League of Ireland in Europe 2016

[Pablo Escobar]

I saw cork at the weekend, your reserves would beat that lot to the title. They are awful. Dundalk will win the title
Maybe they would, but their first team has lost to us 3 times already this season and haven't scored a goal. Don't worry though, we'll do enough on our side to ensure Dundalk win the league.

I missed the game last night, but Bensons goal was incredible. Overall it was a great effort, I just hope they dont go on to draw a team that draws better support here than themselves.

[pineapple stu]

Dunno about that, I followed a link to that Joe.ie tonight and when I was there, clicked on the football tab and of course there was nothing about tonights game, and its places like that Barstoolers consume their football.
https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/768164106700328960

Twitting the goal last night anyway.

Wonder how many people switched over as a result?

[Conroy]

Being disappointing about entering the Europa League groups after missing out on the Champions League sums up this club IMO. How far we have come in the last few years. What a group of players we have, always striving to achieve more and not accepting anything but 110%.

We went to Iceland and pulled the tie back after going a goal down. We went to BATE and hung in for a 1-0 nil loss, and smashed them in Tallaght. Given no chance against Legia we got done with a dodgy peno & gifted them a poor 2nd goal at home.

We went over there last night and every player on that pitch was immense. They all gave 110% and it was one of the proudest moments i've had as a Dundalk supporter watching each and every player on that pitch.

The big thing for me was the confidence in the players to take the ball and play on such a big stage and look comfortable. There may have been misplaced passes here and there but the telling thing is that the next time the ball came to them they were willing to take the ball and make them passes again.

We will take points in the group stages.

[SPXcyan]

I find it strange to be waking up dissapointed after that match, but surely the Europa League will be a huge bonus for Dundalk an their players?

I'll be looking forward to such games again that's for sure!

[paul_oshea]

Every manager before Kenny (with the possible exception of Baraclough) in the last 15 years has done it though. If anything, the stupidly short season should make it easier to keep a big squad happy. Although it must be said Dundalk have done an incredible job dominating with a small squad.

All in all, I think it was a chance missed for Dundalk and it all goes back, as PStu says, to not taking out the Legia lad in injury time last week. Like BATE, they were really rocked tonight and without the injuries and suspensions I think you'd have got the job done. Europa League will be interesting now - you'll definitely put up a better fight than we were able to.

A lot of things fell into place for Dundalk on this run, and they got better as they went along. The pieces won't fall as kind next time. The opportunity that created itself last night, was there, and it will be a few years before it all works out again into the perfect opening. I don't necessarily agree, with the pulling the man down being the obvious thing, barrett did it yesterday and it gave Legia valuable time when Dundalk really needed to create that final opening. Thats what they did last week by not giving away the foul, the realisation that pulling the man down, threw away whatever last chance Dundalk had in equalising in Dublin. In a two legged affair where away goals matter so much a 1-1 is a huge difference to a 0-1, there isn't a huge difference between a 0-1 and a 0-2 at that point. Again its easy say that in hindsight, but had they not pulled him down, and got one final chance and scored no one would be commenting on it.

It's a lot easier to put up these big performances once off or so, when the carrot is being dangled in front of you. But hopefully they can keep that level for Europa and get a few points.

The team did very well in keep possession unlike any Ireland international match against similar opposition, O'Neill and Keane could learn from that. They only started to misplace passes or overhit or mistime passes as the legs tired. Having said that I was a little bit disappoitned by horgan, he lost the ball or gave poor passes too many times over the last two games, when this was his real chance to impress. He also faded in and out too often.

I don't take the argument either that Legia were much better, they might have better players, they might consistently perform at a higher level, but over two legs there was very little between the two sides. A bigger budget proved the difference in fresh legs and impetus coming on for Legia. Dundalk lacked in the final third, but everywhere else it was a very even match. And again thats another reason why I think it was a missed opportunity, BATE looked way more dangerous at home than Legia did over two legs - but I am sure they can perform to a higher level, they just didnt do it over 180 mins against Dundalk.

[ger121]

Dundalk's EL group could contain at least two teams better than Legia. I think Legia finished last in their EL group last year with a win and a draw. Dundalk will be doing well to pickup a win and a draw. Rovers didn't get any points.

