LOI in Europe 2022

[ger121]

Pats will be disappointed,Mura were pretty s***e tbh….

Not watching it but following it online it seems Pat’s by far had the better of the game. Is that accurate?

[joey B]

Not watching it but following it online it seems Pat’s by far had the better of the game. Is that accurate?

Pats were the better side,Mura's goal came from from a clanger aswell....

[pineapple stu]

So Sligo's last three results are to lose to Bala at home, lose to UCD at home, and beat Motherwell away.

I dunno.

[CorribsideSteve]

WHAT a result for Sligo. Motherwell were pretty average to be honest, but Sligo were day and night better than the Bala game, and it showed. Should have won 2-0 really, and can feel quietly confident about the home tie, although Motherwell will surely play better also.

[ger121]

Well done Sligo. Hope they can finish it off in the 2nd leg. From what people are posting, Pat’s might fancy their chances in the return fixture.

[Nesta99]

So Sligo's last three results are to lose to Bala at home, lose to UCD at home, and beat Motherwell away.

I dunno.

Its a nice change from scratching heads about how it was managed to lose a European game expected to win. One of the bigger home crowds in Fir Park only to lose and it could have been worse if not for the denied peno. Looked a good number of Sligo fans over. There is little as satisfying as when a home crowd starts to boo their own side in Europe against an Irish side!

[D24Saint]

Happy with the performance overall. I’m delighted we showed up for the occasion. I think we should have shaved it and won the game. They are very solid if unspectacular a by the numbers side , were we have moments of individual brilliance and eccentricities that cause us problems. It should be a decent game next week.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Played very well in the second half. Lot more controlled rather then just launching it straight back to them. Looked a stonewall penalty. Luke McNicholas had a very good game but can’t say Im overly surprised as he’s always looked very good.

Still wouldn’t put any money on us getting through!

Great goal by Forrestor

[CraftyToePoke]

It'd be great if the Sligo home leg was the RTÉ game next week instead. Got a real chance of a scalp recognised by the casual followers. Well done both tonight & nice to see the ex Limerick academy lads doing well.

[Nesta99]

Played very well in the second half. Lot more controlled rather then just launching it straight back to them. Looked a stonewall penalty. Luke McNicholas had a very good game but can’t say Im overly surprised as he’s always looked very good.

Still wouldn’t put any money on us getting through!

Great goal by Forrestor

Thats for next week, revel in the win tonight! If SuperGretna is still about he can console those in Fir Park tonight that at least it was only a 1nill loss!

[outspoken]

Pat's played all the football tonight. Cotter, O'Reilly and Forrester fantastic. Disappointed they didn't win it and hope it doesn't cost them next week. For all their dominance they probably didn't work the opposition keeper enough

[Candystripe]

Thats for next week, revel in the win tonight! If SuperGretna is still about he can console those in Fir Park tonight that at least it was only a 1nill loss!

Fir park is a happy place for LOI teams. That's 2 games there, two victories 5-1 Derry city v Dream team Gretna and now Sligo rovers beating Motherwell 1-0. Well done Sligo.

[D24Saint]

Pat's played all the football tonight. Cotter, O'Reilly and Forrester fantastic. Disappointed they didn't win it and hope it doesn't cost them next week. For all their dominance they probably didn't work the opposition keeper enough

All to play for next week. It’s like a one off cup tie , anything can happen. I’ll be a lot happier travelling after that performance than I thought I’d be when the draw was made. The heat won’t suit either side next week as it’s due to be 29c.

[yurt]

Pat's looked really good, shame about the manner in which they conceded, the red card too, both so unnecessary. Mark Doyle's directness caused Mura loads of issues.

Mura will be delighted to get out of dodge with a draw, Pat's have nothing to fear at the same time. Should be able to nick a goal over there, just depends on how they defend.

Fair play to Sligo for pulling this one out of the bag. Would be some achievement to see it out at home.

The 0.375 co-efficient points gained this evening has changed the complexion of the LOI campaign so far. While still unlikely, there's now a semi-realistic chance of 3 Irish teams playing European football in August for the second year in a row.

[TonyD]

Happy with the performance overall. I’m delighted we showed up for the occasion. I think we should have shaved it and won the game. They are very solid if unspectacular a by the numbers side , were we have moments of individual brilliance and eccentricities that cause us problems. It should be a decent game next week.

We really should have won. Awful, awful goal to give away, and we just weren’t +linical enough at the other end. If they don’t improve at home then we’re not out of it. Can’t help thinking it’s one that got away though. When you’re the better side you have to make it count.

Just a word on Barry Cotter. Super debut. If he keeps that up he’ll be a great signing.

[pineapple stu]

The 0.375 co-efficient points gained this evening has changed the complexion of the LOI campaign so far.
Yep - we've gone from joint 43rd to just 43rd :)

Both sides probably still second favourites next week But it's really nice to know the league isn't completely incompetent. And even better to see that UCD are better than Motherwell!

