League of Ireland in Europe 2016

**Yossarian** · 03/08/2016, 9:26 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Celtic would be excellent, but if they draw them, then I would hope they try and keep it in Tallaght or RDS, decrease the chance of it being predominantly away fans.

The RDS is a non runner. It's either Tallaght or the Aviva and I think the club will know in the next day or two if Tallaght can be used. I hope we can as I think it will suit us so much better to play in a sold out Tallaght against any of those teams. I wouldn't even mind playing Celtic if it was there.

**EatYerGreens** · 03/08/2016, 9:28 PM

Originally Posted by MeathDrog

Would Hapoel Sheva be seeded? That would be a nice one to get if so.

Hapoel BE'ER Sheva.

Awful city at the top of a desert, known more for chess than football. Roasting hot this time of year. Would be a difficult draw for Dundalk, and not a great away trip for the fans.

**Yossarian** · 03/08/2016, 9:30 PM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

Hapoel BE'ER Sheva.

Awful city at the top of a desert, known more for chess than football. Roasting hot this time of year. Would be a difficult draw for Dundalk, and not a great away trip for the fans.

They are unseeded aswell so we can't draw them.

**White Horse** · 03/08/2016, 9:31 PM

Originally Posted by Yossarian

The RDS is a non runner. It's either Tallaght or the Aviva and I think the club will know in the next day or two if Tallaght can be used. I hope we can as I think it will suit us so much better to play in a sold out Tallaght against any of those teams. I wouldn't even mind playing Celtic if it was there.

There is a very good chance we would sell out Tallaght for the play-off and create a very partizan atmosphere.

**oriel** · 03/08/2016, 9:40 PM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

Surely this result has to be the best ever result in Irish football, I include International matches too because when do we ever see any Irish team win with such conviction against a team that has better quality. The great results we look back on tend to be teams that nick a goal and hold out but this Dundalk victory was so much more than that, its that their quality won them the game along with their hunger to succeed.

I'll have to check the all time results from Dundalk in Europe, but I think this 3-0 win v BATE may actually be the second biggest win (score line wise) I can only think of one bigger, 4-0 at home to Fram (Iceland) in 1981, and I was at that one too!

**paul_oshea** · 03/08/2016, 11:10 PM

if its in tallaght ye'd hope they would be smart about it and only sell to those who produce dundalk season holder tickets or people with tickets from the previous game.that way an average celtic side and a raucous home support.however i think celtic are a worse prospect than 2 or possibly 3 other teams

**brendy_�ire** · 03/08/2016, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

if its in tallaght ye'd hope they would be smart about it and only sell to those who produce dundalk season holder tickets or people with tickets from the previous game.

Better yet, start taking applications for next year's season tickets from current non-season ticket holders. Pay your deposit now and you're guaranteed a ticket for all European games this season.

**BonnieShels** · 03/08/2016, 11:48 PM

Not that it's relevant but good to see; these are the teams at the same stage the year that Rovers got into the EL (beaten by Copenhagen in the 3rd QR)

Champions Route
Wisła Krak�w 2�3 APOEL 1�0 1�3
Maccabi Haifa 3�3 (1�4 p) Genk 2�1 1�2 (a.e.t.)
Dinamo Zagreb 4�3 Malm� FF 4�1 0�2
Copenhagen 2�5 Viktoria Plzeň 1�3 1�2
BATE Borisov 3�1 Sturm Graz 1�1 2�0

**Candystripe** · 04/08/2016, 1:31 AM

Originally Posted by oriel

I'll have to check the all time results from Dundalk in Europe, but I think this 3-0 win v BATE may actually be the second biggest win (score line wise) I can only think of one bigger, 4-0 at home to Fram (Iceland) in 1981, and I was at that one too!

Derry beat the Scottish dream team ( Gretna) 5-1 away from home and drew 2-2 at home. But the biggest Irish result was Derry beating Aberystwyth home and away 9-1.

Dundalk result beats our wins home and away 5 against two times winner's Goteborg and our home 0-0 draw against PSG.

Stephen Kenny was our manager at the time though.

Delighted for Dundalk now come on Cork. You's can do it too.

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/08/2016, 2:33 AM

Originally Posted by ger121

Something about Rovers campaign in 2011 that always stuck with me. The PAOK coach at the time was very complimentary about their performances and style of Football. He had expected them to play like a 'British' Team but instead they tried to pass the ball and play in a positive manner. In fairness to them they did and it probably cost them a draw somewhere in that Group (PAOK away) and a few hammerings,but hey, that's the way they wanted to play. Was an awful Group in fairness. Top seed in Pot 1, Top 2-3? seed in Pot 2 and PAOK were no mugs either, ask Spurs.

