League of Ireland in Europe 2016

[legendz]

You really believe that Shelbourne team to be better than the current Dundalk team? You really believe that Lille side were far superior to AZ or Maccabi Tel Aviv?
At the moment I would rate Shelbourne's European run in '04 higher than Dundalk's to date. There was no champions route back then. Yes, in my opinion Lille were a more difficult opponent than AZ and Tel Aviv. Shelbourne didn't have the luxury of a group stage.

Dundalk's next 4 games will shape my opinion further.

[JayC90]

For the week that's in it, I've decided to take a look at the likelihood of Dundalk being seeded in the Champions League Second Qualifying Round next season if they go on and win the league, or what they need to do in the remaining Europa League matches to ensure they're seeded. Obviously quite early to analyse it fully and there are a lot of different permutations, but will be something to keep an eye on over the coming weeks as some of the other summer leagues finish up.

To be seeded, they will need 22 teams with a lower co-efficient than themselves to qualify for next season's Champions League (assuming Kosovan clubs meet the UEFA licensing criteria as expected). I've listed the lowest ranking leagues in order below, and included all the clubs (if any) in those leagues that have a higher co-efficient than Dundalk. Dundalk's current co-efficient is 5.815. Another draw will give them 6.865 and another win will give them 7.915. I've included the other summer season leagues whose champions have been or will be decided soon at the bottom.


Kosovo - None
San Marino - None
Andorra - None
Gibraltar - None
Faroe Island - None
Wales - None
Malta - None
Lithuania (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_A_Lyga#Championship_round_table) - Zalgiris 5.825
Northern Ireland - None
Luxembourg - None
Armenia - None
Montenegro - None
Estonia - None
Macedonia - None
Latvia - None
Georgia - None
Bosnia - None
Albania (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Albanian_Superliga#League_table) - Skenderbeu Korce 6.800
Finland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Veikkausliiga#League_table) - HJK Helsinki 10.530. HJK in 1st place by 2 points ahead of IFK Mariehamn (2.030) with 3 matches to play.
Iceland - FH 6.175 already champions
Moldova (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Moldovan_National_Division#League_ table) - Sheriff Tiraspol 11.150
Hungary (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Nemzeti_Bajnoks%C3%A1g_I#League_ta ble) - Videoton 8.650, Debrecen 6.900
Slovakia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Slovak_First_Football_League#Leagu e_table) - Slovan Bratislava 7.350, Trencin 6.850, Spartak Trnava 6.850, MSK Zilina 5.850
Slovenia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Slovenian_PrvaLiga#League_table) - Maribor 21.125
Kazakhstan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Kazakhstan_Premier_League#Championship_round) - Astana 14.650, Aktobe 7.400, Shaktyor Karagandy 6.900. Astana in 1st place by 4 points ahead of Kairat (5.400) with 5 matches to play.
Bulgaria (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_First_Professional_Football_League _(Bulgaria)#Regular_season) - Ludogorets Razgrad 31.025
Serbia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Serbian_SuperLiga#Regular_season) - Partizan Belgrade 16.075, Vojvodina 9.075, Red Star Belgrade 7.325
Azerbaijan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Azerbaijan_Premier_League#League_t able) - Qarabag 14.850, Neftchi 9.600, Qabala 7.600, Inter Baku 5.850
Cyprus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Cypriot_First_Division#Regular_sea son) - APOEL 19.910, Apollon Limassol 10.410, Omonia 7.910, AEL Limassol 7.910, AEK Larnaca 5.910
Israel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Israeli_Premier_League#Regular_sea son) - Maccabi Tel Aviv 19.975, Maccabi Haifa 7.975, Hapoel Tel Aviv 7.975, Hapoel Beer Sheva 7.475, Hapoel Kiryat Shmona 7.475



Norway - Rosenborg 12.665 already champions
Sweden (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Allsvenskan#League_table) - Malmo 16.945, Elfsborg 10.445, AIK 9.945, Gothenburg 7.945, Helsingborg 6.945. Malmo in 1st place by 1 point ahead of IFK Norkopping (4.945) with 6 games left.
Belarus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Belarusian_Premier_League#League_table) - BATE 29.475, Dinamo Minsk 10.975, Shakhtyor Saligorsk 7.475. BATE in 1st place by 15 points with 7 matches to play.


