LoI in Europe 2024

[ger121]

They wont go further because to get to the CL 3rd round you need to get past the 2nd round stupid!

I forgot how much a pain in the arse you are.

[brendy_éire]

Idk why you would take it, the results of a 1 digit loss and a 2 digit loss is the same.

Solely for the potential (likelihood?) of it being much worse.

[CSAD]

Solely for the potential (likelihood?) of it being much worse.

How is it much worse? You lose by digit you go out, lose by 2 you still go out.

[CSAD]

I forgot how much a pain in the arse you are.

I forgot about spelling...or lack thereof.

[Buckett]

They wont go further because to get to the CL 3rd round you need to get past the 2nd round stupid!
But this is the first round

[pineapple stu]

Some comparison with the second round draw this year and last

Copenhagen/Vaduz/Zurich as against KA/KuPS/Gzira (Dudelange faced them instead after beating Pat's)

Hard to see anything other than a second round wipeout there. Pat's the only chance really. Maybe Vaduz are comparable to KuPS?

[brendy_éire]

How is it much worse? You lose by digit you go out, lose by 2 you still go out.

I mean, losing by more than 9 goals.

[CSAD]

I mean, losing by more than 9 goals.


Why, do Derry get some sort of penalty if they lose by double digits by UEFA?

[CSAD]

But this is the first round

Alright smart ass.

[nigel-harps1954]

Why, do Derry get some sort of penalty if they lose by double digits by UEFA?

I know if my team were getting beat in Europe, I'd prefer if they went out with a little bit of respect, rather than getting tanked. Not sure how that's difficult to understand.

[yurt]

Some comparison with the second round draw this year and last

Copenhagen/Vaduz/Zurich as against KA/KuPS/Gzira (Dudelange faced them instead after beating Pat's)

Hard to see anything other than a second round wipeout there. Pat's the only chance really. Maybe Vaduz are comparable to KuPS?

Yeah it did seem like the second round was a whole lot more stacked with quality this year vs the previous couple. I guess that the big difference is that Dundalk were seeded last year meaning the second round opponents weren't as good.

Derry get through one round they'll be ranked at 5.500 next season which was the cut off for being seeded this year in the champions league first round. That second round dray is an absolute stinker for them because getting through a second round could have made such a massive difference to them if they were to be in the champions path.

[placid casual]

Considering Shamrock Rovers get outplayed by part time players in Europe I struggle to imagine them being competitive against any professional side..
I'd say there's few things you struggle to imagine in your life but alas few things you get to actually do in your life- perhaps moving out of your mothers basement might be a start, Rupert Pupkin.

[ger121]

i forgot how much a pain in the arse you are.


i forgot about spelling...or lack thereof.

c..sad…

[Jack B]

One of the better draws we could have gotten. Still and all wouldn't have huge confidence in us, but more of a fighting chance than had it been Gent or Brondby.

[Martinho II]

FC Vaduz a blast from the past. Are we the last loi side to have played them until now?

[2 Year Contract]

FC Vaduz a blast from the past. Are we the last loi side to have played them until now?
Longford are the only LOI side they’ve ever played.


While looking at their past European opponents I noticed in 2015 they played against Swiss side FC Thun. I’d have thought UEFA rules would’ve stopped them from being able to play Swiss sides but it’s an interesting quirk to the draw. Could potentially be the only time two teams from the same league have played each other in European qualification? Surely in the modern era anyways

[EatYerGreens]

Horrendous.
They were in the CL last year. Drew away to Bayern and Galatasaray, beat Man United and Galatasaray at home, finished second the group, and went out to Man City 6-2.

If we keep the aggregate margin of victory to single figures, I'd take that now.

If you're going to get spanked, then hope it's in the first leg so they ease off for the second leg and there's a chance of squeezing out a draw?

[EatYerGreens]

How is it much worse? You lose by digit you go out, lose by 2 you still go out.

@Ger121 : I'm seeing what you meant about the "pain in the arse" thing in post #101 :D

[pineapple stu]

Longford are the only LOI side they’ve ever played.


While looking at their past European opponents I noticed in 2015 they played against Swiss side FC Thun. I’d have thought UEFA rules would’ve stopped them from being able to play Swiss sides but it’s an interesting quirk to the draw. Could potentially be the only time two teams from the same league have played each other in European qualification? Surely in the modern era anyways

They've also played Basel. They're in as Liechtenstein Cup winners, not through the Swiss league, so they're not kept apart that way.