It has taken 5 years for a champion to get past their first qualifying round and also to make the EL group stage. With the knockout nature of the qualifying rounds, it could be at least another 2 or 3 years before the league's champion get through their first CL qualifying round.

Nobody has been seeded since Rovers went out in 2012, so that has to be considered as a factor. Whether Dundalk would again should they win the League, really depends on whether they'll be seeded. At the moment based on lowest ranked seeds in QR2 this year, they wouldn't be seeded. Still need a draw minimum but most likely a win to be sure of being seeded, if my calculations are correct.

[marinobohs]

Great display by Dundalk last night, congrats to Stephen Kenny and all involved. eventually the task of chasing a 2 goal deficit proved to much for Dundalk but they gave it a real rattle and did the LOI proud.

Funny but I felt a lot more pride watching Dundalk last night than I did watching Ireland in the euros, maybe easier to appreciate Dundalk fans perspective than many of the Oirish day trippers.

[jbyrne]

Funny but I felt a lot more pride watching Dundalk last night than I did watching Ireland in the euros, maybe easier to appreciate Dundalk fans perspective than many of the Oirish day trippers.

id say Dundalk were glad to see so may "day trippers" in Lansdowne last week though

[marinobohs]

id say Dundalk were glad to see so may "day trippers" in Lansdowne last week though

Would be even 'gladder' to see them more often ;) I have no great problem with the day trippers, more the merrier, just don't feel an affinity with them.

[Philosophizer]

A lot of things fell into place for Dundalk on this run

While every team needs a bit of luck to progress in Europe, I don't think Dundalk got overly lucky during their run. They played very well considering the level of our league and I think they got as far as they deserved to get.


The pieces won't fall as kind next time.

You're kind of playing the percentages with that line, Paul. It's unlikely they'll progress this far again next year, but if they're seeded next year and they get a kind draw, you never know.


I was a little bit disappoitned by horgan, he lost the ball or gave poor passes too many times over the last two games, when this was his real chance to impress. He also faded in and out too often.

Correct. Horgan was Dundalk's poorest player last night. I hope he ups his performaces in the EL.

[paul_oshea]

You're kind of playing the percentages with that line, Paul. It's unlikely they'll progress this far again next year, but if they're seeded next year and they get a kind draw, you never know.


Perhaps, but so are you by using Buts and Ifs. The draw is important, and they got better at every round, maybe flatlined a bit in this one, but still more than held their own. I just think lots of things worked in their favour, I wouldn't say it was being overly lucky. I include the lad getting sent off last night, it was harsh enough, with 10 men they still didn't capitalise. I actually thought that lad should have been booked twice last week and I think I said it on here, so maybe that one evens itself out.

Did the players get a 40k bonus for getting this far?

[Dodge]

Nobody has been seeded since Rovers went out in 2012, so that has to be considered as a factor. Whether Dundalk would again should they win the League, really depends on whether they'll be seeded. At the moment based on lowest ranked seeds in QR2 this year, they wouldn't be seeded. Still need a draw minimum but most likely a win to be sure of being seeded, if my calculations are correct.
Rovers weren't seeded in 2012. Dundalk may be seeded if they draw one game, probably will be seeded if they win a game and almost certainly will be seeded if they can earn 3 points in the group

If they win the league of course

[disgruntled]

Great effort by Dundalk last night but just ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes.
They did the League of Ireland proud.
Wonderful goal from Benson.

Mention also the excellent Norwegian referee who made sure that Legia didn't get away with what that German referee let go last week. If this guy had been the referee last week who knows what might have happened.

[pineapple stu]

Do (significant) UEFA Solidarity Payments only depend on CL qualification by the way?

So there was talk of E3.1m for the LoI if Dundalk qualified - is there any such boost at all now?

[Philosophizer]

Do (significant) UEFA Solidarity Payments only depend on CL qualification by the way?

So there was talk of E3.1m for the LOI if Dundalk qualified - is there any such boost at all now?

Good news. There are still solidarity payments for the league even with Dundalk "only" getting EL. It's only about 10% of what it would have been if they qualified for the CL, but still, better than nothing - approx €381k according to the sun.

Pretty decent considering all the prize money for the league in 2015 amounted to about 380k

http://www.thesun.ie/irishsol/homepage/sport/7222751/League-of-Ireland-clubs-will-benefit-financially-if-Dundalk-progress-in-Europe.html

[Mr A]

Feck Dundalk- we needed that money!


