The continent beckons
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
As everyone knows by now, the European draw was made last week. On first glance, I think it is
justifiable to say that out of the League of Ireland teams competing in Europe this year, we
were handed the toughest of the ties. However, I am not complaining.
Beginning with the other League of Ireland teams ties, I can imagine Bohemians and Dundalk would have been fairly happy with their respective draws. Neither side will underestimate their opposition but I feel both teams will prove too strong for their opponents.
I feel that Bohemians have a great chance of reaching the third round qualifying round stage. Not only do they have an extremely talented manager, they also have a very experienced squad who are well aware of the necessary requirements and challenges that lie ahead in the European stage.
Dundalk were put into the first qualifying round of the Europa Cup and they got handed opposition in the form of Grevenmacher of Luxemburg. Grevenmacher finished 3rd in their BGL Ligue last year, 16 points behind the winners F91 Dudelange and although the Lilywhites will not take anything for granted, I can see Dundalk winning quite comfortably.
Shamrock Rovers will have to wait to find out if they will play opposition from Israel or Armenia. From a travelling perspective, neither country is ideal. However, I reckon Rovers will be feeling okay with that draw. They have a great opportunity to get to that third qualifying round no matter who they eventually face.
As for ourselves, we were drawn against CS Maritimo of Portugal. The first leg will take place over in Portugal on the 15th of July with the return leg set for Dalymount Park on the 22nd July. From a travelling perspective, I think the draw was kind as it could have been a lot worse.
From a footballing perspective, let me give you a brief background of our illustrious opposition. CS Maritimo finished fifth in the top league in Portugal. Some of their more notable results along the way included a draw away from home against Benfica and a home win against Porto. Any side that can beat Porto in a competitive match is going to be a very decent team.
They have a squad made up of mostly Brazilians and Portuguese so I am sure they will be technically very sound. Physically, they will be very well conditioned as they will be used to playing against top class opposition week in week out. The Portuguese league is no doubt very strong as we see Portuguese teams in the latter stages of the European competitions every year.
I also noticed that CS Maritimo have a bit of a history of competing in Europe so they will be very experienced. In the 2008/2009 Europa Cup qualifying rounds, they marginally lost out to Valencia 3-1 on aggregate.
However, in saying all that, we are all delighted with the draw. The chance to create history, as it is the first time Sporting Fingal has ever competed in Europe is exciting in itself; and the opportunity to face such a high calibre team is mouth watering. But we are not just there to make up the numbers, we earned the right to be in the draw and we will be aiming for a positive result and qualification to the next stage.
Liam and the rest of the coaching staff will no doubt have us all very well prepared come kick off time on the 15th July. Liam will make sure we know our opposition inside out and we will watch dvd’s of them before going through various match reports and any other information on the team or individual players.
For a lot of our younger lads, Europe will be a new experience but I am sure that they will all relish this opportunity and grasp it, firm, with both hands.
But as I said, and let me reiterate, make no bones about it, we believe that we can go over to Portugal and get a result. Yes, it is a tough, tough draw against a high quality opposition but we are not going over there to roll over and get beaten. I think an important aspect to the draw is the fact that the first leg is away from home. That fact alone is great motivation as if we can manage to get some sort of result over there, with the home fans behind us in Dalymount, we will have a great chance.
I hope that this year, every League of Ireland fan will support every League of Ireland team on the European stage as believe me, that support can be the difference. Our country, our league, our team .
Beginning with the other League of Ireland teams ties, I can imagine Bohemians and Dundalk would have been fairly happy with their respective draws. Neither side will underestimate their opposition but I feel both teams will prove too strong for their opponents.
I feel that Bohemians have a great chance of reaching the third round qualifying round stage. Not only do they have an extremely talented manager, they also have a very experienced squad who are well aware of the necessary requirements and challenges that lie ahead in the European stage.
Dundalk were put into the first qualifying round of the Europa Cup and they got handed opposition in the form of Grevenmacher of Luxemburg. Grevenmacher finished 3rd in their BGL Ligue last year, 16 points behind the winners F91 Dudelange and although the Lilywhites will not take anything for granted, I can see Dundalk winning quite comfortably.
Shamrock Rovers will have to wait to find out if they will play opposition from Israel or Armenia. From a travelling perspective, neither country is ideal. However, I reckon Rovers will be feeling okay with that draw. They have a great opportunity to get to that third qualifying round no matter who they eventually face.
As for ourselves, we were drawn against CS Maritimo of Portugal. The first leg will take place over in Portugal on the 15th of July with the return leg set for Dalymount Park on the 22nd July. From a travelling perspective, I think the draw was kind as it could have been a lot worse.
From a footballing perspective, let me give you a brief background of our illustrious opposition. CS Maritimo finished fifth in the top league in Portugal. Some of their more notable results along the way included a draw away from home against Benfica and a home win against Porto. Any side that can beat Porto in a competitive match is going to be a very decent team.
They have a squad made up of mostly Brazilians and Portuguese so I am sure they will be technically very sound. Physically, they will be very well conditioned as they will be used to playing against top class opposition week in week out. The Portuguese league is no doubt very strong as we see Portuguese teams in the latter stages of the European competitions every year.
I also noticed that CS Maritimo have a bit of a history of competing in Europe so they will be very experienced. In the 2008/2009 Europa Cup qualifying rounds, they marginally lost out to Valencia 3-1 on aggregate.
However, in saying all that, we are all delighted with the draw. The chance to create history, as it is the first time Sporting Fingal has ever competed in Europe is exciting in itself; and the opportunity to face such a high calibre team is mouth watering. But we are not just there to make up the numbers, we earned the right to be in the draw and we will be aiming for a positive result and qualification to the next stage.
Liam and the rest of the coaching staff will no doubt have us all very well prepared come kick off time on the 15th July. Liam will make sure we know our opposition inside out and we will watch dvd’s of them before going through various match reports and any other information on the team or individual players.
For a lot of our younger lads, Europe will be a new experience but I am sure that they will all relish this opportunity and grasp it, firm, with both hands.
But as I said, and let me reiterate, make no bones about it, we believe that we can go over to Portugal and get a result. Yes, it is a tough, tough draw against a high quality opposition but we are not going over there to roll over and get beaten. I think an important aspect to the draw is the fact that the first leg is away from home. That fact alone is great motivation as if we can manage to get some sort of result over there, with the home fans behind us in Dalymount, we will have a great chance.
I hope that this year, every League of Ireland fan will support every League of Ireland team on the European stage as believe me, that support can be the difference. Our country, our league, our team .
