League of Ireland's Champions League and Europa Leagues competition

teenage sensation Murphy of Bray Wanders

            Let me say this before you ready my remarks. I do not view the League of Ireland games at all. I have become interested in the League after becoming a fan of the Irish International team. The international team has had a lot of media attention lately that has captured my attention. Ireland went out and obtained the famous Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni in 2008. “Traps” has the national team trying to qualify for UEFA Euro 2012 and has them in good form. Not only does he have the team believing in themselves he has many of us fans believing that he can do it also. The qualifying competition has keep a favorable spotlight on the national team.
            After reading all about the national team I became interested in the League of Ireland. To my surprise the League of Ireland does not have anywhere near the following the national team has. The main reason is most Irish follow a club in the English Premier League. The EPL is continuously broadcast throughout Ireland. The EPL dominated the soccer sports coverage in Ireland. Even Irish newspapers cover the EPL much more that the League of Ireland. The feeling is you can watch the best players in the World on TV, in the pubs or even go across the Irish Sea to attend EPL games. The League of Ireland can not compete against the media attention the EPL gets. Also the League of Ireland clubs does not have the financial resources to compete against the EPL or other European Leagues. The League of Ireland can not keep their young stars of the future. In the states for example a (American football), fans get to see many players develop into supers stars like Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. Fans are not only attached to the team but also the players. Fans will buy the jersey of their favorite player and the connection is made. Even the MLS drafts college eligible players and the clubs fans get to watch the progress of their young players develop. The League of Ireland does not have this benefit. Young stars like the current teen age sensation Conor Murphy of the Bray Wanders will soon sign outside of Ireland. Conor Murhpy could be a huge building block for the Bray Wanders Club but they will not be able to give him anywhere the $ he will make playing outside of Ireland. This will rob Bray Wander fans of future potential success in the league without this quality player. Most League of Ireland clubs suffer from this predicament.
            To combat this problem is to continue to develop Ireland young players and to do well in international competitions. The 2 main competitions I am talking about are the Champions League and the Europa League.

The Shamrock Rovers are the current League of Ireland Champions and they will represent the League in the Champions League. The Shamrock Rovers will be playing Estonia representative Flora Tallinn July 13^th and July 20. It is important for the League of Ireland Champion to advance in this tournament. If the Shamrock Rovers advance they could be hosting a famous team like Roma or Lazio from Italy, Sevilla or Athletic Bibao from the Spanish League, or even their marketing competition from the English Premier League Totterham Hotspur or Birmingham. Playing these other top league clubs bring great exposure to the Irish league. Now if the Rovers could advance and beat the multi million clubs with multi million players……this would go a long way for the Irish League. It would prove to the Irish apathetic fans base that they quality clubs that are worth watching. Advancing in these international competitions throw light on your top teams and your league. Over the last 10 years the Irish clubs have done well. They have increased their league co-efficient from 41 in 1991 to 31 today. The co-efficient ranks your league against another European Leagues co-efficient. So as the argument/banter goes the Irish League is the “31 best” in Europe. The League of Ireland wants more exposure domestically and internationally and the Champions League and the Europa League will provide this badly needed exposure.

2011 UEFA Europa League  (St Patrick Athletic, Bohemians, Sligo Rovers)

The 3 other clubs from the league are the St Patrick Athletic, Bohemians, and Sligo Rovers. These 3 clubs will be playing in the 2011-12 Europa League. St Patrick will play in the first round which is the easiest round in the Europa League. They will play a home/away against Iceland’s representative IBV Vestmannaeyar. I am expecting St Patrick Athletic to advance here. St Patrick is currently on a 14 game unbeaten streak in the League and just jumped over the Shamrock Rovers for 1^st place in the League of Ireland. They are in good form.

Bohemians were placed in the Second round since they were the #2 seed from Ireland. They will play the winner of Siroki Brijeg (Bosnia Herzegovina) and Olimpija Ljubjana(Slovenia). The Bohemians will do well if they can advance here. They started the season well but only have 3 wins in last 7 games. The are currently in 5^th place out of 10.

The Sligo Rivers currently sit in 3^rd place in the League. They are placed in the Third round and are awaiting their opponent. They qualified for the 3^rd round since they are Irelands’s Cup winners. This round is very difficult to advance from. Of their last 9 games their only loss was to current 1^st place club St Patrick Athletic.  

           These 4 teams will represent Ireland it the clubs competition. The League wants to build on it co-efficient ranking and gain more media attention. If the clubs do well in these international competitions more attention will be placed on the clubs, it’s players and the League in general. We will see just how far the League has advanced for last year.

