Bohemian Football Club Crest

The Airtricity League will be upstaged by the European qualifiers this week that see four Irish clubs attempt to cause an upset by progressing through to the next round.

Dundalk were first out of the traps and proved to be a good early frontrunner as they beat Luxembourg outfit CS Grevenmacher to reach the second round of qualifying in the Europa League. The Lilywhites are joined in that round by Sporting Fingal and Shamrock Rovers, who take on CS Maritimo and Beni Yehuda respectively. While they are all tough ties, hopes remain high for the home-based clubs.

Before the Europa League games roll around on Tuesday, the spotlight will fall on Dalymount Park as Bohemians enter into the Uefa Champions League qualifiers with a difficult assignment against Welsh side TNS.

It might only be a short skip across the Irish Sea for Mike Davies' men, but they know there will be nothing easy about their trip to Dublin to take on the reigning champions of the Airtricity League Premier Division. Davies has been a keen observer of Bohs games recently, while Gypsies boss Pat Fenlon watched the team from Oswestry in action during recent friendly matches against Glentoran and Linfield.

Due to the fact that they are out of season, TNS will undoubtedly be lacking in match sharpness. While that is only one factor to consider in a two-legged tie that should see both teams 'go for it', it is something that may work in favour of Fenlon's men as they starting to hit form following a mid-season break.

Bohs have not been at their devastating best this year, which is surely leaving their fellow title rivals as well as TNS on high alert. However, there have been hints of late that they are finally starting to click and that doesn't bode well for opposition teams.

Progression to the next round of these qualifiers will be top of Bohs' agenda this week, especially after the disappointing exit to Red Bull Salzburg last year - a top team that the Phibsboro side outplayed in two legs but still lost.

Fans of the Airtricity League should be encouraged to turn out in force to offer their support to the four teams involved in European duty as the league as a whole would benefit if any of them achieve positive results. This is the time of the year when the league is truly tested to see how far it has come over the last twelve months. Let's hope that they pass with flying colours.