LOI in Europe 2022

[Big Ears]

Well ok, but given ye can now lose away from home and lose twice more and still make the groups, that's about as straightforward as it's going to get.

*Unless the first game is lost by more than a goal and they don't win a shootout if it's by 2.

Which changes the scenario dramatically.

[ToberonaTornado]

Pats still in Bucharest so their game on Sunday will be p-p
Will be interesting to see what the FAI and league committee make of it all.

[Shinkicker]

Pats still in Bucharest so their game on Sunday will be p-p
Will be interesting to see what the FAI and league committee make of it all.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0805/1314240-shels-st-pats-postponed-as-saints-stranded-in-bulgaria/
Just can't understand this. I think they're giving the lads a wee break. In 1969 they got a man to the moon and in 2022 Pats can't get back from Bulgaria.

[pineapple stu]

Unable to secure a charter flight home?

Are they only finding this out now? That's very weird

[Shinkicker]

Unable to secure a charter flight home?

Are they only finding this out now? That's very weird that's what I was thinking, either total gob****es or carefully planned hmmmm I wonder??

[patsdad]

In both the previous round and this one, Pats have had huge difficulties with charters being committed and then being cancelled. The same staffing issues that are screwing up the airlines and airports are playing havoc with charters too. But UEFA regulations currently require teams to use charters.

[total hoofball]

I don't know if Shels think the charter cancellation is legitimate or suspicious, either way there is no justifiable reason for the FAI to postpone the game, it should have been moved to Monday night if Pats are due to arrive Sunday morning, that would have still left Pats with 72 hours before their home game on Thursday night. Pats' problem shouldn't have been made to become Shels' problem

[sbgawa]

Pats will lose the points no question I reckon.

[EatYerGreens]

Pats still in Bucharest so their game on Sunday will be p-p
Will be interesting to see what the FAI and league committee make of it all.

Presumably this is the Macedonians getting their revenge - just on the wrong club

[EatYerGreens]

Unable to secure a charter flight home?

Are they only finding this out now? That's very weird

Someone in the office failed to switch from 'single' to 'return' on the booking webpage ?

[ToberonaTornado]

Presumably this is the Macedonians getting their revenge - just on the wrong club


lol
thought I got away with that one...

[Nesta99]

Pats will lose the points no question I reckon.

Is there enough ambiguity in the rules to allow the game be postponed over travel issues or will the FAIs hands be tied and just have to implement the rules? It could boil down to what Shels want to happen - if they agree to a request from St Pats for a postponement then it'd be straight forward enough, but if they insist on the fixture being fulfilled it could be messy. The FAI could be begging Shels to make life easy. It will also be down to St Pats to prove that things really were beyond their control ie a last minute cancellation, if they hadnt a charter secured in advance the issue would be not letting the FAI know that there were problems. Other clubs could make some noise if things are being fudged too. It's a good point on the UEFA rules above, it does seem to indicate that its only the outbound trip that must be a charter, though there may have been issues booking scheduled flights with short notice regardless. The tone of the FAI statement is that its not a banker that St Pats will be granted a refixture, though I dont think it would be right to give Shels a walkover unless there is some messing going on. St Pats legal bills could be mounting up a tad!

Been a while since we had one of these * appeared on the league table.

[sbgawa]

Charters operate on the basis of contracts and almost NEVER break them as they are liable for all the costs and damages suffered by the people they let down.
I suspect Pats travelled on the basis that they accepted a "95% should be fine scenerio" abd then were let down.
If thats what happened its irresponsible.
Every other team managed to secure transport.
Its called professionalisim

[Martinho II]

Considering thats its against CSKA Sofia I wonder was it a rogue travel agent who didnt deliver as promised? Brings back sad memories 21 yrs ago or so the time a lot of us were stuck in Dublin Airport for 12 hrs for a flight to Bulgaria that never left as promised?

[pateen]

Going to cost the club a fortune in hotel bills as well

[Philosophizer]

It's Bulgaria so luckily it's one of the cheaper countries in Europe. Imagine if that was Sligo stuck in Norway it would really break the bank.

[joey B]

They’re lucky they aren’t stuck in Ireland,club would be bankrupt!!!