[D24Saint]

We really should have won. Awful, awful goal to give away, and we just weren’t +linical enough at the other end. If they don’t improve at home then we’re not out of it. Can’t help thinking it’s one that got away though. When you’re the better side you have to make it count.

Just a word on Barry Cotter. Super debut. If he keeps that up he’ll be a great signing.

Yeah Cotter was fantastic, cheers Bradser.

[ger121]

Yep - we've gone from joint 43rd to just 43rd :)

Both sides probably still second favourites next week But it's really nice to know the league isn't completely incompetent. And even better to see that UCD are better than Motherwell!

Both ties very much alive after the 2 games and we would have gladly taken that before KO tonight.

[nigel-harps1954]

A couple more unlikely wins for Pats and Sligo, and Rovers progressing to Conference group stages could actually see the league jump up into mid-30's in the coefficient tables.

[pineapple stu]

Both ties very much alive after the 2 games and we would have gladly taken that before KO tonight.
Absolutely. You'd kind of have been hoping Pat's could get a result at home, but the Sligo result is left-field entirely. So yeah, while I think both are still odds against to go through, that is another way of saying both ties are very much alive

[Longfordian]

Aidan Keena has been a great signing thus far. Whichever League One team ends up with him will be doing well.

[joey B]

Sligo did good work getting Keena on a long term deal,don’t think he’ll be long in this league and they should be getting a far healthier fee than what has been going recently…

[Jack B]

If you offered me 1-1 before the game I probably would have taken it but I'm awfully disappointed after the fact. Great performance from the lads but it feels like so often this season we just about manage to turn big showings into results. Doesn't feel like there's much to be afraid of with Mura anyway so still all to play for at least.

[Nesta99]

Mura and Motherwell now know they are playing no mugs and will have the bit between the teeth. If Sligo and Pats can frustrate them for the first 45, they will leave gaps to get in front and thats where they can be hurt. Composure in defence and keeping shape early and later hit on the break. You'd expect Motherwell to improve as they will feel this loss, but by how much more if Sligo set up well.

[Longfordian]

Ah Chris Forrester, the final finish letting him down. What a goal that would have been.

https://twitter.com/stpatsfc/status/1550248749712252928?t=EanXQkEzR3cpd-uFwYNbSA&s=19

[redarmyfaction]

Not only a peno but a straight red too.

[EatYerGreens]

I'm stunned (in a good way) but that Sligo result, but Motherwell were poor. Sligo should really have had one or 2 more gaols - the Mata one one late on where he mis-kicked it in the box (?) and the Motherwell handball in the box which should definitely have been a penalty. I think Motherwell suffered frm it still being pre-season I expect them to come out all guns blazing next week and probably have too much for Sligo, but a great result none-the-less.

[ontheotherhand]

We really should have won. Awful, awful goal to give away, and we just weren’t +linical enough at the other end. If they don’t improve at home then we’re not out of it. Can’t help thinking it’s one that got away though. When you’re the better side you have to make it count.

Just a word on Barry Cotter. Super debut. If he keeps that up he’ll be a great signing.

There's a player there for sure Tony but he was absolutely superb in his first games for us as well. Finished the season looking like he would be in the first 3-4 names on the team sheet and made me forget all about Scales. This season he's struggled a bit. Good to see him doing well so far. Hope he keeps it up. Against everyone else of course.

[legendz]

A couple more unlikely wins for Pats and Sligo, and Rovers progressing to Conference group stages could actually see the league jump up into mid-30's in the coefficient tables.
The league's champion should be confident of making the group stages. Getting 2 clubs into the group stages in the same year will be a great achievement. Is it more likely to be Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk some year as opposed to Shamrock Rovers and any other club?

[outspoken]

A couple more unlikely wins for Pats and Sligo, and Rovers progressing to Conference group stages could actually see the league jump up into mid-30's in the coefficient tables.

FAI can take credit for creating the atmosphere then

[Nesta99]

Sensible and logical thinking!

[joey B]

Sligo game on LOITV next week,Premier sports only showing it on their UK channel….

[Yossarian]

The league's champion should be confident of making the group stages. Getting 2 clubs into the group stages in the same year will be a great achievement. Is it more likely to be Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk some year as opposed to Shamrock Rovers and any other club?

I don’t think it’s a realistic possibility of having two teams in the groups in the same year. The champions have the most realistic chance as they will be grouped with other losing champions each time they drop to a lower competition. These opponents will naturally be a lower quality.
The teams going directly into the Conference League would have to get four unbelievably favourable draws to have any chance. When you get into the third round and play off round you start coming up against the lower placed teams of the strongest leagues.

[joey B]

2 stands at Tallaght sold out for next week,good to see considering the first leg result…

[PartySaint]

How good must Rovers be if they can loan out Barry Cotter? He was superb last night.

A bit disappointed to only come out of that with a draw as they were no great shakes but I expect them to be a different side at home next week. I'd imagine Tunde will get more game time over there and Serge + Billy King will feature to try hit them on the break with a bit of pace.

[sbgawa]

How good must Rovers be if they can loan out Barry Cotter? He was superb last night.

