Richardson raving about Rovers
Credit:
League of Ireland legend Damien Richardson was glowing in his praise for Shamrock Rovers after they landed themselves a Europa League third qualifying round tie against Serie A giants Juventus next week.
“It presents a magnificent opportunity. The achievement of winning in Israel cannot be underestimated. It was difficult conditions and they did magnificently,” said Richardson after the 1-0 victory in Israel – coupled with the 1-1 draw in the first leg – saw Rovers progress.
“Playing the home leg second put an awful lot of pressure on the opposition. Shamrock Rovers defended well, the keeper did well and as usual, the most important and peculiar thing in European football is the away goal,” said Richardson following Thomas Stewart’s seventy minute strike which settled the tie.
“As long as they kept it scoreless, the pressure was growing on Bnei Yehuda. Rovers showed great powers of concentration and enjoyed their bits of luck, which you need. But what was key is that they made their luck count. They scored with twenty minutes remaining and showed great determination to see it out.”
Asked whether he will be at the home leg of the fixture on 29 July, regardless of where it is played as calls for the RDS continue to mount, Richardson said “definitely”.
“I was at Shamrock Rovers’ first game in Europe against Manchester United in 1957 at Dalymount Park. That game created huge interest, right around the country.”
“I was a non-playing substitute when Rovers played Bayern Munich in 1966 and I played in the win against Shalke 04 so I’ve been there. But this is the biggest game in the club’s history. The game has changed so much and this tie will bring interest and television coverage from all over Europe and Italy,” said Richardson.
However the delight of The Hoops was not matched elsewhere as Bohemians, Sporting Fingal and Dundalk each went out of Europe. But Richardson feels Rovers’ progression will help the league as a whole.
“It was a hard week for our clubs with three teams going out, but this is a great confidence boost for everybody connected with the league. The home game will be incredibly interesting,” he said.
Despite failing to beat CS Maritimo, Sporting Fingal did a fine job in their 6-4 aggregate loss to the Portuguese side, enjoying plenty of spells of dominance and having their own chances to win the game.
“I was at the game between Sporting Fingal and Maritimo on Thursday. The Portuguese were a very talented and technically gifted side. Each individual was an athlete and Fingal really had to match them.”
Fingal had lead in the first leg but eventually succumbed to an injury time goal, losing the leg 3-2 and setting up a difficult task for the home game.
“But they did exceptionally well, despite failing to progress. They proved in the first leg that they deserve to play at this level. Had they not conceded so late into injury time over there perhaps things would have been different but they did an excellent job regardless.”
“Years ago Irish clubs would sit back in European games, but Sporting Fingal took the task to Maritimo and did very well – some of their play was exceptional.”
Bohemians were perhaps the biggest casualty this week, crashing out to Welsh side TNS 4-1 on aggregate, despite holding a 1-0 advantage going into the second leg. In a tie that would have seen them face Anderlecht had they won – with the winner of that qualifying for the lucrative group stages of the Champions League – Bohs’ loss was particularly hard-felt.
“It was just one of those nights and you have to accept it,” said Richardson of the 4-0 loss in Wales on Wednesday.
“Sometimes everything goes right for one team, and that happened against Bohs. It’s horrendous for those concerned, and very surprising to those watching. But sometimes you get a night when it all goes against you. Bohs will never forget that but they should learn from it.”
Dundalk were the other Irish side in European competition and their 8-0 loss on aggregate to Bulgarian giants Levski Sofia was something a lot of people expected. But Richardson was quick to put The Lilywhite’s loss into perspective.
“Dundalk have a very small squad – the backup is inexperienced. There is not a lot you can do in that situation. Their early season success is maybe catching up with them. But it is all a part of the club’s progression.”
“We all say it’s a disappointment but there has to be some perspective. Dundalk were a first division side two years ago. Their progress has been brilliant, and they made it through the first round which cannot be forgotten,” he said.
Damien Richardson was speaking exclusively to extratime.ie ahead of his announcement of the Airtricity XI squad which will face Manchester United in an Airtricity Challenge match in Aviva Stadium on August 4.
