European Qualifying 2013.

[DannyInvincible]

Crusaders played Fulham in their own ground 2 or 3 years ago. So Cliftonville will probably play in Solitude this time round. Don't think its feasible on security ground to play in at Windsor and with the disputes ongoign between the FAI and IFA I highly doubt the IFA would allow it to take place outside NI.

Which disputes are ongoing between the FAI and IFA?

[ArdeeBhoy]

Euphemism for all the player-'poaching' debate?

[Charlie Darwin]

Ok, Shels then. More £ from playing in a bigger stadium, in a tie they're going to lose anyway...

I'd have hoped they'd prefer to give a good account of themselves than making an easy few quid. Just because they've got practically no hope of winning doesn't mean they shouldn't give themselves the best chance possible.

Well, does a team who lost 6-2 in aggregate to the worst Cork City side of the last years has any chance of beating Celtic? Aviva would feel more like home than Windsor Park in my opinion.

It's not the worst Cork City side of the last years and Cliftonville only lost heavily because they sent their reserve side. They'd need a miracle to beat Celtic but it will be a unique experience for the football fans of Belfast and an opportunity to showcase some of the talent we have on this island.

And it wouldn't be their choice whether they'd play in the Aviva or not. They'd need a dispensation from the IFA to play it in Dublin and that's not going to happen, and even if they did it would be a hard sell with the glamorous Liverpool game around the same time.

[DannyInvincible]

Euphemism for all the player-'poaching' debate?

That was cleared up in 2010; the IFA accepted the verdict of CAS in the Kearns case, as has been demonstrated by their words and actions since. If the IFA have any outstanding issues, they'd be with FIFA (and the statutes presently in place to govern player elgibility); not the FAI. Relations between the FAI and IFA are professional and cordial, as far as I'm aware. No problems between the two have ever become apparent whilst they've been working together on such undertakings as the Setanta Cup or Carling Nations Cup, so, whilst other issues may pose stumbling blocks, I don't see why Cliftonville seeking to play their home fixture against Celtic in Lansdowne would necessarily be complicated by alleged grudges or disputes. Simply put, they don't exist.

[oriel]

I'd say that would go down an absolute treat with the locals.

Yep, not long after posting, I realised that, in fact I don't think Celtic have ever played in Windsor, not in modern times anyway. Was tough enough for us to visit in the Setanta 2 years ago (good trip though), so this would be a non runner.

[Dillonman]

Which disputes are ongoing between the FAI and IFA?

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.

[oriel]

What was McCarthy doing? Remember watching this in the pub, was no big fan of $hels at the time, but was livid at those two ridiculous handballs. Didnt Pats draw 0-0 with Celtic in Glasgow same day? Second leg the goals went in late iirc so 7-3 was very flattering and against with a team with a couple of world cup winners in it. Advocats first game in charge.

Very tough draws but the ever reliable St Pats european run could happen, Sligo a maybe too. Derry cant see going through so from a domestic point of view an eye off the league could benefit Dundalk and Derry (if Dundalk are still in the hunt after the next 3 games away in Thomand, Brandywell and Turners Cross). Dont see why Drogs wouldnt have taken the cheaper, more convenient option of playing Malmo in Oriel Park? We played them in United park '96 as a new pitch was layed in Oriel.

I find it nothing less than pure arrogance why they didnt look to use Oriel Park. We did indeed do the reverse in 1995, filled the 'home' side, they could have done similar in our place, would have been much better atmosphere too. I`d also suggest we would have given them the use of the ground for a very good deal compared to what SDCC are probably charging.

[ArdeeBhoy]

That was cleared up in 2010; the IFA accepted the verdict of CAS in the Kearns case, as has been demonstrated by their words and actions since. If the IFA have any outstanding issues, they'd be with FIFA (and the statutes presently in place to govern player elgibility); not the FAI. Relations between the FAI and IFA are professional and cordial, as far as I'm aware. No problems between the two have ever become apparent whilst they've been working together on such undertakings as the Setanta Cup or Carling Nations Cup, so, whilst other issues may pose stumbling blocks, I don't see why Cliftonville seeking to play their home fixture against Celtic in Lansdowne would necessarily be complicated by alleged grudges or disputes. Simply put, they don't exist.

Agreed. To rational ​people.

