LEAGUE OF IRELAND:ST PATRICK'S Athletic could end up spending all of their prize money for reaching the third qualifying round of the Europa League on travelling to the Russian city of Samara for the second leg of their tie against Krylia Sovetov, club officials revealed yesterday.
The Dublin club effectively earned €90,000 in Uefa prize money for beating FC Valletta in the second round but now face a difficult and expensive away trip, one that is complicated by the logistics of obtaining Russian visas and uncertainty with regard to whether the tie might be all but dead after this Thursday’s game in Inchicore.
“It’s difficult,” says club chief executive Richard Sadlier. “We’ve been onto two or three travel agents over the weekend. We know the Russians are landing on a charter flight on Wednesday afternoon, training here Wednesday evening, playing Thursday night and then getting straight back on the plane.
“That would be the ideal way to travel. But cost is a big factor and they have a lot more money than we do. We are waiting to see what the cost of the smallest plane we could charter would be, because there would be a limited amount of interest from our supporters, because of the cost primarily.”
Scheduled flights to Samara for next week start at in excess of €1,200 for the return journey and involve two stopovers on the way out, some way short of ideal ahead of what is an important game.
“It is by no means ideal,” says Jeff Kenna, “but those are the logistics of it. Hopefully we can come up with a deal where we can fly straight in and come back out.
“All the prize-money for getting through could be spent on just getting to the game. But it’s another round in the Europa League, I’m excited about it and I know the players are. If we were to get through that it really is then exciting times.”
Shamrock Rovers, meanwhile, have completed the signing of 23-year-old former UCD midfielder Paddy Kavanagh from Bray Wanderers.
“We’re delighted to add Paddy to our squad,” said manager Michael O’Neill. “He’s got considerable skill and a very positive attitude. He’ll fit in well at Rovers.”
Bohemians have announced a friendly game against a Liverpool XI for August 17th at 7.45. Tickets for the game, priced €20 and €10, go on sale today.