[pineapple stu]

Wiki saying Shamrock Rovers are confirmed for the UEFA Youth League (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022%E2%80%9323_UEFA_Youth_League). Draw is on 30th August, with the first round games on 14th September and 5th October.

[D24Saint]

Charters operate on the basis of contracts and almost NEVER break them as they are liable for all the costs and damages suffered by the people they let down.
I suspect Pats travelled on the basis that they accepted a "95% should be fine scenerio" abd then were let down.
If thats what happened its irresponsible.
Every other team managed to secure transport.
Its called professionalisim

Rubbish talk.

[sbgawa]

Which part?
That charters operate on contracts or that Pats travelled without arrangements made?

[placid casual]

Did pats arrive back on commercial flights yesterday? If so why didn't they do that earlier in the week, or was there just no availability?
Air travel is chaotic at the moment for all
Having said all that, Rovers arrived safe and sound in Skopje yesterday so I guess it does depend on the area your going to.

[D24Saint]

All this was arranged very last minute on Friday in Slovenia for a trip the following Wednesday. We just about got a flight from Knock out to Bulgaria with Joe Walsh. In such a short time frame getting out was first priority as not showing up to a UEFA game carries huge ramifications. AFAIK we were given assurances for the way home that failed to materialise. Look at the trouble clubs have had this year, didn't Rovers have to travel from Shannon on a turbo prop. Look at the vitriol the Macedonians are going on with.

Shamrock Rovers' opponents FC Shkupi promise to respond to 'evil done to them' after flight chaos in Ireland - Irish Mirror Online (https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/shamrock-rovers-opponents-fc-shkupi-27658351)

[sbgawa]

i genuinely have no axe to grind with Pats here.
Shels are only marginally behind Bohs on my list of teams i dont like so i wouldnt be wanting them to get the points, but i think the FAI will give them the points.

Travel problems are well known but every other team in Europe managed to get sorted so the blame has to lie with Pats organisation. 100% its not easy but its part and parcel of being in Europe.
Also its nonsense that they couldnt have got home earlier by comercial flights conecting through London or somewhere else even if they only started looking when the charter fell through. There is always conections to get home so there was an element of "must try harder" which probably got on Dhels wick

[nigel-harps1954]

Are Pats not using the south stand in Tallaght this week?

They're not selling tickets for it currently anyway.

[2 Year Contract]

Are Pats not using the south stand in Tallaght this week?

They're not selling tickets for it currently anyway.

Theyve been told (presumably by Gardai or Uefa) that the 6000 seats in the main stand and east stand have to be sold before the south stand can be used. Currently the main stand is sold out and less than 500 are left for the east stand so I’d imagine the south stand will open soon enough

[DCSIL]

So the paper that Sponsors Rovers (The Star) have a story that their game in the Brandy might be postponed.

We’ll see. Derry want to play it on Friday.

[pateen]

So have Pats actually made it home yet?

[brendy_éire]

So the paper that Sponsors Rovers (The Star) have a story that their game in the Brandy might be postponed.

We’ll see. Derry want to play it on Friday.

I think they're entitled to a postponement if they go through, as they'd have two European away fixtures back-to-back.

Much as I want the game to go ahead, I don't think I can begrudge them asking for it to be put back. We'll see, I suppose.

[Nesta99]

Theyve been told (presumably by Gardai or Uefa) that the 6000 seats in the main stand and east stand have to be sold before the south stand can be used. Currently the main stand is sold out and less than 500 are left for the east stand so I’d imagine the south stand will open soon enough


It makes sense to not add the cost of opening a stand thats not needed filling other areas first but what has it to do with Gardaí if they are being paid to cover whatever areas the club decides to have open whether there is 8 or 8000 people there, and what has it to do with UEFA for that matter? If the ground/stand meets criteria and a clubs decides to open it fully why would UEFA request otherwise, why insist on 8k+ seats as a cat 4 stadium and then request that a club open less than the 8k capacity. It makes a lot more sense that St Pats themselves are consolidating supporters in to the 2 large stands and if there happens to be demand they will open a third stand. Maybe it will be to house away fans and numbers are not yet known? Not that it matters really, I'm just curious as to why the 2 organisations are sticking their oars in. Tbh I wish this sort of thing happened at Dundalk games at times, be it in the Aviva or other grounds where fans were scattered about (by themselves) diluting potential atmosphere if they grouped together.

