ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC will have to walk an ages-old European tightrope tonight when they take on ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar of Iceland at Richmond Park in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League first qualifying round tie (7.45pm).

DUE to the short notice from the time of the draw and awkward travel logistics preventing them getting up here to see their opponents in the flesh, St Patrick’s manager Pete Mahon has had to take a leaf out of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni’s scouting manual and do his homework on IBV Vestmannaeyjar of Iceland via DVD.

SHAMROCK ROVERS will face Estonian champions FC Flora in the UEFA Champions League second round qualifiers, the draw for which was made at UEFA headquarters in Nyon yesterday.