“It presents a magnificent opportunity. The achievement of winning in Israel cannot be underestimated. It was difficult conditions and they did magnificently,” said Richardson after the 1-0 victory in Israel – coupled with the 1-1 draw in the first leg – saw Rovers progress.
“Playing the home leg second put an awful lot of pressure on the opposition. Shamrock Rovers defended well, the keeper did well and as usual, the most important and peculiar thing in European football is the away goal,” said Richardson following Thomas Stewart’s seventy minute strike which settled the tie.
“As long as they kept it scoreless, the pressure was growing on Bnei Yehuda. Rovers showed great powers of concentration and enjoyed their bits of luck, which you need. But what was key is that they made their luck count. They scored with twenty minutes remaining and showed great determination to see it out.”
Asked whether he will be at the home leg of the fixture on 29 July, regardless of where it is played as calls for the RDS continue to mount, Richardson said “definitely”.
“I was at Shamrock Rovers’ first game in Europe against Manchester United in 1957 at Dalymount Park. That game created huge interest, right around the country.”
“I was a non-playing substitute when Rovers played Bayern Munich in 1966 and I played in the win against Shalke 04 so I’ve been there. But this is the biggest game in the club’s history. The game has changed so much and this tie will bring interest and television coverage from all over Europe and Italy,” said Richardson.
However the delight of The Hoops was not matched elsewhere as Bohemians, Sporting Fingal and Dundalk each went out of Europe. But Richardson feels Rovers’ progression will help the league as a whole.
“It was a hard week for our clubs with three teams going out, but this is a great confidence boost for everybody connected with the league. The home game will be incredibly interesting,” he said.
Despite failing to beat CS Maritimo, Sporting Fingal did a fine job in their 6-4 aggregate loss to the Portuguese side, enjoying plenty of spells of dominance and having their own chances to win the game.
“I was at the game between Sporting Fingal and Maritimo on Thursday. The Portuguese were a very talented and technically gifted side. Each individual was an athlete and Fingal really had to match them.”
Fingal had lead in the first leg but eventually succumbed to an injury time goal, losing the leg 3-2 and setting up a difficult task for the home game.
“But they did exceptionally well, despite failing to progress. They proved in the first leg that they deserve to play at this level. Had they not conceded so late into injury time over there perhaps things would have been different but they did an excellent job regardless.”
“Years ago Irish clubs would sit back in European games, but Sporting Fingal took the task to Maritimo and did very well – some of their play was exceptional.”
Bohemians were perhaps the biggest casualty this week, crashing out to Welsh side TNS 4-1 on aggregate, despite holding a 1-0 advantage going into the second leg. In a tie that would have seen them face Anderlecht had they won – with the winner of that qualifying for the lucrative group stages of the Champions League – Bohs’ loss was particularly hard-felt.
“It was just one of those nights and you have to accept it,” said Richardson of the 4-0 loss in Wales on Wednesday.
“Sometimes everything goes right for one team, and that happened against Bohs. It’s horrendous for those concerned, and very surprising to those watching. But sometimes you get a night when it all goes against you. Bohs will never forget that but they should learn from it.”
Dundalk were the other Irish side in European competition and their 8-0 loss on aggregate to Bulgarian giants Levski Sofia was something a lot of people expected. But Richardson was quick to put The Lilywhite’s loss into perspective.
“Dundalk have a very small squad – the backup is inexperienced. There is not a lot you can do in that situation. Their early season success is maybe catching up with them. But it is all a part of the club’s progression.”
“We all say it’s a disappointment but there has to be some perspective. Dundalk were a first division side two years ago. Their progress has been brilliant, and they made it through the first round which cannot be forgotten,” he said.
Damien Richardson was speaking exclusively to extratime.ie ahead of his announcement of the Airtricity XI squad which will face Manchester United in an Airtricity Challenge match in Aviva Stadium on August 4.
About Gordon Hunt
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