LoI in Europe 2024

[Another Bohemia]

Well, they would have lost 12-0, so it's a silver lining for many of us. Spare a thought for the players that signed for Derry, drawn by the lure of playing in Europe, only to later find it all too difficult to get past the 1st round and one of the weakest teams on the whole continent.

Just watched the highlights of the game there. I think your assessment of magpies is spot on. I know looks can be deceiving but a few of their players looked a little rotund. Losing 2-0 to that side is embarrassing. Ill give Higgins credit on one thing though. He has built a team in his image. I always thought of him as a player who's a bit overrated and lacked either graft of clinical edge to be truly great. That's exactly how I feel about this Derry team.

[total hoofball]

I watched the highlights just there aswell of Derry/Magpies, they looked similar to St. Joseph's technically limited but physically more than able to compete

In some defence of Derry that decision to send off O'Reilly was ridiculous, I see it was an Andorran referee, Shels also had a different Andorran referee for the Joseph's game at Tolka and he let them away with absolute murder, I would have thought UEFA assigning referees from another microstate sharing same language as the majority of the players from one of the opposition would have been considered a sketchy refereeing assignment?

[Another Bohemia]

I watched the highlights just there aswell of Derry/Magpies, they looked similar to St. Joseph's technically limited but physically more than able to compete

In some defence of Derry that decision to send off O'Reilly was ridiculous, I see it was an Andorran referee, Shels also had a different Andorran referee for the Joseph's game at Tolka and he let them away with absolute murder, I would have thought UEFA assigning referees from another microstate sharing same language as the majority of the players from one of the opposition would have been considered a sketchy refereeing assignment?

Agreed on the O'Reilly decision. You know it's a bad one when the opposition aren't even calling for it. I thought Derry looked to play well in the 2nd leg even down to 10. My point is more so on the 1st leg. That result is an embarrassment when you can outplay the opponent for a good amount of time in the 2nd leg with 10 men. It's just an inexcusable collapse. There are certainly factors like the weather to consider but Derry are set up to play with the ball and hold possession which should benefit them in those conditions but for whatever reason they lost 2-0 and ultimately put themselves out of the tie

[pineapple stu]

I see it was an Andorran referee, Shels also had a different Andorran referee for the Joseph's game at Tolka and he let them away with absolute murder, I would have thought UEFA assigning referees from another microstate sharing same language as the majority of the players from one of the opposition would have been considered a sketchy refereeing assignment?
I think those sort of arguments can be just reading too much into things. Viking could similarly have complained about an English ref in Tallaght.

(Also, the pedant in me feels obliged to point Andorra and Gibraltar don't share the same language - the official language of Andorra is Catalan and of Gibraltar is English).

[sbgawa]

I think those sort of arguments can be just reading too much into things. Viking could similarly have complained about an English ref in Tallaght.

(Also, the pedant in me feels obliged to point Andorra and Gibraltar don't share the same language - the official language of Andorra is Catalan and of Gibraltar is English).

Jeez the last thing Viking would have been complaining about in Tallght was the ref

[placid casual]

Rovers will play winners of Steau Bucharest or Macabi tel aviv if they get past Sparta Prague

[legendz]

I haven't taken much notice of the European campaigns over the last two seasons. If European success is supposed to be important for the league brand, it probably will take a standout result like shocking Sparta Prague for the "general sporting public" to take notice.

[placid casual]

If Rovers don't get past Sparta Prague they'll play Celje or Slovan Bratislava. Was hoping that Andorran team would come out but not to be.

[ger121]

If Rovers don't get past Sparta Prague they'll play Celje or Slovan Bratislava. Was hoping that Andorran team would come out but not to be.

That was the worst draw you could have gotten in my view. Probably Cejie.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, that's a rough one. Celje certainly won't fear LoI opposition after easily beating Dundalk a couple of years back. And Slovan have beaten both Dundalk and Rovers in recent years.

[nigel-harps1954]

I really want the unthinkable though and the massive circus that'll be Maccabi Tel Aviv to happen.

[2 Year Contract]

Vaduz will play Maccabi Haifa of Israel or FC Sabah of Azerbaijan in the third round

[2 Year Contract]

Zürich will play Vitoria of Portugal or Floriana of Malta in the third round

[pineapple stu]

Bold! :p

[Acornvilla]

I happen to be in Dublin tomorrow, but not sure if I'll stick around for the night, much chance of picking up last minutes tickets for Tallaght if the stars align?

[total hoofball]

Shels vs Floriana it is then!

[Nesta99]

Roddy Collins as special guest to reaquaint with his old club. Im sure they'd love to see him!

[Nesta99]

I really want the unthinkable though and the massive circus that'll be Maccabi Tel Aviv to happen.


Vaduz will play Maccabi Haifa of Israel or FC Sabah of Azerbaijan in the third round

Partizan is currently sharpening his outrage just in case as we speak.

[placid casual]

I happen to be in Dublin tomorrow, but not sure if I'll stick around for the night, much chance of picking up last minutes tickets for Tallaght if the stars align?

