Dundalk FC . back in Europe 2023 . 👏👏👏

[seand]

Cheers OF, I'm sure the predraw non-geographical geographical groups used to be released the day before but there you go

[oldfogey]

Cheers OF, I'm sure the predraw non-geographical geographical groups used to be released the day before but there you go

Always released to the clubs at least 24 hours in advance.

This is the first time there will be an official public release of the information. The clubs may already have the details, but be under strict instructions to not make them public. Having said that, it's very hard for 100 clubs to keep things under wraps.

You are quite right to be sceptical. Plenty of social media wannabe influencers around who like to pretend that what they post is gospel. This from UEFA's own website:

https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaconferenceleague/draws/

[seand]

It'll be one of these:
6 KA Akureyri (ISL)
7 Víkingur (FRO)
8 SC Gjilani (KOS)
9 KF Vllaznia (ALB)
10 FCB Magpies (GIB)

Not the grouping we would have wanted. Looks like there were more North / West European seeds than non-seeds, and we ended up in a mixed bag of a group. Gibraltar would be great, have to be strong favourites against Vikingur, and probably marginal favourites against the other 3, but it could have been a lot nicer. Not great for travel either- Faroes, Kosovo, Albania a pain the arse, I think there are direct flights to Iceland and Gibraltar I'm hoping would be manageable.

[mike]

This makes a mockery of the so-called 'regional' draw, KOS and ALB ????

Only 20% chance now of probably the only one most would consider would be Gibraltar.

[Shoco]

Can the magpies play in Gibraltar? The main stadium is being done up so the Irish international later this year is moved to Faro in Portugal.
Was there in 2019 for the last irish game and don't remember seeing any other grounds

[oldfogey]

Champions League draw will be at 2pm (CET); 1pm here.

Conference League draw will be at 3pm (CET); 2pm here.

[seand]

Can the magpies play in Gibraltar? The main stadium is being done up so the Irish international later this year is moved to Faro in Portugal.
Was there in 2019 for the last irish game and don't remember seeing any other grounds

Good question- and I can't see quickly when redevelopment work is starting or what's going to happen with club matches (all Gib league gmaes seem to be played at the venue). Maybe our resident Louie Annesley and Gib fan inflikted can advise :-)

With the Gibraltar and Faroes options the opposition will be sharing stadiums with other European entrants, so potential for legs to be switched or dates to be moved slightly

[Shoco]

James Rogers confirmed they can play there until QR2

[inflikted]

I think Magpies will much prefer playing Inter Club d'Escaldes or, at a push, Connah's Quay Nomads. They seem like the most beatable seeded teams. They're gonna be unpredictable since they've had to overhaul their coaching staff with Nathan Rooney (manager) and assistants Neil Ross and Terrence Jolley all stepping down, and Alfonso Cortijo returning from China to take over again.

[inflikted]

DUNDALK VS BRUNO'S MAGPIES

[mike]

Best draw we could have hoped for I think, given the mini group.

They have only played 2 games in Europe, and last season, lost 4-3 on agg to Crusaders.

[inflikted]

Best draw we could have hoped for I think, given the mini group.

They have only played 2 games in Europe, and last season, lost 4-3 on agg to Crusaders.

The warning is that Gib sides generally do better in their second season in Europe. Teams have a habit of underestimating them and they have a good record at home (most infamously shown when Lincoln Red Imps beat Celtic 1-0). Another famous situation was when St Joseph's were drawn against Prishtina from Kosovo a few years ago with a tie against Rangers the reward. Before a ball was kicked, Prishtina were talking about how they were going to surprise Rangers without even thinking about St Joseph's. St Joseph's won the tie and progressed. I think Larne were expecting to progress against St Joseph's last summer too and lost. As long as O'Donnel and co don't underestimate them, should be fine. Get the job done at Oriel and then even if it's a loss at Victoria Stadium it's inconsequential.

[seand]

Looks like the two Gibraltar teams were drawn away first leg, so I guess one or other tie will have to be reversed or the second leg moved a day or two?

Dundalk have just tweeted that they'd advise fans to wait for confirmation of dates before booking anything

[Shoco]

good draw.

Its a strange place, it's really like being in london with really good weather, all English bars and red telephone boxes.
I think there's direct flights out of Belfast.
I stayed in La Linea last time, it's the Spanish town just over the border, it's a bit of kip but a lot cheaper than gibraltar. the hotel I stayed in was actually really nice
For anyone who doesn't fly direct, you literally have to walk across the airport run way to get into it! If planes are landing or taking off then level crossing barriers close and you basically stand on the side of the runway while the plane does its thing!

[Malaga White]

Great draw for me, just an hour trip, really looking forward to it.
Last time I was in Gibraltar was about 10 years ago, bit of a kip really. Plenty of Dublin Malaga flights, might be an option and get a bus from Malaga. Don't know if there are direct flight from Dublin to Gib.