Dundalk FC . back in Europe 2023 . 👏👏👏

[Richie87]

Both sides were in pre-season at the time so hard to judge. We weren't exactly ready to rock in the middle of January.

Magpies started back training on 5th June, and play Preston NE at their training camp in Murcia on 5th July, the week before the first leg.

4 of the team part of Gibraltar Squad . Not sure how many were involved against Ireland but playing International would keep a few sharp.

I had a look Richie, only 2 made the squad one came on as a sub (Balantine) and another (Coombes) unused sub.

Yeah it seems to be just the 2. They have 2 other players who are internationals, whether they were injured or not picked

Chipolina a new player with the Magies, is an experienced player for Gibralatar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Chipolina

[dieseldlk]

The go to bar would be The Liffey in La Linea, it's run by a couple of lads from town. about 20 minute walk to the stadium

[mike]

Nice one DD, plus prop cheaper in La Linea and can spend euro v Gibraltar.

Might be a good spot to set up base camp for those going.

[seand]

Going in and out of Malaga and hiring a car between two of us. Was cheap enough going over on Wed, ludicrously expensive to come back on Friday so I'm coming back via Birmingham for a quarter of the price!

[inflikted]

4 of the team part of Gibraltar Squad . Not sure how many were involved against Ireland but playing International would keep a few sharp.

I had a look Richie, only 2 made the squad one came on as a sub (Balantine) and another (Coombes) unused sub.

Yeah it seems to be just the 2. They have 2 other players who are internationals, whether they were injured or not picked

Chipolina a new player with the Magies, is an experienced player for Gibralatar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Chipolina

Jack Storer was once the Next Big Thing at Birmingham but attitude problems meant he became a journeyman and lost his way. Seemed to show signs of getting his head straight at Magpies last season and put in some very good performances but not confirmed if he's staying yet. Gibraltarian clubs aren't always very public with their signings (except Manchester 62 who have signed a few players this week including Irish striker Dean Ebbe) so we'll get a better idea of how their squad looks closer to the game when UEFA publishes the registered squad. Jaylan Hankins is very highly rated in goal and some see him as better than Dayle Coleing, but he was frozen out of the side for a little while when he turned down a callup to focus on his time at Cordoba and it was only after he returned to Gibraltar for "personal reasons" (despite Cordoba wanting him to stay) that he started getting called up.

[Malaga White]

The go to bar would be The Liffey in La Linea, it's run by a couple of lads from town. about 20 minute walk to the stadium

Class. That's what we were were going to do anyway, park in la Linea and walk over. Never knew there was a Dundalk owned bar in la Linea. Deadly. Got a load of Palace, Brentford, Gateshead, FC United fans coming down as well to support de town. Can't wait.

[Malaga White]

Lads, any questions re Spain/gib, don't hesitate.

[mike]

Thanks MW, very decent of you.

1/ We are staying in AC Hotel - La Linea, (LL) assume you need passport (thankfully I have P/P card) to move between LL and Gib?, is it quick crossing, plenty of crossing points?

2/ In general what is the cost difference between LL and Gib ?

3/ Is LL safe enough, heard a few things online, and that Docu on La Linea, but suppose all spots have bad areas. That said from other reports not sure that much going on in Gib, whats the diff in nightlife between the two spots?

4/ Any other tips ?

[holidaysong]

Mike I'd double or triple check on the PP card or bring the book PP just in case, as Gibraltar is not listed as valid on the DFA website (not in the EU or CTA).

https://www.dfa.ie/passportcard/#wherecanyouuseit

[mike]

Thanks HS, I will have both, suppose the PP card is just in the wallet for insurance but good shout.

[Robbo]

1. You can use your passport card to cross
2. There is only one crossing.
3. Gibraltar is sterling. Bring English sterling or exchange as you'll get ripped off on the rates charged in bars etc or use revolut.
4. Pints in Gibraltar between 4 and 5 pound. La linea 2 to 3.50 euro depending were you go.

[Robbo]

https://www.frontierqueue.gi/

https://www.frontierqueue.com/

Webcams gib side and spain side

[mike]

1. You can use your passport card to cross
2. There is only one crossing.
3. Gibraltar is sterling. Bring English sterling or exchange as you'll get ripped off on the rates charged in bars etc or use revolut.
4. Pints in Gibraltar between 4 and 5 pound. La linea 2 to 3.50 euro depending were you go.

Good man Robbo, very helpful info. I suppose the key one there, fans will need to know about the passport / passport card if based in La Linea and heading into Gib esp on match day. Will need to be organised.

Another I have, and got this tip when I lived in Sydney, for the match day a lot of fans will be out for the full day, do not take your best / most exp sunglasses, get a pair on amazon, the wrap around ones, cycling ones etc, can pick them up for €20 or so.

If you lose these after the sun goes down, less painful !!

[Malaga White]

Mike, good advice from the two lads. La linea not as bad as people make out, similar to the bad press that Dundalk got in the 80s. Yes, there's a lot of drug smuggling shenanigans but you're not going to get caught up in that. You should be able to find somewhere decent to eat in the old town. If you have time you could nip down to Estepona (about 40 k down the coast) Really nice coastal resort that isn't as commercialised as the resorts close to Malaga. Great beaches and restaurants.

We're going to park in La Linea, have a few drinks and walk over.

[Lilywhite29]

Maybe thinking too far ahead/optimisitcally,, but potential KA match in 2nd round would be played in Reykjavik (Fram's stadium) according to today's Demo?? .. Accesibility a lot easier if the case but would still be rough on the auld wallet!!
Connahs Quay game would be at the same spot we faced Newtown a couple of years ago,, TNS ground I believe ..