That would work out at around €381,000 per league, with a further portion then added for the nation’s TV market share.

Taken from this: http://www.thesun.ie/irishsol/homepage/sport/7222751/League-of-Ireland-clubs-will-benefit-financially-if-Dundalk-progress-in-Europe.html

Not sure how that's distributed, whether just premier clubs or not.

[sparky12345678]

same from my Dad and brothers. All watched the game more than just cos I told them to. My Dad was ranting about how it def wasnt a peno and could easily have held on for 0-0 at home. He was surprised to see a decent game from them etc.
Alot of things need to come together to improve the league's standing in civil society though...

[ger121]

Rovers weren't seeded in 2012. Dundalk may be seeded if they draw one game, probably will be seeded if they win a game and almost certainly will be seeded if they can earn 3 points in the group

If they win the league of course

That's right. Ekranus were the lowest seeded side.

Dodge, you do remember it's 3 points for a win these days and not two:p

[passinginterest]

Maybe not quite the right forum, but I think it's relevant, Cork City will play in the UEFA Youth League. Having U.19 winners participating at this level should be a good boost the the U.19 league and should help clubs to attract and keep players. It will be very interesting to see how they get on, our underage clubs always seem to manage decent results in friendlies and tournaments so I'm very curious to see how they cope in this competition.
http://www.the42.ie/cork-city-uefa-youth-league-2945459-Aug2016/

[ger121]

Feck Dundalk- we needed that money!



Taken from this: http://www.thesun.ie/irishsol/homepage/sport/7222751/League-of-Ireland-clubs-will-benefit-financially-if-Dundalk-progress-in-Europe.html

Not sure how that's distributed, whether just premier clubs or not.

Presuming of course that Dear Leader and the Party saw fit to share the wealth with the Proletariat

[pineapple stu]

Good news. There are still solidarity payments for the league even with Dundalk "only" getting EL. It's only about 10% of what it would have been if they qualified for the CL, but still, better than nothing - approx €381k according to the sun.

Pretty decent considering all the prize money for the league in 2015 amounted to about 380k

http://www.thesun.ie/irishsol/homepage/sport/7222751/League-of-Ireland-clubs-will-benefit-financially-if-Dundalk-progress-in-Europe.html
Don't forget clubs already get solidarity income - about E20k per club.

I don't know if First Division clubs or clubs in Europe get it, but if we assume it's only the 8 non-European qualifiers, then that's a current solidarity fund of E150k already. More if FD clubs get a share, etc.

Or is the E381k over and above what they've previously gotten?

[El-Pietro]

Maybe not quite the right forum, but I think it's relevant, Cork City will play in the UEFA Youth League. Having U.19 winners participating at this level should be a good boost the the U.19 league and should help clubs to attract and keep players. It will be very interesting to see how they get on, our underage clubs always seem to manage decent results in friendlies and tournaments so I'm very curious to see how they cope in this competition.
http://www.the42.ie/cork-city-uefa-youth-league-2945459-Aug2016/

Great reward for seasons upon seasons of success for our underage set up. The U19s are unbeaten this season and are into the Cup final, which I think is due to be played in Cork.
Under 19 champions in 2011-12, 12-13, 13-14 and 2015. Cup winners in 2012 and 2013.
The under 17s are flying as well, top of their table, knocked out of the cup last week in either the QF or the SF, not sure what round it was.

The next step is to see players stepping up into the first team and having a large impact. We've promoted some youth players in recent years, Rob Lehane, Danny Morrissey, John Kavanagh and Garry Buckley come to mind, but we're not seeing any real stars, Brian Lenihan was the exception but he didn't spend much time in our underage system, Alan Browne was a star underage and went straight to England so we didn't get to see him with the first team.

There are a handful waiting to make the jump now, Conor Ellis and Chedozie Ogbene the two that most people are excited about but Conor McCarthy and Cian Coleman have caugght my eye as well. Cobh Ramblers have another graduate on loan in Cian Donnelon too, I'm not sure about him but hes got potential as well.

Playing against European competition will be a good gauge of where our players are in terms of development.

[brendy_éire]

Great display by Dundalk last night, congrats to Stephen Kenny and all involved.