Two German league sides (Dortmund and Chemnitz) met in the first round of the 1990/91 UEFA Cup, but Chemnitz had qualified from the East German league, which had been disbanded in the meantime

[ger121]

@Ger121 : I'm seeing what you meant about the "pain in the arse" thing in post #101 :D

Tends to only be around for Europe, which could be a short run thing by the looks of it.

[nr637]

LOI Clubs in Europe 2024

Stadium Seating Capacity

Shels, Tolka Park 4,300
St. Pats, Richmond Park 2,800
Derry, Brandywell Stadium 3,300
Shamrocks, Tallaght Stadium 10,000

:)

[yurt]

For the past 20 years I always thought results in Europe were going to be the key for the LOI growing and gaining respect of the Irish public.

In the past couple of years my opinion has changed and it's now modern facilities rather than European results which hold the keys to our future.

I can now just enjoy the LOI clubs participating in Europe for what it is instead of lying to myself that some other club winning a few euro ties is somehow going to mean more people are going to show up to Galway United games.

[brendy_éire]

Derry being allocated 200 tickets for the away match against Bruno's Magpies.
Stadium being used isn't the big Victoria one, it's Europa Point. It only has 770 seats, apparently, so in theory they only needed to give us 34 tickets. Bruno's get around 300 at a match normally.

I'd guess it'll be a similar story for Shels the week after us.

I've been down past the ground before, and unless things have changed, you can see into it from the street. At least that's back-up option for people.

[2 Year Contract]

LOI Clubs in Europe 2024

Stadium Seating Capacity

Shels, Tolka Park 4,300
St. Pats, Richmond Park 2,800
Derry, Brandywell Stadium 3,300
Shamrocks, Tallaght Stadium 10,000

:)

Tolka having 4,300 seats minus the terracing sounds wrong

[2 Year Contract]

Derry being allocated 200 tickets for the away match against Bruno's Magpies.
Stadium being used isn't the big Victoria one, it's Europa Point. It only has 770 seats, apparently, so in theory they only needed to give us 34 tickets. Bruno's get around 300 at a match normally.

I'd guess it'll be a similar story for Shels the week after us.

I've been down past the ground before, and unless things have changed, you can see into it from the street. At least that's back-up option for people.

I don’t envy you after the ticketing anxiety endured in the run up to Pats game in Luxembourg last year. The club were given two extensions to the allocation and there were mad waiting lists for tickets. Thankfully Dudelange didn’t sell out and pretty much all of the 450 or so that travelled got in. Can’t see that being an issue this year with Vaduz's ground having 5,800 seats with their average crowd last season at 1,500. I see rovers fans have been shafted with a max of 50 tickets for the game in Iceland. As annoying as it is to deal with when it affects you, it’s a brilliant sign of the health of the league’s attendances when European away allocations don’t meet the demand of our clubs at times

[nr637]

Tolka having 4,300 seats minus the terracing sounds wrong

Hi 2 Year Contract,

The The Richmond Road Stand or Main Stand has a capacity of over 1,800 seats while the opposite Riverside Stand has approximately 2,500 seating capacity since damaged seating has been repaired.
Total seating capacity so is approximately 4,300 at present.

Hope this helps and explains. :rolleyes:

[brendy_éire]

I am still saying you guys are not taking into account the heat over there in early July. Plus I bet they will go for the late afternoon kick off time again for the advantage, they are under no obligation to play at 730 or 6.

It could be 33-35c at 5pm again if they could with that time, Shels and Derry will go through, I still say both will not win the away legs, we shall see.

That's exactly what they're going for. Better for them, and they're too cheap to hire a generator for the floodlights.

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/brunos-magpies-sporting-director-discusses-derry-city-ticket-allocation-kick-off-times-and-stadium-4674133

[Longfordian]

FC Vaduz a blast from the past. Are we the last loi side to have played them until now?

Vaduz is a grand little place and the club were extremely welcoming of us. Of course we returned the favour by losing in both legs but there you are. That was 20 bloody years ago, how is that possible?

