League of Ireland in Europe 2019

[disgruntled]

Is there some rule I'm not aware of that bars us from getting a decent set of officials? Could have at least booked the whole apollon team the amount of diving and kicking there was going on from them. Nevermind the stamp on Bolger they got a free for, as for the Grace first yellow, your man 20 wasn't touched all day but spent more time on the floor than on his feet. Ref only gave them the red because his assistant told him to.

Agreed. I thought the referee was out of his depth & was going to lose control at several times during the game.
I was not surprised by the play acting from Apollon as it seems par for the course in Cyprus.
There were 9 yellow & 2 red cards most of which came about because of all the diving.
Irish clubs should know at this stage what to expect & shouldn't allow themselves to be drawn into it. Grace's first yellow was a perfect example of that. The ball was gone so Grace shouldn't have given the Apollon player a chance to do a dozen rollovers.
Easier said than done I know especially in the heat of the moment.

[seand]

Ireland's league drop down to 39, just ahead of Moldova and Luxembourg, just below illustrious Latvia and notably Albania and Macedonia have a higher league co efficient which was a surprise since we would usually expect to beat teams from there.
since the new QR round teams are able to pick up more points meaning a haul of 1.25 in a year wont be good enough over the 5 years...
case in point northern ireland would usually have a weak haul but this years 1.625 isnt due to some amazing heroics other than Linfield still being involved.

The move to EL2 in 2021 is going to render this redundant in the short-medium term (as long as we don't drop another 10 places), though obviously we want the LoI as high as possible in the rankings.

[Martinho II]

any reason that ronan finn went off lads?

[ger121]

any reason that ronan finn went off lads?

I wonder was it fatigue. I saw a photo of him from last night and he looked like he just stepped out of a shower with all his kit on.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

any reason that ronan finn went off lads?

He was ******ed, same with McEneff. O'Brien was carrying an injury from Cork

[sbgawa]

I get the impression he has been told to run himself into the ground every match these days as we have cover on the bench.
The shifts he put in against Brann and Appolon were immense

[bohsmug]

I'm in favour of compensation for clubs having home games fooked around with for the Euro teams. Does a move to midweek cost the home club €20k though?

No. But you're assisting another club in their quest for millions. So it would be up to the European club to decide if switching the match is worth it.

[White Horse]

I get the impression he has been told to run himself into the ground every match these days as we have cover on the bench.
The shifts he put in against Brann and Appolon were immense

You don't have cover for Finn on the bench. He is a natural at this level; passing movement, dictating play etc. He is a toroughbred and should not be instructed to run himself into the ground.

[joey B]

If Dundalk get past Slovan will the game against us on the 16th be postponed? The next Europa League round is the week after.....

[bennocelt]

Pairings for the draw out, if Dundalk win could they get Qarabağ again, can that be allowed to happen?

GROUP 2
Seeded (teams eliminated from the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round champions path)
Match 4: APOEL (CYP) / Qarabağ (AZE)
Match 5: PAOK (GRE) / Ajax (NED)
Match 6: Maribor (SVN) / Rosenborg (NOR)


Unseeded (UEFA Europa League third qualifying round champions path winners)
Winner match 6: Sutjeska (MNE) / Linfield (NIR)
Winner match 7: Ludogorets (BUL) / The New Saints (WAL)
Winner match 8: Sarajevo (BIH) / BATE Borisov (BLR)
Winner match 9: Astana (KAZ) / Valletta (MLT)
Winner match 10: Slovan Bratislava (SVK) / Dundalk (IRL)

[oriel]

It would seem crazy if we can draw Qarabag again, but I think Celtic got Rosenberg twice one season in recent times?

The actual draw is tomorrow, so won’t have long to wait, but Bratislava will be firm favs in this round for sure, we will need a huge improvement from some players to step up to this test. McEleney and Duffy were particularly poor last wed night.

Ps I still can’t work out how Linfield got drawn against a Faroes side in EL r2.

[Straightstory]

[QUOTE Ps I still can’t work out how Linfield got drawn against a Faroes side in EL r2.[/QUOTE]
Me neither.

[ger121]

It would seem crazy if we can draw Qarabag again, but I think Celtic got Rosenberg twice one season in recent times?

The actual draw is tomorrow, so won’t have long to wait, but Bratislava will be firm favs in this round for sure, we will need a huge improvement from some players to step up to this test. McEleney and Duffy were particularly poor last wed night.

Ps I still can’t work out how Linfield got drawn against a Faroes side in EL r2.

