I watch plenty of live IL football and have plenty of time for the league and was delighted for Coleraine. There is despite declining standards in LOI a significant overall gap in quality but that is not a dig that is only to be expected given you have a league drawing clubs from 27 counties (26+Derry City) and a league drawing clubs from 6 (without the representative from one of only two cities in those 6 as well, not to be dismissive of Stute).
What I would say about Coleraine re the Maribor game and having watched them in the Showgrounds, they are a very well set up aide. Everyone knows their jobs and they are well drilled. I suspect they have the best club manager on the island.
Their is a gap I agree, that's not what I take exception to. The point I took exception to was how our European achievements are dismissed because of preliminary rounds when in the last couple of years Linfield beat sudjesta home & away, we beat qarabag at home and lost on away goals (we nearly nicked it at the end) & Coleraine beat Maribor.
These results are fantastic results that loi teams would have struggled to match & so will IL clubs in the future.
I wouldn’t disagree with that.
Funny one but few of us were watching Coleraine and were in agreement that Maribor would’ve hammered Derry on Thursday night yet also in agreement that there probably wasn’t 1 player in the Coleraine side that we thought we would have him at Derry.
Certainly agree however with those results and performances being standout. I suppose you could counterbalance that with Coleraine at 1/16 getting past a side from San Marino only with a last minute winner, funny old game.
I'm not dismissing IL results.
But it is absolutely a fact that IL sides have been getting extra points in the preliminary rounds, and that that is a big part of why the coefficient gap has narrowed so much in the last couple of years.
Last year saw two wins and two draws (0.750 points) in a round the LoI got a bye in. This year has seen four wins (1.333 points) in rounds the LoI got a bye in.
Last edited by pineapple stu; 31/08/2020 at 9:22 AM.
Rovers at home to AC Milan
Typical that it would happen when it has to be behind closed doors.
Upwards to the vanguard where the pressure is too high.
Inter Escaldes (AND) v Dundalk (IRE)
Wow. Thats gotta be bitter sweet for Rovers fans. Milan might not be the Milan of old but they are still one of the most famous teams in world football. Gutting for fans to miss out on seeing the famous Red and Black shirts in the flesh in Tallaght and more importantly missing a chance to visit the San Siro.
So Rovers v AC Milan and Dundalk v Inter
Who'da thought we'd see the day?
Dundalk could not have asked for a better tie. Except maybe at home. Could be a neutral venue again?
They could focus on them playing a team in Bohs colours or of thats still risky then prtend its Longford.
Real pity not to have Rovers fans roaring them on. Interesting to see how Bradley goes in to this being a 1 off tie. Keep it tigh, maybe hit on the break, and/or spoil the game as much as possible and rattle AC. Another peno miracle!!
Is someone tracking the puns count
Havin a weekend away is quite frankly,lettin ur team mates down!
Worst of all worlds really a seriously difficult tie but you cant turn it into a moneyspinner.
no gate reciepts / corporate entertainment and only local TV rights (which RTE never pay for)
Bookmarks