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The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Figures that show new generation of LOI stars could earn millions
MAYBE WINDSOR PARK is a lucky omen for League of Ireland teams, the kind of venue that is a catalyst for hope and greater possibilities. The parallels between the post-match scenes on Wednesday night after Shelbourne edged clear of Linfield in Champions League qualifying and when Shamrock Rovers blitzed Larne 4-1 in the league phase of last season's Uefa Conference League did not stop with the jubilant celebrations in front of delirious travelling supporters. Comparisons could be drawn, too, in the sense of confidence and opportunity that the respective triumphs inspired. Last October, Rovers' head coach Stephen Bradley was enthused during post-match duties in Belfast after guiding his side to the club's first win in a group/league phase of European competition – worth an additional €400,000 to the club coffers on top of €3 million for qualifying. The new 36-team format sees the top eight qualify for the last 16 automatically with those ranked ninth to 24th battling it out in the play-offs. 'We want to qualify out of the first phase, that's been one of our aims,' Bradley said. 'Why not? Why can't it be our aim? Let's go and try and do it, yeah. I don't see why we should put a limit on what we can do here.' Rovers backed up Bradley's words and became the first Irish club to reach the knockout stages of European competition, earning over €6m in the process. Close to 20% of that pot would be divvied up in prize money in the players' pool, with a certain portion guaranteed and the rest related to appearances and performances. Fast forward to this week and Shels boss Joey O'Brien was just as pleased after progress to the second qualifying round of the Champions League guaranteed at least a place in the play-offs of the Conference League, due to the safety nets of the champions' path, and €1.7m in prize money for the club. 'Ultimately, to get the real money, you must make group stages. I told the lads in there that's the aim. We don't want this to be our [only] European memory. We want to go and create more history by qualifying for the groups,' he said. Shels will earn a minimum of €3.17m should they replicate Rovers' qualification, and then the money will really hit for players. Advertisement Sean Boyd was up front in the aftermath of Wednesday's win that talk of bonuses was a topic of discussion, which is hardly surprising given they have the kind of impact of players' lives that so many of us can relate to – paying off bills, saving for a house, getting a mortgage, or in the recently-engaged Boyd's case possibly paying for a wedding. 'She's already spent everything,' Boyd joked. 'I said [to her], potentially, if we get through, we get this [amount]. And she's like, 'oh, lovely, that will pay for the wedding'. We've to buy a house as well, so it's all coming at once. 'Ganno had mentioned during the week, it's like you get a deposit for your house obviously if you go through a few rounds so that's kind of where the players in the league probably make some decent money. So, yeah, another incentive probably.' The 'Ganno' that Boyd referenced is Sean Gannon and he is a fascinating test case for what the future might hold for those top-tier League of Ireland players who spend their careers in this country. He only turned 34 last week but has won 11 Premier Division titles between 2011 and 2024 with Rovers (two spells), St Patrick's Athletic, Dundalk, and Shels. As the Reds are also guaranteed six more games this season the defender is set to overtake Ronan Finn's record of 63 appearances in Europe for a League of Ireland player if he features in each of the fixtures. With that in mind, and given the current European formats as well as growth of basic earnings and bonuses at top clubs, it's safe to estimate that the next Sean Gannon will comfortably become a millionaire in the League of Ireland. And there may well become more like him at the top table. The Beat sources have laid out what we understand to be an accurate pay scale for those current established professionals at the top clubs in the country; starting at €50,000 per year for Category 3, €100,000 for Category 2, and a small, elite group touching €150,000 in Category 1. As players can also expect to share 20% of European prize money between them (ranging from €30,000-50,000), it is now feasible to consider that those from all three categories who spend at least 10 years at the top and qualify for European league phase football in half of those campaigns could earn the following; Category 3 – €750,000 Category 2 – €1,250,000 Category 3 – €1,750,00 A tall order, for sure, but with such financial and professional rewards now on the line it is definitely enough to maintain motivation levels and help retain the calibre of talent capable of achieving such targets. And that's before you consider the added security that comes with Sportsperson's tax relief, which explains that players 'may claim a deduction of 40% of certain income arising in any 10 of the following years: your year of retirement or the preceding 14 years of assessment.' It's understood that there are already players who will have the comfort of considerable six-figure sums once they hang up their boots. In a week when the Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland (PFA Ireland) secured