Out in CLQR1, so were seeded in ELQR2. However, if there are not an equal amount of seeded vs unseeded teams. Once the draw commences and there are no more unseeded teams left in the pot for each group, it becomes an open draw. Therefore they got Torshavn! Least that’s my understanding of it.

[DFCForever]

PAOK or Ajax for Dundalk if we manage to beat Slovan Bratislava, most likely PAOK. Very tough draw no doubt, but that's to be expected at this stage of the competition.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Loser of PAOK vs Ajax if Dundalk progress, not an easy one. PAOK fans are different level too if anyone remembers them from playing Rovers in the group stages

[sparky12345678]

Out in CLQR1, so where seeded in ELQR2. However, if there are not an equal amount of seeded vs unseeded teams. Once the draw commences and there are no more unseeded teams left in the pot for each group, it becomes an open draw. Therefore they got Torshavn! Least that’s my understanding of it.

Yep dundalk almost got the non seed this time... could have been BATE or Astana... in the end PAOK/ajax sre at least handier trips and high profile and a change from another bate game

[Nesta99]

Little luck this year drawing one of the top seeds in 2 from 3 groups.

[ger121]

Loser of PAOK vs Ajax if Dundalk progress, not an easy one. PAOK fans are different level too if anyone remembers them from playing Rovers in the group stages

Hard to call that one. Ajax can be brilliant but they have had their moments in the qualifiers.

[ger121]

On a side note. It is absolutely crazy that the League winners in the Eredivise have to qualify for the CL.

[paul_oshea]

Not a great draw. It all seems a bit deflating/disappointing this year.

[sparky12345678]

On a side note. It is absolutely crazy that the League winners in the Eredivise have to qualify for the CL.

Yea. Austria, it seems have taken theor place. Salzburg had a good year last year as did rapid wien and over the 5 uears have had overall better results, plus changes to the entrants at the group stage point. But yea still a surprise not to see them there. Reminds me of when celtic started dropping off at these points...

[EatYerGreens]

On a side note. It is absolutely crazy that the League winners in the Eredivise have to qualify for the CL.

I suspect we'll see more of this sort of thing to be honest.

The likes of Holland, Portugal, Scotland, Belgium etc are considered firmly in the second tier of European football. Any time a European Superior League gets mentioned it's always for the big 5 or 6 nations only, with those second tier nations hived off into an Atlantic League or similar.

European club football is continuing its very slow march towards a system of three tiers split along country lines, rather than split by individual club performance.

[oriel]

With the top 4 leagues auto making the CL group stage it meant an extra round this year in both CL and EL. Tough draw but thats the way it goes, besides I'd rate Dundalk no more than 40/60 to go through v Bratislava (60% their favour), all could change on Wed night whatever the result, hopefully its positive and we have a good chance in Tallaght to make the play off.

If we did make that, I can't see this being Ajax, even with losing players, although not so many (yet) as expected, they should be far too strong for PAOK. What a trip that would be in the party city / resort of Thessaloniki, would def go to that, be great to see that part of Northern Greece.

Just the 'small' hurdle of getting past Bratislava first, and any hopes of the play off round could be gone by 9 pm on Wed, lets hope not, they are no Qarabag but will still be favs to make the play off round.

PS: Linfield's luck ran out, they'll be up most likely v Qarabag (if they beat APOEL), should Linfield get past Sutjeska (Montenegro)

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Not just that they’re Dutch champions but also that they were seconds away from being in the final last season.

[seand]

Ps I still can’t work out how Linfield got drawn against a Faroes side in EL r2.

There's no seeding in the EL second qualifying round draw for CL first round losers (well, just there 3 preliminary round losers are unseeded, then the rest are all lumped in together)

[Real ale Madrid]

PS: Linfield's luck ran out, they'll be up most likely v Qarabag (if they beat APOEL), should Linfield get past Sutjeska (Montenegro)

Still though - if they beat the Montenegrians they will have banked almost €1.5m in prizemoney. Probably a record for a Irish league side. No mean feat in itself. You'd suspect that Sutjeska will have too much for them mind you.

[oriel]

Its huge money indeed for an Irish League club, I think they only pick up 50k for winning their league. Linfield are currently on €1.2M like Dundalk, and both will move to €1.5M if they get to the play off round.

Sutjeska beat Bratislava in CL r1 (on pens), then lost 4-0 on agg against Apoel Nicossia in CLr2, so almost identical record really to Dundalk (the 1-1 draw v Qarabag was the difference), I think they will still get past Linfield though.