That means at this point there are 16 teams guaranteed to be below them. Another draw in the Europa League would bring that up to 19 guaranteed, and a win up to 20. In addition to this, the Finnish, Swedish and Slovakian Leagues look the most promising at this early stage to be won by clubs with a lower co-efficient, and there's always a chance of a wildcard from the higher-ranked leagues.

It seems very likely that if Dundalk don't claim any further Europa League results they will miss out on seeding, and while another win won't even guarantee seeding I think it makes it fairly probable.

If Cork win the league of course, then I've just wasted an hour of my Friday night...

[jinxy lilywhite]

At the moment I would rate Shelbourne's European run in '04 higher than Dundalk's to date. There was no champions route back then. Yes, in my opinion Lille were a more difficult opponent than AZ and Tel Aviv. Shelbourne didn't have the luxury of a group stage.

Dundalk's next 4 games will shape my opinion further.

Suppose the saying is true. Opinions are like arseholes. Everybody has one

[oriel]

I only found out at my Wedding last night. This is some serious team. To be doing this on 3 fronts is quite simply, phenomenal.

Hold on a minute. If I'm reading correctly. Ger got married yesterday and no one picked up on it.

Congratulations sir.

[Acornvilla]

Hold on a minute. If I'm reading correctly. Ger got married yesterday and no one picked up on it.

Congratulations sir.
Honeymoon is going well I reckon.

[ToberonaTornado]

Bohs were beat anyway.That's an excuse for bondage and an extra shag if ever there was one!!

Congrats to Ger and the wife on the marrying and best wishes to both of you for the future.

[oriel]

At the moment I would rate Shelbourne's European run in '04 higher than Dundalk's to date. There was no champions route back then. Yes, in my opinion Lille were a more difficult opponent than AZ and Tel Aviv. Shelbourne didn't have the luxury of a group stage.

Dundalk's next 4 games will shape my opinion further.

I'm not sure the point your trying to make is valid. Dundalk have now played 8 Euro games this season, granted 2 are group matches but I think the record of P8 W2 L2 D4 would have to be a accepted as one of the better Irish performance, of recent times.

Also this included wins v BATE and thurs night v a top Israeli side, not to mention away draws against the Polish and Icelandic champions and a top 4 Dutch side.

Edit: fixed about Macabi comment, forgot they didn't win the Israeli league.

Shelbourne were an excellent side back in 2004, there is no doubt about that, but probably their stand out euro win was 3-2 at home to Hajduk Split, possibly after beating Glentoran?

[oriel]

I meant to add, massive thanks to all other LOI fans who attended on Thursday night, I was in the east stand, saw Bohs, Pats & Sligo fans, and a a few Longford lads in the Maldron.

I'm sure there were plenty of other clubs, just to say thanks to all, very much appreciated guys.

[jinxy lilywhite]

I'm not sure the point your trying to make is valid. Dundalk have now played 8 Euro games this season, granted 2 are group matches but I think the record of P8 W2 L2 D4 would have to be a accepted as one of the better Irish performance, of recent times.

Also this included wins v BATE and last night v the Israeli champions, not to mention away draws against the Polish and Icelandic champions and a top 4 Dutch side.

Shelbourne were an excellent side back in 2004, there is no doubt about that, but probably their stand out euro win was 3-2 at home to Hajduk Split, possibly after beating Glentoran?

Maccabi aren't the Israeli champions.

Point still stands. Our record this season is better than any other Irish team.

