Stephen Bradley’s Rovers can lead the way for the League of Ireland and the co-efficient with a Tallaght Stadium win tonight
Rovers have the experience and the squad to set the tone for the week ahead for Irish clubs
Keith Long, Columnist
Shamrock Rovers have consistently paved the way for Irish Clubs in Europe whilst maintaining their dominance domestically - there is no doubt in my mind that they can overturn the 2-0 away defeat to Floriana last week when the sides meet again in Tallaght tonight.
Rovers have a squad built for European campaigns which have often seen them play into December, so they have the depth, experience and quality to turn the return leg around. Despite a surprising result away, particularly when you consider Floriana are still in pre-season, Stephen Bradley’s men will not panic and will stick to their principles.
The Champions League route is a lucrative one and Rovers, more than any other Irish club, understand the importance of progression. They have been here before and have come through but there is no doubt last week’s result adds greater pressure for a club with high expectations.
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Their league form is decent as they maintain a seven-point advantage over Bohemians. I expect a big performance from Rovers who will have to count on all their previous European experience and while it could be a tense night in Tallaght, they have more than enough to overcome a 2-0 deficit.
Derry City had a credible result in the Europa League last Thursday, losing 3-2 away to CSKA in Bulgaria, with James Olayinka’s 89th minute goal setting up a potential cracker in a packed Ryan McBride Stadium.
There has been significant turnover of playing staff with Tiernan Lynch being backed heavily by the club. This brings extra pressure but, like Rovers, I expect Derry City to progress in this qualifier.
The Brandywell can be a special place, packed with amazing supporters and they could be the difference. Derry will need to start the game well, get the supporters fully behind them and make it an intimidating atmosphere. European football is special. Derry have many players with huge European experience and these players I’m sure will deliver on Thursday.
Ironically, a good run in Europe playing against higher level opposition could be the making of this squad and could aid their league form which must improve.
There has been heavy investment throughout the club and it’s great to see a proper grass pitch installed at the Brandywell which now looks like a proper football stadium. The Derry players certainly won’t miss the artificial pitch which I feel was detrimental to performance.
I expect a strong finish from Derry in the League and hopefully a good run in Europe. Derry’s loyal and fanatical fan base can be demanding but with everything now set up for success, there are no excuses.
The team, the manager and backroom staff need to deliver more consistent results. A win on Thursday will go a long way to helping their cause.
My old club Bohemians enjoyed a solid win at home to St. Joseph’s of Gibraltar in the Conference League last week, a late Conor Parsons goal giving them a 2-0 advantage heading into the second leg.
Bohs have had a good look at their opposition and although they will face challenges with the heat and the way St. Joseph’s operate by bringing in players from the EFL specifically for Europe, Bohs have a good squad of players who, on their day, can be electric.
It would be great to see my old club have a good European run. Playing in Europe is magic and the memories will always remain with the players and staff who experienced the last European campaign.
Those nights in the Aviva in 2021 were golden - we played a brilliant exhilarating brand of football, swatting away Stjarnan from Iceland and Dudelange from Luxembourg before beating high ranking Greek side PAOK 2-1 at the Aviva.
As an aside Bohemians had played PAOK the season before in the UEFA youth league with Andy Lyons, Dawson Devoy, Ross Tierney and Promise Omochere featuring. To play them in the first team the following season in the Conference League, I believe, was a huge endorsement of our commitment to youth and our belief in young players.
They were magnificent to a man on our European run and, although we dropped points in the league between European games, the boys managed to produce a huge FAI Cup performance against Rovers in Dalymount with Andy Lyons scoring a cracker with his left foot.
I was so proud of this young team with an average age of 23 years, the seventh youngest to compete in Europe that season of all the top divisions and with 88% of the players born in Ireland. The fans gave us everything travelling around Europe with many not being able to attend the games due to Covid restrictions.
Another European run is what the Bohs fans deserve and crave. They have the squad and should progress. A kind draw, if there is such a thing in Europe, could see a special campaign for the club with the group stages not beyond this squad.
Whatever happens this week, I wish all our clubs competing in Europe the very best. It is vital that we continue to improve our co-efficient and be competitive on the European stage.
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