Dundalk really need to score tomorrow night if there is to be a chance you'd think. Its still a big ask, but also a massive opportunity to make the play off. Will need everyone on top form.

[paul_oshea]

It's "only" an extra 300k for making the ELR4 though isn't it?

[oriel]

So i believe, if teams go out at EL r3 they end up with 1.2m, make the play off it goes to 1.5m in total.

The fun obviously starts at EL group stage, I think its 3m to kick off with, then 450k per win, 300k per draw, something like that, I recall reading Dundalk got an additonal 750k for their one win and one draw from the 2016 group. They also got a premium added for having lost the CL play off, obv not the case this year.

[Real ale Madrid]

Edit - you only get paid for the rounds you play in

Champions league participants who don't make the Play-off recieve an additional 260k

The 480k on offer for the 3rd Qualifying round is only for clubs eliminated from the champions path, since clubs eliminated from the league path qualify directly for the UEFA Europa League group stage and therefore benefit from its distribution system

2804

[EatYerGreens]

Euro Prizemoney. It seems if you go out of the Champions league at say QR2 you get the total cumulative inclusive of the Preliminary Round but that is not the case in the EL.

https://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=2804&stc=1

That base fee for making the Champions League group stages ! :eek:

[5yardpass]

I see the Irish League will be back to four teams in Europe from the 2021/22 season seemingly based on results from this season .. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/revealed-irish-league-has-already-won-back-lost-european-place-before-linfields-tie-against-sutjeska-38369111.html

[oriel]

Interersting to see the actual figs, thanks for posting. I think there is one item missing, for teams who start in CL and miss out on the play off, they also get an addtional 260K, hence Dundalk are on 280K + 380K (then 260K bonus added) = 920k, then 280k for EL r3 = 1.2M

That rises to 1.5M if they make it to play off. Some drop though for any team missing out even at EL play off stage, the diff between 1.5m and almost 3m.

The CL group stage 'hello fee' is just ridiculous, you can see now where likes fo BATE / Qarabag etc all got their funds for the new stadia / improvements. Any team would be happy to finish bottom of a CL group for that type of pay out. 2.7M for a play off win also is an eye opener.

[Real ale Madrid]

Interersting to see the actual figs, thanks for posting. I think there is one item missing, for teams who start in CL and miss out on the play off, they also get an addtional 260K, hence Dundalk are on 280K + 380K (then 260K bonus added) = 920k, then 280k for EL r3 = 1.2M



Ah - thanks - that makes more sense - so teams don't get Preliminary Round money if they don't particiapte in it.

[Real ale Madrid]

That base fee for making the Champions League group stages ! :eek:

Its mad - make the group stages - lose 4 games , get eliminated essentially , then win your last 2 dead rubbers - total €20.65 million.

[oriel]

Ah - thanks - that makes more sense - so teams don't get Preliminary Round money if they don't particiapte in it.

Exactly, you only get paid for rounds you play in, Cork had the same thing last season I think, but a round further, they got a bye (poss EL r2), but only got paid for the 2 rounds they played in, 1 CL, 1 EL.

[seand]

Exactly, you only get paid for rounds you play in, Cork had the same thing last season I think, but a round further, they got a bye (poss EL r2), but only got paid for the 2 rounds they played in, 1 CL, 1 EL.

Yeh, cork only got participation fee for the two rounds, but they got a free 0.5 coefficient points for progressing through the round.

[Nesta99]

Greeks just gone 2-1 up v Ajax. Interesting for when we dispatch Bratislava!! ;p

Huge banner on the status of the name 'Macedonia', be interesting also to see if UEFA bite on that!?

[ger121]

Qarabag 1 up away to APOEL after 70 mins.

Make that 2 nil. Maybe Dundalk not as bad as some presume.

[paul_oshea]

0-2 up now

[ger121]

APOEL pulled one back in the 95th minute but they are really up against it. Makes Dundalk’s result at home that bit more impressive.

[ger121]

Linfield holding their own in Montenegro. 1-1 there early in the 2nd half. These guys knocked out Slovan so I do think Dundalk have a chance tomorrow in Bratislava. They need to start finding the net better than they have to date. One goal in four matches is a poor return. Score draw would be an excellent result and not beyond Dundalk.

[TheBoss]

Huge banner on the status of the name 'Macedonia', be interesting also to see if UEFA bite on that!?

