LOI preview: Hoops and Saints break from Euro exploits

As League of Ireland European nights go, Thursday evening wasn't a bad one.

Shamrock Rovers fell to a narrow 1-0 loss to Celje in their Europa League third qualifying round first leg in Slovenia, leaving the tie very much in the balance ahead of the return at Tallaght Stadium next week.

Tallaght was the temporary home of St Patrick's Athletic for their Conference League third qualifying round first leg, as Stephen Kenny's side secured a 1-0 lead ahead of a marathon trip to Azerbaijan for the return against Sabah FK.

Directly before that trek begins, the Saints will be making the shorter journey to the west of Ireland for an SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division encounter with Galway United.

If Kenny and the club had their way though, they would have their Sunday free to prepare to cross the continent on Monday for a journey that includes a stopover in Turkey.

The Saints had asked Galway for a postponement, to no avail, meaning that they must squeeze a trip to Eamonn Deacy Park in between their two encounters with Sabah.

Things have been going well on the European front for the Inchicore club, as they remain unbeaten from their three continental outings so far this summer.

It's just as well for supporters, as they are out of the FAI Cup and their inconsistent league form leaves very little scope for excitement as we move towards the end of the season.

Since Kenny took the reins in May, St Pat's have won just three league games out of 10, leaving them languishing fourth-from-bottom ahead of the visit to Galway.

They may be buoyed, however, by a 3-2 home win over Sligo Rovers last Sunday, which came in somewhat controversial circumstances.

Six minutes into added time, Luke Turner appeared to fall backwards in the box in front of