read last night that the Crusaders manager was not at his CL first round game at home, as 'he was on a pre booked family holiday'

This is just tremendous, not like they didnt know the dates months in advance.

[Mr A]

I guess he didn't think they'd win the league. And somehow also fail to make the Europa League.

[Pablo Escobar]

Not LOI but defintely Europe related, I read last night that the Crusaders manager was not at his CL first round game at home, as 'he was on a pre booked family holiday'

This is just tremendous, not like they didnt know the dates months in advance.
I read something about him not being present alright. It's almost unbelievable.

[Charlie Darwin]

It happens every year in NI. To be fair, this is probably the only time lads with young kids will get a chance to take them on holiday before the season proper starts. It still shows how small-time the set-up up there is, though.

[BonnieShels]

It happens every year in NI. To be fair, this is probably the only time lads with young kids will get a chance to take them on holiday before the season proper starts. It still shows how small-time the set-up up there is, though.

Very provincial in mindset so they are.

[Duffman]

Very provincial in mindset so they are.

It shows up regularly, the whole mithering about the Setanta Cup and the never ending concessions that the IL clubs have had yet it's always geared in some way to the Southern teams. I'd have thought that the revenue would be attractive enough from Europe all the same.

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't think I've ever heard of it happening at Linfield or Cliftonville - clubs that actually have a bit of ambition. It's the likes of Crues and Glenavon where you get this every year.

[ger121]

When you consider they could reach the EL play-off round as they've 2 winnable ties against Estonian and Albanian sides in the CL draw,you really have to question the logic behind it.

[pineapple stu]

Was just saying they'd have another round to win, but you're right - is that a new rule?

So if Dundalk beat BATE, they're guaranteed four more games?

[BonnieShels]

It shows up regularly, the whole mithering about the Setanta Cup and the never ending concessions that the IL clubs have had yet it's always geared in some way to the Southern teams. I'd have thought that the revenue would be attractive enough from Europe all the same.

I was making a quip about their geographical location... the Province.

But yes, I never undertsand why they alway moan about everything. Oh no. Wait, I do.


I don't think I've ever heard of it happening at Linfield or Cliftonville - clubs that actually have a bit of ambition. It's the likes of Crues and Glenavon where you get this every year.

But those are two clubs neither living in the shadow of any other.

The rest of the IL are what they are.


When you consider they could reach the EL play-off round as they've 2 winnable ties against Estonian and Albanian sides in the CL draw,you really have to question the logic behind it.

It makes no sense. Obviously they are flush with the cash.


Was just saying they'd have another round to win, but you're right - is that a new rule?

If that's how it is it beggars belief that they don't make a little bit of effort.


So if Dundalk beat BATE, they're guaranteed four more games?

If they bate Borisov... come on. Keep this up. Betcha ya can't say "bate" without having an inner city accent appear in your head.

[Dodge]

No new rule, been that way a while. It's how Rovers made the EL groups. Beat Tallinn, lost to Copenhagan in Cl, parachute into EL play offs.

Yes, if Dundalk beat BATE, they're guaranteed 4 more games

[Charlie Darwin]

Was just saying they'd have another round to win, but you're right - is that a new rule?

So if Dundalk beat BATE, they're guaranteed four more games?
It's the same mechanism Rovers got into the Europa play-off with. Any team that loses in the third qualifying round has a shot at the Europa.

[pineapple stu]

Sorry - mixing my rounds. I thought Rovers had beaten Partizan first, then lost to Copenhagen to get parachuted straight into the group stages. My bad!

[El-Pietro]

Its relatively new, it didnt exist in 2006 when we beat Appollon Limasol and lost to Red Star! That 2006 side might have had a decent shout at making the group stages in that manner.

[oriel]

I don't think I've ever heard of it happening at Linfield or Cliftonville - clubs that actually have a bit of ambition. It's the likes of Crues and Glenavon where you get this every year.

Almost sure I read Linfield had key players away on holiday a few years ago when they played a CL qualifying match. It must be near impossible for them getting up to proper fitness levels for Europe as they would need to be back in training from the start of June, or play a side that also plays winter.

[BonnieShels]

Almost sure I read Linfield had key players away on holiday a few years ago when they played a CL qualifying match. It must be near impossible for them getting up to proper fitness levels for Europe as they would need to be back in training from the start of June, or play a side that also plays winter.

They could always change to a winter calendar.

I remember reading something about that as well.

[1899]

hey there. i'm heading over to dublin next week to get in some irish football (and beer). do you guys think tickets will be still available for st pats - skonto at the day of the match?

cheers from vienna.

