League of Ireland in Europe 2014

**pineapple stu** · 16/07/2014, 10:36 PM

Can't help think what Roy Keane would have to say about this thread.

Great result though. Someone predicted one draw and seven defeats this week. Hope they're wrong!!

**Charlie Darwin** · 16/07/2014, 10:48 PM

Peter Hutton doesn't sound like he's too worried about Salihorsk: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/socc...-tie-1.1868757

**wonder88** · 16/07/2014, 11:02 PM

Great result for Pats, but I think it was their home result that saw them exit Europe last year. Also TNS from Wales gave these guys a fair run in first leg last season (in Wales ok), I remember watching it on tv at the time. I also agree that it is time we started questioning the excuse offered by Irish professional players that they "got tired towards the end". I do not agree with you Charlie; that fitness facilities in Ireland and Dublin especially, are that far behind other European countries. And remember that our clubs are at half-way stage in their season and St Pats last two away games in the LoI were in Bray and Phibsborough, little travel involved there.
However with the support LoI clubs get in comparison with Polish clubs, it is a big performance and well done and hope they do it next week.

**paul_oshea** · 16/07/2014, 11:07 PM

I don't buy that at all I see lads playing intermediate gaelic football over here and they might not have the bmi of professional soccer players but some of them are very toned and strong....loi would be well ahead of these in terms fitness programmes and access to gyms.

**Charlie Darwin** · 16/07/2014, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by wonder88

I do not agree with you Charlie; that fitness facilities in Ireland and Dublin especially, are that far behind other European countries.

Eh, have you ever been to a League of Ireland club? Legia have a turnover of €50 million, Pats are barely over a million. They have world class facilities and personnel compared to Irish teams. Rovers are the wealthiest team in Ireland and we only got a full-time fitness coach 18 months ago.

**ped_ped** · 17/07/2014, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by gufcfan

So what did that do for the co-efficient? Roughly even?

The co-efficient is already quite good this year. 1.5 so far, with at least seven more games to play.

**nigel-harps1954** · 17/07/2014, 1:43 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

I don't buy that at all I see lads playing intermediate gaelic football over here and they might not have the bmi of professional soccer players but some of them are very toned and strong....loi would be well ahead of these in terms fitness programmes and access to gyms.

GAA clubs have a lot more money to spend on their own gyms in their own grounds. Inter county GAA players train to a standard much higher than most LOI clubs too.

LOI clubs could only dream of having money to spend like GAA clubs and county boards have.

**Charlie Darwin** · 17/07/2014, 1:48 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

GAA clubs have a lot more money to spend on their own gyms in their own grounds. Inter county GAA players train to a standard much higher than most LOI clubs too.

LOI clubs could only dream of having money to spend like GAA clubs and county boards have.

Absolutely right. It says a lot about the LOI that you can spot from a mile off that Pat Hoban is a GAA man. He has the physique a football club couldn't provide.

On a side note, Thomas Davis GAA, who tried to run Shamrock Rovers out of business over Tallaght Stadium, are currently in �2.5 million of debt as a result facilities they've built in the area. Rovers went into administration over a smaller amount of money. The difference in resources is astounding.

**The Donie Forde** · 17/07/2014, 7:18 AM

Super result by Pats.
It will be a truly great result if it helps inspire the other three this evening.

**Pablo Escobar** · 17/07/2014, 7:28 AM

Originally Posted by The Donie Forde

Super result by Pats.
It will be a truly great result if it helps inspire the other three this evening.

Everybody was really disappointed with the draw in the end. It really makes me think that we have moved forward, but more on a physical level. Pats already have the technical players that suit playing European football. It'll be a tough return leg but they really should hold no fears for pats. I'd worry if it was backs to the wall from the start though. Go at them and get the first goal.

**Ezeikial** · 17/07/2014, 8:02 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Absolutely right. It says a lot about the LOI that you can spot from a mile off that Pat Hoban is a GAA man. He has the physique a football club couldn't provide.

