This isn’t a bad consolation prize.
Dundalk came closer than any Irish side to qualifying for the Champions League group stage. Legia Warsaw can count themselves fortunate to get past Stephen Kenny’s side, and the two ties were a lot closer than the 3-1 aggregate scoreline suggests.
Dundalk will have to settle for a place in the Europa League group stages, but, judging by some of the teams they could be drawn alongside, it’s not the worst consolation prize.
There are teams in Friday’s draw, which gets underway at 12pm Irish time, that would present a greater chance of advancement to the next stage of the competition for the Lillywhites, but here’s the dream draw, in terms of glamour ties, for the Irish champions.
Top seed – Manchester United
The crowds have always come out in force when Manchester United visit Ireland, and it would be no exception if they pooled alongside Dundalk in Friday’s draw.
The club have been re-energised since the arrival of Jose Mourinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, and it would make for a strange atmosphere if United’s legions of Irish supporters turned out to cheer them on at the Aviva.
However, a tie between the teams would really capture the imagination and it’s not often United play competitive games in Ireland – the last time was in 1968 when they played Waterford United in the first-round of European Cup at Lansdowne Road, winning 3-1.
It also would be another chance for Dundalk to prove themselves against the best Europe, or at least the Premier League, has to offer.
Inter Milan or Ajax from pot one would also be considered glamour draws for Dundalk.
Second seeds – Roma
Of the teams in pot two for the draw, Roma represent the most glamorous tie for Dundalk – sorry PAOK.
The Italian side really should be the Champions League. After drawing the first-leg of their Champions League play-off 1-1 away to Porto, Roma collapsed at home earlier this week, losing 3-0.
It’d be nice to see Francesco Totti line-out in Ireland in his final season, and Dundalk fans would surely enjoy an away trip to Rome. Fenerbahce would also be an interesting tie from the teams in pot two.
Third seeds – Feyenoord
They may not possess many household names – other than Dirk Kuyt – but Feyenoord have serious European pedigree. The Dutch side have won the Europa League twice (when it was called the UEFA Cup) and the European Cup, and would be the most high-profile team on offer from pot three of Friday’s draw.
From the teams in pot three, Dundalk will hope to avoid a long trip to Russian side Krasnodar.
