LoI in Europe 2024

[legendz]

There are a lot more lenient draws than a decade ago because of the Conference League. With so many added teams, there is a dilution of standard, which is great for us.

Fantastic results for Rovers and Pats. Really, our league Champions should be expected to get to the group stages every year.

The qualifiers are fraught with danger. Group stage football at least every two years for the champions is probably more realistic. The league needs to be at a level where at least two clubs are getting to the playoffs consistently. Often for the non champions we've seen a Q1 exit, a Q2 exit and a Q3 exit.

[Kiki Balboa]

It's doubtful that Russia, a European country, will ever return to European football given the current situation. Meanwhile a Middle Eastern country, Israel, is allowed to compete in UEFA comptetions.

The mind boggles indeed.

I don't think any reasonable person has any concerns that Russia is gone, or see that they add anything of value.

It's also a bit vulgar to use Israel to OK Russia.

Anyways, I just found the dynamics interesting. Like, where do they go from here (nearly a meta question for Russia itself) , and for European football, one if the largest leagues has been removed suddenly and completely from the ecosystem, and it doesn't make any ripple.

Just, it reminds me that if all those 'Super League' clubs disappeared tomorrow, European Football would still carry on as normal.

Ie. No one club or league is that important , and the Sport is definitely big enough to uphold morals and rules.

- Sorry for tangent after a fantastic night for Irish football

[CSAD]

Must say I hold my hands up on Shamrock Rovers last night, they finally showed up in a big European game and I was impressed! Also confirms what I said after the first game that Rovers made Celje look a much better side then they actually are which we saw last night.

I must say I admire the amount of self confidence teams like Celje have, I wish we could match that, Idk what they've done in the past to have the level of arrogance they have...

[legendz]

I must say I admire the amount of self confidence teams like Celje have, I wish we could match that, Idk what they've done in the past to have the level of arrogance they have...

Did Derry have that arrogance before their Q1 exit?

[CSAD]

Did Derry have that arrogance before their Q1 exit?

Dunno, why are you asking me?

[pateen]

So when are the fixtures out? Wouldnt mind popping home for Pats game.

(Just dont anyone tell my Cork mates)

[niallsparky]

Which is better for Rovers in your opinion? Conference or Europa League?

I reckon you have to take Europa for the money and the profile. Will be less competitive, and timeline is annoying but overall more beneficial.

[kksaints]

So when are the fixtures out? Wouldnt mind popping home for Pats game.

(Just dont anyone tell my Cork mates)

Our home leg is next Thursday at 19:45 in Tallaght. Away leg is the Wednesday 28th in Istanbul.
The Dundalk match could and selfishly should have to be moved as Sunday to Wednesday isn't a good time gap.

[pineapple stu]

You might have to rename the thread Stu

That's for a mod to do, not me!

[Kiki Balboa]

Our home leg is next Thursday at 19:45 in Tallaght. Away leg is the Wednesday 28th in Istanbul.
The Dundalk match could and selfishly should have to be moved as Sunday to Wednesday isn't a good time gap.

No chance Dundalk, or the FAI, should do that.

That would just be screwing over Dundalk.

[legendz]

If Shamrock Rovers qualify for the Europa League they'll have 8 group games. The Conference League has 6 group games. The Champions League also has 8 group games. Other than that, same format. No parachuting into another tournament after the group stage any more.

[oriel]

Our home leg is next Thursday at 19:45 in Tallaght. Away leg is the Wednesday 28th in Istanbul.
The Dundalk match could and selfishly should have to be moved as Sunday to Wednesday isn't a good time gap.

Why should it be moved? The Galway game wasn't moved from last Sunday and your second string did ok. I`m sure the charter flight will make up for the long travel, plus its only 4 hours flight this time.

[Zico]

How does the prize money work for
rovers - is the €3.1m conference group qualification in addition to the €1.9m accumulated in champions league qualifiers so more or less €5m in total at least or is it all inclusive in the €3.1m??

[pateen]

Why should it be moved? The Galway game wasn't moved from last Sunday and your second string did ok. I`m sure the charter flight will make up for the long travel, plus its only 4 hours flight this time.

To give both teams a fighting chance in Europe. Its one of the main ways to give the league some recognition at home. Its something the FAI should allow for every year.
Same would apply to Dundalk when they're in Europe.

Some people just dont get that though.

[oriel]

Dundalk came off a flight from Russia in the early hours of a Saturday am once and played a cup final the next day.

Why on earth should Dundalk now in a fight for their lives, agree to move a game further than the Sunday, only to play against a refreshed and full strength Pats side (possibly out of europe) and with no relegation concerns?

Pats did very well to get to the play offs and fair play to them, but this is a time to look after yourself.

Further, we also played a weakened side on a Sunday in 2020 and lost 4-0 to Rovers before a play off for the EL the following Wed or so.

[Acornvilla]

At least Pat's do have this weekend free to catch their breath before going back at it on Thursday. If they were playing this weekend as well I think it would be far more crucial the Dundalk game be moved. The game in Turkey being on Wednesday is very unfortunate and awkward. If first leg happened to be on the Wednesday instead probably no one would even be talking about moving games. They might get hammered and it's all moot before the 2nd leg anyway, but hopefully they can keep it tight.

In reality I think either club getting a draw in either leg will be a decent showing in the playoffs.

[sbgawa]

Doesnt suit me but i tend to agree that teams need to get on with it in Europe and not ask other teams to mess with their schedules.
With the extra money from Europe as the prize their is a downside.

One thing they could do in addition to the extra monday fixture early in the season where the Euro qualifiers play each other would be to start the league a week earlier for the Euro teams and let them get 2 games ahead by the time Euros come around and dont schedule a match for the opening couple of weeks in Europe.
Or maybe schedule the euro qualifiers to play the second week in Europe against each other and both would be happy to cancel if they make it through.
IF two of the 4 go through then let the other two play in the league

Its not ideal but its better than messing the other teams around

[seand]

Part of Dundalk's problem in 2016 was we had too many games postponed during the qualifying rounds, so we had too much of a backlog to fit in during the group phase. (An extra domestic cup and a cup semi replay didn't help too.) There's plenty of precedent for league games getting postponed for Europe, we've benefited in the past, looks like we'll likely suffer this time as I can't see Pats not getting a requested postponement.

[nigel-harps1954]

To give both teams a fighting chance in Europe. Its one of the main ways to give the league some recognition at home. Its something the FAI should allow for every year.
Same would apply to Dundalk when they're in Europe.

Some people just dont get that though.

I absolutely agree that clubs not receiving millions of euro for playing in European football should move their own fixtures to suit the clubs that are seeking to make more millions in Europe.

[pateen]

Fair enough. I see all your points in that argument.