European Qualifying 2013.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

I think you're overestimating how much SDCC would be charging for rent - the council will pretty much accept any offer they get, whereas I'm guessing Dundalk aren't really that pushed about renting out Oriel unless it's really worth their while.

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Don't understand that logic. Dublin council are desperate for cash and Dundalk are well off?

Anyway. The logic behind having the game in Louth is that it gives a opportunity to attract the casual sports fan in Louth to the match. These casual fans may like what they see and might decide to see Drogheda play in a league game. How will Drogheda United or any other LOI team progress if they do not use the opportunity of playing big(ish) games to market their team and club to the casual sports fan in their local area.

This is a missed opportunity by Drogheda to promote their club in their county. That they do not see the opportunity is not a surprise. They have consistently failed to get the town of Drogheda behind their club. This is nothing new.

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Originally Posted by Dillonman

Replace disputes then with anger, anger on behalf of the IFA, cause the FAI are getting picked over them consistently by young players from the North.

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My understanding is that the IFA have moved on from their pre-Kearns case perspective and have accepted that it is their own responsibility to convince eligible dual citizens to play for them rather than blaming others for their woes. Any anger towards the FAI would be misdirected. I think you're confusing the outrage of some of their crackpot fans with some sort of official association stance.

'crackpot fans' ​? Surely not...

Sligo Rovers can confirm that tickets for the home leg of the Champions League qualifying game with Molde have sold out.

Just under 3,500 tickets have been bought by Rovers fans for the home leg on Wednesday 17 July in The Showgrounds.

Molde will receive 10% allocation of the 3,900-capacity for the game.

Kick-off for the home leg will be 6pm

Who gets the other 10 tickets?

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

How many do you reckon they'd get in Oriel? I'd say there are plenty of Drogheda and Louth folk living in Dublin who'd struggle to get up north for a game on a Tuesday night but would gladly drop down to Tallaght for the game, and two decent teams facing off against each other should attract a fair few neutrals.

I think you're overestimating how much SDCC would be charging for rent - the council will pretty much accept any offer they get, whereas I'm guessing Dundalk aren't really that pushed about renting out Oriel unless it's really worth their while.

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Sometimes it's hard to know if you are pulling the pi$$.

Hold on......

"SDCC Stadium is dead cheap - any rental offer at all is fine with the council"

"Drogheda will attract more by staging the match in Wicklow then in Louth"

You would skate on to the Drogheda board with that logic / sense of humour (delete as appropriate)

Maybe they just don't want to give money to their fiercest rivals? Seems reasonable to me.

Yes, they do rent the stadium out dirt cheap. They play schools rugby, U19s games, women's games - these aren't events that attract thousands. They make a real effort to get all and any events held there and I have no doubt they have been lobbying Drogs for some time to have the games held there. Dundalk, on the other hand, probably aren't hugely pushed about renting the stadium out unless it's really worth their while, ie the money is very good. Add to that the fact players hate the surface in Oriel, and the fact that Swedish players will be much more used to artificial surfaces than they are, it's not hard to see why they'd want to go with the Tallaght option, even if it is inconvenient for their local support.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

not hard to see why they'd want to go with the Tallaght option, even if it is inconvenient for their local support.

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Yes, we've got to stop those bloody locals attending games :mad:

I think Drogs have done a good enough job of that so far.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Add to that the fact players hate the surface in Oriel, and the fact that Swedish players will be much more used to artificial surfaces than they are, it's not hard to see why they'd want to go with the Tallaght option, even if it is inconvenient for their local support.

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You have a point. The pitch could be a factor.

Drogheda like to play long balls into the corners. The Oriel Park surface is fast and suits teams with a passing/possession style of play. Every team plays to it's strengths, so perhaps they realise that Oriel Park is not for them.

Leaving an extra few millimeters of grass in Tallaght and not watering the pitch may be a better option.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Who gets the other 10 tickets?

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The football family.....

Loving how wound up the Dundalk fans on here are getting that the Drogs didn't choose to play on their pitch. I could think of one good reason not to hold the game in Dundalk - the awful pitch!! Speaking as a Drogs from from the town who knows what he is talking about, holding the game in Dundalk over Tallaght would not attract a noticeable amount more to turn out. I also know that SDCC is not THAT expensive to rent! Get over it lads! :-)

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Originally Posted by White Horse

You have a point. The pitch could be a factor.

Drogheda like to play long balls into the corners. The Oriel Park surface is fast and suits teams with a passing/possession style of play. Every team plays to it's strengths, so perhaps they realise that Oriel Park is not for them.

Leaving an extra few millimeters of grass in Tallaght and not watering the pitch may be a better option.

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Exactly, although I wouldn't go as far as saying it "suits" anybody - it forces Dundalk to play a short game but it hampers them when they would actually benefit from going more direct. To be honest, apart from being nearby I can't think of a single reason why Drogs would want to play in Oriel.

