League of Ireland in Europe 2016

**paul_oshea** · 03/08/2016, 9:52 AM

I only saw that game on TV(i was at a couple of other Shels games in Europe when I lived in Dublin and saw Stephen Geoeghan, who at the time for me was one of the standout players for someone who didnt know LOI) and it came across a bit flat. Wasn't the two stands only open or something, as I recall there only being about 22k or something? Maybe the TV didnt do it justice then.

**BonnieShels** · 03/08/2016, 9:57 AM

24k according to Wiki. Don't forget that teh two ends were terraces. So I think at the time they weren't allowed for the ECL. It's 12 years ago and I wasn't a foot.ie member so I wasn't as au fait with regs.

Interestingly the Ireland game 7 days later had nearly 32k at it. Obviously terraces were allowed in Intl soccer.

**pineapple stu** · 03/08/2016, 10:03 AM

For the Bulgaria game, they installed temporary seating on the North and South Terraces.

Terraces were allowed for friendly games then, but not competitive games (like Bulgaria)

I guess they just figured they wouldn't need the extra capacity for the Depor game.

**paul_oshea** · 03/08/2016, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

24k according to Wiki. Don't forget that teh two ends were terraces. So I think at the time they weren't allowed for the ECL. It's 12 years ago and I wasn't a foot.ie member so I wasn't as au fait with regs.

Interestingly the Ireland game 7 days later had nearly 32k at it. Obviously terraces were allowed in Intl soccer.

I didn't want to say cos I wasn't sure but I thought that was the reason alright, but I also then thought how can International soccer have less criteria than CL and thought I must be wrong

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

I guess they just figured they wouldn't need the extra capacity for the Depor game.

Ya and probably landsdowne didn't help but on TV it seemed really flat.

I think I watched the Hajduk( ;-) ) game before that with DCFCsteve actually. I have a vivid image of ollie byrne walking up to the stand behind the goals after the game, almost doing what Delaney did almost 10 years later

**pineapple stu** · 03/08/2016, 10:20 AM

What happened Finn btw? Did he pick up an early knock?

The result is arguably more impressive for losing someone like Finn inside the first 20 minutes.

**Dodge** · 03/08/2016, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

What happened Finn btw? Did he pick up an early knock?

The result is arguably more impressive for losing someone like Finn inside the first 20 minutes.

His replacement is a better player

**paul_oshea** · 03/08/2016, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

What happened Finn btw? Did he pick up an early knock?

The result is arguably more impressive for losing someone like Finn inside the first 20 minutes.

It looked like his groin he was touching on it when he went off - it was on 32 minutes I think.

**brendy_�ire** · 03/08/2016, 10:29 AM

Stephen Kenny has said he'd like to use Lansdowne. Not sure they would fill it unless it was Celtic. And would they even want that?

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-34933844.html

Is the RDS an option? I get the logic behind sticking with Tallaght though (even if I'm not a fan of the place myself).

**Philosophizer** · 03/08/2016, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

His replacement is a better player

McEleney has outstanding feet all right. He's brilliant when he's given a license to solely attack and create. His defensive limitations were exposed last week in Borisov when he got the hook at half time though. He was playing on the right wing and the left back was roasting past him every time he got the ball and causing all sorts of problems. He's a weak link when he's expected to chase. That's not his game. He probably doesn't have the work rate of physicality of Finn who's a bit bigger, but he has serious talent - well able to control a ball in tight areas and dance his way by a few defenders and pick a pass. Ideally, i'd like to see him play no10 all the time with Finn moved back into the no8 role, partnering Stevie O'Donnell in CM.

**BonnieShels** · 03/08/2016, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

For the Bulgaria game, they installed temporary seating on the North and South Terraces.

Terraces were allowed for friendly games then, but not competitive games (like Bulgaria)

I guess they just figured they wouldn't need the extra capacity for the Depor game.

I was almost certain that that Bulgaria game was a friendly. Convinced that it was and yes, it was a friendly.

**paul_oshea** · 03/08/2016, 10:34 AM

The independent is really annoying, it keeps regurgitating and appending to other articles and making them look like new articles, I've read 4 or 5 incarniations of that title/piece since last night.

**BonnieShels** · 03/08/2016, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

The independent is really annoying, it keeps regurgitating and appending to other articles and making them look like new articles, I've read 4 or 5 incarniations of that title/piece since last night.

That's how they get ya. They're essentially another journalher42ballsjoe.ie these days.

**pineapple stu** · 03/08/2016, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

I was almost certain that that Bulgaria game was a friendly. Convinced that it was and yes, it was a friendly.

Oh, you're right - sorry.

So then terraces were allowed for friendlies.

**dundalkfc10** · 03/08/2016, 10:45 AM

Did last night really happen?

**nigel-harps1954** · 03/08/2016, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by dundalkfc10

Did last night really happen?

Did what happen? Good luck to Dundalk tonight against BATE.

**pineapple stu** · 03/08/2016, 10:48 AM

I'd say Dundalk fans wouldn't mind yesterday being Groundhog Day in fairness.

**pineapple stu** · 03/08/2016, 11:05 AM

Dave McMillan on the radio there about the next round -

"Yeah, wherever it is, we just like to play football on a good grass pitch"

Good man!

**shep** · 03/08/2016, 11:20 AM

That was incredible,a special night and one that I will never forget.If I died today I would die a happy man

**MeathDrog** · 03/08/2016, 11:20 AM

I hope the irony isn't lost on some people bemoaning the money that Dundalk will get after they just knocked out a team with so much more resources and money than them.