| Luck of the Irish again for TNS |
| Monday 21 June 2010 |
 THE New Saints got the luck of the Irish for the third time in recent years as they were paired with Bohemian in the Champions League draw. Twice in the past six years, the Saints have dreamed of ties against Manchester City and Liverpool, and both times their wish came true with Uefa Cup and Champions League ties against the Premiership giants in 2003 and 2005 respectively. This time around, TNS had earmarked the Airtricity League side from Dublin as their ideal opponents both in terms of travel arrangements and a fighting chance of progression to the third qualifying round. The odds lessened to 6/1 when the Saints were placed in group C with Bohs on the seeded side of the draw and they avoided difficult trips to Austria, Belarus, Lithuania, Sweden or Norway when they were paired with the side from the Emerald Isle. However, on the field Bohs will be far from a pushover and will pose a difficult test, especially as they are currently match fit from being midway through their domestic season. Currently fifth in the table with seven wins from 16 games, the current squad includes striker Jason Byrne, one of the few domestic league players to be called-up for national duty, who has also played for Cardiff City. Photo: Jason Byrne spent time with Cardiff City [Irish Independent]. |