Besides the fact though to date the bate victory was our biggest scalp. The draw in az maybe in the future if we get out of the group but to destroy a team 300 places above you tells it's own story

[Charlie Darwin]

Point still stands. Our record this season is better than any other Irish team.
Great, now Robbie's crying again. Happy?

https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/542157128.jpg

[Straightstory]

I remember the Shamrock Rovers team of the mid 80s. Drogheda had just won the League Cup and paraded the trophy before the home game against Rovers at United Park. Rovers then proceeded to beat us 6-0. (Or possibly even 7-0? - it's a distant memory). However, that Rovers team never really did the business in Europe.
Shelbourne in 2004 were a decent side, no doubt about it. However, having been at the game in Tallaght on Thursday, I think this Dundalk team is the best of the lot. They also seem to be getting better and better in Europe. Having watched them quite a bit, I felt they took an awful battering in Belarus and were lucky to get away with a 1-0 defeat. Also, they had some dodgy moments in the earlier qualifying round in Iceland. (I didn't see the home game against Bate). I was at the match against Legia in Dublin, and thought they played well, and were a bit unlucky to lose. But they were just phenomenal against Macabbi. To play a possession-based passing game as well as they do, and to carry it with it with such skill and consistency on the European stage is unprecedented for an Irish team. Stephen Kenny deserves a vast amount of credit.

[White Horse]

Interesting match report in The Times.

And therein lies the secret to Dundalk’s success. That ability to be tactically flexible – to make the pitch big when they have possession and small when they don’t – is a hallmark to Kenny’s tactical intelligence.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/kilduff-lifts-dundalk-to-historic-new-heights-ct9t5g6fd?shareToken=3bc2c66585a47a3d36dd5335938d8 51f

[ger121]

Hold on a minute. If I'm reading correctly. Ger got married yesterday and no one picked up on it.

Congratulations sir.

Cheers Man! One of my mates at the Wedding said it to me in passing around 11pm. Course I then said it to the lovely bride later, who gave me a look, like she was starting to regret saying 'I do'. I've already complained several times that I'll be missing the Derby due to the Honeymoon. I'm on thin ice...

[ger121]

Honeymoon is going well I reckon.

Off to the Seychelles in the morning!

[nigel-harps1954]

Off to the Seychelles in the morning!

She sells?

[legendz]

Shelbourne in 2004 were a decent side, no doubt about it. However, having been at the game in Tallaght on Thursday, I think this Dundalk team is the best of the lot. They also seem to be getting better and better in Europe.
How do we make a fair comparison between the First Round of the old UEFA Cup and the current Europa League group stage?

Bohemians '00, Shelbourne '04 and Derry City '06 were drawn against seeded clubs in the First Round of the UEFA Cup.

The group stage affords 2 unseeded teams from the old system the opportunity to play each other. Dundalk beat a team on Thursday who would have been unseeded in the old format. They have done better than Shamrock Rovers '11 in that regard.

[JDsJocks]

Dundalk have moved up to 227th in the latest uefa rankings

[White Horse]

Interesting interview with Ronan Finn on Dundalk FM. Each Dundalk player gets an individualised DVD and dossier of the opposition and of the tactical approach they and the team will employ. Finn said it's like being back in university. I wasn't aware of the extent of the preparation that goes into these games.

[Pablo Escobar]

Interesting interview with Ronan Finn on Dundalk FM. Each Dundalk player gets an individualised DVD and dossier of the opposition and of the tactical approach they and the team will employ. Finn said it's like being back in university. I wasn't aware of the extent of the preparation that goes into these games.

The preparation that Pat Dolan used to put into European games is legendary. It's the way it should be done though. Actually, during the interview by Stephen Bermingham after our U19 game away to HJK this week, it sounded like we had all the info on their players too. It's brilliant really.

[White Horse]

The preparation that Pat Dolan used to put into European games is legendary. It's the way it should be done though. Actually, during the interview by Stephen Bermingham after our U19 game away to HJK this week, it sounded like we had all the info on their players too. It's brilliant really.

Even more so to do it U19 level. The level of professionalism been shown by players and coaches is very impressive.

