RTÉ Soccer Podcast: All aboard the LOI Euro train
Alan and Cawley and Keith Treacy reflect on Shamrock Rovers' ominously improving form as they look to reclaim the Premier Division title and return to the Conference League league stage.
Shelbourne are out of the Champions League but still have two swings at Europe to come, while St Pat's are preparing for a glamour tie against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besiktas.
Meanwhile Athlone Town crusied into Round 2 of the Women's Champions League qualifiers. Rachel Graham analyses their chances of keeping their run going.
There's also chat about domestic affairs, underrated Drogheda United, Cork City grit and the men's and women's title races.
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Irish Examiner
11 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
'The FAI asked me if I wanted to be their coach' - Ole Gunnar Solskjær reveals Ireland offer
Uefa Conference League third round (first leg): St Patrick's Athletic v Besiktas, Tallaght Stadium, Thursday 7.45pm Ole Gunnar Solskjær has revealed he was approached by the FAI about the Ireland vacancy last year, admitting he was asked if I wanted to be their coach. The former Manchester United boss leads Turkish side Besiktas into battle with St Patrick's Athletic in Thursday's Conference League clash but may have succeeded his counterpart Stephen Kenny in the Ireland hotseat. Despite downplaying reports of links during the arduous 231-day FAI search to fill the vacancy, Solskjær has provided an enlightening insight about how close he came to being appointed before Heimir Hallgrímsson landed the post. Solskjær was unemployed from the time his three-year spell at United ended in 2021 to accepting the role in Turkey last March. Asked by the Irish Examiner if he might have been Kenny's successor, he replied: 'The FAI asked me if I wanted to be their coach. 'We I had some good conversations but in the end it didn't turn out that way. I am very happy where I am now.' When it was put to if he or the FAI ended the possibility of exploring international management, he was non-committal. 'That would be confidential but we had some good chats.' It's not overstating to foresee Solskjær returning to the jobs market if side are scalped by the Saints over the two legs. He's already facing pressure after a sluggish start to the season and the notion of being dumped out by the Irish side will be anathema to their loyal hardcore. Solskjær takes a selfie with a fan. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Solskjær has experience of Irish competition, his Norwegian side Molde overcoming Sligo Rovers in the 2013 Champions League, but he's cautioning the expectant Turks about the challenge looming against the Dubliners. 'Pressure is a privilege — something we thrive on underneath,' he explained about their current plight. 'When results go against you, you don't enjoy that period but it's a chance to show character, show individual character. 'Football is a bumpy road and you have to manoeuvre and accept it. If you don't results, there will be criticism and If you win every day you are still not perfect. 'If people think we think we are better than St Pat's, they're wrong. Last year, they got to the playoffs and I'm sure they want to go one step further. 'I wouldn't call anything a free hit in football anymore.' The man known as the baby-faced assassin from his playing days recognises pedigree in Mason Melia, the teen striker he branded a 'good signing' for Tottenham at €1.9m. 'We saw his movement for his goal against Waterford at the weekend' he said of his scouting duties. 'He spun the centre back and timed his run. He's a proper No. 9, he can play off the shoulder, can come short too and is a good finisher as well. 'He's got the world ahead of him and I wish him all the best — after our two games against them finish in eight days from now.' Saints must move to Tallaght due to the limitations of their Richmond Park home but are anticipating most of the 8,500 seats to be occupied. The full away allocation of 500 was taken up by Besiktas.
