Stephen Kenny calls for 'strategy' to help Irish clubs in Europe

Stephen Kenny says "parish politics stuff" is holding back the implementation of a proper strategy that maximises League of Ireland clubs' chances of regularly making it to the group stages of European competitions.

Kenny will lead St Patrick's Athletic into battle against Azerbaijani outfit Sabah at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa Conference League third qualifying round.

It's a tall order for Pat's, who will have to negotiate a tough league game away to Galway United on Sunday afternoon before they fly to Azerbaijan - via Turkey - the following day.

The Saints asked Galway if they would consider postponing that fixture, but the request was rejected. Kenny had called on the FAI to step in, however the match will go ahead as planned at 3pm, with Pat's hopes for a 6pm kick-off also turned down.

The manager stressed that he has no personal issues with FAI board members or administrators but lamented a one-size-fits-all approach to the fixture scheduling that he believes is hurting Irish teams in Europe.

"You have to exchange ideas and have debate, not close down the hatches."

Kenny first called for the powers that be to address the issue last Monday when he said: "Ultimately the FAI board should rule on this. Obviously you have sporting people like Packie Bonner and also Marc Canham as director of football, they should be part of the decision making on this."

On Wednesday, the former Republic of Ireland boss commented: "I have no beef with Marc Canham, I get on well with Marc.

"I was making the point that if football people, people who consider the game in that way, if they were asked, 'what's our best way of getting through for an Irish team?' We make these statements, these strategy statements, 'oh,