That's a strange statement - Pat Hoban's physique has more to do with his own attitude and application then the fact that hurling is the dominant sport around Loughrea. Its a long time since he played or trained for GAA on a regular basis

http://www.dundalkfc.com/players/patrick-hoban

Graham Byrne, Dundalk's Strength and Conditioning Coach is due enormous credit for the fitness and condition of the squad in general. Andy Boyle and Richie Towell are 2 others who have dramatically improved their upper body strength and appearance over the last 18 months

Your GAA reference is a red herring

**desaintsno.12** · 17/07/2014, 8:12 AM

ironically, I think the biggest issue for us next week is the fact that we dont have to score to progress

**Briuk** · 17/07/2014, 8:22 AM

If Pats sit back like they did in the second half yesterday, they will be hammered, Legia had no urgency at all during many minutes, but last 5 it was obvious they were going to score, if they play like that, they will beat them easily.

**paul_oshea** · 17/07/2014, 8:50 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

GAA clubs have a lot more money to spend on their own gyms in their own grounds. Inter county GAA players train to a standard much higher than most LOI clubs too.

LOI clubs could only dream of having money to spend like GAA clubs and county boards have.

This seems strange because for years I have been told on here how LOI players are in better shape than Inter county gaa players and are fitter etc. I'm sure they probably are fitter because a game of football is 90 mins.

I still can't understand how going to the gym 3 times a week they couldnt build up that strength. Isn't McMahon the strength and conditioning coach at rovers anyway, he would have devised a very similar program for them tailored specifically to football players but I'm sure some elements of gaelic training. I don't really believe that.

Graham Byrne, Dundalk's Strength and Conditioning Coach is due enormous credit for the fitness and condition of the squad in general. Andy Boyle and Richie Towell are 2 others who have dramatically improved their upper body strength and appearance over the last 18 months

This is exactly it, its down to the individual, application, and a set program. The other is a load of wolly, its a cop out.

They only looked like scoring because pats had tired mentally and physically, i think the mental played as much a part as the physical, I don't think you can compare physical fitness for a semi-professional against a professional team, and that showed in the last few minutes.

**White Horse** · 17/07/2014, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Absolutely right. It says a lot about the LOI that you can spot from a mile off that Pat Hoban is a GAA man. He has the physique a football club couldn't provide.

He was a slip of a lad when he joined us, but so many of the lads were, Towell, Boyle, Meenan, etc.

Dundalk take physical conditioning very seriously. Forrester would really benefit from a move to Dundalk. Kenny would make him into twice the player he currently is.

**DannyInvincible** · 17/07/2014, 10:22 AM

I'm sure this alone wouldn't have changed the outcome of Legia getting their late equaliser, but just something I noticed when Fagan was being substituted off late on in the game; he was jogging to the touchline, as if there was some sense of urgency or need for him to get off the field quickly. The crowd were on his back, but what of it? He should have been absolutely dawdling, as slowly as was physically possible. It's small things like that that can make a difference. Maybe it's naivety or inexperience at this level, but we could certainly be a lot more savvy in the dark art of killing off a game. Falling over, winning fouls; that sort of thing. Not running to the corner flag with six minutes to go!

**White Horse** · 17/07/2014, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by desaintsno.12

ironically, I think the biggest issue for us next week is the fact that we dont have to score to progress

You are 100% right.

However, you do have good experience in your side that will see that sitting back is just playing into Legia's hand.

In my opinion, you will have score two goals to progress. I'll be there cheering you on.

**desaintsno.12** · 17/07/2014, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I'm sure this alone wouldn't have changed the outcome of Legia getting their late equaliser, but just something I noticed when Fagan was being substituted off late on in the game; he was jogging to the touchline, as if there was some sense of urgency or need for him to get off the field quickly. The crowd were on his back, but what of it? He should have been absolutely dawdling, as slowly as was physically possible. It's small things like that that can make a difference. Maybe it's naivety or inexperience at this level, but we could certainly be a lot more savvy in the dark art of killing off a game. Falling over, winning fouls; that sort of thing. Not running to the corner flag with six minutes to go!

he did take his time i thought. If anyone should have taken their time it was Killer when he was coming off., straight away he said take me off. he should have milked it first. But neither were the make or break of the game

**desaintsno.12** · 17/07/2014, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by White Horse

You are 100% right.

However, you do have good experience in your side that will see that sitting back is just playing into Legia's hand.

In my opinion, you will have score two goals to progress. I'll be there cheering you on.

the sitting-back mind-set is very hard to shake once it sets in. Players react entirely different. The likes of Fats, Killer and Bolger probably will keep playing as normal, but others may just let it seep in. Hopefully Bucko has them alll pumped to go and win and not just get through by not conceeding.