So far, it's been a positive start for LoI clubs in Europe, particularly compared to last year's disaster! The second legs of the Europa League qualifiers go tonight. Dundalk will defend a 2-0 away win vs Jeunesse Esch (LUX), while Derry hammered Aberystwyth 4-0 at home in the first leg. Sligo have a bit more work to do vs Banga (LTU), they drew 0-0 in Lithuania. Great chance for all three clubs to progress tonight.
All three Irish sides in the Europa League advanced comfortably! A major improvement on last season. Tonight, St. Pat's have an extremely tough test against Legia Warsaw in Poland. A draw would be a fantastic result to bring back to Dublin. Even a narrow defeat might give them some hope in the second leg, which will be played in Tallaght.
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsle...545/match=2014144/postmatch/report/index.html St. Patrick's Athletic scored in the 38th minute and Legia Warsaw scored in the 90+1st minute of a 1-1 draw.
Great result for St. Pat's, they must be gutted not to have held out for the win! I think it will be very tough to keep Legia scoreless in Dublin, however.
Today it's gonna be Sligo Rovers, Dundalk FC and Derry City FC in their 1st leg matches. Unfortunately no TV coverage of neither.
Jaysous, St. Pat's fell apart in 2nd half. Hope Rovers will grab their chance tomorrow. And don't write off City yet
Very disappointing result for St. Pat's. I really thought they had an excellent chance of going through.
As ever, League Of Ireland sides just not good enough. Wins over sides from Luxembourg, Wales and Lithuania followed by comprehensive (in most cases) thumpings from sides from Poland, Norway, Croatia and Belarus(!). None of these sides or other sides from these countries will feature in the business end of European competition next February or March. And so Irish interest in Europe finishes before the end of July, like so many years previously. They're are a host of reasons, but primarily it's got to do with the population of the country not being able to support 3 major sports - GAA, rugby and soccer. The economic infrastructure is there for the GAA and in recent years for rugby, but it just will not stretch to include soccer. Plus there is the ongoing mismanagement of the domestic game which includes those with their heads in the sand saying everything is OK, we don't need to change a thing, to those who see Irish fans of Liverpool, United, etc. as the root of all problems, to the FAI itself which is riven with parochialism and factionalism. As long as this perfect storm persists, League Of Ireland players will never have a doubt about booking an August holiday.
It's a real shame. http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2004/matches/round=1967/match=79367/index.html Still remember this ^. It doesn't seem that long ago!
I know! ITs hard to fathom that you guys don't get the matches on tv. I really would like to watch some matches on tv. I generally cheer for the Irish teams whenever I can. Don't have a particular club I favor though if I got to see them more I probably would. But I'd love to watch them. I guess it's coz my family lived there back in '42. (1742 that is).