LOI in Europe 2011

Tallaght is a better fit. They'd fill the ground but not the RDS. Good night for Ireland, sad for Bohs, but it goes to show how much easier it is for Irish teams to progress thanks to the collapse of the Iron Curtain. Normally a win against a Maltese/Finnish/Cypriot/Icelandic side would mean a tie against some mammoth side and an exit. At least now clubs can win a couple of rounds.

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Wasn't floodlights a major problem? Weren't strong enough.

With all their impressive runs in Europe, you'd think they would have sorted out a few lights at this stage with appropriate wattage

I think there is exits/seating/terraces/facilities(media/medical etc) all these sorta things to consider too, there is a website Dodge or someone put up before that listed the different rounds and required infrastructure.

The thing with sligo from what i remember reading, was that to get an exemption they had to increase seating, pitch size had to be increased, but i think the more important thing was actually getting the exemption from UEFA and the amount of time it took to get it. Maybe there just isn't time for St Pats(and make any appropriate changes/planning)?

Originally Posted by legendz

Karpaty 18:30 St Patrick's (7.30 pm Irish time)
Referee: Martin Strömbergsson (SWE) – Stadium: Ukrayina Stadion, Lviv (UKR)

Those times are wrong. its 7.30pm locla time, which is 5.30pm Irish time

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

I think there is an uncertainty there from both sides to be fair. I don't think anyone is really versed on Ukranian football bar what they see from the bigger teams in the CL/latter stages Europa league. IT could be another Scotland or it might not be. Either way a 5-0 win against Glentoran is still very comfortable, pre-season or not.

Glentoran had quite a few players out due to work commitments. Ciarán Martyn didn't travel for that reason, for example. Possibly some were even still on holiday. That's fairly common for competing Irish League sides. Fair enough, that's the reality of the Irish League game and they'll say they're in their "pre-season" - as if European competition doesn't count - but it's distinctly amateurish. This (somewhat amusing) interview with Lisburn Distillery manager Jimmy Brown in 2009 provides an insight into what one could only describe as a rather shambolic and disorganised approach for the club's game against Zestafoni of Georgia that year: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/nort...nd/8129118.stm

Lisburn Distillery will be without a string of key players as when they face Georgian side FC Zestafoni in the Europa League on Thursday.

Striker Glenn Ferguson, just signed from Linfield, and goalkeeper Philip Matthews are on holidays.

Peter McCann, Mark Patton and Neal Gawley are also away.

"It does not help but we are going to give it our best shot. We do not want to let the Irish League down," said new Distillery manager Jimmy Brown.

"It is difficult for a part-time team against full-timers, and we are just back to training.

Even the merits of participation itself were questioned. Failure was inevitable with such an ill-prepared, pessimistic and defeatist approach.

If you listen to the Mahon interview I posted above, it'll demonstrate the contrasting attitude and mentality with which League of Ireland clubs approach these ties. They're not merely exotic side-shows or exercises in keeping scorelines down. They're taken very seriously and Mahon mentions a few players in the St. Pat's squad having to cancel provisionally-planned holidays. Merely taking part is not tolerated as acceptable. Individual players not taking part at all is simply out of the question.

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Wasn't floodlights a major problem? Weren't strong enough.

Yeah, I believe that's another criteria UEFA take into account. I'm sure it's in the competition rules and regulations. I'll have a look in a bit.

Many Pats fans heading over?
Might see yee in Kiev.

You know, I know several lads involved at GAA clubs that don't book their holidays around the master fixtures list, so that they don't clash, some do and if they do they are re-imbursed by the club generally, or the flights are changed and they get paid for those new flights. I gather the clubs would do something similar, but surely these lads are aware of this when booking which again shows a slight amateur approach to things or maybe an approach ah well if we get there ill be happy to have to change things. Still its a far better approach than IL sides.

Mahon sounded pessimistic in all his other interviews that i heard/read.

It definitely brings focus and attention to the league when they progress, and i think they realise that too.

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

You know, I know several lads involved at GAA clubs that don't book their holidays around the master fixtures list, so that they don't clash, some do and if they do they are re-imbursed by the club generally, or the flights are changed and they get paid for those new flights. I gather the clubs would do something similar, but surely these lads are aware of this when booking which again shows a slight amateur approach to things or maybe an approach ah well if we get there ill be happy to have to change things

Well the lads have one weekend in the summer off in the league. next weekend. They booked the holidays kowing they'd be cancelled if we won through 2 rounds in europe. Absolutely no problem with that

Here are the Regulations of the Europa League 2011/12: http://kassiesa.net/uefafiles/2011-12-uefa-el-rules.pdf

The section relating to stadiums and facilities is in article 13 of part VIII on page 18.

VIII Stadiums and Match Organisation

Article 13

Stadium categories

13.01 Unless stipulated otherwise in these regulations, matches in the competition must be played in a stadium which meets the structural criteria of the following categories as defined in the UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations (2010 edition):

a) category 2 for the first and second qualifying rounds;
b) category 3 for the third qualifying round and play-offs;
c) category 4 from the group stage to the semi-finals;

The final must be played in a stadium which meets the structural criteria as defined in the staging agreement.

Exceptions to a structural criterion

13.02 The UEFA administration may grant an exception to a specific structural criterion for the stadium category in question in cases of particular hardship and upon reasoned request, for instance owing to the current national legislation or if the fulfilment of all the required criteria would force a club to play its home matches on the territory of another association. An exception can be granted for one or more matches in the competition or for the whole duration of the competition. Such decisions are final.

