Burke and McCann went off injured and we lost our shape for a while. Subs took too long to settle and they were pulling us around and finding space, particularly in midfield. Then they made a mess of it by getting a lad sent off. He probably should have already been off to be honest but it did them in and we dominated from there.Originally Posted by paul_oshea
Alan Mannus still the best in the country thankfully.
21 leagues and 25 cups.
I park in the Square but always avoid the main entrance to the square and the main car parks. Go to the lower car park (that's nearest the M50) beside Argos. It has a different entrance and allows you to get in and get our far quicker.
Good tip - thanks. Where's the entrance to it ?
This could obviously all blow up in our face in the second leg but have to say I was encouraged by how limited Sofia looked in terms of creating chances. They were awfully reliant on just lumping crosses in (even if their play up to that point was much slicker than ours), which when you've the likes of Redmond, Grivosti and even Cotter tucking in you'd rather be defending against.
Just delighted we've such a foothold going into next week. Haven't got fond memories of European ties in Tallaght (player protests, Legal Warsaw spring to mind) but hopefully we can make another big night happen.
As you're driving along the N81 towards Tallaght stadium, don't drive as far as the stadium, turn right onto the r113. Then take a left at the 1st roundabout, and again take the 1st left at the next roundabout. Now you're on the Belgrade Square S road. Take the 1st right turn off that and you're in the car park.
Turns out they picked the most competitive tie after all!
Great result for us last night, and especially the manner of the third goal after all the time-wasting the keeper did (and what a strike!) The tie is far from over yet, though, Bradley rightly being cautious after their second half display when they battered us for long spells.
Bradley said both should be fit buy McCann is a doubt, which given how he's been playing might be the biggest loss of all.
There's a car park in the Lidl/Woodies across the road but I don't know if it'd be open that late.
Pat's performance last evening was the best advertisement for the League of Ireland. The only problem is that the public might not have been tuning in to RTÉ News.
Good for Rovers to benefit from a late goal for a change. Hopefully they've finally learned their lesson.
I don't get too caught up in coefficients. What's the next highest ranking to gain anything from?
True. After tonight's defeat for them though, there will be a reaction. Most likely they'll score at least one.
Pat's can take all the credit for how limited Sofia were on the night. The conditioning of the Pat's players seems to be of a high level. A lot of their players on last night's viewing would easily transition to Championship football across the water.
Pat's performance last night should offer encouragement to the league. On limited resources, they've assembled a team out perform a higher ranked European league opponent.
https://foot.ie/forums/117-Kerry-FC
A Championship: 4 years - 8 first teams - 0 financially ruined. First Division '14: 7 first teams.
Opportunity lost for new clubs/regions to join the LoI family.
Maybe I'm imagining it, but over the past couple years of LoI in Europe it feels like Irish teams are less intimdated than they used to be and that the football is more expansive and ambitious. That was certainly the case for Pat's last night -- they dominated CSKA for long periods, were hungrier for the ball, and fairly fearless. Brilliant to see.
The underage leagues are really working plus a higher standard of overseas player. They're used to playing good football and it doesn't faze them but they have the tactical knowledge to sit in too. Helps you've had managers like Kenny, Bradley, Clancy, Higgins and Russell who believe in a European style of football.
The mentality is different too. Seems like, in general, back in the day (obvious exceptions aside) LoI teams were psychologically beaten and cowed before a ball was kicked, no matter how lowly the opposition. They would lose matches without even giving it a go. Feels like that's no longer the case.. Loi teams may (and will) get beaten, but they will give it a real go, playing proper football.. which is really all you can ask for.
The young lads don't think the other guys are better than them, you're right. They have confidence in spades.
Lads, have the LOI ever reach 10 point mark in the co-efficient (we at 9.125 down i think, up to 38th placed) but if you go to 2024 in bert kassies page, we are up to 33rd as of now - the aim which is tough is to reach the 10 point mark this year!
So you're asking for 3 more wins and a draw this year...
That's a very big ask I'd say. There's still every chance our 3 teams remaining could all lose convincingly next week.
I've seen too many terrible LOI summers in Europe to ever get optimistic.
Highest ever was 9.541
Are the qualifiers half points and Conference League full points?
Pat's could draw next week. Rovers can win next week. Do Rovers then need to win 1 or 2 games in a group stage?
https://foot.ie/forums/117-Kerry-FC
A Championship: 4 years - 8 first teams - 0 financially ruined. First Division '14: 7 first teams.
Opportunity lost for new clubs/regions to join the LoI family.
Not necessarily - Rovers have a handy enough run of games even if Sligo/Pat's lose. Even if they lose to Shkupi next week but go through, and then lose home and away in the play-off, they're still in the Conference groups and results there are worth double.
Fair point. I hasn't considered that group stage results are worth more.
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