[2 Year Contract]

It makes sense to not add the cost of opening a stand thats not needed filling other areas first but what has it to do with Gardaí if they are being paid to cover whatever areas the club decides to have open whether there is 8 or 8000 people there, and what has it to do with UEFA for that matter? If the ground/stand meets criteria and a clubs decides to open it fully why would UEFA request otherwise, why insist on 8k+ seats as a cat 4 stadium and then request that a club open less than the 8k capacity. It makes a lot more sense that St Pats themselves are consolidating supporters in to the 2 large stands and if there happens to be demand they will open a third stand. Maybe it will be to house away fans and numbers are not yet known? Not that it matters really, I'm just curious as to why the 2 organisations are sticking their oars in. Tbh I wish this sort of thing happened at Dundalk games at times, be it in the Aviva or other grounds where fans were scattered about (by themselves) diluting potential atmosphere if they grouped together.

Ive no info that the Gardai or Uefa were involved in that decision, which is why I used the word presumably as it didn’t make much sense to me but it could’ve been down to stewarding costs as you mentioned. Away fans will be located in the main stand where away fans used to be until a couple of years ago. Anyways, as expected the South stand behind the goal is now open and tickets are available for it online as announced by pats

[D24Saint]

Are Pats not using the south stand in Tallaght this week?

They're not selling tickets for it currently anyway.

It’s open now , over 5000 tickets sold so far.

[pineapple stu]

Any news on TV coverage for this week's games?

Rovers playing tomorrow at 8pm I see - the only Europa League game on Tuesday. Sligo at 7pm on Thursday and Pat's at 7:45

[nigel-harps1954]

Sligo v Viking listed on LOITV but nothing else listed anywhere for this weeks games.

[joey B]

Apparently the North Macedonians are asking an extortionate price for access to the stream and its looking unlikely for a stream to be available,airportgate turns into streamgate!!!

[Nesta99]

It's such a bizarre thing that a football club thinks that another football club could dictate where a charter flight could fly to. Its not as if Ireland is big enough for there to be any travel issues for football clubs to get around either! Do they know nothing of the Ryanair model of flying in to the vaguely approximate vicinity of city destinations - should have just told them that Knock Airport was actually Dublin Knock! Works for Paris Vartry or London Oxford. That the DAA has stated that they received no request for a landing slot just adds to the odd behaviour of Skhupi - maybe they deserve the benefit of the doubt because of the current difficulties with charter flight availability!!

As for the stream, well its is something that UEFA could have jurisdiction over and tell them to cop on if the high cost is just due to pettiness! Ye just know that an Irish club will be drawn against them again next year.

If they are streaming for their own country/fans then surely it could be creatively shared by an opportunistic North Macedonian via a SRFC supporter and vpns.

[legendz]

As for the stream, well its is something that UEFA could have jurisdiction over and tell them to cop on if the high cost is just due to pettiness! Ye just know that an Irish club will be drawn against them again next year.
Virgin Media have the rights for the Europa League and Conference League and yet are not showing League of Ireland teams in the qualifying rounds.
Qualifiers should be included in the TV rights for when a club from that country is involved.

[LOI101]

Qualifiers aren't included in the rights. The home club owns them to do what they like with them.

[nigel-harps1954]

Virgin Media have the rights for the Europa League and Conference League and yet are not showing League of Ireland teams in the qualifying rounds.
Qualifiers should be included in the TV rights for when a club from that country is involved.

TV rights only kick in from playoff round.

[brendy_éire]

That the DAA has stated that they received no request for a landing slot just adds to the odd behaviour of Skhupi - maybe they deserve the benefit of the doubt because of the current difficulties with charter flight availability!!

Well played.

If it's on N Macedonian TV, there'll be a stream available on a dodgy site. Bit silly that Skhupi are pricing themselves out of a sale though.
Do they have to sell the rights for outside N Macedonia, or could they run it themselves, and charge what they like?

[CSAD]

Apparently the North Macedonians are asking an extortionate price for access to the stream and its looking unlikely for a stream to be available,airportgate turns into streamgate!!!

Shamrock Rovers need to avenge for the evil done to them and us as fans!