an increase in the minimum wage starting next season from €430 per week to €450, and their research detailed that the average weekly wage in a full-time Premier Division now stands at €890 per week (it was around €700 last year), it's clear that strides continue to be made across the board. But for those among the elite, challenging for titles and battling for league phase football in Europe, there will be millions to be made from staying in the League of Ireland. Of course, the above detail is based on figures standing still in terms of European prize money and the domestic growth continuing at a conservative pace. Who knows what might happen when the Virgin TV deal is to be renewed before 2029 and we could also have Bohemians and Sligo Rovers in new, modern stadiums? Not to mention Finn Harps or Wexford, with St Patrick's Athletic possibly even advancing their own case for redevelopment of Richmond Park. Even the value of winning the FAI Cup has soared, so how apt that the second round starts this weekend and Shels travel to Limerick on Saturday to face non-league side Fairview Rangers before welcoming Qarabag to Tolka Park in the Champions League on Wednesday. Whoever lifts the FAI Cup in Aviva Stadium this November will be guaranteed €700,000 in prize money from European qualification as they will go into the Europa League and have the safety net of a second tie in the Conference League should it be required. That is because success of clubs – specifically Rovers – has improved the overall Uefa coefficient to a point where should the Hoops win the Premier Division this season they will be seeded for two rounds of Europe next season. That is the kind of bonus territory we are looking at.
The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
'That will do wonders for his confidence, the only thing he's lacking has been goals'
STEPHEN KENNY HAILED his side's performance after St Patrick's Athletic beat Hegelmann 2-0 in Lithuania to secure their place in the second qualifying round of the Uefa Conference League and net a minimum of €700,000. Goals in either half from Kian Leavy and Mason Melia, coupled with Aidan Keena's first-leg penalty, ensured the Dublin side secured a convincing 3-0 aggregate win. The second goal on the night was particularly well-worked by a team who had scored just once in six Premier Division matches before this tie. 'It's a brilliant finish by Kian, a good pass by Mason,' Kenny said afterwards. 'We are delighted to win home and away and keep clean sheets back to back in Europe, four clean sheets in a row [overall]. The players are defending well, and to win is a great boost because it's difficult to win home and away in Europe, no matter who you are playing.' 😍 The assist by Melia 🎯 The finish by Leavy ⚽️⚽️ The Saints double their advantage on the night & now lead 3-0 on aggregate Our 2025 Goals are sponsored by @kavanaghspubd8 #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ — St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) July 17, 2025 Kenny hailed Leavy in particular. The 23-year-old midfielder missed out on a starting XI spot in the first leg, but his performance this evening suggests he will retain his place for the foreseeable future. In addition to his clinical finish to double the Saints' advantage on the night, he had a hand in the opener with a mazy run and clever pass from which Jason McClelland's low shot was poked home by an alert Melia on the rebound. Advertisement 'We hit a barren period, but overall, we are a team that, over the last year, has scored a high number of goals. We have to get back on track now because that was expensive for us, in league terms. 'But tonight is about the European game, and that was a tough game for periods, but we played and controlled it really well. Without doubt, the standout performer — the player who caught the eye most was Kian Leavy — his influence on the night and the goal rounded it off for him, his first European goal. 'I think Kian is a good striker of the ball. Sometimes he's reluctant because he's so fast running with it, he doesn't get it out of his stride to strike it. He keeps his control so close to his feet, but tonight in the second half, he had one brilliant strike from 25 yards, where he got into his stride and connected brilliantly with it, and it's just wide; he missed the top corner. 'After that, he got on the end of Mason's pass and finished really well, that will do wonders for his confidence, the only thing he's lacking has been goals, he scored against Galway earlier in the season. That goal was brilliant for him, and hopefully he'll kick on. 'It's very unusual to get players who can dribble from central areas. He was very effective tonight.' Our opener in Lithuania thanks to Mason Melia's close range finish, a first European goal for the 17-year-old after great work by Leavy & McClelland in the build-up Our 2025 Goals are sponsored by @kavanaghspubd8 #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ — St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) July 17, 2025 Kenny was similarly pleased with Melia. After Keena came off the bench to score the winner in the first leg, the Dubliner might have been tempted to start the Mullingar man, but the manager's faith in the 17-year-old was ultimately rewarded. 'Every goal doesn't have to be a brilliant finish. There is nothing wrong with finishing in the six-yard box…striker's goals. We've been lacking those types of goals. Jason McClelland did brilliantly, and he was in there to finish it. 