There are expectations surrounding Irish clubs in Europe after several years of progress.
That is a fact, and one to be very proud of, none more than by those connected to the likes of Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic, some of the clubs representing Ireland this year.
With the huge pressure on Hoops boss Stephen Kenny and Shamrock Rovers, I predicted their European campaign would be defining for his tenure.
Rovers have just being knocked out of Europe by Lithuanian side Ekranas and the end for Kenny looks in sight.
After the defeat to Bohemians I eluded to the fact that the board of Shamrock Rovers had a massive decision to make. Kenny and his team were about to enter into two very winnable league games against Dundalk and Bray Wanderers respectively and also both legs of their huge Champions League match.
My belief was that if the Hoops didn't win both domestic matches and were knocked out of Europe then a decision would be made for the board.
But if six points were notched up and the Lithuanian side were dispatched, Kenny could have bought time. Perhaps a time his record and reputation deserved.
We now know the outcome of the games. Two league draws, the end of European football for 2012 and a big struggle to lift the side given they are currently 10 points behind leaders Sligo Rovers.
It could have been so different. Having played excellently and dominated Ekranas for long spells in Tallaght Stadium, the Hoops just couldn't make the all important and deserved breakthrough.
They created so many chances but unfortunately for Kenny and his players they failed to create a lead to bring to Lithuanis.
The most reliable man for converting opportunities in the Rovers squad Gary Twigg missed probably the easiest chance he will ever have to break his European duck and you just knew it wasn't going to be their night in Tallaght.
There was lots of positives to be taken from the game and although it is difficult in any away leg, I saw enough that night to give the Premier Division champions hope.
Kenny made one change from his team from the previous week with Billy Dennehy replacing Daryl Kavanagh.
The initial onslaught that they were probably expecting from the home side never materialised and if anything it was Rovers who settled the better and looked very comfortable in the first half.
Goalkeeper Oscar Jansson was called into action just once until disaster struck on 45 minutes.
Defending has been the downfall in the Kenny reign and it cost Rovers again when they allowed a free header in their box and suddenly they trailed.
All the good work over nearly a full half had been undone in.
The Hoops needed just one goal and although Kenny was being cautious and trying to avoid falling further behind, I felt he should have brought in support to Twigg at the start of the second period.
Kavanagh and Ciaran Kilduff were just two of the options available.
The evidence over a game and a half had shown Ekranas were vulnerable at the back but Rovers did not test them enough, despite their attacking options.
They conceded that second goal, again very preventable and by the time Kenny did bring in some substitutes, it was too late.
Gary McCabe's penalty may just make it even harder to take because this was no European embarrassment, just a failure to capitalise on what should have been.
The most serious consequence though, regardless of a bleaker financial and UEFA co-efficient outlook, is whether Kenny will still be in charge for the next game against Derry City on Friday.
The players must also ask themselves have they done enough for the manager this season.
The answer is probably not but at the end of all of this, it has been his era, responsibility, preparation and motivational abilities.
Stephen Kenny knew it would be hard to succeed Michael O'Neill but this record is simply not good enough. That was the job he took on.
It is surprising because I thought it was a fantastic appointment and he would be a good fit for Rovers.
He did a magnificent job in Derry and I thought this would be something similar - the league title and more would come before them.
For the Shamrock Rovers board there is a new decision compared to after that Bohs defeat. The stack is now piled even higher against the man entrusted to build on the history created since the move to Tallaght.
The board can come out and back Kenny and support him and maybe even add to the squad to try to rescue the league or possible success in the FAI and EA Sports Cup.
But perhaps they could make an equally brave decision and sack him, facing that huge financial severance package, which is what they want to avoid since things started deteriorating.
The Champions League tie showed just how things can fall for a manager and his fate will be known quite soon.
