LOI in Europe 2011

**nigel-harps1954** · 19/07/2011, 5:58 PM

Congrats to Rovers on that one. Always happy to see an Irish club progress in Europe. As said, the performance isn't what matters so long as they get the right result and today it worked for them. Lets hope for something similar against Copenhagen. Would be brilliant to see them progress further. The odds are very much against them, but you just never know at the end of the day.

**Dewie101** · 19/07/2011, 6:25 PM

you dont have setanta obviously?

**legendz** · 19/07/2011, 6:30 PM

Well done Rovers. As champions, they have represented Ireland well. They've set a mini benchmark for all future champions through the champions path. While there will be the odd set-back, our champions should more often than not at least get to the 3rd round.
The odds are against them for the next round but these are the games that will bring them on. The experience against Juve last year will stand to them.

C'mon Pat's and Bohs next, lets make it a great week for the Airtricity league in Europe.

**sligoman** · 19/07/2011, 6:33 PM

Jesus, that Alan Mathews doesn't half love Shams.

**BonnieShels** · 19/07/2011, 6:40 PM

Excellent result. Well done Rovers.

**dfx-** · 19/07/2011, 6:45 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Jesus, that Alan Mathews doesn't half love Shams.

Heh, as if...he used to manage Longford..

**paul_oshea** · 19/07/2011, 6:51 PM

they will have to take a lot more of the chances that present themselves the next round to have any hope.even a draw in one of the next legs would be an achievement. then hope the europa draw is good to them

**Dave_SRFC** · 19/07/2011, 7:05 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Jesus, that Alan Mathews doesn't half love Shams.

Course he loves Rovers.

**mypost** · 19/07/2011, 8:45 PM

Originally Posted by Rasputin

Ohh jesus.
From the makers of "no direct bus from Tallaght to Phibsborough" and "real fans from sligo would fly to Dublin" we now have why people from mayo, donegal, roscommon and leitrim should support a team based in Sligo Town.
Mypost you are a credit to humanity.

Ohh joseph.
CIE make the "no direct bus from Tallaght to Phibsborough", but if you lived down here, you would be aware of that already. While it's impossible to fly to any PD ground from Friday, but those who flew with Aer Arann would be aware of that already. Never mind, we'll try and find a flight to Copenhagen instead, as I can't see many takers for buses going there.
Even if they run for Rasputin.

**Ezeikial** · 19/07/2011, 8:51 PM

Originally Posted by shep

Anyone else hope Rovers are whipped today????

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Congrats to Rovers on that one. Always happy to see an Irish club progress in Europe. .

Originally Posted by legendz

Well done Rovers. As champions, they have represented Ireland well. They've set a mini benchmark for all future champions through the champions path. While there will be the odd set-back, our champions should more often than not at least get to the 3rd round.

When Dundalk were rummaging around in the Discover Ireland league I looked on with a mixture of envy and despair as Shelbourne were blazing a trail in Europe.

The envy was obvious and was fuelled by memories of fantastic Euroean nights in Oriel Park in the 70's 80's & 90's. The despair was got to do with the growing gap, with Shels being on the cusp of Euro Group stages and my club stagnating in the nether regions of first division oblivion and the realisation that the gap was growing.

Was I cheering on Shamrock Rovers today? Hell no.

The simple reality is that the extra cash from Euro progress makes it more difficult for the club I am passionate about to compete with them for leagues and cups.

While I can identify with the Hoops fans who have been through some very difficult times and who deserve to celebrate the good times, I find it impossible to join the party.

**Dave_SRFC** · 19/07/2011, 9:05 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

When Dundalk were rummaging around in the Discover Ireland league I looked on with a mixture of envy and despair as Shelbourne were blazing a trail in Europe.

The envy was obvious and was fuelled by memories of fantastic Euroean nights in Oriel Park in the 70's 80's & 90's. The despair was got to do with the growing gap, with Shels being on the cusp of Euro Group stages and my club stagnating in the nether regions of first division oblivion and the realisation that the gap was growing.

Was I cheering on Shamrock Rovers today? Hell no.

The simple reality is that the extra cash from Euro progress makes it more difficult for the club I am passionate about to compete with them for leagues and cups.

While I can identify with the Hoops fans who have been through some very difficult times and who deserve to celebrate the good times, I find it impossible to join the party.

Can't say I disagree with any of that. Why dont you forget about your season tickets and pay in at the gate that way you can buy more players and win some trophies and qualify for Europe, live beyond your means....