There was about 100 tickets left in the north stand,but they'll go by tomorrow morning I'd say. Main stand & South Stand sold out, don't think they are selling East stand tickets but you never know!

[pateen]

I haven't taken much notice of the European campaigns over the last two seasons. If European success is supposed to be important for the league brand, it probably will take a standout result like shocking Sparta Prague for the "general sporting public" to take notice.

Unfortunately the barstooers among us will think Sparta are a ****e team anyway.

[sbgawa]

I happen to be in Dublin tomorrow, but not sure if I'll stick around for the night, much chance of picking up last minutes tickets for Tallaght if the stars align?

No problem , walk up , wont be full

[ger121]

East Stand now on sale for tomorrow.

[sbgawa]

If Rovers don't get past Sparta Prague they'll play Celje or Slovan Bratislava. Was hoping that Andorran team would come out but not to be.

Havent a hope against either team , all down to the ECL play off round now.

[pateen]

Is Jack Byrne suspended for this ?

[placid casual]

Havent a hope against either team , all down to the ECL play off round now.
Do you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning with that outlook on life sbgawa?

[CorribsideSteve]

Is Jack Byrne suspended for this ?
Is Jack Byrne even a proper player anymore?

[BonnieShels]

I happen to be in Dublin tomorrow, but not sure if I'll stick around for the night, much chance of picking up last minutes tickets for Tallaght if the stars align?

Tickets still available for the East stand I saw as of an hour ago.

[Knocklyonhoop]

Didn’t matter what the draw was for tue winners (it is never happening), but ffs another brutal draw in europa, worst we could have got. Surely conference PO were die a bit of luck!

half a chance for Pats even if it isn’t `rovers they’re playing?!

[sbgawa]

Do you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning with that outlook on life sbgawa?

86 to 2009 with 1 title and no cups...default position for me is depression a d disappointment, the last few years of success has floated away like a dream.
Gutted with that draw when there was a couple of winnable ties. Whole season comes down to one match now. Wed better pray for a change of luck with the draw

[placid casual]

Cheers up mate, there's always someone a whole lot worse off than us sbgawa, there's a host of them on this forum:)

[nigel-harps1954]

I'd love to experience the emotion of Finn Harps getting a disappointing draw in Europe.

[sbgawa]

fair enough first world problems ;)

[joey B]

Over 9000 tickets sold for the game in Tallaght this evening….

[pateen]

Looking forward to this but won't hold my breath. An optimistic 1-2 to Sparta.

[ger121]

Sparta’s season just started so not in full flight yet. Sounds like they have not been playing all their best players. New coach but he was the assistant. Rovers far better at home than away and I think Kenny can score tonight. I’ll go for an admirable 1-1 draw.

[EatYerGreens]

I'd love to experience the emotion of Finn Harps getting a disappointing draw in Europe.

Finn Harps used up all its European draw credits in the 70s by gettiing glamour fixtures against Everton, Derby County and Aberdeen.

[nigel-harps1954]

Finn Harps used up all its European draw credits in the 70s by gettiing glamour fixtures against Everton, Derby County and Aberdeen.

Don't forget Bursaspor..

[Dermobohs]

Defensive line up by Bradley there?

[joey B]

Rovers nearly gifted a lead but couldn’t take advantage of a bad mistake…

[CorribsideSteve]

Classic LOI in Europe brainfart

[pateen]

Goalie is one serious liability. Totally at fault for that goal.

[joey B]

And Rovers then gift a goal to Sparta,Watts the culprit…

[Nesta99]

Rovers started well and and so far putting in the sort of performance youd like to see from the LoI chamions even against a much higher ranked side. Scare them a couple of time so they dont feel comfortable. Capitalise on chances when the do come. As a free hit, no expectation, less fear in them or something.

....should have said no calamity LoI in Europe goals too and ye never know buutttt...

[yurt]

Harsh enough to pick the keeper being the issue in that **** show. He actually made a great save from the initial shot.

Watts' square ball at the edge of his own box was horrendous and Pico will be very disappointed with his clearance too.

They were actually defending pretty well up to that point too, even though it's very obvious the Sparta are miles ahead of them.

[joey B]

Farugia should have buried that chance aswell,took far too long….

[sbgawa]

Not helping ourselves at all with that fecking around at the back. Against this standard of opposition u are going to hlget punished. Great crowd good to see FOMO working

[pineapple stu]

Harsh enough to pick the keeper being the issue in that **** show. He actually made a great save from the initial shot.

Watts' square ball at the edge of his own box was horrendous and Pico will be very disappointed with his clearance too.
Yeah, agree with that. Whoever Watts' pass was aimed at is very slow to respond too, though that's down the list of blame I think.

Bigger picture though is it seems a very LoI performance so far?

1815835359290245475

[CorribsideSteve]

Another gift wrapped goal for yet another big side who didn't have to work for it. A tale as old as a thousand Bidens.

[Nesta99]

Only criticism of the keeper was assuming the rebound off Watts was in and had stopped playing, wouldnt have got there but dont stop when the ball isnt dead.

[ger121]

2 zip I see.

Must be the most one sided set of first leg scores I’ve seen in the 2nd Qualifying Round.