[PartySaint]

When Crusaders played Fulham in the Europa League in 2011 Baxter missed that for a holiday as well

[Dodge]

Its relatively new, it didnt exist in 2006 when we beat Appollon Limasol and lost to Red Star! That 2006 side might have had a decent shout at making the group stages in that manner.

It was similar then
2006/07
CL QR 1 win
CL QR 2 win
CL QR 3 loss
UEFA Cup 1st round win
groups

now its
CL QR 1 win
CL QR 2 win
CL QR 3 loss
EL play off win
EL groups

The main difference being that LOI clubs start in QR2 not QR1 now

[Real ale Madrid]

Yeah City were down to play AC Milan if we got past Red Star - the loser of that tie would have been into the 1st round of the UEFA Cup - same as Shels two years prior who played Lille in the UEFA Cup R1 after losing to Deportivo.

The week before the Red Star game was when Georgie got shown where the gate was.
That was some time to be alive!

[Pablo Escobar]

The week before the Red Star game was when Georgie got shown where the gate was.


And he never forgot it!

[ger121]

Looks like City are getting the Copa90 treatment for their Euro game tomorrow. Hope the Cross is hopping. Another great piece of marketing for the League.

[Pablo Escobar]

Looks like City are getting the Copa90 treatment for their Euro game tomorrow. Hope the Cross is hopping. Another great piece of marketing for the League.
It's going to be 0-0, isn't it!?

Those lads did a great job in Dublin. They've already been tweeting pics of Turners Cross and training in Bishopstown.

[gufcfan]

Sorry - mixing my rounds.
Bit early in the day for that craic.

[Nesta99]

Shamelessly taken from a post on Orielweb! Bate at home in the recent domestic game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H56478bhL28

[Jofspring]

Shamelessly taken from a post on Orielweb! Bate at home in the recent domestic game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H56478bhL28

WOW, barr one or two touches that was absolutely brutal stuff.

[Nesta99]

Agreed!! But trying to keep well grounded, Its hard not to feel that there is a chance there if we keep it error free and a little luck too!

[Charlie Darwin]

Stephen Kenny was saying they were exceptional. I wonder if he's telling that to the team so they don't get complacent or if he's giving them the truth.

Their keeper looks dodge.

[Nesta99]

Dundalk FC supporter spoils team's motivational mantra by manager....

[patrickccfc]

Not sure what to expect from us tomorrow night. We really need to start well and an early goal would do us the world of good. Positive results all round for all loi clubs hopefully

[Yossarian]

Their keeper looks dodge.

I can imagine that they are saying the same about us.

[Nesta99]

Posted by CD in another thread. Highlights of Rovers match: http://tele.rtl.lu/emissiounen/de-journal/3040009.html

[Charlie Darwin]

D'oh.

[Nesta99]

Its all right there may not have been a direct link to this thread....

[Dodge]

Bet365 are streaming the Pats game tonight. Other betting sites may do the same.

On TV on Setanta 1 (Ireland) and Premier Sports (UK)

[Dodge]

Setanta Ireland are showing KR v Cork City next Thursday too

[CityRebel]

The billboards are up!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CI24bPQXAAAfgg7.jpg

[pateen]

Can anyone post any good live links to the Pats game.

I know I've had problems viewing games with bet365 before

[Gather round]

Not LOI but definitely Europe related, I read last night that the Crusaders manager was not at his CL first round game at home, as 'he was on a pre booked family holiday'. This is just tremendous, not like they didnt know the dates months in advance

That's right, the school holidays are known months in advance.


I don't think I've ever heard of it happening at Linfield or Cliftonville - clubs that actually have a bit of ambition. It's the likes of Crues and Glenavon where you get this every year

Aye, no doubt the Reids have a burning ambition to make the top three this season ;)

At much higher levels of football (eg EPL) it's hardly unknown for the manager to skip games. You'd have more of a point if the senior players beaked off on holiday like last year.

Baxter's choice (and Coates's, last year) may look amateurish, but beating Ekranas last year (home and away) suggests they planned it pretty well.

The basic problem against Levadia (who were pretty blunt on the night) was always going to be lack of fitness, even if the club paid everyone to take their holidays at a different time. The IL attitude is actually much more professional than it used to be regarding these games, but you can't just switch to a summer season or cancel the 12th fortnight...

Should be 50- 75 fans travelling to Levadia, including those making their way independently.

[PartySaint]

Best of luck to UCD and Cork tonight.

I'll be down in Belfield hoping the students can cause an upset.