LOI In Europe 2025

[total hoofball]

if anyone sees it again, tell me that the shirt pull on McIroy isn't stronger and more obvious than the shirt pull on the defender
I have rewound it back, I don't see any 'clear and obvious' shirt pull by East on McInroy, I see a 'clear and obvious' shirt pull by Barrett on East, Andy Madley saw the same thing and I'm a Shels fan!

[holidaysong]

Does anyone else find it strange that they have a referee from the UK doing this match?

[Nesta99]

Absolutely correct call by VAR, Barrett grabbed the Linfield defenders shirt for a brief split second that would have made no difference in the defender shutting down McInroy but rules are rules and with VAR's eyes on everything crap like that you get away with 9 times of out of 10 every Friday in the LOI will be picked-up

Very frustrating end to the half that Wilson with his hands flying in the air and Barrett doing unnecessary shirt grabs it's like these guys totally forgot about VAR

This game is far from over, Linfield will have a spring in their step in this 2nd half, after a very shaky injury ridden start Shels have been coasting on that goal lead I hate when we go a goal up in any game when we are on top we never show a killer instinct to hunt for a two goal margin

Not just as bad but it did remind me of Shels in Deepdale which started the Rangers comeback I think.

[elatedscum]

Lorcan Healy copying Kearns in passing to a Linfield player and gifting an easy chance. Think it might be time for Ali Topcu. He may only be 5'5 but he's the best keeper with his feet that I've ever seen

[holidaysong]

It's a pity Shels didn't get a winner when they had the extra man (coefficient), but it's hard to be too critical. They kept the ball really will during that period and completely controlled things.

You'd have to imagine that sooner or later the Irish League will realise how much playing such critical European ties in their preseason is holding them back.

[pineapple stu]

Seems Shels have done what was expected of them in Europe, and anything else is a bonus. You'd imagine Qarabag won't have many difficulties getting past them though. Still, three bites at the group stage cherry now.

Mad that no IL team has ever beaten an LoI side in Europe - not just in a tie, but then in an individual game.

[2 Year Contract]

Didn’t see any of the match but saw a clip on Twitter of the disallowed goal and then read this thread and am shocked to see how many of you think it was the incorrect call. Barrett quite clearly had a fist full of the jersey of the Linfield lad that was marking McInroy, which caused him to lose the run on McInroy for a free shot at goal. Barrett doing it with his hand behind his back was a clever way of cheating and that goal would’ve been awarded as a goal in any LOI ground but you don’t get away with those with VAR in play

https://x.com/bbcsportni/status/1945570308267671625?s=46

[joey B]

The funniest part of the night was David Jeffery trying to lionise Linfield’s efforts over the 2 legs,I thought they were awful and the only way they was scored was when Shels literally handed them a goal! Shels were actually very frustrating I found when they were clearly miles better than them but refused to finish them off,luckily Linfield were so bad it didn’t matter…..

[Dermobohs]

Seems Shels have done what was expected of them in Europe, and anything else is a bonus. You'd imagine Qarabag won't have many difficulties getting past them though. Still, three bites at the group stage cherry now.

Mad that no IL team has ever beaten an LoI side in Europe - not just in a tie, but then in an individual game.
Didn’t Linfield knock rovers out on away goals in 84?

[Kiki Balboa]

Didn’t see any of the match but saw a clip on Twitter of the disallowed goal and then read this thread and am shocked to see how many of you think it was the incorrect call. Barrett quite clearly had a fist full of the jersey of the Linfield lad that was marking McInroy, which caused him to lose the run on McInroy for a free shot at goal. Barrett doing it with his hand behind his back was a clever way of cheating and that goal would’ve been awarded as a goal in any LOI ground but you don’t get away with those with VAR in play

https://x.com/bbcsportni/status/1945570308267671625?s=46

If that is a free kick, there is about 20 penalties a game and If that is the baseline for disallowing a goal, you can nearly give up ever scoring from a set-piece again.

You can zoom in on nearly any goal to find a small infraction if you want.

If the referee didnt insert himself into it , nobody would be complaining this morning about the goal.

[texidub]

Shels were a bit boring to watch. Are they usually like that? Still they got through and maybe that style of play would pay off more against better opposition than Linfield...

[pineapple stu]

Didn’t Linfield knock rovers out on away goals in 84?
Ah - good point. But they did so by drawing both legs and winning on away goals.

So no IL club has ever won a game against an LoI side in Europe, though they have won a tie

[2 Year Contract]

If that is a free kick, there is about 20 penalties a game and If that is the baseline for disallowing a goal, you can nearly give up ever scoring from a set-piece again.