[Yossarian]

Off to the Seychelles in the morning!

Would be much more impressive if you said you'd were off to "see shels" instead!!

[TonyD]

The preparation that Pat Dolan used to put into European games is legendary. It's the way it should be done though. Actually, during the interview by Stephen Bermingham after our U19 game away to HJK this week, it sounded like we had all the info on their players too. It's brilliant really.

And yet Brian Kerr got slaughtered as Ireland manager for trying to do similar things, including by some who should have known better (stand up Richard Dunne- have never had much time for him since that.) if Stephen Kenny ever does become Ireland manager let's hope he never tries any of that oul preparation nonsense on our mega star internationals, eh ?

[sparky12345678]

the question then is are Dundalk rooting for Alkmaar to destroy Maccabi, leaving them out for the count with no motivation for the final game or for Maccabi to nick some points off Alkmaar making the group more even...

[sparky12345678]

adding to your analysis is Bert's seeding for this year where Dundalk's current seeding would have seen them seeded just below dinamo tblisi... obviously things are different evey year and Bert's site doesnt show seedings for previous years to get an average...interestingly theres a jump from the 5.8 to 7 and then to 10...

http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/seedcl2016.html

[sparky12345678]

im really curious how Kosovo changes things. Does it drag NIRL down with them or give someone a bye into the QR2....?

[sparky12345678]

are Dundalk really aiming for the Treble or would they not just give themselves a break with the FAI cup... focus on the league and being seeded next year and continuing their run. (one good year in Europe doesnt do much overall as seen by Rovers and Pats)

[legendz]

Interesting interview with Ronan Finn on Dundalk FM. Each Dundalk player gets an individualised DVD and dossier of the opposition and of the tactical approach they and the team will employ. Finn said it's like being back in university. I wasn't aware of the extent of the preparation that goes into these games.I read an article on preparation similar to that by Shamrock Rovers under O'Neill in '11.

[jinxy lilywhite]

the question then is are Dundalk rooting for Alkmaar to destroy Maccabi, leaving them out for the count with no motivation for the final game or for Maccabi to nick some points off Alkmaar making the group more even...

Dundalk don't care how Alkmaar or Maccabi do against each other. That is out of our control

[nigel-harps1954]

the question then is are Dundalk rooting for Alkmaar to destroy Maccabi, leaving them out for the count with no motivation for the final game or for Maccabi to nick some points off Alkmaar making the group more even...

Surely the ideal result there is a draw? Would leave Dundalk in second place still regardless of their result against Zenit. Likewise, a draw in that return game too, that even with another two losses to Zenit, Dundalk would still be in second place going into their final two games.

[jinxy lilywhite]

are Dundalk really aiming for the Treble or would they not just give themselves a break with the FAI cup... focus on the league and being seeded next year and continuing their run. (one good year in Europe doesnt do much overall as seen by Rovers and Pats)

what treble?

I don't think we count the Jim Malone cup as a proper trophy.

Going out in the FAI cup at this stage doesn't really add or subtract to our fixture congestion. The FAI final will be the Sunday after our away trip to St. Petersburg. A day trip to the Aviva is very special and last year was our first final in 13 years and trip to Lansdowne road since 93. So a day trip to a final is a very special occasion.

[White Horse]

Going out in the FAI cup at this stage doesn't really add or subtract to our fixture congestion. The FAI final will be the Sunday after our away trip to St. Petersburg. A day trip to the Aviva is very special and last year was our first final in 13 years and trip to Lansdowne road since 93. So a day trip to a final is a very special occasion.

Agreed. Putting out the best side possible tomorrow and going for the win is a non brainer.

[ger121]

Would be much more impressive if you said you'd were off to "see shels" instead!!

It would be the shortest marriage in history if I told her we were off to Tolka for the Honeymoon. Sure we'll 'see shels' a plenty soon, when we both said 'I Do' and become partners for life!