[ArdeeBhoy]

I'd have hoped they'd prefer to give a good account of themselves than making an easy few quid. Just because they've got practically no hope of winning doesn't mean they shouldn't give themselves the best chance possible.

The word is they will play at home (Solitude), but Cliftonville & Celtic have asked UEFA to reverse the fixture, so the home team can get more money in TV rights, whilst the scores are 'level'.
And to deter a massive travelling support?

They'd need a miracle to beat Celtic but it will be a unique experience for the football fans of Belfast and an opportunity to showcase some of the talent we have on this island.

Good luck to them getting any sort of result in the home leg, but regardless of who they played, the record of IL clubs v.seeded sides is v.poor.

Celtic themselves need a good dose of luck to get through to the group stages, almost on a par with what Cliftonville will probably need to even get a draw...

[Charlie Darwin]

I find it nothing less than pure arrogance why they didnt look to use Oriel Park. We did indeed do the reverse in 1995, filled the 'home' side, they could have done similar in our place, would have been much better atmosphere too. I`d also suggest we would have given them the use of the ground for a very good deal compared to what SDCC are probably charging.

I'd say SDCC offer pretty competitive rates since the stadium would otherwise be idle. The location would make it more attractive for away fans too since they can stay overnight and then get the morning flight home.

The word is they will play at home (Solitude), but Cliftonville & Celtic have asked UEFA to reverse the fixture, so the home team can get more money in TV rights, whilst the scores are 'level'.
And to deter a massive travelling support?

As far as I know, the clubs participating in the qualification rounds don't get any share of the TV money.

[ArdeeBhoy]

The rumour mill is that they can negotiate a bigger 'pot' on TV rights in Ireland/Scotland and Celtic will waive their share...

But not many there would know the practicalities of this...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23048207

[seand]

I'd say SDCC offer pretty competitive rates since the stadium would otherwise be idle. The location would make it more attractive for away fans too since they can stay overnight and then get the morning flight home.


As far as I know, the clubs participating in the qualification rounds don't get any share of the TV money.

Dundalk is all of 45 minutes from Dublin airport and not lacking hotels! That said, Tallaght clearly offers better facilities and an off chance of selling more than 3,000 tickets.

Qualifying round participants don't share the big tv pot, but can sell the rights to their own games.

[Charlie Darwin]

Dundalk is all of 45 minutes from Dublin airport and not lacking hotels! That said, Tallaght clearly offers better facilities and an off chance of selling more than 3,000 tickets.

Qualifying round participants don't share the big tv pot, but can sell the rights to their own games.

Yeah but if you're not driving it can be quite time-consuming. I think with Drogs attendances so low they might just be banking on neutrals/away fans to make up the numbers.

[Spudulika]

Yeah but if you're not driving it can be quite time-consuming. I think with Drogs attendances so low they might just be banking on neutrals/away fans to make up the numbers.

Which is why it makes more sense to hold it in Dundalk. While there are clowns on both sides to try to drum up nastiness, I don't know a single Dundalk fan who would genuinely wish ill. And it'd be nice to see them go get tonked :-)

[ArdeeBhoy]

Only because they have a complex about Dundalk.

That is more important than making it easy for the people of Louth to support the Louth team in Europe.

Aye, what they said. Drogheda people look down their noses a wee bit.
I blame the proximity to a certain neighbouring county...

[Nesta99]

Aye, what they said. Drogheda people look down their noses a wee bit.
I blame the proximity to a certain neighbouring county...

Monaghan? Magicme loves Louth and Dundalk in particular!

[ArdeeBhoy]

Not exactly.

Unless you're from there, wouldn't dare slag the good people of Monaghan...

[Charlie Darwin]

Which is why it makes more sense to hold it in Dundalk. While there are clowns on both sides to try to drum up nastiness, I don't know a single Dundalk fan who would genuinely wish ill. And it'd be nice to see them go get tonked :-)

Depends how they pitch it I guess. There are a lot more people in Dublin than there are in Louth.

[Ezeikial]

Depends how they pitch it I guess. There are a lot more people in Dublin than there are in Louth.

Drogheda are entitled to make whatever illogical or madcap decisions they choose.

Opting to pay SDCC a hefty rental could only work out if they got a glamour draw that would draw a big travelling support or a UK club that would attract bar-stoolers.

For all other clubs it is irrelevant that Dublin has a greater population then Louth - Drogs will be lucky to attract more then 1000 punters to Tallaght.

[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.