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Originally Posted by MeathDrog

I don't recall all the Dundalk fans crying foul when Drogheda played in Dayler in their last few European campaigns.

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I think the last time Drogheda were in Europe, Oriel Park wouldn't have met Uefa's stadium regulations. It only became Uefa compliant when Dundalk played in Europe in 2010 or 2011

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Originally Posted by gufc2000

I think the last time Drogheda were in Europe, Oriel Park wouldn't have met Uefa's stadium regulations. It only became Uefa compliant when Dundalk played in Europe in 2010 or 2011

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You're right apologies.


Still think Dundalk need to get over themselves though. I don't want it played in Tallaght either, would prefer Dayler myself tbh.

It could just come down to Drogheda not wanting to play on an artificial pitch. That and I wouldn't be in a rush to show the Molde fans the away section in Oriel.

As far away as Tallaght is, it is still an impressive ground that reflects well for a European tie. We don't know the ins and outs of the cost of pitch rental so that is all speculation. Our crowds won't be great regardless of where it's played anyway.

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Originally Posted by MeathDrog

Still think Dundalk need to get over themselves though. I don't want it played in Tallaght either, would prefer Dayler myself tbh.

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How come? (Out of interest, not in a 'grr, how dare you' kind of way)

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Originally Posted by MeathDrog

Our crowds won't be great regardless of where it's played anyway.

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That's it in a nutshell. It might surprise you but most Dundalk fans wish you well in Europe.

You are missing an opportunity to develop your support base. It's bad enough not being able to play your home ties in Drogheda but choosing not to play them in Louth???

Also, if the reason really is the pitch, why are you planning the same pitch for your new ground?

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

How come? (Out of interest, not in a 'grr, how dare you' kind of way)

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Closer to home I suppose. Have good memories of the games against Kiev, IK Start etc.

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Originally Posted by White Horse

That's it in a nutshell. It might surprise you but most Dundalk fans wish you well in Europe.

You are missing an opportunity to develop your support base. It's bad enough not being able to play your home ties in Drogheda but choosing not to play them in Louth???

Also, if the reason really is the pitch, why are you planning the same pitch for your new ground?

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I understand that most Dundalk fans wish us well, and it would be vise versa from me if the foot was on the other shoe.

Is playing a tie against Malmo (most likely going to lose anyway) going to enhance our fanbase by playing it in Oriel as opposed to anywhere else? Really?? Don't think so. The people of Drogheda and Louth to a lesser extent have had many opportunities to back the team and for the most part they don't.

I haven't heard a lot about the plans for the new pitch. Taking it all with a pinch of salt until I see some action.

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Originally Posted by MeathDrog

Closer to home I suppose. Have good memories of the games against Kiev, IK Start etc.

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Yeah but have you been to Dalyer recently?

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Yeah but have you been to Dalyer recently?

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Season after last. All you'd need is the main stand though.

I would safely say around 200 DLK fans (myself included) would have gone to watch Drogs play if it was in Oriel Park, plus it would have been so much easier for the majority of Drogs fans to travel up, could have even arranged a train up, could have met in Drogs station, then a 2 min walk to Oriel from DLK station.

I'd say they would be lucky to get more than 7 or 800 now, cant see too many Rovers fans being interested. Anyway, their choice.

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Originally Posted by oriel

I would safely say around 200 DLK fans (myself included) would have gone to watch Drogs play if it was in Oriel Park, plus it would have been so much easier for the majority of Drogs fans to travel up, could have even arranged a train up, could have met in Drogs station, then a 2 min walk to Oriel from DLK station.

I'd say they would be lucky to get more than 7 or 800 now, cant see too many Rovers fans being interested. Anyway, their choice.

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Would you lot ever devolve? I don't recall this clamor when they were playing at Dalymount.

Whatever else about the why's and wherefore's - who would pay for the, inevitable, improvements required at oriel?

Who would pay for improvements at sdcc stadium?

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Originally Posted by A N Mouse

Would you lot ever devolve?

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Eh???

I don't think either stadium would need improvements unless Drogs qualified for the group stages, which would be 6 games away.

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Originally Posted by A N Mouse

Would you lot ever devolve? I don't recall this clamor when they were playing at Dalymount.

Whatever else about the why's and wherefore's - who would pay for the, inevitable, improvements required at oriel?

Who would pay for improvements at sdcc stadium?

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You obviously havent being paying attention!

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

You obviously havent being paying attention!

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Feel free to let me know what I missed while trying to sleep.

The bit where no one will be breaking out the paint brushes, in preparation for european night(s).

The bit where the oriel pitch has been fifa 2 star tested and approved, annually, since the last game in europe.

Feel free to look back over the last couple of pages to get your answers. Otherwise i will go and devolve!

Why would Drogheda want anyone thinking they're associated with Oriel? Maybe Mick Cooke's first rule for the game was "it needs to be on grass".

Really is hilarious how annoyed some Dundalk posters are about this. Even feigning that they're posting out of concern for Drogheda's crowd.