Stadium certificate and safety requirements

13.03 Each association on whose territory matches in the competition will be played is responsible for:

a) inspecting every stadium concerned and issuing stadium certificates, which have to be forwarded to the UEFA administration, confirming that the stadiums meet the structural criteria of the required stadium category;
b) confirming to the UEFA administration that the stadiums, including their facilities (emergency lighting system, first aid facilities, type of protection against intrusion by spectators into the playing area, etc.), have been thoroughly inspected by the competent public authorities and meet all the safety requirements laid down by the applicable national law.

13.04 The UEFA administration accepts or rejects the stadiums on the basis of the above certificate and confirmation. Such decisions are final.

...

Pitch conditions

13.06 The home club must make every reasonable effort to ensure that the pitch is in the best possible condition for play. If the climatic conditions so require, facilities such as pitch heating must be provided, to ensure that the field of play can be made available in a suitable condition on any match date. If the home club does not implement the appropriate measures and, as a consequence, the match cannot take place, the home club bears all the costs of the visiting team (travel, board and lodging expenses).

13.07 If deemed necessary by the referee or a UEFA match officer, the home club may be requested to reduce the height of the grass for the match and training sessions.

...

Floodlights

13.12 Qualifying matches may be played in daylight or under floodlights. From the group stage onwards, matches must be played under floodlights. The light average must correspond to minimum horizontal and vertical illuminance levels of 1,400 lux towards for the main camera(s) and 1,000 lux towards areas of secondary interest.

13.13 Clubs must ensure that floodlighting installations are maintained and provide UEFA with a valid lighting certificate issued within the previous 12 months. UEFA may conduct an independent assessment of lighting levels in stadiums and will notify the clubs in good time of the results of such assessments and of any corrections to be made.

There are other sections on stadium clocks, giant screens and retractable roofs.

The UEFA Stadium Infrastructure Regulations outline the distinctions in stadium category more specifically: http://www.fai.ie/PDF/UEFAStadiumInf...ations2010.PDF

The main differences are set out here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_st...een_categories



I also see clubs have to pay UEFA a fee of €200 in order to compete. It's such a measly amount, the idea of the likes of Barcelona or Real Madrid sending UEFA off a cheque in the post for €200 amuses me.

"13.12 Qualifying matches may be played in daylight or under floodlights. From the group stage onwards, matches must be played under floodlights. The light average must correspond to minimum horizontal and vertical illuminance levels of 1,400 lux towards for the main camera(s) and 1,000 lux towards areas of secondary interest.

13.13 Clubs must ensure that floodlighting installations are maintained and provide UEFA with a valid lighting certificate issued within the previous 12 months. UEFA may conduct an independent assessment of lighting levels in stadiums and will notify the clubs in good time of the results of such assessments and of any corrections to be made.
"

Interesting, in the height of summer in Ireland, or for example sligo, up until at least early September if a game started at 7 or 7.15 there is more than enough light. BUt im aware that UEFA have to be across the board here...

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

"

Interesting, in the height of summer in Ireland, or for example sligo, up until at least early September if a game started at 7 or 7.15 there is more than enough light. BUt im aware that UEFA have to be across the board here...

Not a chance, by early September the Sun is setting before 8:30

It might be setting but its still very bright by 9/9.15 in the West of Ireland. Anyway that might be a pretty pointless discussion.

What suspensions will Pat's have for Karpaty Lvov?

Bayley and Kavanagh I think.

I'm gonna have a butcher's at these on Sunday:

Vorskla v Metallurg Donetsk 3pm GMT Sunday... http://livetv.ru/en/eventinfo/80086_vorskla_metalurh_d/

Shaktar Donetsk v Karpaty Lvov - 5pm GMT ...http://livetv.ru/en/eventinfo/80087_...ar_dn_karpaty/


For Shams, Copenhagen v Odense: http://livetv.ru/en/eventinfo/80656_kobenhavn_odense/ (Tomorrow 18.00 GMT)

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Bayley and Kavanagh I think.

Yep, Bradley and Kavanagh.

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

I think there is an uncertainty there from both sides to be fair. I don't think anyone is really versed on Ukranian football bar what they see from the bigger teams in the CL/latter stages Europa league. IT could be another Scotland or it might not be. Either way a 5-0 win against Glentoran is still very comfortable, pre-season or not.

The Ukrainians are not in Pre-Season. Their league has already kicked off:

Vorskla Play 2 Won 1 Drew 0 Lost 1 Position 7th
Karpathy Play 2 Won 0 Drew1 Lost 1 Position 14th out of 16.

Originally Posted by The Lilywhites

Yep, Bradley and Kavanagh.

Bradley, that's the one. I always confuse my former Rovers.

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Bradley, that's the one. I always confuse my former Rovers.

Both booked late on last night. Bradley's was for time wasting. Kavanagh got booked in the last minute, not sure what for. Could be costly.

Originally Posted by Fester

The Ukrainians are not in Pre-Season. Their league has already kicked off:

Vorskla Play 2 Won 1 Drew 0 Lost 1 Position 7th
Karpathy Play 2 Won 0 Drew1 Lost 1 Position 14th out of 16.

I was on about Glentoran....actually i suppose they aren't even in pre-season!