[Pablo Escobar]

Dundalk don't care how Alkmaar or Maccabi do against each other. That is out of our control

Exactly. Whatever happens, happens. Dundalk can control their own destiny, they shouldn't be worrying about the others.

[WoodquayBoy]

It would be the shortest marriage in history if I told her we were off to Tolka for the Honeymoon. Sure we'll 'see shels' a plenty soon, when we both said 'I Do' and become partners for life!
Heartiest congrats on the nuptials.

[JayC90]

im really curious how Kosovo changes things. Does it drag NIRL down with them or give someone a bye into the QR2....?

It won't change things from Dundalk's point of view (assuming they win the league) as every club from Kosovo will have a co-efficient of 0.000 and therefore be below Dundalk. It just means there will be 10 teams in the First Qualifying Round next season, as opposed to 8 this season.


Exactly. Whatever happens, happens. Dundalk can control their own destiny, they shouldn't be worrying about the others.

Sure, they'll have no direct influence on those results, but that doesn't mean there aren't results in the matches involving Maccabi and AZ that are objectively beneficial to Dundalk and that they can hope for. The whole concept of group football ensures that other teams' performances against each other come into play.

It should be noted that Dundalk are ahead of both AZ (by virtue of goals scored away from home) and Maccabi (due to beating them) in the head-to-head rankings which come into play when they're level on points. Assuming Zenit go on and win their remaining matches, which is by no means a certainty, I feel 2 draws between AZ and Maccabi would be ideal. It would leave AZ on 3 points and Maccabi on 2 points. Means that even if AZ beat Dundalk in Game 5, Dundalk won't be eliminated and will have to beat Maccabi, but Maccabi will be eliminated so they may take their foot off the gas in the final game (not that it looked like they had it on in the last game!).

Failing that, I think a win for AZ v Maccabi and a draw between them in the second game would be best. It would leave AZ a point ahead of Dundalk before they come to Dublin with Zenit still to play, and Maccabi again already eliminated by the final match. Of course, Zenit could well start to relax as well in the last game or two if already assured of first place handing 'easier' points to AZ and Maccabi.

[pineapple stu]

Is it next year the whole CL qualifying structure is changing though?

That'll change things a fair bit.

[Philosophizer]

Interesting interview with Ronan Finn on Dundalk FM. Each Dundalk player gets an individualised DVD and dossier of the opposition and of the tactical approach they and the team will employ. Finn said it's like being back in university. I wasn't aware of the extent of the preparation that goes into these games.
A friend of a friend is on MON's staff and told me that for Dundalk's European games MONs analysts have been brought in free of charge and done tonnes of opposition scouting and analysis for dubdalk. They would have been the ones who provided Dundalk with the DVDs etc.

[El-Pietro]

I'm not sure the point your trying to make is valid. Dundalk have now played 8 Euro games this season, granted 2 are group matches but I think the record of P8 W2 L2 D4 would have to be a accepted as one of the better Irish performance, of recent times.

Also this included wins v BATE and thurs night v a top Israeli side, not to mention away draws against the Polish and Icelandic champions and a top 4 Dutch side.

Edit: fixed about Macabi comment, forgot they didn't win the Israeli league.

Shelbourne were an excellent side back in 2004, there is no doubt about that, but probably their stand out euro win was 3-2 at home to Hajduk Split, possibly after beating Glentoran?
Is it much better than our record of 2 wins 2 draws and 2 losses from our 6 games this summer?

It's the performances that stand out.

[White Horse]

Is it much better than our record of 2 wins 2 draws and 2 losses from our 6 games this summer?

It's the performances that stand out.

I agree that the performances are the stand out feature.

By the way, I don't subscribe to comparing teams who played in different eras.

The most successful team in Europe remains Jim McLaughlin's Dundalk who went so close to meeting Real Madrid in the quarter final of the European Cup.

However, I remember that team and they were nowhere near the level of this Dundalk side.

[El-Pietro]

Edit: Sort of wrong thread

I'll leave the Euro stuff.