The Irish Sun
11 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Shamrock Rovers dealt double blow with key stars to miss BOTH legs of Conference League qualifier clash against Ballkani
Three other players will miss the away leg WHAT A SHAME Shamrock Rovers dealt double blow with key stars to miss BOTH legs of Conference League qualifier clash against Ballkani SHAMROCK ROVERS will be without midfielders Jack Byrne and Aaron McEneff for both home and away legs against Ballkani in the Conference League. The Hoops are in Kosovo ahead of tomorrow's away leg but travelled without some key men through injury. 2 Shamrock Rovers will be without some big names for the Conference League clash against Ballkani Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Jack Byrne and Aaron McEneff, not pictured, will not feature in either leg Credit: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile Graham Burke, Matt Healy and Trevor Clarke were not part of the travelling party because of injury but are expected to be available next week. But Byrne, who also missed Sunday's win over Derry City, and McEneff are not listed in the squad for the tie, which means they cannot feature next week even if fit. Boss Bradley explained: 'Should you get through to the next round, you can name another squad then. 'Obviously, when you get to the league phase, it's locked in and you can't do anything. But with this, you can change two players up to the day before the game. 'We might not pick up any injuries, but we could well pick up injuries over the next two weeks and the whole picture changes again. 'But it does give you that freedom when it's gone round to round rather than locked in for the league phase. 'If it was the last game of the season and you're going to win the league, it was a cup final, I'm sure they would all be available to play. 'But we're in a position that we've got a really good squad and everybody's ready to play. And we don't need to take silly risks with players.' The absence of five big names is a blow, though Bradley knows his squad has strength in depth for the clash, and the experience. His side made League of Ireland history last year by progressing through the group phase, having already reached the groups in 2022. Shamrock Rovers snap up Northern Ireland Under-21s goal-getter as Stephen Bradley gives exciting verdict But on both occasions they had the 'champions' path' which meant a safety net if knocked out of the Champions League while this year they must win every tie. Bradley added: 'That's the beauty of the Champions path. And not having that, we knew it was going to be difficult. 'And what I said at the start, our aim is to get into the group phase, the league phase. That's our aim.'
Irish Daily Mirror
11 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shamrock Rovers missing key players through injury for Ballkani clash in Kosovo
Stephen Bradley is adamant Shamrock Rovers can reach another European League phase - by doing it the hard way. But the Hoops' cause in Kosovo on Thursday won't be helped by the absence of key figures from their will face Ballkani without Graham Burke, Jack Byrne, Matt Healy, Aaron McEneff and Trevor Clarke who all have injury Healy and Clarke are all registered in Rovers' squad that had to be submitted to UEFA for this tie, meaning they can feature in the home leg next week if Byrne and McEneff are not on the UEFA list, so they won't be available for the second-leg at Tallaght Bradley feels there is such strength in depth to his squad these days that the absence of those leading lights doesn't constitute an injury crisis. Their absence just opens the door for the likes of new midfielder Connor Malley - snapped up on loan from Sligo Rovers - who made his debut against Derry on Sunday. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Bradley said in Kosovo: 'They're top players and if it was the last game of the season and you're going for the league, or a cup final, I'm sure they would all be available. Aaron McEneff, seen here in action against St Joseph's of Gibraltar in the previous round, is out of Shamrock Rovers' European game in Kosovo (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) 'But we're in a position that we've got a really good squad and everybody's ready to play, and we don't need to take silly risks with players.'Last year, we had to do that. We were forced into that because of the injury situation and, as a result, we kept re-injuring the players.'That's not fair on them or the group or the team and right now, we're in a place where the squad is healthy and everybody's looking to play.'We don't need to take chances with players that have niggles or who are borderline fit. We don't need to take those chances and sit on a plane for three-and-a-half hours.'Rovers want to get back to the Conference League league phase, having reached the playoff round in February only to lose on penalties to having missed out on the Premier Division title last season, they don't have the benefit of the 'champions path' in Europe, currently being enjoyed by this tie, and Rovers will be sent packing but Bradley feels the experience his team has gained in Europe will stand to said: 'We knew it was going to be hard but our aim is to get into the group phase, the league phase. Can we do it? Time will tell, but for now it's about getting ready for a tough tie and getting through that.'Shamrock Rovers defender Dan Cleary echoed Bradley, by insisting the players can rise to the challenge of securing another prolonged run in said: 'We don't have the champions path, so it's everything or nothing. Mentally, it's obviously different, but we're still doing the same thing. 'We want to win tonight, bring it back to Tallaght next week and take them on. We can't look too far ahead because it's a big game tonight and these are a good side.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
