3 days ago
Drogheda confident of claiming Euro place despite uncertainty
Uncertainty over Drogheda United's place in the Uefa Conference League hasn't affected their players, according to assistant manager Daire Doyle.
A first-ever FAI Cup success for the Louth club last November was decorated by qualification directly into the second round of Europe's third competition at the second round stage.
That guaranteed minimum €525,000 windfall in prize-money and their participation in the draw on June 18 is in jeopardy due to rules around multi-club ownership.
Uefa forbid clubs with the same owners facing each other in competition for sporting integrity purposes and the latest club in the stable of Trivela, Silkeborg IK, also recently qualified from the Danish league.
Crystal Palace are facing similar obstacles due to John Textor's stakes in Lyon and the American is prepared to sell his 25% shareholding to facilitate the first foray into Europe for the FAI Cup holders.
That isn't so simple in the case of Drogs, who are 100% owned by the American investors. They recently purchased 80% of Silkeborg IK, outlining the difficulty of divestment.
'I'm confident we'll be in the draw and get to play in Europe because the club deserves it,' said Kevin Doherty's assistant Doyle.
'I know club officials travelled to Uefa and they have proposed a solution. We're all hoping for a positive outcome.
'If something was to happen all of sudden, to be honest it could be up in the air. We'll have to deal with that if it arises over the next week but I'm confident.'
Doyle was speaking at the draw for the second round of the FAI Cup, which pits the holders against non-league Crumlin United.
A yearly improvement in Ireland's European coefficient means this year's winners will enter the Europa League, guaranteeing a backdoor into the Conference and a minimum prize pot of €700,000.
Drogs are currently second behind Shamrock Rovers at the midway point but Doyle admits the new Cup bonus makes it most favourable.
'I suppose it is because the league runner-up only qualifies for the Conference,' he admitted.
Meanwhile, Cork City will face non-league Leicester Celtic – one of Damien Duff's former clubs - in the second round to be played on the weekend of July 20.
Newly crowned FAI senior player of the year Robbie Brady helped conduct the draw and pulled out a Premier Division tie for the St Mochta's team his brother Liam is part of. Fresh from winning the Leinster Senior League on Wednesday night, they will travel to face Waterford.
Munster Senior League outfit University College Cork are also on the road, taking on 2023 winners St Patrick's Athletic.
Cobh Ramblers make the trip to Leinster Senior League opposition in Bangor Celtic, as do Bohemians against Killester/Donnycarney.
The final will take at Lansdowne Road on November 9.
In the Women's FAI Cup, holders Shelbourne face a tricky tie against Galway United while there's another top-flight clash between Cork City and Peamount United.
Men's FAI Cup draw:
Shamrock Rovers v Wexford FC Dundalk v Sligo Rovers Fairview Rangers v Shelbourne Kerry FC v Athlone Town.
Cork City v Leicester Celtic.
Finn Harps v UCD.
St Patrick's Athletic v University College Cork.
Salthill Devon v St Michael's Tipperary.
Galway United v Tolka Rovers.
Bray Wanderers v Wayside Celtic.
Bangor Celtic v Cobh Ramblers.
Castlebar Celtic v Longford Town.
Killester Donnycarney v Bohemians.
Waterford v St Mochta's.
Treaty United v Derry City.
Drogheda United v Crumlin United.
Women's FAI Cup first round draw:
Wexford v Bohemians
Cork City v Peamount United
Treaty United v Ferns United
Newbridge Town v Whitehall Rangers
Shelbourne v Galway United
Athlone Town v Terenure Rangers
Shamrock Rovers v Waterford
Sligo Rovers v DLR Waves
Ties to be held the week-ending June 29