Sorry to go against the grain and sound a bit Roy Keane-y, but no. No congrats to anyone last night.
Dundalk got a decent draw for this round, but basically ruined the tie at Lansdowne with two dreadful defensive mistakes. Then, in the second leg, ran themselves into the ground by the 70th minute, were horribly wasteful in set-piece play, and failed to take advantage having an extra man for 27 minutes of football after a questionable sending off.

Dundalk's game plan last night involved lots of running and pressure. It was always going to be knackering on the players, and the inevitable exhaustion left them with nothing in the tank for the last 20 minutes. Was this the best strategy, knowing they'd leave themselves very open come the end? The goal, which was lovely, gave Dundalk the opportunity to calm things down somewhat, but they kept the tempo up.
Set-pieces were wasted time and time again. Can't afford to be doing that in the league, never mind in Europe. There was an element of last-ditch, dodgy defending (which they almost got away with), and in addition Legia should have a penalty.
Whenever Dundalk did get a rare chance then, the shots were mostly of a poor quality. Fats' one around the 80th minute stands out as being particularly tame (though he did have a decent game).

It probably says a lot about the league's progression that I feel a 3-1 aggregate loss to the Polish champions is a rubbish result. Maybe Dundalk had to keep a high tempo, maybe I'm being overambitious, and maybe I'm being overly harsh on Dundalk, but I do feel that Legia were beatable, and that Dundalk players and management simply didn't perform as well they could have over the two legs.
It was an exceptional chance to see an Irish team in the CL group stages, and Dundalk weren't up to the task. They're capable of more. No amount of back-slapping or self-pity will make up for the fact that was a huge opportunity missed. I'd dare say Stephen Kenny would agree with me on that.

[nigel-harps1954]

It probably says a lot about the league's progression that I feel a 3-1 aggregate loss to the Polish champions is a rubbish result. Maybe Dundalk had to keep a high tempo, maybe I'm being overambitious, and maybe I'm being overly harsh on Dundalk, but I do feel that Legia were beatable, and that Dundalk players and management simply didn't perform as well they could have over the two legs.
It was an exceptional chance to see an Irish team in the CL group stages, and Dundalk weren't up to the task. They're capable of more. No amount of back-slapping or self-pity will make up for the fact that was a huge opportunity missed. I'd dare say Stephen Kenny would agree with me on that.


I actually agree with this. Dundalk are a far better side than what they have shown over two legs against a side that haven't been in the CL group stage for 20 years despite their dominance of the Polish league. On paper, they should be lightyears ahead of Dundalk, but in reality, I really feel that Dundalk matched them all over the park but lacked killer instinct in the final third, coupled with two rather poor performances by Daryl Horgan, who is capable of so, so much more.

Last night, at 1-0, they had a glorious chance to kick on and put it to bed like they done with BATE, but for whatever reason, they didn't. I'd love to say we'll see this become a regular occurrence now, but I don't think we'll ever see a better chance for an Irish team to get into the CL group stage for a while again.

They've every chance of doing it again though, but they'll need to spend wisely next season to get a chance as good as what they had this season.

[White Horse]

They're capable of more. No amount of back-slapping or self-pity will make up for the fact that was a huge opportunity missed. I'd dare say Stephen Kenny would agree with me on that.

You are right, Kenny has already been quoted as saying it was a missed opportunity. The facts speak for themselves, Dundalk were not good enough to achieve qualification to the group stages of the Champions League. However, just stop for a second to consider that you are talking about the highest level of football, higher than the World Cup.

Dundalk were hampered by a small squad and the inability to change tactics in the second half. They surprised Legia by using a narrow diamond formation in the first half, but Legia reorganised at half time and adapted to this threat. Dundalk needed to have the quality on the bench to try something different with fresher legs. It wasn't there.

This is the challenge they now face if they want to do better in Europe. How to put together a bigger squad, with more options, even though it will be overkill for the domestic league.

[pineapple stu]

Thought Dundalk really missed Kilduff last night, strangely. Davey Mac ran himself into the ground, but got very little change out of the Legia defence. Particularly when Legia were down to ten, Killer for McMillan - or even Killer alongside McMillan - could have made a difference.

Obviously O'Donnell was a minor absentee as well, although his replacement weighed in with a nice goal.

