Fenlon concern at Glentoran qualifier date

Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon was reasonably satisfied with the Champions League draw that will see his side face Irish League opposition in the shape of Glentoran.

“Obviously from a football point of view it’s a good draw because it gives us a good chance of going through," said Fenlon.

He expressed concern at the timing of the first leg in Belfast as the first leg coincides with the Twelfth of July celebrations.

"The day that’s in it (at the moment, the game could be played in Belfast on July 12) might cause problems though that is for others to worry about,” said Fenlon.

“I think we would have taken anyone over going to Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan - they were the draws we didn’t want - but facing Glentoran would not have been the most ideal game because of the extra rivalry.”

Fenlon also admitted the games against northern opposition in the Setanta Cup will benefit his side and also alter the public perception that it will be an easy win for Shelbourne.

“If we didn’t have the Setanta Cup, I think everyone would have assumed that we would walk it but that was an eye opener for a lot of people because the Irish League sides certainly held their own.”

At the moment, UEFA, Shelbourne and Glentoran officials are meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, to agree what date to hold the games on.