What a day Tallaght
Stadium lived and recorded for the annals of the Dundalk FC squad and all of
its followers who made the 75 kilometers pilgrimage to Dublin and see how their
Lilywhites put on a one of a kind display of football.
After UEFA, its
governing body assigned the colossus of South Dublin to be the home of the
Lilywhites after citing that Oriel Park was not suited for the Europa League
matches.
The European
adventure started for the all-busy Dundalk FC squad juggling international and
domestic league play.
As Stephen Kenny and
his Dundalk Boys, so far living the dream of playing in one of Europe’s utmost
of events after their elimination in the Champions League by Legia Warsaw. Being
this the end for the Lilywhites, at the contrary it was their beginning.
By netting a spot in
the Europa League and despite being under the shadows of the prestigious
Champions League, still the thrill and drama of a much-contested tournament was
there.
With their second
match of Europa League competition and playing at their adoptive and near sold
out home, the second of their compromises and making their debut at home in
front of their faithful, the Lilywhites were to play against a hardened Maccabi
Tel- Aviv FC.
The Israeli squad
after losing its first match against first place FC Zenit, their aims placed on
the Irish Boys and trying to pull an upset over the Dundalk squad at home.
Very well, for
Manager Shota Arveladze, he thought that his Maccabi could had a field day
after all this is not their first rodeo and seeing their hosts lack of
experience a plus, he felt like he had in his pocket three easy points.
Wrong he was, as he
did not expect a resilient and tough Lilywhites squad, playing as if it was
their last match of the campaign and with a the locals Manager Stephen Kenny,
being so bold and taking all the risks.
Sending a 4-4-2
formation with Patrick Mc Eleney and David Mc Millan in his frontal attack,
little these two could done with a match that saw two squads putting on a very
tight and stingy defensive displayed by both squads.
Until the moves by
the Lilywhites Boss in the second, half started to generate changes and very
well, these came in the 72nd minute with a pass inside the area to Darryl
Hogan who put a nice center volley into the feet of substitute Ciaran Kilduff.
By sealing the deal
and delivering when needed, Ciaran could not ask for a better birthday gift as
the Lilywhites forward coming in the 65th minute for David Mc
Millan.
This goal not only
gave the win to the Lilywhites but also wrote history as a first win in Europa
League for the Louth County Boys as well delivering for them a hefty pay of €
360,000 in prize money for the win.
By far this squad
since its participation in both Champions and Europa League they have been
benefited by the lot of monies this squad has been benefited by their amazing
participations in these tourneys and maybe more to come.
In addition, the participation and heroics played so far by Ciaran Kilduff and Darryl Horgan,
being so valuable that so far has earned them a certain talisman image, thanks
to their valuable contributions in these stages.
For now, it is a
celebration for the Dundalk Boys recent accomplishment, now prepares themselves
for their next Europa League, and with back-to-back matches one at home and
later away against their group first place Zenit St. Petersburg.
Still the chances of
the Lilywhites of advancing to the ext. stages will be up to them and so far in
second place in Group D, behind their next foe in turn Russian side Zenit and
both Alkmar and Maccabi near elimination.
Here is the
opportunity for the Irish Boys of their continuance of making all around
history as the first ever Aitricity squad of advancing into the knock out stages,
there is no stopping this squad spirit and possibly a double if not a treble of
a campaign.
Post
Contents and Property of Fern Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of © Associated Newspapers LTD. 2016
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Credit and Property of © PA and Reuters 2016
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