The result also pretty much finalises the European Qualifiers (though the CL spot is still to be decided). Sligo are 11 points back with a game in hand. 11 points in 5 games is nigh on impossible to make up.

[seand]

For the week that's in it, I've decided to take a look at the likelihood of Dundalk being seeded in the Champions League Second Qualifying Round next season if they go on and win the league, or what they need to do in the remaining Europa League matches to ensure they're seeded. Obviously quite early to analyse it fully and there are a lot of different permutations, but will be something to keep an eye on over the coming weeks as some of the other summer leagues finish up.

To be seeded, they will need 22 teams with a lower co-efficient than themselves to qualify for next season's Champions League (assuming Kosovan clubs meet the UEFA licensing criteria as expected). I've listed the lowest ranking leagues in order below, and included all the clubs (if any) in those leagues that have a higher co-efficient than Dundalk. Dundalk's current co-efficient is 5.815. Another draw will give them 6.865 and another win will give them 7.915. I've included the other summer season leagues whose champions have been or will be decided soon at the bottom.


Kosovo - None
San Marino - None
Andorra - None
Gibraltar - None
Faroe Island - None
Wales - None
Malta - None
Lithuania (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_A_Lyga#Championship_round_table) - Zalgiris 5.825
Northern Ireland - None
Luxembourg - None
Armenia - None
Montenegro - None
Estonia - None
Macedonia - None
Latvia - None
Georgia - None
Bosnia - None
Albania (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Albanian_Superliga#League_table) - Skenderbeu Korce 6.800
Finland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Veikkausliiga#League_table) - HJK Helsinki 10.530. HJK in 1st place by 2 points ahead of IFK Mariehamn (2.030) with 3 matches to play.
Iceland - FH 6.175 already champions
Moldova (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Moldovan_National_Division#League_ table) - Sheriff Tiraspol 11.150
Hungary (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Nemzeti_Bajnoks%C3%A1g_I#League_ta ble) - Videoton 8.650, Debrecen 6.900
Slovakia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Slovak_First_Football_League#Leagu e_table) - Slovan Bratislava 7.350, Trencin 6.850, Spartak Trnava 6.850, MSK Zilina 5.850
Slovenia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Slovenian_PrvaLiga#League_table) - Maribor 21.125
Kazakhstan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Kazakhstan_Premier_League#Championship_round) - Astana 14.650, Aktobe 7.400, Shaktyor Karagandy 6.900. Astana in 1st place by 4 points ahead of Kairat (5.400) with 5 matches to play.
Bulgaria (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_First_Professional_Football_League _(Bulgaria)#Regular_season) - Ludogorets Razgrad 31.025
Serbia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Serbian_SuperLiga#Regular_season) - Partizan Belgrade 16.075, Vojvodina 9.075, Red Star Belgrade 7.325
Azerbaijan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Azerbaijan_Premier_League#League_t able) - Qarabag 14.850, Neftchi 9.600, Qabala 7.600, Inter Baku 5.850
Cyprus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Cypriot_First_Division#Regular_sea son) - APOEL 19.910, Apollon Limassol 10.410, Omonia 7.910, AEL Limassol 7.910, AEK Larnaca 5.910
Israel (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_Israeli_Premier_League#Regular_sea son) - Maccabi Tel Aviv 19.975, Maccabi Haifa 7.975, Hapoel Tel Aviv 7.975, Hapoel Beer Sheva 7.475, Hapoel Kiryat Shmona 7.475



Norway - Rosenborg 12.665 already champions
Sweden (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Allsvenskan#League_table) - Malmo 16.945, Elfsborg 10.445, AIK 9.945, Gothenburg 7.945, Helsingborg 6.945. Malmo in 1st place by 1 point ahead of IFK Norkopping (4.945) with 6 games left.
Belarus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Belarusian_Premier_League#League_table) - BATE 29.475, Dinamo Minsk 10.975, Shakhtyor Saligorsk 7.475. BATE in 1st place by 15 points with 7 matches to play.


