THEY may have escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth, but Drogheda United could be on course for a sensational return to European competition – via the Fair Play League!

Alan Mathews' team finished 'only' joint third with Galway United in this season's domestic fair-play standings, but the top two – Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers – have already qualified for Europe through the normal channels.

Three places in the Europa Cup have been set aside for representatives from the countries with the highest Fair Play co-efficient, and if Ireland finish in the top three then Drogheda and Galway will have to toss a coin to decide who goes into the 2010/11 Europa Cup first qualifying round draw.

Reflecting on the news yesterday ( Tuesday), the club's general manager Sean Connolly said: 'We've been briefed by the FAI and you are half stunned, after the rough season we have had, to find out we might be knocking on the door to Europe.

'It's nice because it says something for the club and the team that we have done well in the Fair Play stakes.

'But it is possible that we would not put ourselves forward. Competing in Europe is always difficult and qualifying was not a priority for the club for next season.

'We have not had a board meeting yet to discuss it.'

Drogheda would have to apply for a Uefa licence by next March, even though they may not know at that stage whether they have qualified for the Europa League – and would almost certainly have to play any European game outside United Park.

Drogheda competed in Europe in three successive seasons under Paul Doolin, beating HJK Helsinki, AC Libertas and Levadia Tallinn but losing their second qualifying round ties to IK Start, Henrik Larsson's Helsingborgs and Dynamo Kiev.

Meanwhile, Connolly welcomed the news that Mathews has committed himself to continuing as manager for two more seasons, even though he is to return to his day job in banking.

'Alan is in it for the long haul and wants to bring Drogheda back and we're delighted he's staying. He is a manager we think highly of and has proved himself at several clubs to be top-notch.

'Him going back to work was not a major issue for us. We are effectively a part-time club anyway and he knows he can balance the two roles together.

'Alan knows he can't go at it hell for leather. The days of throwing big money at the club have gone and we have to work at growing it properly.

• Sunderland chairman and former Republic of Ireland star Niall Quinn was due in town yesterday evening ( Tuesday) to speak at a function organised by the Claret and Blue Club and entitled 'Our Club, Your Legacy'.

- Marcus CAVAROLI