The 2024/25 European season is quickly approaching, with 236 clubs set to compete in UEFA’s continental club competitions this season.
With the first qualifying round draws transpiring next week, Extratime Talk will be providing a comprehensive coefficient preview. Between now and then, each country will be previewed, and all clubs participating in Europe for the 2024/25 season are discussed.
In these articles, we will provide analyses of what to expect from each country in Europe. We will explore what is on the line from a coefficient standpoint, and the keys to succeeding, in that country’s case.
The 31st article in this coefficient preview series takes a look at the Republic of Ireland, and the clubs that will represent the country in Europe for the 2024/25 season.
Ireland In Europe: Country Profile
| Previous Season Coefficient (Rank) | 1.500 (43rd) |
| Previous Season’s 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 10.875 (35th) |
| Starting 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 9.625 (33rd) |
It was a substandard year for Irish football in Europe last season. Just 1.500 coefficient points were added last campaign, with no sides being able to make the league phase. Save for Derry City’s run to the third qualifying round of the Conference League, it was a highly disappointing showing overall. Fortunately for them, they only had 1.250 points to defend, allowing them to get away with the poor year.
Things will have to be very different from the Irish clubs in 2024/25. Three of the four clubs who represented the country in Europe a year ago return, along with a side who has not been on the continental stage in nearly 20 years. It is now a matter of whether Ireland can hold onto their current position of 33rd in the five-year rankings.
Ireland In Europe: Club Profile
| Club | Qualified As | Round of Entry | Total European Seasons | Last Season’s Performance | 5-Year Club Coefficient (2023/24) | 5-Year Country Coefficient Contribution, 2023/24 (%) |
| Shamrock Rovers | Domestic Champion | UCL Q1 | 31 | UECL Q2 | 9.500 | 3.625 (33.33%) |
| St. Patrick’s Athletic | Cup Winner | UECL Q2, Main Path | 20 | UECL Q1 | 4.000 | 0.500 (4.6%) |
| Derry City | Domestic Runner-up | UECL Q1 | 18 | UECL Q3 | 4.000 | 1.125 (10.34%) |
| Shelbourne | Domestic Fourth Place | UECL Q1 | 17 | N/A | 2.175 | N/A |
Shamrock Rovers won the league title for the fourth year on the spin in 2023, allowing them to return to the Champions League qualifiers. As was the case last summer, they will be seeded in Q1. Getting past this round will be crucial to the club’s hopes of league phase football come September. Rovers failed to do it last year, so they will have to make up for it this time around.
St. Patrick’s Athletic prevailed in the FAI Cup, defeating Bohemians in the showpiece. Having made Q3 of the UECL two years ago, St. Pat’s will know that they can make that round again. Starting in UECL Q2, they just need progress once to return to Q3. Although they are unseeded, it is not out of the realms of possibility that St. Pat’s does succeed in playing in UECL Q3 again.
Derry City was the country’s best performing club in Europe last term, making it to UECL Q3 before bowing out to Tobol Kostanay. Starting from UECL Q1 once more this summer, the task for the club will be to have a repeat showing from a year ago. Do that, and that will go far in helping Ireland stay in the top 33.
Taking Ireland’s other European spot – joining Derry in UECL Q1 – is Shelbourne, who has not featured in Europe in 19 years. In each of their last two European seasons, Shelbourne has progressed at least once that campaign. That will be put to the test in July, as the Shels will be an unseeded team in UECL Q1, giving them potentially a very difficult opponent.
Ireland’s Season Ambitions
The aim for Ireland is simple: a place in the top 33 at season’s end. Anything less than that should be seen as a failure, especially given their starting position. It may have been a poor 2023/24, but the Irish clubs have all the potential to make a considerable improvement on last year’s disappointment.
Therefore, a seasonal coefficient of 3.000 points should be seen as the goal for Ireland. If they fail to make this minimum, things could become pretty bleak regarding their hopes of finishing 33rd. A team making the league phase should go a long way to achieving that 3.000-point haul.
What a Successful Season Looks Like for Ireland
Ireland should be happy if they hold onto 33rd place. That is the aim, because anything less than that is a massive letdown. A top 33 spot will define their 2024/25 season, irrespective of the coefficient total collected this term. So, a big year will be required from the Irish quartet, otherwise, it will be a year of regret.
From a coefficient perspective, Ireland should be pushing for at least 2.500 points, preferably more. Given the increased amount of points available, somewhere closer to 3.000 would make this season a successful one.
What to Expect From Ireland in 2024/25
Ireland is starting the new season in 33rd, which, as already mentioned, should be the goal for the year. But, will they be able to get over the line at the end of the campaign? Speaking with Irish football expert Kieran, last year was not expected at all.
“Last years failure was a bit of a surprise, but stability was an issue for clubs,” Kieran said when asked about his thoughts for the 2024/25 season. However, he does remain optimistic when talking about the other clubs. “I think we should see improvement with Derry, Shelbourne and now St Pats having strong coaches that can adapt to the opposition.”
After not making the UECL group stage last fall, Kieran was also asked about Shamrock Rovers and how things look for them this time. “Shamrock Rovers’ strength was often their familiarity with no major squad overhauls, and the older age profile, in a league that is pretty young, said Kieran. “Reoccurring injuries and an aging squad have made people question the benefits of that now.” However, should Rovers fail to make the league phase again, “would be failure.”
It feels like Ireland will just miss out on the top 33. Coming off the back of a poor showing, this battle has gotten more intense to start the year. Thus, no mistakes can be made. However, there is little reason for confidence this year. Derry City had a great run last year, making this summer’s qualifying more challenging.
All-in-all, 35th or 36th feels very realistic for Ireland, who will likely miss out in the 33rd spot and a Europa League spot for the cup winners.