[EalingGreen]

That's exactly what they're going for. Better for them, and they're too cheap to hire a generator for the floodlights.

https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/brunos-magpies-sporting-director-discusses-derry-city-ticket-allocation-kick-off-times-and-stadium-4674133Though as the article notes, the early k.o. somewhat offsets the cost of the trip by the fact that a chartered jet can land and return same day, which must be a decent saving.

[brendy_éire]

Though as the article notes, the early k.o. somewhat offsets the cost of the trip by the fact that a chartered jet can land and return same day, which must be a decent saving.

I'd imagine the club will go the day before and leave straight after the match, which is what they usually do.

Do think the ticket allocation isn't be anywhere near enough for the amount of away fans that seem to be going to this.

[EalingGreen]

I'd imagine the club will go the day before and leave straight after the match, which is what they usually do.Now you mention it, UEFA likely have a rule requiring teams to arrive the day before (in case of travel delays etc) - they certainly do for international games eg when ROI played NI away in 1993, Charlton wanted the team to stay just over the border the night before (Castleblayney?), but was told they had actually to be in NI.

That said, the early k.o. will still avoid a two night Charter for DCFC, plus extra hotel bill etc.

[pineapple stu]

You have to be in the country 24 hours before kickoff. (And like, what serious team would fly in on the morning if a game?)

[Nesta99]

Now you mention it, UEFA likely have a rule requiring teams to arrive the day before (in case of travel delays etc) - they certainly do for international games eg when ROI played NI away in 1993, Charlton wanted the team to stay just over the border the night before (Castleblayney?), but was told they had actually to be in NI.

That said, the early k.o. will still avoid a two night Charter for DCFC, plus extra hotel bill etc.

Nuremore Hotel, Carrickmacross using Oriel Park, Carrickmacross Road to use the full name, for training. I met the team as a youngster after sneaking in to the ViP area at the old Dundalk Racecourse the Thursday or Friday evening before (I say sneaking in but really I just walked in brazenly) Still have the full squads autographs somewhere but they were well on the pints by 6pm or so so not sure that could be authenticated but I know thay are real! Im pretty sure the Nurmore/Oriel Park base was used a few times around that era not just for the N.I. game, Oriel may recall better?!. I remember the controversy over needing to stay in NI and Charlton being gruff about it, the lore at the time was that rooms were booked in the Europa Hotel in Belfast but were used by FAI brass and partners and the team still travelled from Dundak on the day (probably stopped in some chipper for the prematch meal.....), not sure about the veracity of this story but it is completely in line with the way things were done by Jack/FAI so who knows. They left from the Belfast hotel to Windsor.

Its definitely a requirement to travel the day before at the latest, but would would teams have to stay say in Lux if an available hotel is available just over the border with frictionless travel, or a pre Brexit Gib and Spanish side of the rock? Even the day before could cut it fine if there are problems with flights (Im sure they have to be chartered too), was it St Pats that there was a bit of sweating on availability of a charter plane in the days before an away tie? There have been a few significant return delays on even charter flights fpr Dundalk in the past, longer waits that Ive had on commercial flights, and did not go down well when needing to get ready for a domestic game 48 hours after European game so only one day training available..

[2 Year Contract]

Its definitely a requirement to travel the day before at the latest, but would would teams have to stay say in Lux if an available hotel is available just over the border with frictionless travel, or a pre Brexit Gib and Spanish side of the rock? Even the day before could cut it fine if there are problems with flights (Im sure they have to be chartered too), was it St Pats that there was a bit of sweating on availability of a charter plane in the days before an away tie? There have been a few significant return delays on even charter flights fpr Dundalk in the past, longer waits that Ive had on commercial flights, and did not go down well when needing to get ready for a domestic game 48 hours after European game so only one day training available..

Yep, although the issue was with getting the charter home. They got the chartered flight out no bother but in the midst of the aviation chaos in the summer of 2022 they got shafted by a late cancellation for the charter for the way home with a game against Shels due to be played on the Sunday. IIRC, the UEFA rules state that chartered flights have to be used to and from games from the Second(?) round onwards (this was a Third round game anyways). They ended up having to stay longer in Bulgaria and got the players home in dribs and drabs on public flights and afterwards UEFA & FAI accepted there was no alternative and were satisfied that every possible attempt was made to get another charter

[Nesta99]

Ah yes, I remember now, Shels game postponed to much annoyance in Tolka and proven the delay was legit so FAI didnt award the walkover.