A bit disappointed to only come out of that with a draw as they were no great shakes but I expect them to be a different side at home next week. I'd imagine Tunde will get more game time over there and Serge + Billy King will feature to try hit them on the break with a bit of pace.

I thought he was a super player tbh and is a big attacking threat.
His problem is he has spectacular brain farts as well, i can remember two goals where he literally passed the ball under very little pressure directly to the opposition on the edge of the box leading to goals (one against Sligo in Tallaght i am pretty sure was one of them). He never got a run of games so maybe that's unfair.
Hope he does well for you against Derry and Dundalk :) i assume he wont be able to play against us?

[joey B]

Cotter physically looks a step above our league but I’d say he’s a player that could drive you mad aswell,always wants an extra touch and doesn’t always play the obvious pass,great last night though and should have scored after about 50 seconds!

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

I thought he was a super player tbh and is a big attacking threat.
His problem is he has spectacular brain farts as well, i can remember two goals where he literally passed the ball under very little pressure directly to the opposition on the edge of the box leading to goals (one against Sligo in Tallaght i am pretty sure was one of them). He never got a run of games so maybe that's unfair.
Hope he does well for you against Derry and Dundalk :) i assume he wont be able to play against us?

Funny you should say that as have always seen people saying he’s been very good but was always pretty poor against us

[EatYerGreens]

FAI can take credit for creating the atmosphere then

They really are the oxygen tank of Irish football.

[paul_oshea]

I hope all the travel wasn't the reason for how poor mura looked last night but they didn't get it easier today flying out of knock

[TonyD]

Cotter physically looks a step above our league but I’d say he’s a player that could drive you mad aswell,always wants an extra touch and doesn’t always play the obvious pass,great last night though and should have scored after about 50 seconds!

Yeah, he looks strong and athletic, as well as good on the ball. Looks like he will offer us a good deal more going forward than our previous options. Is his contract at Rovers up at the end of the season, anyone know ?

[D24Saint]

(1) EUROPEAN FOOTBALL RETURNS TO SCOTLAND! Motherwell 0-1 Sligo Rovers, Europa Conference League - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBI46yRRfoo)

That football blogger lad was at the game the other night. Good god that looks a grim part of the world.

[TonyD]

(1) EUROPEAN FOOTBALL RETURNS TO SCOTLAND! Motherwell 0-1 Sligo Rovers, Europa Conference League - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBI46yRRfoo)

That football blogger lad was at the game the other night. Good god that looks a grim part of the world.

Yeah watched that. He has some great videos of Irish grounds recently uploaded. Terrible that he had to leave the game early because he feared for his safety. The predictions of the Motherwell fans pre game were great to watch too. 😀

[Nesta99]

(1) EUROPEAN FOOTBALL RETURNS TO SCOTLAND! Motherwell 0-1 Sligo Rovers, Europa Conference League - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBI46yRRfoo)

That football blogger lad was at the game the other night. Good god that looks a grim part of the world.

Bit harsh Sligo would be lovely if it ever stopped raining!

Heard it all now, an element of football fans that are anti youtube/football vlogger?! Those same fans will be anti whatever can get them a row. I'd have been a bit bothered myself heading to a game and see someone with a balaclava and dark glasses on!

[SPXcyan]

It was some **** in the Motherwell ranks during the build up, during their march to the stadium, very dodgy people were part of it and Sam (the vlogger) was threatened during that march which lead him to fearing for his safety in the end, a shame as he's doing a very good job covering a wide range of clubs around GB and Ireland.

[Nesta99]

Fair play to him for continuing at all after the threats and for holding back when giving his reasons for leaving early. Recognition I suppose that not all fans should be tarred with the same brush. If Motherwell had been winning would the same have happened regardless like Is their a particular root to what issue these dirtbags have or is it simply being adverse to their mugs being on any camera.

[CorribsideSteve]

In 2014, Sligo found themselves 3-1 up on aggregate at home to Rosenborg, after coming away with a 2-1 win, and two vital away goals, the week before. One of the great Euro wins for an Irish side, and an unbelievable chance/advantage to pull off quite a scalp. And then reality happened. Rosenborg had to score three goals, and they did. I hope that's been transmitted to the players as something to avoid, (different squad of course, but still something to learn), but that's my fear for what Motherwell will do, and they're in a much better position than Rosenborg were with away goals being removed.

[pineapple stu]

Technically aren't they in a weaker position without the away goals?

A 2-1 or 3-2 win for Motherwell would have seem them through before; now it'd go to extra time. But there's no upside to balance that out.

I agree overall though - Motherwell have had some bad results in Europe before but have bounced back (usually at home). Will their kick up the arse overcome Sligo's burst of self-belief?

[nigel-harps1954]

You'd just hope Sligo don't sit back and try to soak up pressure for 90 minutes. Recipe for disaster if they do.

[D24Saint]

I’d have my concerns about the abolition of the away goal rule. It suits us this time. In the old days a 1–1 last Thursday would have is chasing the game next week. Now we are as much in the tie as them and can set our game plan accordingly.