LOI in Europe 2011

**harleyleeds** · 27/07/2011, 8:25 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I don't see the problem with a club raising the bar (along with the league's profile) and the rest following suit. How else will greater interest and exposure for the league be generated or the general standard of play improve? To wish defeat on Rovers is to favour wallowing in mediocrity. It's parochial, petty and fails to see the bigger picture which is that it can only be beneficial in the long-term if an Irish club manages to break through that elusive barrier that is group stage qualification. Simply from the perspective of having a bit of national pride, the idea or prospect of having an actual Irish club competing in European competition proper is also something that surely appeals to many here, whether they support Rovers or not.

No its to hope to have a chance to compete not like in Scotland for example. I want my team to win and see no benefit to Sligo Rovers in Shams getting a windfall. Irish pride has nothing to do with it.

**hoops1** · 27/07/2011, 8:27 PM

Great performance, from what I could see from behind the sofa. 2 Chances to make the europa league.
We will need an even better performance Tuesday

**legendz** · 27/07/2011, 8:30 PM

Originally Posted by passinginterest

Left the Danish analysis on and they seem to be extremely worried/impressed by Rovers. Pretty much all the analysis was the Rovers chances, then they had Nilsson on and were showing shots of his players getting caught in possession. Lots of mentions of stress and group stages and Dublin. Little interview with Twigg too, where he said they were pleased with the result and were always confident that they could match Copenhagen.

He's a new manager. There's probably a Danish Dunphy seeing him as a mupper manager who'll have the club going backwards. At least they covered the game. There wasn't a mention of the game on the RTE news at 9.

**DannyInvincible** · 27/07/2011, 8:32 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

They wwill come back with the norway rosenborg model. But from the outside looking in, and from a bit of a business perspective, the only plausible way to generate greater interest and in turn greater financial gain to the LOI is for 1 team to make the breakthrough ahead of everyone else.....

Agreed. Greater competition is the best solution for stagnancy.

What I find really funny though, and its an Irish thing in most sense of the word. But irish football, league of ireland supporting people, take everything from england i.e. rivalry, firms etc etc. This is not how my mates from other lower league countries see thigns either. At the end of the day they see the greater benefit to their leagues, and let local rivalries cease on the international stage, granted not completely.

Rivalry is a part of football (sport in general, or life even?) worldwide, no? League of Ireland support is very different in many ways to the support you get at grounds in the EPL, if that's what you're referring to. I don't think League of Ireland fans take their cues from those who follow what has essentially become debased to a form of commercial entertainment at all.

**legendz** · 27/07/2011, 8:32 PM

Not sure who was saying it but the point was being made Copenhagen's performance tonight doesn't mean they won't better the next night. It's going to be a tough game.

**punkrocket** · 27/07/2011, 8:33 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

no they were roaring at mccabe....hold it up hold it up when he was in the corner, which i thought was negative.

A pundit was roaring at a player?

**paul_oshea** · 27/07/2011, 8:35 PM

Sorry did i misread that? I thought you meant that management team was roaring at him to go forward, i was saying i heard management roaring telling him to "hold it up"

**DannyInvincible** · 27/07/2011, 8:39 PM

Originally Posted by harleyleeds

No its to hope to have a chance to compete not like in Scotland for example. I want my team to win and see no benefit to Sligo Rovers in Shams getting a windfall. Irish pride has nothing to do with it.

That attitude betrays both a lack of ambition and security. I think the challenge should be welcomed with confidence all round.

**BonnieShels** · 27/07/2011, 8:46 PM

I don't understand how LOI fans get thick at other LOI fans supporting an LOI team in Europe (unless they were the Fungus, sorry b2bw).

I want a higher profile for my league. I want people to understand that its mid-season. I don't give a crap who you support, but we all benefit from a collective promotion of our league.

Rivalries are for Friday night. Europe is for us all.

**paul_oshea** · 27/07/2011, 8:49 PM

Its because they have small willies, thats what it all stems from.