Hadn't quite realised how thin Dundalk's squad really is actually.

[Philosophizer]

Dundalk players and management simply didn't perform as well they could have over the two legs.

They were poor from set pieces all right, i'll give you that, but not the rest of your points.

Yes there were plenty of misplaced passed over the 2 legs, and plenty of mistakes in the away tie against BATE aswell, but that's what happens when you're playing against higher quality. The opposition players move quicker and the ball moves a LOT quicker than what you're used to, so the Dundalk players themselves had less time on the ball and had to think quicker and move sharper than they usually would, the fact that there was only a small difference between them and Legia (who apparently 10 of their starting 11 are full internationals) is testament to how well they played.


They're capable of more. No amount of back-slapping or self-pity will make up for the fact that was a huge opportunity missed. I'd dare say Stephen Kenny would agree with me on that.

Did you not hear Kenny speaking after the match last night? He kept repeating how proud he was that they players performed to such a high level over the 2 legs, and through their whole european run. You're talking as if they played v poorly. Everything is relative. Given the standard they play at, their inexperience at this level, etc, they overperformed in almost every way.

[pineapple stu]

Kenny has come out and said he wants to get through the Europa League group stages (http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/dundalk-boss-stephen-kenny-wants-8693309).

Tall target - especially if they get a nasty draw - but certainly no harm in aiming for it.

[ger121]

Kenny has come out and said he wants to get through the Europa League group stages (http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/dundalk-boss-stephen-kenny-wants-8693309).

Tall target - especially if they get a nasty draw - but certainly no harm in aiming for it.

I said it a couple pages back, that he would be targeting getting out of the Group. No harm in having targets. Reaching them is another matter.

The draw will be a big factor but I actually think playing in the Aviva will hurt them. Our teams are used to playing in smaller grounds with tighter pitches. A full Tallaght would suit them much better. I'm guessing what Rovers did in 2011 regarding then Stand is a non-runner?

[Mr A]

Moved the discussion of the 'windfall' for the league from this to the other thread.

[paul_oshea]

Kenny has come out and said he wants to get through the Europa League group stages (http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/dundalk-boss-stephen-kenny-wants-8693309).

Tall target - especially if they get a nasty draw - but certainly no harm in aiming for it.

But if they had made the CL, and finished 3rd they would have achieved the same anyway. A couple of draws and they might have achieved it!

[sparky12345678]

Nobody has been seeded since Rovers went out in 2012, so that has to be considered as a factor. Whether Dundalk would again should they win the League, really depends on whether they'll be seeded. At the moment based on lowest ranked seeds in QR2 this year, they wouldn't be seeded. Still need a draw minimum but most likely a win to be sure of being seeded, if my calculations are correct.


This is it exactly. Towards the end of the year we are always rooting for lower ranked seeds to get through etc so I was thinking a win plus two draws would bump them up over to the lower end of the seeded teams.

FH Hafnarfjardar Isl 5.750
AS Trencín Svk 5.400
(were seeded)

The New Saints * Wal 5.200
(unseeded)

Currently Dundalk are at 4.640 but Bert hasnt updated last nights.
So the 0.5 would bump it up to 5.1 or how does it work?
Another draw would be nice but a win would make it a bit safer?
And obviously thats not including the modifications to the league co effecient...?

[El-Pietro]

Last nights draw gave Dundalk 0.025 points, same as it gave everyone else. Clubs don't get points for wins/draws in qualifiers, they only get points for progression.

[orielabu]

The combined attendance for the Legia tie was 59,483 made up of 29,066 (Warsaw) and 30,417 (Dublin).
Is that a LOI club record for a two-leg tie?
In 1967 the attendance at Dundalk’s away game against Vasas at the Budapest People’s Stadium was reported as 100,000. However this was a two-match event with the other Budapest team, Ferencvaros, warming up the crowd when defeating their Romanian opponents by 4-0.

[seand]

The combined attendance for the Legia tie was 59,483 made up of 29,066 (Warsaw) and 30,417 (Dublin).
Is that a LOI club record for a two-leg tie?
In 1967 the attendance at Dundalk’s away game against Vasas at the Budapest People’s Stadium was reported as 100,000. However this was a two-match event with the other Budapest team, Ferencvaros, warming up the crowd when defeating their Romanian opponents by 4-0.