[EalingGreen]

I remember the controversy over needing to stay in NI and Charlton being gruff about it, the lore at the time was that rooms were booked in the Europa Hotel in Belfast but were used by FAI brass and partners and the team still travelled from Dundak on the day (probably stopped in some chipper for the prematch meal.....), not sure about the veracity of this story but it is completely in line with the way things were done by Jack/FAI so who knows. They left from the Belfast hotel to Windsor.Not so.

Ger Canning confirms this: "We stayed in the Irish team hotel outside Belfast overnight." - "outside" means he cannot be referring to the Europa.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018/1111/1009831-one-night-in-windsor-park-25-years-on/

[El-Pietro]

Now you mention it, UEFA likely have a rule requiring teams to arrive the day before (in case of travel delays etc) - they certainly do for international games eg when ROI played NI away in 1993, Charlton wanted the team to stay just over the border the night before (Castleblayney?), but was told they had actually to be in NI.

That said, the early k.o. will still avoid a two night Charter for DCFC, plus extra hotel bill etc.
I have a vague memory of that causing an issue for Cork City against Malmo in 2004. I think Pat Dolan wanted the team to stay in Copenhagen but they had to be in Sweden the day before the game. I may have invented that memory, or I might be mixing up some apocryphal stories.

[ltfc_2004]

Longford Town famously had to scramble to Lovech on scheduled airlines through Budapest following the charter company not being able to get the plane released. Wonder what ever happened to that baldy ***** Eamon Hickey and Emerald Hospitality. It was touch and go at one stage if they would make it to be in Bulgaria within the time limit.

[outspoken]

Longford Town famously had to scramble to Lovech on scheduled airlines through Budapest following the charter company not being able to get the plane released. Wonder what ever happened to that baldy ***** Eamon Hickey and Emerald Hospitality. It was touch and go at one stage if they would make it to be in Bulgaria within the time limit.

Imagine what UEFA would have done, we'd probably not be here now

[pateen]

Anyone know when match dates are set ?

[pineapple stu]

They're set already aren't they?

Rovers play on the 9th and 16th. 11th and 18th for very Derry and Shels. 25th July and 1st August for Pat's (who start in the second round)

[pateen]

Ok missed that, thanks Stu

[EatYerGreens]

Any talk of TV coverage for any of the European games?

[ger121]

Any talk of TV coverage for any of the European games?

Rovers away leg on LOITV. That is all I’ve seen so far.

[Acornvilla]

Random uneducated prediction time!

Games v Ireland + Iceland clubs are generally very tight, and whatever side wins often has to play very well to edge it. It'll be interesting to see what Vikingur are like, knowing nothing of the league, I imagine Breidablik were an exceptional side by Icelandic standards who Rovers really didn't treat with the respect they should of last season. I imagine they ended up not retaining the league due to playing 16 (I think?) games in Europe last season, and probably lost some good players in the off season.

I can't see Vikingur being quite as good, but neither are Rovers who seem to be declining year on year. I think Rovers could win if they learn from last season, decided to play more conservatively and ground it out, I'm thinking positive thoughts and thinking this will be Rover's final hurrah and Johnny Kenny will do something on the break.

Reckon Derry and Shelbourne should really be winning both legs at least certainly edging their way through. Think they'll all be in trouble in Round 2 if they make it. Gibraltar clubs are also in pre season, LOI clubs have a massive advantage there.

I'd give Pat's a solid shot against Vaduz, they're not bad, but they're Swiss 2nd tier and in pre season, they're wildly inconsistent from season to season in Europe, apparently lost their top scorer in the off season, hard to know but It's not the worst draw. Do it for the co efficient lads.

[Nesta99]

Random uneducated prediction time!

Games v Ireland + Iceland clubs are generally very tight, and whatever side wins often has to play very well to edge it. It'll be interesting to see what Vikingur are like, knowing nothing of the league, I imagine Breidablik were an exceptional side by Icelandic standards who Rovers really didn't treat with the respect they should of last season. I imagine they ended up not retaining the league due to playing 16 (I think?) games in Europe last season, and probably lost some good players in the off season.