Oh ya and getting bullied at school when they were younger, and then needing to set up their own little private members society.

**Real ale Madrid** · 27/07/2011, 8:54 PM

don't you get more co-efficient points in the league format ?

**born2bwild** · 27/07/2011, 8:56 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Its because they have small willies, thats what it all stems from.

Oh ya and getting bullied at school when they were younger, and then needing to set up their own little private members society.

Are those intentional puns?

Please say yes.

@ Bonnieshels - you bollock$, it's not like I can even get back at you by slagging 'your' club.

**harleyleeds** · 27/07/2011, 8:57 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

That attitude betrays both a lack of ambition and security. I think the challenge should be welcomed with confidence all round.

Dont care what it says about ambition to you it says My team is all that matter to me.

**born2bwild** · 27/07/2011, 8:59 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Agreed. Greater competition is the best solution for stagnancy.

Rivalry is a part of football (sport in general, or life even?) worldwide, no? League of Ireland support is very different in many ways to the support you get at grounds in the EPL, if that's what you're referring to. I don't think League of Ireland fans take their cues from those who follow what has essentially become debased to a form of commercial entertainment at all.

Some do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKd9Ai_n_KQ

**PartySaint** · 27/07/2011, 9:05 PM

Great performance by Rovers and a good result, It gives me hope for tomorrow, Anything can happen in Tallaght next week but I want Rovers not to go through, Its not an Anti-Rovers thing its just that I don't want any club qualifying for the group stages of a European tournament that isn't Pats

**paul_oshea** · 27/07/2011, 9:06 PM

Originally Posted by harleyleeds

Dont care what it says about ambition to you it says My team is all that matter to me.

I think thats his point

**paul_oshea** · 27/07/2011, 9:08 PM

Originally Posted by PartySaint

Great performance by Rovers and a good result, It gives me hope for tomorrow, Anything can happen in Tallaght next week but I want Rovers not to go through, Its not an Anti-Rovers thing its just that I don't want any club qualifying for the group stages of a European tournament that isn't Pats

Thats understandable, at least to be the first club. BUt if pats had done it already would you mind rovers doing it?

Here is the PA synopsis, which id largely agree with(apart from the disappointing bit but as a "complete" outsider its probably true)

"Solvi Ottesen scored the only goal of the game early on for FC Copenhagen to decide the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round clash with Shamrock Rovers.

However the slender defeat in the Danes' Parken home gives the Irish outfit a strong chance of getting back into the tie next Tuesday at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

Centre-back Ottesen netted with a header from close range in the fourth minute after FC Copenhagen forced a corner. Stephen Rice and captain Gary Twigg threatened to pullShamrock level in the second half but the home side remained marginally on top in a largely disappointing match, and Rovers were thankful for a pair of decent saves from Ryan Thompson."

**DannyInvincible** · 27/07/2011, 9:10 PM

Originally Posted by harleyleeds

Dont care what it says about ambition to you it says My team is all that matter to me.

But your team would probably benefit in the long term. Why bother competing at all without ambition? Your club's success is always judged against the standard of its opponents, so of course other teams still matter, if not mattering to you emotionally. You may as well be competing in the Sligo/Leitrim District League and you can win every game you like there if you're not bothered about improving your lot and playing at as high a standard as possible in the long run. Sure what else could ever matter so long as you're always winning?...

**PartySaint** · 27/07/2011, 9:10 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Thats understandable, at least to be the first club. BUt if pats had done it already would you mind rovers doing it?

"

I was thinking that as I was typing, I'm not sure, If we were to make it this year I wouldn't mind another Irish club getting there, If we are not there then I don't want anyone to have fun

**harleyleeds** · 27/07/2011, 9:13 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

I think thats his point

Yes paul i get it but if you have a club (and i suspect u dont) why would you want someone else to get an advantage over your team? Also I see no benefit to shams becoming Irelands answer to Celtic or Linfield and running away with everything every year.