Irish Examiner, Ireland
June 30 2007
Derry draw short straw with Armenia trip
By Liam Mackey
DERRY director Michael Burns admits yesterday’s Champions League
first-round draw is a `nightmare’ for the club.
The Candystripes must travel to the other side of Europe to face
Armenian champions Pyunik, with the reward for the winner a
second-round clash against Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.
And Burns, the club’s secretary, revealed the pairing `could not have
been worse’ for City both on and off the field.
`It couldn’t be worse,” he said. `Logistically speaking it’s a
nightmare. We are having to charter a plane, we’ve got a hotel sorted
and we’re still trying to get the transportation sorted out.
`Some of our people have played in Georgia in the past. One of our
players Paddy McCourt, a Northern Ireland Under-21 international, was
in Armenia and he has already spoken about the difficulties we could
face over there.
`You are basically talking about going to the Middle East, it’s
neighbouring Iran which is as far away in Europe as you can go.
`It is a nightmare, it’s going to cost us an absolute fortune.
`You are talking about the full length of Europe and the vast
majority of clubs at this stage of the Champions League are not
wealthy.’
And if the thought of crippling costs and traumatic travel
arrangements were not enough, City also face the daunting prospect of
trying to defeat a side which boasts nine Armenian internationals.
`They have nine players in the Armenian national squad at the moment
and are 16 points clear in their own league which means they are by
far and away the best team in Armenia,’ he added.
`The city they play in is the size of Dublin. Dublin has half a dozen
good quality football clubs so to be the best club they must be
pretty good.’
`It’s a tough draw in terms of football and travel,’ caretaker boss
Peter Hutton agreed, `and the timing isn’t great as we have less than
four weeks to prepare for the away leg and it will be difficult for
the club to organise a trip to Armenia in that time.
It’s not an ideal draw for our fans – we had great support when we
played in Sweden, Scotland and France in the UEFA Cup last season and
it will be difficult and expensive for our fans to get to Armenia.’
To further complicate matters for Derry, should they get through the
first round their reward – if that’s the right word – will involve a
daunting trip to the Ukraine to face Shaktar Donetsk.
There was better news from the European draws for St Patrick’s
Athletic who face a tough but not insurmountable challenge in the
form of Danish side Odense in the UEFA Cup.
Pats will be at home in the first leg at Richmond Park on Thursday
July 19, giving them a fighting chance against the club which last
year beat Shelbourne 3-1 on aggregate in the Intertoto Cup and who
finished the season in third place in the Danish league. With the
transfer window opening tomorrow, Pats are also on the brink of
signing former Shelbourne defender Dave Rogers from Derry.
Ireland’s other UEFA Cup representatives, Drogheda United, ought to
be favourites in their opening game against part-timers SP Libertas
of San Marino.
Said Drogs boss Paul Doolin yesterday: `I think last year’s great run
will stand to us this time. But we’ve a big league game against
Galway on Monday and that’s all we’re concentrating on for now.’
Meanwhile, in domestic action today, Sligo Rovers host Longford Town
(Showgrounds, 7.45pm) in the Premier Division of the eircom League of
Ireland. Adam Hughes is suspended for Rovers who welcome back Pjotr
Bajdziak, while Kevin Doherty is suspended for Longford. Tomorrow,
Bray Wanderers are at home to Waterford United (Carlisle Grounds, 3pm).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