Why is this 'I can't believe the Drogs didn't come to Dundalk' thing still being discussed! Dundalk would attract no more blow ins than it being in Tallaght will!

Really slow news week?

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Originally Posted by Dodge

Why would Drogheda want anyone thinking they're associated with Oriel? Maybe Mick Cooke's first rule for the game was "it needs to be on grass".

Really is hilarious how annoyed some Dundalk posters are about this. Even feigning that they're posting out of concern for Drogheda's crowd.

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Still smarting over been beaten twice by Dundalk this season?

Even going so far as to feign concern when fans of two Louth teams debate whether they should play their home matches in Louth.

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Originally Posted by Dodge

Why would Drogheda want anyone thinking they're associated with Oriel? Maybe Mick Cooke's first rule for the game was "it needs to be on grass".

Really is hilarious how annoyed some Dundalk posters are about this. Even feigning that they're posting out of concern for Drogheda's crowd.

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I certainly don't give a flying f**t where Drogheda play their Euro games (even if it is obvious that they would get more paying punters in the gate if they played it in Louth) .

It is comforting though, to learn how much you enjoy this thread - it's great craic that you even feign your own hilarity about it!

Dundalk fans clearly don't care where Drogheda play their game. You can tell because they've made so few posts about it.

Incidentally, what's a f**t?

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Originally Posted by A N Mouse

Would you lot ever devolve? I don't recall this clamor when they were playing at Dalymount.

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Oriel Park was not upgraded at that time, but since has and like it or not it still carries a uefa certificate for playing in two rounds of europe, which we made use of in 2010. I have a friend who works for LMFM, always careful to be neutral when talking football in the region, which is fair enough as the station covers both sides, his line summed it up 'its a real pity for the county that they saw the need to move it to the far side of Dublin instead of keeping it in the county'

My parting message on the pre euro stage, and certainly no hidden agenda from me, I wish all our sides the best of luck in Europe this season.

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Originally Posted by Mr A

Dundalk fans clearly don't care where Drogheda play their game. You can tell because they've made so few posts about it.

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Meh.
Some do i guess.Most don't give a flying f**t ;)

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Originally Posted by oriel

Oriel Park was not upgraded at that time, but since has and like it or not it still carries a uefa certificate for playing in two rounds of europe, which we made use of in 2010. I have a friend who works for LMFM, always careful to be neutral when talking football in the region, which is fair enough as the station covers both sides, his line summed it up 'its a real pity for the county that they saw the need to move it to the far side of Dublin instead of keeping it in the county'

My parting message on the pre euro stage, and certainly no hidden agenda from me, I wish all our sides the best of luck in Europe this season.

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Oh well then if someone from the most noble LMFM said that, we must pay heed! I didn't think Dundalk fans were so obsessed.

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Originally Posted by Ezeikial

It is comforting though, to learn how much you enjoy this thread - it's great craic that you even feign your own hilarity about it!

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No, I genuinely think some of the blowhards here are hilarious

Okay, summing it up. Drogs will play in Tallaght, that's that. If we start talking about "county pride" then we're looking at the GAA model, if we're looking at the GAA model then we have to tell the FAI to shape up and follow Croker in how to run the game. However as has been proved time and again, in Ireland and elsewhere, there is no place for sentiment in football, there were Dundalk fans who were laughing when Drogs were in trouble a couple of years ago, and vice versa in the funfest in Oriel last year. A Roves friend of mine was genuine in hoping that Shels went bust some years ago. However as LOI followers we want it all ways. We want big friendlies, but only if it means our teams are involved. We want better coverage yet complain at every little point in the coverage. We complain about lack of supporters yet denigrate barstoolers and claim they're not real fans. We want it every way and don't.

I hope all the Irish teams do well, without exception. I hope Irish sports fans get out and buy tickets and follow the fortunes. If one club can go on a run it'll be great. So roll on next week!

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Okay, summing it up. Drogs will play in Tallaght, that's that. If we start talking about "county pride" then we're looking at the GAA model, if we're looking at the GAA model then we have to tell the FAI to shape up and follow Croker in how to run the game. However as has been proved time and again, in Ireland and elsewhere, there is no place for sentiment in football, there were Dundalk fans who were laughing when Drogs were in trouble a couple of years ago, and vice versa in the funfest in Oriel last year. A Roves friend of mine was genuine in hoping that Shels went bust some years ago. However as LOI followers we want it all ways. We want big friendlies, but only if it means our teams are involved. We want better coverage yet complain at every little point in the coverage. We complain about lack of supporters yet denigrate barstoolers and claim they're not real fans. We want it every way and don't.

I hope all the Irish teams do well, without exception. I hope Irish sports fans get out and buy tickets and follow the fortunes. If one club can go on a run it'll be great. So roll on next week!

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Such a load of ring.

1. Who wants "big friendlies"? I know I certainly don't.
2. People criticise the coverage because it is often very poor.
3. Nobody ever said boo to any barstooler who decided to go along to a game.