You can zoom in on nearly any goal to find a small infraction if you want.

If the referee didnt insert himself into it , nobody would be complaining this morning about the goal.

I agree with you in a game that’s not got VAR, but in a VAR game a shirt pull like that is never going to be allowed. I’ve only seen the clip above but from what I can see the ref didn’t insert himself into it, he seemed to have been called over to the monitor to have another look by VAR, which 9 times out of 10 means the decision is going to be overturned.

One things for sure anyways, this one decision and the talk surrounding it makes me so so glad that we don’t have VAR in the league of Ireland! Can you imagine the threads on here after a weekend of VAR decisions :)

Pats have been shafted of goals by a few dodgy decisions this season but give me that and getting on the right side of decisions over time to even it out over VAR any day of the week!

[Nesta99]

Shels were a bit boring to watch. Are they usually like that? Still they got through and maybe that style of play would pay off more against better opposition than Linfield...

Its always mad how football fans see things so differently. I have enjoyed Shels style of play. Their build up, technically good enough to keepball and pass out of trouble, ability to change tempo and points of attack quickly, usually pretty solid at the back. Where they fall is final third, poor ball, often wrong choice and while intricate last night at times it seemed like they were trying to walk the ball in to the net. Like all LoI sides at this level they lack an efficient, ruthless striker - one chance one goal that we are often on the recieving end of. I think their style will be suited to European games more than the helter skelter of the league. Didnt think it was at all boring lasst night.

[nr637]

At Windsor Park, away fans are typically located in the upper tier of the North Stand as were the 1300 travelling Shels fans for Wednesday's fixture.

I was wondering if that is a ploy by the home team and their TV coverage to minimise the away support on the screen due to the camera location!

It noticeable also that this appears to be the case in Tallaght and Dalymount during TV coverage.

[pineapple stu]

What possible impact could away fans appearing on screen (or not, as the case may be) have on the match itself?

[Another Bohemia]

At Windsor Park, away fans are typically located in the upper tier of the North Stand as were the 1300 travelling Shels fans for Wednesday's fixture.

I was wondering if that is a ploy by the home team and their TV coverage to minimise the away support on the screen due to the camera location!

It noticeable also that this appears to be the case in Tallaght and Dalymount during TV coverage.

Can't speak for tallaght but for Dalymount when the mono was being built there was still a significant portion of the Connaught st stand there. The mono was specifically designed to meet the requirements for away fans (10% allocation) so that the Des Kelly stand could be used for home fans. Essentially the mono was put in the only place that was available and the TV gantry has been in that spot as long as I can remember. No big conspiracy to hide away fans.

[dundalkfc10]

At Windsor Park, away fans are typically located in the upper tier of the North Stand as were the 1300 travelling Shels fans for Wednesday's fixture.

I was wondering if that is a ploy by the home team and their TV coverage to minimise the away support on the screen due to the camera location!

It noticeable also that this appears to be the case in Tallaght and Dalymount during TV coverage.

The TV gantry in Dalymount and Tallaght is on the same side where away fans go. That can't be helped
Sligo, Galway, Longford etc is the same

I know in Windsor it's down to security, anytime Glentoran or Cliftonville play Linfield there fans are always in the top tier

[EalingGreen]

You'd have to imagine that sooner or later the Irish League will realise how much playing such critical European ties in their preseason is holding them back.Obviously a summer season would help when playing against teams which also play in the summer (a small minority of UEFA's 55 members, mind), but imo greater professionalism all round is much more important. For as I've pointed out before, the LOI's coefficient didn't really move either way for a number of years after your switch in 2003, but the leading clubs, at least, have significantly upped their game generally more recently, leading to improvements both at home and abroad.

Meanwhile, Larne last night went through after extra time (and pens) away to Latvian i.e. summer opposition, having also drawn the first leg at home. This followed on from their making Group stage football in the Conference last season, and shows that with the right organisation and backing etc, a winter season need not be that big a disadvantage. (TNS in the otherwise woeful Cymru League are another example)

[EalingGreen]

At Windsor Park, away fans are typically located in the upper tier of the North Stand as were the 1300 travelling Shels fans for Wednesday's fixture.

I was wondering if that is a ploy by the home team and their TV coverage to minimise the away support on the screen due to the camera location!
Pretty sure it's primarily to do with segregation and security, on PSNI advice. Also cuts down on extra stewarding costs. While Linfield Members and ST Holders demand to be accommodated in their regular location in the South Stand (fair enough imo), which also has the advantage of being furthest away from away supporters in the North.