Rev's new addition Ryan Guy ...from St Patrick A.C.



Ryan Guy from St PArtick Athletic



            Ryan Guy is the newest member of the New England Revolution. The Revs are the team that I follow in MSL since I live in Boston. When the Rev suck they are hard to watch.,,,,and they suck now. I liked them when Taylor Twellman for a scoring force in the league. They also had Clint Dempsey and  Steve Rolston. The rev are a far cry from what they were 5 years ago.
     
         The revs need help all over the field. Ryan Guy will assist tem in this area.  Ryan Guy was born in San Diego and is 25 years old. He was selected in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft 22 overall. Ryan chose to go overseas to develop his game. He signed with St Patrick Athletic in 2007. He had breakthrough years in 2009 and 2010 seasons. He was chosen for the Airtricity League XI. The best 11 will played Manchester United at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This was a great accomplishment for Ryan in 2010.

            The move does not appear to be money. Ryan enjoyed his experience playing in the top Irish league. He was the starter for St Patrick that was in the fierce Dublin Dervies against I Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and Shelbourne but also other European teams in the Europa League. . “Over the last four years I've had the pleasure of seeing St Patricks Athletic play Premiership sides, host European giants, slay Swedish powerhouses, and travel to the far reaches of the continent.”

I think he got a little home sick and wanted to apply his trade in MLS. MLS has grown in the states over the last 10 years.  

“But, as it does for most footballers, the time has come for me to say my goodbyes. In all honesty, this last four years at Richmond Park have been the best of my life.

“A return to good auld America is on the cards for me now, leaving one family to be closer to another.”

 Ryan is a wide midfielder. He will challenge Sainey Nyassi and Zack Boggs on the right side. He can also play the left side where Chris Tierney has established himself.

          Ryan Guy will add dept and experience. “He is a guy who can play on either side, but he has played more on the right.,” Rev’s coach Steve Nicole said.  “He has some experience playing in Ireland. He’ll push guys.” A

Boost to Irish football

This is a picture of a new mini pitch in Dublin that the youth can play and have competitions. Pitches like this one and getting the yount involved is the key to develope the game and try to get market share back to the League of Ireland.



 There is a big difference in interest in Irish sports. According to wikipedia Galic football is more that twice as "interest" as soccer. Soccer use to be the number one sport however over time interest has wained. The best players migrated overseas particularry England. TV (skysport) broadcast the Premiership games which have the best teams and the best players in the World. (IMHO). The stadiums in Ireland are old and beat up. Just like MLS the league is trying to improve the stadiums to make the game more appealing to attend. This has been a difficult task to not only compete against Galic football, Hurling but also the Premier League.
        Ireland just hosted the EUFA Europa League final. This final brought a lot of attention to the game in Ireland. The is a huge boost to the game. The FAI was active to get the kids involved in a grass roots game that was staged the same day as the final. The FAI is taking a page out of Galic football success by establishing a grass roots organization. This will take years to delvelope so patience and due delligence is the key. Good for FAI for their approach. Emediate results will not be felt but the long out look for the League of Ireland is trying to establish a foundation it badly needs.

FAI grass roots approach to grow game....

Carling Nations Cup

            I love soccer tournaments. The World Cup is awesome since every country backs their national team. When they are knocked out there is sadness in everyone that supported them. However when the nation gets a good victory, there is celebration from fans in a carnival like atmosphere. The nations I follow are the yanks and the Irish. Well me yanks have the Gold Cup every 2 years. The Irish have Euro Championship in between the World Cups. The Irish however have not made the Euro finals since 1988. The FAI was looking for another little tournament. Enter the Nations Cup or the Carling Nations Cup. This is a new tournament in its inaugural season. This tournament is “taking the place” of the British Home Championship (BHC). The BHC was a soccer tournament between England, Scottland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Founded in 1884 it ran for 100 years to 1984. England was not interested in the tournament anymore so the historical tournament was scrapped. This is when Ireland stepped in. They were the key player and main supporter of this tournament. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) convinced Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to continue this newer version with a Celtic flavor….the “Celtic Cup”. These nations were in the same boat as Ireland. They all agreed.                                                                                                                                                There is some doubt that the tournament will continue because of lack of interest. However once Skysports agreed to broadcast the event things picked up. Managing director fo SkySports, Barney Francis said: "Live 3D coverage of the Carling Nations Cup further strengthens our portfolio of international football that already includes crucial Euro 2012 qualifiers for the home nations and the Republic of Ireland. We're also delighted that the tournament provides us with another first; as we pioneer international football in 3D for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Aviva Stadium will provide the perfect backdrop for what should be some fantastic matches."  The matches will be live in all the participation countries and the UK.

