With Shamrock Rovers’ impressive European run in this year’s UEFA Conference League, the League of Ireland has rather quickly shot up to being a top 35 European League.
This may not sound too impressive, but from where the League of Ireland found itself not too long ago, this is a massive stride. The league’s coefficient has not just its champions to thank though. Both Bohs and St Patrick’s Athletic have both provided significant points. Considering the fact they had to navigate the European qualifying rounds via the League Path, the results were even more impressive.
The League of Ireland is incredibly important to the future of the National Teams. It is now a regular occurrence to see League of Ireland players in the Under-21s, 19s, 17s.
This Summer will see an interesting mix of Irish clubs representing the league on the continent. Shelbourne will be competing in the Champions League first qualifying round via the Champions Path. The Drumcondra based club know that winning that tie is crucial to a successful European campaign.
Lose in that round and they go straight into the ConferenceLeague Second Qualifying Round. Win, and Shels not only go into the Champions League Second Qualifying Round but also, a loss in that round provides the safety net of the Europa League 3 rd Qualifying Round whereby a further loss at the very least means a Conference League playoff. Winning that Champions League First Qualifying Round is crucial.
Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic will enter the Conference League First Qualifying Round and both clubs will fancy another run this summer. Rovers will seeded in the qualifiers after their impressive run this season. Meanwhile, Drogheda United will enter at the Second Qualifying Round of the Conference League due to the League’s improved coefficient in recent years.
In more recent years, Chiedozie Ogbene, Jamie McGrath, Enda Stevens, Gavin Bazunu, Evan Ferguson, Andrew Moran, Jake O’Brien, Liam Scales, Ryan Manning all made senior appearances in the League of Ireland in their key development years. The domestic league’s importance cannot be understated and the same can be said for other nations in Europe with smaller populations.
Slovenia (FIFA Ranking 55th) – League Coefficient Ranking 29th
A population of approximately 2.1 million people. The population of Leinster is more than 2.8 million. The national team currently has 5 PrvaLiga players with countless others playing in Slovenia before moving across Europe. The Central European nation reached the Euro 2024 last 16, taking Portugal all the way to penalties before exiting the competition.
Similarly to Shamrock Rovers, Olimpija Ljubljana went out in the Conference League Knockout Round. Whilst Maribor exited at the Playoff Round. Champions Celje are in the Last 16 of the competition.
Croatia (FIFA Ranking 13th) – League Coefficient Ranking 20th
Just south of Slovenia, you’ll find Croatia. The nation with 3.8 million and yet has produced the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic.
World Cup runners up in 2018. Two third place finishes in 1998 and 2022. Two of the current squad play in the Hrvatska Nogometna Liga ‘Croatian Football League’ (HNL) with many having played in their domestic league before turning out in the top continental leagues.
Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split will be names many across Europe will recognise. The Croatian giants have had a massive say in the fortunes of the national team for many a year. The capital-based club competed in this year’s Champions League proper, finishing in 25th place, missing out on the knockout phase on just goal difference.
Here’s a quick glance at their stadia
Slovenia
NK Celje (Stadion Z’dezele) – 13,059 capacity (Municipality population of 50,039)
NK Maribor (Ljudski vrt) – 11,709 capacity (Municipality population of 113,000)
NK Olimpija Ljubljana (Stozice Stadium) – 16,038 capacity (Metro population of 537,893)
Croatia
Dinamo Zagreb (Stadion Maksimir) – 35,123 capacity reduced to 24,851 due to earthquake damage (Metro population of 1,086,528)
Hajduk Spilt (Stadion Poljud) – 33,987 capacity (Metro population of 335,407)
The League of Ireland’s Stadia (Cities with a minimum of 50k)
Bohs (Dalymount Park) – 8,000 capacity once redevelopment is complete (Urban population of 1,534,900)
Cork City (Turners Cross) – 7,485 capacity (Metro population of 305,222)
Galway United (Eamonn Deacy Park) – 5,000 capacity (Population of 85,910)
Shamrock Rovers (Tallaght Stadium) – 10,716 capacity (Urban population of 1,534,900)
Shelbourne (Tolka Park) – 4,750 capacity (Urban population of 1,534,900)
St Patrick’s Ahtletic (Richmond Park) – 5,500 capacity (Urban population of 1,534,900)
Waterford FC (RSC) – 5,160 capacity (Population of 60,079)
Looking at the stadiums, it’s clear to see the League of Ireland has some way to go to catch up to its counterparts in European countries with smaller populations. But with the continued increase in interest and performances from clubs in European competition. Here’s hoping improved facilities will come and with that a national team that can thank its domestic league in the same way countries like Slovenia and Croatia have.