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 19/07/2011, 9:18 PM

I see the Welsh champions were beaten 10-0 tonight in Finland.....

**legendz** · 19/07/2011, 9:18 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

When Dundalk were rummaging around in the Discover Ireland league I looked on with a mixture of envy and despair as Shelbourne were blazing a trail in Europe.

The envy was obvious and was fuelled by memories of fantastic Euroean nights in Oriel Park in the 70's 80's & 90's. The despair was got to do with the growing gap, with Shels being on the cusp of Euro Group stages and my club stagnating in the nether regions of first division oblivion and the realisation that the gap was growing.

Was I cheering on Shamrock Rovers today? Hell no.

The simple reality is that the extra cash from Euro progress makes it more difficult for the club I am passionate about to compete with them for leagues and cups.

While I can identify with the Hoops fans who have been through some very difficult times and who deserve to celebrate the good times, I find it impossible to join the party.

Maybe if Kerry had a team in the LoI I would agreed. I don't see the harm in the bar being raised though. There are other European places and possible revenue sources to help other clubs compete. It will be more difficult but for the league to improve, one team is going to improve first and it'll be up to others to follow suit. Will Shamrock Rovers success not have some good knock on affect for other clubs? They are raising the profile of the league. When they are playing away, it could help attract bigger crowds to some games. It'll be up to respective club's to make the most of it.
Pat's, Bohs and Sligo are capable of making their own headlines in Europe this year. If they do it'll help raise their own profiles and revenues. If the league can climb to the top 27 in the coefficient table, the cup winner will be guaranteed a EL qualifier round 3 place where there's the possibility of a big game. While Rover's cash windfall can help them, other clubs can still compete. How much are Derry rumoured to be getting for McClean?

**mypost** · 19/07/2011, 9:42 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Was I cheering on Shamrock Rovers today? Hell no.

For a minute there, I thought you were a bohs fan.

We've also played in the Discover Ireland league, but we've survived and thrived since, competing and succeeding against clubs with more money and better players. If we can do it, so can everyone else.

**sullanefc** · 19/07/2011, 9:48 PM

I think people are getting a little bit carried away. They've only gone one round in Europe. Hardly groundbreaking.

**nigel-harps1954** · 19/07/2011, 9:53 PM

For me, it's not a case of supporting Shamrock Rovers. It's more a promotion of the league as a whole. Whatever is said about Shamrock Rovers making money out of this, at the end of the day each round they progress raises the profile of the league as a whole.
I'm not exactly going to be seeing any European football in Finn Park anytime soon so for now I'm happy to support any team from the league progressing in Europe.

The same goes for Pats, Bohs and Sligo. None of the 4 clubs do I particularly like at all, but whilst in European competition I would wish them all the best and hope for as good a progression as they can achieve for the league itself.

**Longfordian** · 19/07/2011, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by dfx-

Heh, as if...he used to manage Longford..

He's well disposed towards Rovers, no doubt, played for them, supported them as a kid and he knows a lot of those involved in the club. He's got more affinity to Shels now though I would say. Even when he wasn't manager there it was always only a matter of time before he would be.

**Ezeikial** · 19/07/2011, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

I'm not exactly going to be seeing any European football in Finn Park anytime soon so for now I'm happy to support any team from the league progressing in Europe.

Originally Posted by legendz

Maybe if Kerry had a team in the LoI I would agreed.

There is exactly why our perspectives differ

Originally Posted by sullanefc

I think people are getting a little bit carried away. They've only gone one round in Europe. Hardly groundbreaking.

Of course it's not, and with Copenhagen looming the holy grail of the CL group stages are hardly likely.

Its the extra cash from the guaranteed two more european games (plus the chances of EL or CL groups stages) that colours my view.

A rising tide does not necessarily lift all boats.

Those that actively competed in the "arms race" that Shels initiated paid a heavy price

**legendz** · 19/07/2011, 10:19 PM

What will the odds be on Rovers matching Barcelona's result in Copenhagen last year?

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionslea...ort/index.html

**HulaHoop** · 20/07/2011, 12:44 AM

I apologise in advance for coming accross as an arrogant c**t but i just can't resist.

Does it hurt bohs scum? You spent your ****** the last 2 years gambling on getting through a round and you failed miserably. Rovers do it at the first attempt without bankrupting ourselves!

KOH from depeche mode bar in tallinn