After their Champions
League upset by Legia Warsaw, the Dundalk Lilywhites journey did not stop cold
and the flamboyant League of Ireland back-to-back champions- are in for a new
adventure to start once again in European soils.
Coming short 180 minutes,
Dundalk first leg loss of 2-0 and then going to Poland for the second round after
drawing at one goal apiece, the Lilywhites came short of their objective to get
to play with the big guns. Still the disappointment was visible but not completely,
as the news of their new challenge announced.
As suddenly, the Loth
County chaps are to start a new chapter in the always contested and prestigious
too- Europa League competition.
With the traditional
Group draws that number a total of eleven and forty-eight squads from all the
confines of Europe, the UEFA governing body suddenly placed Stephen Kenny and
his chaps, with not so easy company.
Seeded in Group D,
the Lilywhites will compete with the likes of top gun and Russian Premier League
Zenith St. Petersburg, Holland Eredivisie’s AZ Alkmar and Israeli Premier League
Tel Aviv Macabbi.
By the looks of it,
the Boys from Eire will continue to sort their Airtricity compromises alongside
their new European adventure, sorting both leagues challenge and seeking to
move into the next rounds in the European one.
Despite not competing
in the always prestigious Champions League and its top rated clubs of the Likes
of Barcelona, Man City, Paris St. Germaine and defending champions Real Madrid
to name a few.
Still the Europa
League known to be one amazing, spectacular contest filled with lots of
excitement, and one of kind matches that have to be decided via the always-infamous
penalty kicks.
In the case of
Dundalk to play its Europa League matches will be at Dublin’s Tallaght Stadium,
here the Lilywhites with a new endeavor, these better take advantage of their
situation of playing a s home team and making the best of netting positive results.
This time the Eire
Boys will be experiencing again the not hospitable crowds at Siberia and after their
Bate Borisov experience, Zenith and its crowds will not become an easy affair
for Kenny and his chaps playing at always-tough Krestovsky Stadium.
So far, manager Kenny
knows of the caliber of this club once managed by former Chelsea and Tottenham
Boss Andre Villa- Boas and now under the direction of Rumanian Micea Lucescu,
the Lilywhites will be going against an unknown system.
Another not so easy
but not mysterious rival the Irish squad will have to face off will be Hollands
AZ Alkmar, a squad that has always been in the Dutch football league Eredivisie
spotlights for its dynamic and top notch football.
For the Cheese heads
Manager John Van Der Brom being in this type of competitions and the experience
this squad has alongside its crowds will be a sort of challenge for the Dundalk
squad to play at AFAS Stadion at Alkmar.
Lastly, the Maccabi
Tel Aviv Football Club Yellows will be a rival to play carefully and lots of
tact and not underestimate their power as one of Israel’s top league winner and
most successful since its foundation.
Something that their Boss
Shota Arveladze will try to get atop the Irish side to make its run towards the
next rounds, so far this club can be a very dangerous one in these types of
competitions.
Still for the Dundalk
squad going after their third league of Ireland shield consecutively, in this edition
of the UEFA Europa League will indeed a new challenge as well a prolific one if
they have a successful run in the first stage as well they continue into the next
rounds.
Looking forward to
much successful filled afternoons of football in the Europa League after their
failed intent to make it into the Champions final stage, but their new adventure
in Europe can yield to this club coffers much needed monies.
With prizes, ranging
around € 360,000 for a win and € 120,000 for a draw the Lilywhites can
capitalize for their coffers as well their reputation in this European
tournament and becoming an all-around headliner.
With the majority of
marches scheduled on a Thursday, the Europa League schedule for Dundalk FC will
be: September 15 against AZ Alkmar (away), September 29 Maccabi Tel Aviv (home),
October 20 Zenith St. Petersburg (home), Zenith St. Petersburg (away), November
24 AZ Alkmar (home)and December 8 Maccabi Tel Aviv (away).
Good Luck Cumann Peile Dhún Dealgan!
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Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
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Credit and Property of © Dundalk Football Club 2016
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