Pat Fenlon has seen more than most. As a player and a manager he has experienced European highs and lows. While his latest adventure in the Intertoto Cup may not match the heights he scaled in the Champions League two seasons ago, the task at hand ultimately remains the same.

A 1-0 win away to FK Vetra last weekend sees his side in pole position ahead of Saturday's first round, second leg clash at Tolka Park where, at the very least, a scoreless draw against the Lithuanians would ensure a meeting with Danish side Odense. But, as he is all too aware, Irish teams have in the past squandered such positions against inferior opposition.

Four years ago - and just four games into his role at Tolka Park - Fenlon's position looked far from secure when his side were eliminated from the Champions League by Maltese minnows Hibernians, who, it is fair to say, were a mediocre side.

The memories of that disastrous night in Drumcondra still haunt the manager and despite the notable upturn in Irish club's fortunes since, he realises the job is still only half done.

"We've gone to Lithuania and got a decent result but we've done that before and got knocked out," Fenlon says. "Vetra are a decent enough side who'll enjoy coming to our place so we still have a lot of work to do. . . we know what they're like now and they're no mugs, so it'll be a tough game for us."

Experience gained from recent jaunts into Europe stands his squad in good stead. The bulk of the players have been together for a sustained spell, sharing those journeys collectively. This, Fenlon believes, is an asset, because in his day, trips overseas meant little more than damage limitation.

"I'm 17 years in the league now and a few years ago Europe was a piss-up basically. We'd have had a good season, finished well in the league and said 'lets go wherever we're going and enjoy it and try keep the score down'.

"We went into games not even knowing who we were playing," he recalls. "Now, though, players are well versed, they sit down to watch tactical DVD's and have plenty of information. Full-time football has changed the game and there are now rewards for progress in Europe."

In Europe, Fenlon has mainly deployed a lone striker both home and away. The tactic served him well two seasons ago when the club came within half an hour of the Champions League group stage, after swashbuckling their way through the continent against Deportivo, Hajduk Split and Reykjavik. He therefore won't be tinkering this weekend.

"We've had a system and its worked for us and we wont sway too much away from it," he says.

"After the game last week, it was 'lets have a shower and go home', there was no euphoria about it. We're at this a long time now and have won and drawn games away from home where we probably got a bit excited. Sure we've a little bit of work done but there's more to do and we cant get too excited."

Jason Byrne, who played the lone role last week and will do so again on Saturday, could be without his regular league strike partner Gary O'Neill for the next six weeks. O'Neill suffered a knee injury against Derry City two weeks ago and Fenlon is still awaiting scan results before determining the precise length of time the in-form striker will be sidelined.