Plenty bigger I'd say. Rovers-ManU 56-7 would have been higher, likewise Dundalk-Vasas, as you say, though the away attendance was 'only' about 68,000. Waterford played ManU and Celtic at Lansdowne in the early 70s, each of those would have had big aggregate crowds too you'd think. Celtic-Dundalk 79-80 maybe too. I'm sure there's the odd outlier I'm missing too.... another trip to Eastern Europe in the 60s or 70s perhaps when 70,000 of the local populace would be bored enough to turn up to see Drumcondra or Cork Hibs.

[seand]

. double post

[pineapple stu]

How many did Real or Barca draw when playing LoI sides?

Ararat Yerevan I think got huge crowds; they played Cork back in the 70s.

[Ezeikial]

Kenny has come out and said he wants to get through the Europa League group stages (http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/dundalk-boss-stephen-kenny-wants-8693309).

Tall target - especially if they get a nasty draw - but certainly no harm in aiming for it.

I would expect nothing less from Stephen Kenny.

It is irrelevant to him that it is a tall target - it is what he wants to achieve, and he will be absolutely certain that it is possible.

He will also demand (and get) the same belief from players, staff and club officials


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[Ezeikial]

http://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=2454&stc=1

[TonyD]

They were poor from set pieces all right, i'll give you that, but not the rest of your points.

Yes there were plenty of misplaced passed over the 2 legs, and plenty of mistakes in the away tie against BATE aswell, but that's what happens when you're playing against higher quality. The opposition players move quicker and the ball moves a LOT quicker than what you're used to, so the Dundalk players themselves had less time on the ball and had to think quicker and move sharper than they usually would, the fact that there was only a small difference between them and Legia (who apparently 10 of their starting 11 are full internationals) is testament to how well they played.



Did you not hear Kenny speaking after the match last night? He kept repeating how proud he was that they players performed to such a high level over the 2 legs, and through their whole european run. You're talking as if they played v poorly. Everything is relative. Given the standard they play at, their inexperience at this level, etc, they overperformed in almost every way.

I think I agree with your assessment of it. Nothing wrong with being ambitious and not settling for defeats, but I honestly thought Dundalk did the maximum they could. If they were capable of upping it a gear in the last 20 minutes they would certainly have done so. Don't underestimate the sheer physical effort it took them to compete with Legia, a team who by every yardstick should be streets ahead of Dundalk. If they hadn't worked so hard to close down and chase and harry then they would most probably have got a hammering. Dundalk, or any of our clubs, are not at the level where we capable of beating these teams, but they have shown that we can get closer. What has always struck me has been the difference in physicality between our teams and even teams like Legia, who are a few rungs below the european elite. They are just so much stronger, and quicker too. Dundalk weren't really found wanting technically, but physically they came up short.

(Btw - just a nod to Pats, who got a similar result over there two years ago don't forget. I know the wheels came off at home, but we had a disastrous night in Tallaght losing most of our first choice defence on the night.)

[Ezeikial]

Ex Cork City player Leon McSweeney is as clueless as a commentator as he was as a footballer


Opinion: Greed And Acceptance Of Mediocrity To Blame For Dundalk’s Champions League Exit

Unfortunately, Dundalk didn’t help themselves. The game was lost not on the field but in the Dundalk boardroom and their decision to play the first leg at the Aviva Stadium. Finances aside, there’s not a great argument supporting the view that playing at the Aviva Stadium would improve the team’s chances of achieving the seemingly impossible feat of Champions League qualification. In fact, quite the opposite.

The very decision to go to the Aviva screamed the club’s lack of belief in their own team’s chances of progression. They saw the game as a bonus and wanted to milk it. Typical.

It also reflects badly on the editing team at Pundit Arena that they would be so out-of-touch not to spot the obvious error which is the premise for the article

http://www.punditarena.com/football/lmcsweeney/dundalk-legia-warsaw-tie-lost/

[bennocelt]

I tell you one team I hope Dundalk get in the Europa, Young Boys of Berne. Absolute hammering in both legs, against Borussia Munchengladbach. But they were also pretty rubbish against Shakhtar Donetsk in the previous round, it was a case of who could be bothered to get through.....two bad teams
Also a handy trip for me:)

As for the Legia Dundalk game, Dundalk did great against a better resourced and conditioned team, a team who could always raise the level if needed. At that level its the tempo and fitness that affects the smaller teams. I dont think the Dundalk had anything left in the tank.
Its a big ask to expect them to suddenly become CL material. It really is stage by stage.

