Irish involvement in the Group Stage of the Europa League is centred on Glasgow Celtic and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with both clubs commencing their challenge this Thursday evening.
Jonny Hayes was introduced from the Glasgow Celtic bench after 69 minutes of their commendable Group E one all away draw with French side Stade Rennais in Roazhon Park. Hayes filled in as an emergency left back and performed with distinction during his 25 minute involvement. Summer signings from the Ireland underage ranks, Jonathan Afolabi, Luca Connell and Lee O’Connor must await their opportunity for first team involvement. In the other Group E contest, CFR Cluj from Romania defeated Italian visitors SS Lazio by two goals to one.
Matt Doherty was in the Wolverhampton Wanderers starting eleven for their disappointing one nil Group K defeat by Portuguese visitors Sporting Braga at Molineaux this Thursday evening. The other Group K contest saw Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia, conquerors of Dundalk in the preliminary round, defeat visitors Besiktas of Turkey by four goals to two.