To be fair, the style was the most pragmatic. Like Dundalk, O'Neill was always preparing his side to compete in Europe and knew that we had to adapt the style. The difference I think is that Dundalk play the same way in the league and in Europe, whereas O'Neill would use the physical advantage and Twigg's clinical finishing in the league, which wasn't ever going to work against continental sides. Players like McCormack and McCabe stood out in Europe but were never big players in the league.

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/08/2016, 2:39 AM

Originally Posted by Yossarian

The RDS is a non runner. It's either Tallaght or the Aviva and I think the club will know in the next day or two if Tallaght can be used. I hope we can as I think it will suit us so much better to play in a sold out Tallaght against any of those teams. I wouldn't even mind playing Celtic if it was there.

There's next to no chance of Tallaght unfortunately, I think. The third stand is definitely going in in the next two years, so the only way I think it could work is if SDCC put in a temporary stand and prove to UEFA that they'll definitely make it permanent soon.

**TheBoss** · 04/08/2016, 4:48 AM

Originally Posted by oriel

I'll have to check the all time results from Dundalk in Europe, but I think this 3-0 win v BATE may actually be the second biggest win (score line wise) I can only think of one bigger, 4-0 at home to Fram (Iceland) in 1981, and I was at that one too!

Yes, thats correct.

BATE join the elite group of Fram, Grevenmacher & Jeunesse Esch to concede at least 3 goals to Dundalk.

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/08/2016, 5:24 AM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

Yes, thats correct.

BATE join the elite group of Fram, Grevenmacher & Jeunesse Esch to concede at least 3 goals to Dundalk.

And join the elite group of clubs that includes everybody but Longford not to score three goals against Dundalk.

**ger121** · 04/08/2016, 7:13 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

There's next to no chance of Tallaght unfortunately, I think. The third stand is definitely going in in the next two years, so the only way I think it could work is if SDCC put in a temporary stand and prove to UEFA that they'll definitely make it permanent soon.

Presuming the worst case scenario that Dundalk end up in the EL, won't they have to put in that temp stand again anyway as done in 2011? Can't see Dundalk using Aviva for 3 home EL games.

**patrickccfc** · 04/08/2016, 7:23 AM

Well today is the day, can we break new ground and reach the play off round. It will take a massive performance, similar to that of dundalk. But I have that feeling it could be a special night

**BonnieShels** · 04/08/2016, 8:27 AM

Originally Posted by patrickccfc

Well today is the day, can we break new ground and reach the play off round. It will take a massive performance, similar to that of dundalk. But I have that feeling it could be a special night

Fingers crossed. And it's not like I would ever tend to wish Cork well.

**White Horse** · 04/08/2016, 8:40 AM

Best of luck to Cork tonight. I think they have the quality to win this tie. They are a hugely improved team this season and keep the ball very well. Europe is not about gung-ho attacking but being able to transition from defence to attack quickly and effectively. In Dooley and Maguire, they have players who can do this and terrorise defences.

**oriel** · 04/08/2016, 8:46 AM

Yep, very best of luck to Cork, keep it tight first 20-25, just need to very careful not to concede. Like our game, it will be all about the first goal, just make sure you get it!

You need at least 8/10 performances from a host of players, you have the talent, get the job done guys.

**Mr A** · 04/08/2016, 8:53 AM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

BATE join the elite group of Fram, Grevenmacher & Jeunesse Esch to concede at least 3 goals to Dundalk.

That must make us super mega elite.

**paul_oshea** · 04/08/2016, 9:39 AM

Originally Posted by brendy_�ire

Better yet, start taking applications for next year's season tickets from current non-season ticket holders. Pay your deposit now and you're guaranteed a ticket for all European games this season.

That might not work as those who went to the game could have come from Dublin, many as neutrals.. However l did think about Cork in this matter who are down there in the city all by themselves.

I was thinking about that on Sunday when they said the Cork game was sold out. I thought make them pay half towards a season ticket for next year(not a deposit) and get a free ticket for Genk and a guarantee of a free one for the next round also if they progress. Cork would have had nothing to lose and the extra cash wouldn't have been that much to fork out. If no one follows up with it Cork still have about 50 euro made on the ticket. But most would pay the extra not to lose the original 50.

But I think in general thats the way you have to be thinking, clubs need to exploit these situations to their advantage and best of their ability - without exploiting the existing fans.