While away fans really can't complain about the North Stand Upper - good view, facilities and access etc - which is a lot better than many away fans have to suffer, both in Ireland and abroad.

And in any case, the TV cameras are in the South Stand, meaning the away fans are front and centre on the tv when the action starts!

[pateen]

What's the reason Linfield limit their own support to around 8 or 9k?

[outspoken]

What's the reason Linfield limit their own support to around 8 or 9k?

Think it's to do with the cost of opening more areas of the ground.

[pateen]

Still doesnt make any sense. I would have guessed they could fit in another 2k.
Their home end was sold out for quite some time I believe.

[joey B]

Pats ahead early in Lithuania

[ger121]

Pat’s 1 up already. Hope they can get another.

On a side note. Has the site been crashing the last couple of evenings?

[pateen]

Pats one up.
Live here
https://cdn.livetv856.me/webplayer.php?t=ifr&c=2779144&lang=en&eid=290923450&lid=2779144&ci=3752&si=1

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Pat’s 1 up already. Hope they can get another.

On a side note. Has the site been crashing the last couple of evenings?

Has been for me alright

[pineapple stu]

Adam has a note in support about it

[Jack B]

Hegelmann are a poor side, it's been quite a kind draw for us.

[ger121]

Adam has a note in support about it

Cheers PS.

[Burnsie]

0-2 , goodnight Irene.

this Hegelmann shower are fairly brutal

[yurt]

Hegelmann are a poor side, it's been quite a kind draw for us.

I think the reality is that this is just the standard of this first round of the ECL. I think there is only ever going to be a handful of teams in this round that'll match up well against a decent LOI team.

Pat's fans can enjoy the rest of the game now after going 2 up.

[ger121]

Hegelmann are awful man.

[pineapple stu]

HJK lost 4-0 in the Faroes last week

This week the Faroese had a guy sent off after 15 minutes, and now they're 3-0 down with ten minutes to hang on

The guy sent off will be feeling sick right now I'm sure

[ger121]

HJK lost 4-0 in the Faroes last week

This week the Faroese had a guy sent off after 15 minutes, and now they're 3-0 down with ten minutes to hang on

The guy sent off will be feeling sick right now I'm sure

Did you see the attempts on goal? 44-1!!

[pineapple stu]

What the ****?! That's worse than us in Dudelange!

I see similar in Andorra actually - the crowd who won 4-1 in Bosnia last week had a guy sent off with 20 to go; they've conceded two since then and are hanging on

[ger121]

Santa Coloma hanging on too vs Borac. 2 nil down on the night but still ahead 4-3. Into injury time now.

[pineapple stu]

4-4 in Helsinki now! 94th minute equaliser

[ger121]

HJK lost 4-0 in the Faroes last week

This week the Faroese had a guy sent off after 15 minutes, and now they're 3-0 down with ten minutes to hang on

The guy sent off will be feeling sick right now I'm sure

4-0 now with a 94th minute goal. Was only 5 minutes of injury time. They’ll be sick unless by some miracle they can get to penalties.

[ger121]

Santa Coloma hanging on too vs Borac. 2 nil down on the night but still ahead 4-3. Into injury time now.

And they have done it. Some drop off by Borac from last season.

[sbgawa]

So Pats and Shels through with 3 wins and a draw between them , co-efficient looking good despite Drogs best efforts

[yurt]

Are pats fans hoping for a trip to Estonia or Albania?
Both should be winnable, I'm assuming the Albanians would be a better outfit.

[sbgawa]

HJK 5 nil now....tough on the plucky underdogs but really you shouldnt be losing 5 nil.

Anyone got a stream for the cliftonville match

[D24Saint]

Delighted with the win. Can only beat what’s in front of you. The conditions were tough enough in the first half with that heat. Roll on the next round.

[SPXcyan]

Cliftonville Stream

https://cdn.livetv856.me/webplayer.php?t=ifr&c=2777936&lang=ru&eid=290923468&lid=2777936&fwm

[SPXcyan]

Cliftonville 0-1 down within a minute..

[ger121]

Cliftonville 0-1 down within a minute..


The Rovers admin team won’t be happy about that.

[SPXcyan]

I can expect a temporary ban then? lovely.

[dundalkfc10]

Cliftonville equalise

Does anyone know why that main stand is only open at the bottom?

[ger121]

Partizani just missed a penalty in the 80th minute. That tie could go to ET. Good news for Pat’s. I’d think they’d fancy the Estonians a little more than the Albanians.