That means at this point there are 16 teams guaranteed to be below them. Another draw in the Europa League would bring that up to 19 guaranteed, and a win up to 20. In addition to this, the Finnish, Swedish and Slovakian Leagues look the most promising at this early stage to be won by clubs with a lower co-efficient, and there's always a chance of a wildcard from the higher-ranked leagues.

It seems very likely that if Dundalk don't claim any further Europa League results they will miss out on seeding, and while another win won't even guarantee seeding I think it makes it fairly probable.

If Cork win the league of course, then I've just wasted an hour of my Friday night...

Great post, thanks. I presume you're ignoring Austria, Croatia and Poland as it's a safe bet they'll be seeded? Has to be noted that clubs from any league still active in Europe still have the chance to bump up their coefficient (like Dundalk). It does look like we'd need another point or two though.

[osarusan]

Dundalk don't care how Alkmaar or Maccabi do against each other. That is out of our control

It being out of your control doesn't mean you don't care though, surely?

You think Dundalk have no preference over the sides drawing with each other twice, or one side beating the other twice?

[Yossarian]

It being out of your control doesn't mean you don't care though, surely?

You think Dundalk have no preference over the sides drawing with each other twice, or one side beating the other twice?

I care, and I would like two draws if you don't mind. Ta.

[geysir]

adding to your analysis is Bert's seeding for this year where Dundalk's current seeding would have seen them seeded just below dinamo tblisi... obviously things are different evey year and Bert's site doesnt show seedings for previous years to get an average...interestingly theres a jump from the 5.8 to 7 and then to 10...

http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/seedcl2016.html
You get an idea of the seeding coeff in the 2nd qual draw from the relevant season's CL qual wiki page. In this season's draw (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016%E2%80%9317_UEFA_Champions_League_qualifying_p hase_and_play-off_round) the seeding cut off coeff. was 5.400.
In 2014/15 the seeding cut off coeff was similar
With another draw probably Dundalk will be home and dry inside seeding territory for the 2nd round draw, should they be the LOI title holders.

[geysir]

I assume they've lowered their standards then because they didn't spunk a couple of hundred grand or whatever it was on a temporary stand out of solidarity with the construction industry.
It's also possible that SR did not make an adequate appeal but just assumed they had to follow the orders.
That was 2011/12 season.
Pats moved their 3rd rd 2nd leg EL qual to Tallaght.
KR played their 3rd rd 1st leg EL qual at home, only 1400 seats, less than Richmond Pk.
It's possible (unlikely though) that dispensation from the standard was granted by Uefa on a random basis in 2011, but surely someone at Pats would have seen that KR had already received dispensation and asked why not us, why can't we play at home?

[White Horse]

No tickets available on Ticketmaster all day.

In addition, another protest planned for Tallaght Stadium on Thursday.

http://irishsyriasolidaritymovement.org/urgent-message-from-ireland-to-putin-via-fc-zenit-in-tallaght-stadium-6pm-on-thursday-20th-october/

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cuy3DnZWIAAy9oX.jpg

[Yossarian]

In addition, another protest planned for Tallaght Stadium on Thursday.

http://irishsyriasolidaritymovement.org/urgent-message-from-ireland-to-putin-via-fc-zenit-in-tallaght-stadium-6pm-on-thursday-20th-october/

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cuy3DnZWIAAy9oX.jpg

Ah here. I'm beginning to feel it's us and not them! Can't wait to see who's going to protest at the AZ game.

I've no doubt though that it will be the exact same protesters outside the ground on Thursday that were there before the Maccabi game.

[ger121]

Ah here. I'm beginning to feel it's us and not them! Can't wait to see who's going to protest at the AZ game

It will be the legalise weed crowd of course!

[MeathDrog]

It will be the legalise weed crowd of course!
William of Orange has had an easy time of it lately. Well overdue a protest.

[nigel-harps1954]

It will be the legalise weed crowd of course!

Likely will be too stoned to turn up.