'He won't get an easier goal, but it's because he read the situation and he anticipated it, and that's a good sign. There are more goals like that for him if he continues to react like that. 'Aidan Keena has been doing well as well, pushing Mason. It's a collective effort. Aidan got the goal to give us the big win we needed, a pressure goal in Richmond Park last week, and Mason was on hand to get the goal tonight, so it's good to have both strikers contributing.' Kenny also paid tribute to Chris Forrester, after the 32-year-old came off the bench to make a club-record-breaking 25th European appearance. 'It's been a milestone week for him. His 400th appearance for the club last week, and also his 25th today in Europe. '[Former Pat's player] Ian Bermingham, of course, was in Tirana tonight for us as it happens. While he was in Tirana, his record was taken away from him by his good friend, Chris. So it's a great achievement, and hopefully, there's more for him there.' Bermingham, who is Head of Academy Football at Pat's, was in Albania to watch Partizani Tirana play Nõmme Kalju. The Estonian side won 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate after extra time to set up a second-round clash with Pat's.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
St Joseph's beat Cliftonville to set up Rovers tie
St Joseph's edged past 10-man Cliftonville 3-2 after extra time in the second leg of their Uefa Conference League first qualifying round tie at a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Gibraltar, Pablo Rodriguez scored within the first minute to put St Joseph's in front on the night and in the Reds roared back with Michael Glynn equalising before half-time and Joe Gormley putting them in front after Odhran Casey was sent off following two yellow Joseph's eventually made their man advantage count as Juanma's arrowed effort equalised for the visitors and substitute Hugo Jesslen scored an extra-time winner as the Gibraltar side won 5-4 on will now face League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers in the next round. Reds react to St Joseph's early goal It was a nightmare start for Cliftonville as they fell behind in the first controlled a pass from Facundo Alvarez, beat Shaun Leppard and finished low past Lewis Reds responded well to going behind and almost equalised on five minutes when Casey rose highest to meet Rory Hale's corner, but his header came back off the had a low strike saved by Bradley Banda whilst another effort from the striker whistled just persistence finally paid off on 32 minutes when Glynn drilled the ball low into the far fierce effort from outside the box was then diverted behind by Banda as the sides went in level at the break. Reds fall short after Casey's sending off The Reds continued to dominate early in the second half with Banda called into action once more to tip long-range efforts from Jonny Addis and Casey over the momentum was curtailed just before the hour mark however, as like in the first leg, they were reduced to 10 men as Casey received a second yellow card for a foul on Alvaro rallied and went ahead five minutes later. Hale did well to keep Luke Conlan's cross in play with his acrobatic pass falling to Gormley, who produced an overhead kick from close lead lasted all of three minutes as St Joseph's captain Juanma rifled home an equaliser from the edge of the Conor Falls then thought he had won the game for Magilton's side in injury time. Conlan fed the striker, whose poked effort was turned onto the post by Banda, whilst at the other end, Javi Forjan had a late goal ruled out for they did in the first half of normal time, St Joseph's struck early in extra time, with Jesslen getting a vital touch to divert a cross from the left beyond Ridd, with St Joseph's hanging on to progress.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ten-man Penybont bow out of Europe
Ten-man Penybont have been knocked out of Europe after a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Lithuania's Kauno Zalgiris. Penybont trailed 3-0 after the first leg of the Uefa Conference League first qualifying round, leaving them a mountain to climb on their return to Cardiff. The task became even bigger when Aldayr Hernandez found the back of the net with a free header from a corner after just 13 minutes. The Cyrmu Premier side hit straight back when former Newport County man Nathan Wood struck the ball into the bottom corner to level the scores. But any hopes of a comeback were severely dented when second half substitute Owain Warlow was sent off shortly after coming on for violent conduct. Penybont had a shout for a penalty and also came close with a Chris Venables effort while goalkeeper Adam Armstrong pulled off a remarkable double save to deny the Lithuanian side. This result, as well as Haverfordwest's loss to Malta's Floriana, leaves The New Saints as Wales' only representation left in European football this season. They will face Differdange of Luxembourg. Penybont manager Rhys Griffiths said: "I've learned some stuff. I think I made a mistake in the first game being a bit too aggressive probably. "Not to make excuses, we're playing against a team with an €11m budget a year, that's probably six, seven times what TNS's is. "So it was always going to be a tall order, but I'm really proud of the way we competed with them."
