Pulsating, gripping European nights were a primary factor when Shane Blaney opted to check in at The Showgrounds 18 months ago.
If last year's underwhelming and lukewarm Europa Conference League exit to Iceland's FH left him cold, Sligo Rovers' adventures this summer have certainly delivered on his mission.
Tonight's visit of Motherwell to Sligo (7.00) sees John Russell's side happy with the fact that a win or draw will send into the third qualifying round of the same competition while a one goal defeat will still be enough to secure extra time.
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That's because of last week's sterling 1-0 success at Fir Park when Aiden Keena's superb first half lob capped a magnificently disciplined display by Sligo that left The Steelmen looking rusty and seeking excuses.
The defeat of the Scottish Premiership club came on the back of the tense 1-0 reversal by Bala Town in front of a packed Showgrounds in the previous round when the hosts required penalties to advance.
"The reason I came to Sligo at the start , European football was a massive factor," says Blaney whose two and a half years at Doncaster Rovers only yielded four games in the EFL Trophy and where short loan stints with Tamworth, Grantham Town and Blyth Spartans proved equally frustrating.
"These big games are the ones that I want to play in and make a name for myself going forward."
"I liked the thought of Sligo and European football, that was the main factor.
"It's where I wanted to be once I thought about it.
"There were nearly 8,000 there last week and they are the games that you want to play in as a footballer."
Sligo's display may have been blessed with a degree of good fortune but their hosts' claims for a penalty were answered by The Bit O' Red's own shout for a spot kick.
But it was the solidity to manager John Russell's side and the outstanding work by his players on which the result was built.
"Once we put our foot on the ball then we grew into the game, you could that a lot more in the second half.
"We were a lot more comfortable and that we were well in the game.
"As the game went on we really felt that we could put our stamp on it. We didn't feel that we were miles off it or that they were way better than us.
"They have players who can hurt you and akso have clever midfielders. You have to be very alert in these games, you can not witch off at any time.
"They will have the bit between their teeth coming here. So we need to be right at it from the start and be ready."
Blaney's defensive prowess with Finn Harps - in their under age and senior set up - earned him the move to Doncaster in the summer of 2018 but he's capable of slotting in at the back and in the holding midfield role when required.
His display in Fir Park earned him plaudits from his manager and the 400 traveling fans although the in-house TV commentary triggered a few peals of laughter in the north west as he was repeatedly referred to as 'Blaney Shane'!
"I'm called 'Blaney Shane' everywhere now - every text is now 'well done, Blaney Shane'," smiles the 23 year old.
"That's from all my mates and from fans."
Russell altered his side from the disappointing display against Bala by pushing Keena up front from his number ten role while also restoring the experienced and assured presence of David Cawley to the middle of the park in a formation that slipped from 4-5-1 to 4-3-3 without a hitch.
"There's no doubt about it that it's one of the biggest games in the club's history," admits Russell who knows all about these occasions from his playing days with Sligo and St Patrick's Athletic.
"For us to progress as a club and a team, you need to be getting through rounds in Europe.
"Our players have grown in confidence and hopefully they can put on another performance tonight.
"If we play to our potential then I think that we've got a chance.
"We'll be underdogs even though we are winning 1-0 for Motherwell will come here hungry trying to turn the game around.
"For us, it's about how we perform on the night, how we implement our game plan."
Russell is set to name the same side as last week with Seamus Keogh, Colm Horgan and Greg Bolger all injured.
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