            All games are taking place in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.  May 24^th Ireland take on it’s rival Northern Ireland. The “troubles” always come to mind with Northern Ireland however I do not believe there will be any hooliganism at this event. The Republic of Ireland fans pride themselves that they are not at all like England and their hooligans. Northern Ireland on the other hand has more similarities with English soccer. Scotland will take on Wales the next day. May 27^th will feature Wales vs. Northern Ireland while Scotland will challenge the Republic of Ireland May 29^th.

            I would have to say I believe the Championship will come to the final game between Scotland and The Republic of Ireland. Ireland being the host nations will have the edge. Attendance and viewer ship with Skysports will determine if this tournament will continue ora not.

           

Aviva Stadium, site of the 2011 Carling Nations Cup

Irish fan

Well maybe if clubs could get her and her friend to the games more people would show.....sorry I was bored..

Football Association of Ireland (FAI) vs Irish Football Association (IFA)

   The 2 Leagues of Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have been very similar until the last decade. In 1999 Northern Ireland was ranked 40 while The League of Ireland (Republic of Ireland) was ranked 41. This is the closest each League would be in comparison. The League of Ireland has gained almost a point per year since 1999. Northern Ireland Premiership has dropped from 40 to 49, dropping almost a point per year.

    The clubs from the League of Ireland have faired well in international competition. The UEFA Champions League has allowed the 1st place team from Ireland play. Here are the results from 1999 til now

Champions League

1999-00  St Patrick was slaughtered 5-0 and 5-0 and went home

2000-01  Shelbourne advanced to the second round

2001-02  Boenians advanced to the second round

2002-03  Shelbourne loses

2003-04  Bohemians advance to 2nd Round

2004-05  Shelbourne advances the the 3rd round. This is the farthest any League of Ireland has advanced in this tournament this decade.

2005-06  Shelbourne again advances to 2nd round

2006-07 Cork City becomes the 4th club to advance to the second round

2007-08 Derry City does not advance

2008-09 Drougheda United advance to 2nd round becoming the 5th club in the decade to advance

2009-10  Boheminas lose

2010-11  Bohemians lose--

2011-12   This year the Shamrock Rovers will be representing the League of Ireland. I think they will represent the League well. The Rovers have started out strong this year. The problem is some League Champions from the year before are not as good for the next years Champions League tournemant. Contract run out, players leave, management changes....ect. The Rovers have a stable club presently.

Also it is not your club but rather the opponent from another league that is a better gauge as to "if you move on" and advance. You want to get an opponent from Malta, San Marino or even the Fario Islands so you can advance easily.

The league if Ireland is wating for one of it teams to get past the 3 qualifying round. The Shels are the only team to make it there.

So when we are comparing league and clubs the League of Ireland has the upper hand. The Sentana Cup has been played each year since 2005. Linfield from Northern Ireland won the first year but 2006, 07, 08 and 09-10 the Champions have been from the League of Ireland. This years Champion 2011 has 3 clubs from the League of Ireland and one from the Premiership (Cliftonville). Cliftonville has already lost their home game and have a huge uphill battle to overcome Dundalk. The other 2 clubs are Shamrock Rovers and the Sligo Rovers....Shamrock also taking the home leg away from Sligo. This look like another Champion from the League of Ireland again in 2011.

Sentanta Sports Cup

Sentanta Sports Cup expands to 12 clubs

Setanta Sports Cup tournament to be revamped for 2011

Linfield manager David Jeffrey has expressed support for the Setanta Sports Cup I have stated in a previous post that I would like to see the League of Ireland and the Premiership conbine. This would expand the league and hopefully create a more marketable league. Most people tune into the English Premiership and their favorite teams are not in Ireland. The League of Ireland and the Premiership have to do things to make their league more marketable.   The main attention grabber would be if a club could advance deep into the Champions League or deep into the Europa League. Going deep into these prestigious international tournaments brings a lot of attention. Attention to the players, to the club and ultimatly to the League.   The League of Ireland has had a number of different teams win at each of these competitions. Advancing effects the Leagues co-efficient that is a baromitor as to how you league ranks against the 53 other European Leagues.      The competition between the two Irish Leagues is a good idea. However attendance is quite low for this competition.   This video shows an empty Linfield Stadium. The crowd in from the traveling Dundalk fans. The stadium however is the biggest and best n Belfast. http://www.youtube.com/user/artliam#p/u/10/9Qg3TfPayhU