The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Leavy and Melia lead the way as classy St Pat's march on in Europe
Uefa Conference League, first-round qualifier, second leg Hegelmann 0 St Patrick's Athletic 2 St Patrick's Athletic win 3-0 on aggregate THIS WAS CLASSY and clinical from St Patrick's Athletic as they cut through Heglemann on their own patch to begin what they hope to be a resurgence in their season. Mason Melia and Kian Leavy did the damage with a goal each and all-round performances that were beguiling. Stephen Kenny has said his players have been doing all the right things during their sticky patch in the Premier Division and this display backed up such belief as the European campaign goes on. This was an Irish side going to Lithuania and looking stronger in every element of the game – tactically, physically and technically. The first leg was a story of missed opportunities but after six minutes of the return St Pat's were sharp and ruthless and, crucially, leading by two legs in the tie. The excellent Leavy started with purpose, perhaps with a point to prove given he was the one change to the starting XI in Dublin and began in place of Brandon Kavanagh. He drifted dangerously and blithely across the final third, taking the ball with his back to goal or turning and running with impressive decisiveness. It was this willingness to act on the front foot that created the opening goal, cutting in from the right wing, across the penalty box and getting his head up and the perfect time to see the run of Jason McClelland between two ball-watching Heglemann defenders. 😍 The assist by Melia 🎯 The finish by Leavy ⚽️⚽️ The Saints double their advantage on the night & now lead 3-0 on aggregate Our 2025 Goals are sponsored by @kavanaghspubd8 #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ — St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) July 17, 2025 The left back faked to take the shot first time, his marker stuttered just enough to allow him take a touch and powerful shot that was palmed by the goalkeeper straight into the path of the on-rushing Melia who tapped home inside the six-yard box. It was the perfect start to soothe any nerves and allow the Pat's players settle into their groove. Advertisement Leavy typified this confidence and spent the half with his head on a swivel and defenders with blurred vision trying to keep up his quick feet. The manner in which Pat's completely took charge of the game bodes well as their European run now sets to continue into the second qualifying round of this competition. At least €700,000 has been banked and with their opponents to be confirmed later this evening – the winner of Partizani from Albania and Estonia's Nõmme Kalju FC await – Kenny's side look to have rediscovered their mojo in the final third at just the right time. On the evidence of this performance it's baffling to realise Pat's had scored just once in 10 hours of football prior to the first leg. In Lithuania it looked as though they were capable of carving Hegelmann open at every opportunity. The way in which they made certain of progress with a second goal of the evening on 56 minutes illustrated the gulf in class, and there was no surprise to see Melia and Leavy combine to such devasting effect. The 17-year-old striker dropped into the centre circle, recieved a pass under pressure but had the close control and running ability to sprint away from pressure and end up on the opponents' 18-yard box within a matter of seconds. After doing all that hard work he maintained his cool to play an easy pass to his left for Melia. Others might well have overhit or miscued the ball after expending such energy but instead it was ideal for Leavy to take one touch, swivel his hips and leave a defender on the astro, then carefully rifle a finish into the roof of the net. It was lethal all round and the end of whatever resistance was left from the home side had wilted. Yet another clean sheet was never in danger for the Saints. The hosts were lucky not to concede a penalty when Melia was body checked in the box, and by that stage it was game-management for the Saints. Chris Forrester's substitute appearance on 80 minutes means he now holds the record for Pat's in Europe with 25. There will be at least two more opportunities to add to that tally and if this is the start of a resurgence who knows when it will end. Hegelmann: Vincentas Sarkauskas; Klaudijus Upstas, Vilius Armalas, Nikola Doric, Carlos Duke; Domantas Antanavicius, Lazar Kojic, Artem Shchedryi; Donatas Kazlauskas, Kader Njoya Abdel, Leo Ribeiro. St Patrick's Athletic: Joey Anang; Ryan McLaughlin, Joe Redmond (captain), Tom Grivosti, Jason McClelland (Anto Breslin 80); Jake Mulraney (Zach Elbouzedi HT), Barry Baggley, Jamie Lennon, Kian Leavy (Al-Amin Kazeem 88), Simon Power (Chris Forrester 80); Mason Melia (Aidan Keena 72). Referee: Mads Kristoffersen (Den).