[LOI101]

RTE news now showing St Pats game according to radio

[sullanefc]

What happened to RTEs policy of sticking with the champions until they are out? 🤣

[2 Year Contract]

The Pats game is on Bulgarian TV so RTE seem to just be doing the same as they did with the away leg and will just use the feed from the Bulgarians and add their own commentary etc. which allowed them to get the game live on tv without the expense of the OB unit

[CorribsideSteve]

Huge night for Shamrock Rovers. Win and they've made the Conference, and have a completely free hit in the Europa League PO. Lose and they face the uncertainty of missing out on eveything by losing the Conference PO. That 3rd goal last week was crucial though. It's going to be a roasting hot evening in Skopje judging by the forecasts but shouldn't be all that different from when they were in Malta, and a similar scoreline would do just fine. Skhupi are better than Hibernians though, and when they woke up last week, they were a class above Rovers for 20 minutes or so, and they'd be capable of a spell like that again tonight too I feel. It'll be nervy but I think they'l just do enough.

[paul_oshea]

The Pats game is on Bulgarian TV so RTE seem to just be doing the same as they did with the away leg and will just use the feed from the Bulgarians and add their own commentary etc. which allowed them to get the game live on tv without the expense of the OB unit

Are they even out there when they do the commentating?

[paul_oshea]

Huge night for Shamrock Rovers. Win and they've made the Conference, and have a completely free hit in the Europa League PO. Lose and they face the uncertainty of missing out on eveything by losing the Conference PO. That 3rd goal last week was crucial though. It's going to be a roasting hot evening in Skopje judging by the forecasts but shouldn't be all that different from when they were in Malta, and a similar scoreline would do just fine. Skhupi are better than Hibernians though, and when they woke up last week, they were a class above Rovers for 20 minutes or so, and they'd be capable of a spell like that again tonight too I feel. It'll be nervy but I think they'l just do enough.

Assuming they do make it, I was sceptical but you can see progress and a plan that is bearing fruit. There's a consistency emerging, even as upheaval occurs within the squad either through injuries to key players or key players moving to the UK. Interestingly the rte article this morning stipulates Rovers(and Pats) need to play fearless which is exactly what ROvers have done in their last 2 games and look at what they have achieved. There's a genuine feeling of progression now and this being something that they could achieve every second year as they build up the co-effecs. There is a model there regardless of how much influence - financial or otherwise - Desmond does or doesn't have. A good ground, and a solid fan base. More appearances with more good results in Europe will shine a positive light on the LOI and not just SR, from that you can assume that transfers from outside of the UK could become a thing if infrequent. Which leads to the next question, Pats have been great this year and played some lovely football on their own terms, with some very assured performances from the CBs. The money no doubt will help them in the short term, but is Kelleher still involved? The move across the road didnt really materialise and have their plans/goals stagnated? ROvers(of the sligo kind) clearly stated that money gained from Europe would be set aside of their ground plans, which is great medium to longer term thinking. We all can see what happened at Dundalk with 5 years of great success. What for Pats though? What will a good run this year in Europe do for them in the short to medium term? I've always felt with LOI sides its a bit of wing and a prayer, one swallow doesnt make a summer but revel in the swallows appearance all the same.

[2 Year Contract]

Are they even out there when they do the commentating?

For the game in Bulgaria, no, that’d have been done remotely from Dublin.

In Tallaght I’m not sure, I’d say it depends on whether the Bulgarian TV channel bring over commentators or not. If the commentary bay is free then RTE could potentially use it, if not commentary will probably be from Donnybrook

[nigel-harps1954]

Presumably something SDCC or Rovers will have to facilitate in future, as a UEFA Cat 4 ground they'll need multiple commentary positions. You'd presume they'll be able to fit an RTÉ commentary team for this Pats game as well?

[D24Saint]

The Rovers game is on Albanian Supersport 2 tonight. I found it on my android box.

[patsdad]

Pats have been great this year and played some lovely football on their own terms, with some very assured performances from the CBs. The money no doubt will help them in the short term, but is Kelleher still involved? The move across the road didnt really materialise and have their plans/goals stagnated?

Kelleher is very much involved and has come up with an alternative plan for a new stadium in Inchicore. Crucially, while DCC and a majority of the local councillors killed the last plan, they are all on board with this one and the details are expected to be unveiled in the autumn.