That banner has been there for years now, UEFA seem to do nothing about it.

[ger121]

2-1 now to the Blues!!

[bennocelt]

Qarabag 1 up away to APOEL after 70 mins.

Make that 2 nil. Maybe Dundalk not as bad as some presume.

I dont think many here thought Dundalk played particularly poor, they gave a good account of themselves considering the opposition, at least right upto the second goal they conceded. Competitive enough in both legs.

[patrickccfc]

Linfield in with a big chance of the play offs after that win tonight.

[ger121]

I dont think many here thought Dundalk played particularly poor, they gave a good account of themselves considering the opposition, at least right upto the second goal they conceded. Competitive enough in both legs.

To clarify, when I stated “not as bad as some presume” I was referring to general comments I’ve seen online based on the result last week. Mainly from those that may not know the League or European qualification rounds and the clubs involved as well as many posters on this site. I think a lot of us know that Dundalk are a better team than the 3-0 scoreline suggested but just met a superior side at this stage of the competition. We also know that while not favourites in the tie versus Slovan, that the level of opposition is not the same as Qarabag and if Dundalk can play to their potential over the 2 legs, than they are capable of going through.

[ger121]

Linfield in with a big chance of the play offs after that win tonight.


Yeah a massive win tonight. I did think they could get a draw but thought the heat might get to them late in the game, coupled with still being preseason. You’d think they should be even more match fit next week.

[joey B]

Hery's got player of the season in the bag already up there,raving about him they are, shame a player of his quality left the league

[Nesta99]

Its a great opportunity for Linfield now, also shows how important the draw is if favourable and progression to the play-off rounds is possible. It's utilising the spoils of getting that far to be less reliant on a couple of good draws out of the hat that is how we (and similar small leagues lik N.I) will improve, stating the obvious lol. Getting more than 1 club consistantly getting through a few rounds is where we need to be at, stating the obvious again.

Looking at results and performances in other games tonight puts things in a better context overall. Riga while drawing at home to HJK are in with a good shout of a play-off round as they were the better side so that tie is far from done; HJK themselves pushed Red Star beating them at home in the process. Riga knocking out the Polish champions. Linfield with the chance of play-off round currently leading Sutjeska after the away leg, Sutjeska putting Slovan out of CL. Apart from it being a shot in the arm for the Irish League its a reason for us to believe that Slovan are beatable however tenuous these links are.
Qarabag were by far the better side in Nicosia and while they were very much superior to us we were in the tie with 15 minutes to go. If's and buts are pointless...buuut Hoban's chance could have really affected the way that tie panned out. We wouldnt have had to change from playing it tight to go at them and leave ourselves so open. I think we were starting to play ourselves up a level but got sucker punched. People look at the 3-0 results and shrug with a load of negative assumptions without proper context - some people who should know better commenting in the media on that result being a disaster without considering things likee relative resources, CL pedigree of Qarabag etc! Similar to Rover's performances and that they could or should be still in the EL. It's results that count but unless a LoI fan the same type of negativity lingers there also without realising how Rovers pulled themselves from behind in Brann, and seriously rattled Apollon and were the better side. Progress is being made I feel even just on the level of hope that LoI fans have. It may not show dramatically in rankings but even considering that the changes to the competition formats that has made it practically a closed shop for small leagues but yet we are past the days of European games as a trip away on the beers and the football is a side event. I dont even think Joe 'Barstooler' Public realises that the likes of Espanyol, Wolves, Ajax, RedStar, Celtic and so on are kicking off at the same point as we are.

Anyway on the game this evening I feel its a big opportunity again for Dundalk (and by extension the League). The fear is of course always there that we will flatter to decieve but Slovan are a bit of a mess with chopping and changing managment. There isnt the issues of heat playing a big part. We will have played against European sides that sit in and attack at pace in the last 4 weeks so should be up to speed whichever way Slovan set up. We are still due that big performance both as a team and from individuals. Yes they have spent a couple of mil on players but going by media reports they are not a team in the way that there has been stability and continuity at Dundalk. We havent been lucky with injuries, with the loss of Benson a lot will depend on the likes of Murray's fitness holding out. Duffy and McEleney have to show what they are about and this would be a nice time for it. If Murray starts then I hope he is on set piece duty especially corners as Duffy has been poor in that area imo. Playing in a fancy new national stadium gives the sense of a real occasion for the players so hopefully the performance will be fitting for the surroundings!!

These are the rambles of a nervous fan that is daring to hope.....