I can't see Vikingur being quite as good, but neither are Rovers who seem to be declining year on year. I think Rovers could win if they learn from last season, decided to play more conservatively and ground it out, I'm thinking positive thoughts and thinking this will be Rover's final hurrah and Johnny Kenny will do something on the break.

Reckon Derry and Shelbourne should really be winning both legs at least certainly edging their way through. Think they'll all be in trouble in Round 2 if they make it. Gibraltar clubs are also in pre season, LOI clubs have a massive advantage there.

I'd give Pat's a solid shot against Vaduz, they're not bad, but they're Swiss 2nd tier and in pre season, they're wildly inconsistent from season to season in Europe, apparently lost their top scorer in the off season, hard to know but It's not the worst draw. Do it for the co efficient lads.

I think Rovers need to do the exact opposite. Ive been critical of them being too conservative in previous years, not taking games to the opposition, Bradley setting up negatively. When they had no choice but to go at teams chasing a result they showed that they could compete and beat but had left too much to do. Last year against Breidablik may have been an exception as Rovers struggled to lay a glove on them at all. They were an exceptionally good side, strong and athletic, techncally good and well organised - made Rovers look like part-timers at best who physically couldnt get close neve mind just being off their game. They did move the ball a bit quicker in spells but the Icelandics were also able to just drop, soak up a bit of pressure and then break with effect. I thought they'd have picked better results but maybe Rovers made them look very good too. For the record Dundalk dominated possession but also laboured against a well drilled and efficient side that were lethal on the break and KA werent really a top Icelandic side - I think they were strugling doestically when we played them.

I think like Irish football Icelandic sides that qualify can be quite different to the side that actually plays in Europe the following summer so Rovers could well be capable of winning the tie but domestic form and not having that zip in play, habit of winning, makes it a hard call in advance.

Where's our annual visiting Icelandic football cheerleader this year?

[Acornvilla]

I think Rovers need to do the exact opposite. Ive been critical of them being too conservative in previous years, not taking games to the opposition, Bradley setting up negatively. When they had no choice but to go at teams chasing a result they showed that they could compete and beat but had left too much to do. Last year against Breidablik may have been an exception as Rovers struggled to lay a glove on them at all. They were an exceptionally good side, strong and athletic, techncally good and well organised - made Rovers look like part-timers at best who physically couldnt get close neve mind just being off their game. They did move the ball a bit quicker in spells but the Icelandics were also able to just drop, soak up a bit of pressure and then break with effect. I thought they'd have picked better results but maybe Rovers made them look very good too. For the record Dundalk dominated possession but also laboured against a well drilled and efficient side that were lethal on the break and KA werent really a top Icelandic side - I think they were strugling doestically when we played them.


I think like Irish football Icelandic sides that qualify can be quite different to the side that actually plays in Europe the following summer so Rovers could well be capable of winning the tie but domestic form and not having that zip in play, habit of winning, makes it a hard call in advance.

Where's our annual visiting Icelandic football cheerleader this year?

I had thought Rovers played way too openly in Iceland last time out, like they did the same in Estonia before, tried to close down and dominate sides they weren't quite able for and getting cut open, unable to adapt. They're performances that stick with me and lead me to think Bradley hasn't learned how to manage at the next level yet. I know absolutely nothing about Vikingur, so who knows, maybe that approach would work this time.

[dundalkfc10]

https://x.com/shelsfc/status/1809954658225394094?t=twMVWpgH0GN-dwt91t0p-A&s=19

Shels home game available for €10.

*Shelbourne FC is currently liaising with St Joseph’s with regards to streaming arrangements for the away leg. Updates will be provided as soon as they are received.

[nr637]

https://x.com/shelsfc/status/1809954658225394094?t=twMVWpgH0GN-dwt91t0p-A&s=19

Shels home game available for €10.

*Shelbourne FC is currently liaising with St Joseph’s with regards to streaming arrangements for the away leg. Updates will be provided as soon as they are received.

Any idea what Tolka Park seating capacity will be for the first leg?

Richmond Road Stand 1,800 seats
Riverside Stand 2,500 seats

[total hoofball]

Any idea what Tolka Park seating capacity will be for the first leg?

Richmond Road Stand 1,800 seats
Riverside Stand 2,500 seats

I haven't heard anything firm about the exact numbers permitted but I can't see every seat being used as some will probably be blocked off so I'd take a guess it's no more than 4,000