[Djm1901]

Rovers weren't seeded in 2012. Dundalk may be seeded if they draw one game, probably will be seeded if they win a game and almost certainly will be seeded if they can earn 3 points in the group

If they win the league of course

Unfortunately not. It makes no direct difference to Dundalk's coefficient whether they win one match or none. The 2 points they've received for getting to the EL group stages are not in addition to whatever they pick up through wins and draws once there. For example last year Qabala from Azerbaijan reached the group stages which is worth 2 points, they also picked up two draws there (also worth 2 points) but their total coefficient for the year was still just 2.8 (the other .8 coming from the league part).

So Dundalk have no real chance of being seeded unless they can pick up three coefficient points in the group stage.

[ger121]

Plzen, Apoel, Young Boys. Those teams would barely fill Tallaght but that is a group Dundalk could do well in.

[nigel-harps1954]

Ex Cork City player Leon McSweeney is as clueless as a commentator as he was as a footballer



It also reflects badly on the editing team at Pundit Arena that they would be so out-of-touch not to spot the obvious error which is the premise for the article

http://www.punditarena.com/football/lmcsweeney/dundalk-legia-warsaw-tie-lost/


He wasn't long regretting it.

http://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=2455&stc=1

[Pablo Escobar]

This is a clip of Cork Hibs against Borussia Moenchengladbach in 1971 https://youtu.be/a45aiacu6QM

All of the goals came within the first 20 mins afaik. Don't let anyone tell you that the standard was better back then. We've come a long way!

[ger121]

We may as well enjoy this year in Europe. With UEFA expected to announce changes to CL format tomorrow, come 2018/19, it will be a whole lot harder to even get to this stage where you had Dundalk knocking on the door of the Groups.

Lot of outlets saying Top 4 Teams from the Top 4 Leagues will qualify automatically for CL Group Stages. That leaves 16 places for Teams from the other 48/49 Leagues to battle for. I'd also expect the Champions Path to be scrapped to make it easier for Teams from France, Portugal etc.. to qualify.

UEFA will sugarcoat the pill to make it less bitter to swallow by increasing prize money for qualifying rounds and what option to do Teams have anyway, for many it is their biggest source of revenue. I hope they change the name of the Champions League, as it's future format never mind it's current incarnation is a mockery to Champions around Europe.

It seems the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many!

[paul_oshea]

This is a clip of Cork Hibs against Borussia Moenchengladbach in 1971 https://youtu.be/a45aiacu6QM

All of the goals came within the first 20 mins afaik. Don't let anyone tell you that the standard was better back then. We've come a long way!

I thought that was a spike milligan clip or laurel and hardy clip when i looked at it without the sound. Did the keeper thing he was the last CB or something, he never once seemed to dive. :rolleyes:

[outspoken]

Plzen, Apoel, Young Boys. Those teams would barely fill Tallaght but that is a group Dundalk could do well in.

Those teams carry fanatical away support though, particularly APOEL. I'd imagine Dundalk will play in the Aviva regardless.

[BonnieShels]

We may as well enjoy this year in Europe. With UEFA expected to announce changes to CL format tomorrow, come 2018/19, it will be a whole lot harder to even get to this stage where you had Dundalk knocking on the door of the Groups.

Lot of outlets saying Top 4 Teams from the Top 4 Leagues will qualify automatically for CL Group Stages. That leaves 16 places for Teams from the other 48/49 Leagues to battle for. I'd also expect the Champions Path to be scrapped to make it easier for Teams from France, Portugal etc.. to qualify.

UEFA will sugarcoat the pill to make it less bitter to swallow by increasing prize money for qualifying rounds and what option to do Teams have anyway, for many it is their biggest source of revenue. I hope they change the name of the Champions League, as it's future format never mind it's current incarnation is a mockery to Champions around Europe.

It seems the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many!

It's absolutely disgusting. You'd love to know what lobbying, if any was done by the FAI with this. Soccer is being murdered by the top teams.