While Sligo Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic might not be happy with exiting the FAI Cup at the first hurdle, that was more of a footnote to a great week in the Europa Conference League for both teams.
In different circumstances both found a way against fancied opponents in Motherwell and NS Mura over two legs to reach the third qualifying round of the competition, guaranteeing more prize money in the process.
But as the League of Ireland sides go further in the Conference League, the more challenging the opposition becomes.
For Sligo, it's Viking FK of Norway standing in the way, while St Pat's face Bulgaria's CSKA Sofia with their first leg live on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player from 5.55pm on Thursday. Both clubs will play away first.
Speaking on this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast, ex-Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers said Sligo were "full value" for their second leg victory over Motherwell with a composed approach in not only defending their first-leg advantage but extending it against the Scottish Premiership side who are just starting their season.
Viking however are, like the Bit O'Red, well into the midst of the Norwegian league campaign, sitting fifth in the table after 17 games, so match sharpness will not be an issue.
Coupled with that, former St Pat's midfielder Conan Byrne also pointed to the Stavanger club's quality.
"If a Sligo Rovers fan is looking at the Norwegian league and sees them sitting fifth, they might get their hopes up a little bit more than they should," said Byrne.
"They're three points off Bodo/Glimt who obviously destroyed Linfield last week 8-0, albeit Kirk Millar being sent off after 20 minutes or so. And do I think Linfield would beat Sligo Rovers? Probably.
"So that just goes to show the quality that the Norwegian league has and Viking are a very good side."
While Viking selling top scorer Veton Berisha to Sweden's Hammarby recently is a "plus for Sligo", Byrne points to other threats.
"They have Zltako Tripic, a very good creative midfielder who can score goals and he's probably the one to look out for more than most," he said.
"It's a complete step up from Motherwell. But when you have a packed Showgrounds and it's the old cliché of the 12th man, they certainly act like that. So it's very important that the Sligo Rovers fans get behind the team both home and away and domestic form goes out the window when you play in Europe."
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"They're certainly up against it, but so are Pat's".
Similarly to Sligo, St Pat's have had some inconsistencies domestically but have successfully hurdled two rounds of European action.
A penalty shootout win to see off NS Mura - Rogers highlighting goalkeeper Joseph Anang's "terrific" performance - pits them against a club in CSKA Sofia which has its fair share of Irish connections.
It was the club ex-Ireland striker Cillian Sheridan spent a memorable spell at and Graham Carey was also on the books until his recent move away to St Johnstone.
"I think over the course of the two legs, St Pat's fully deserved to win (against Mura). But now they're going in to play CSKA Sofia shortly and the step up between the two sides is vast," said Byrne.
"I've watched a couple of the highlights of CSKA Sofia over the last number of days and just the speed of their play, the technique of their players, is just something to behold really at this level and St Pat's will be completely up against it. But never say never."
Watch CSKA Sofia v St Patrick's Athletic live on the RTÉ News channel on Thursday at 6pm, with live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, including updates on Viking FC v Sligo Rovers and then Shamrock Rovers v Shkupi at 8pm.
Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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