Despite losing against
Maccabi Tel Aviv at Netanya Stadium, the European fairytale for the Dundalk FC squad,
came to an abrupt end, a they said it was now or never.
Still nothing was
over for the amazing squad Stephen Kenny has assembled through his years at
Oriel Park, building an all-around contender.
Three years in a row
and counting of domestic titles in the SSE Airtrticity League and in each of these
campaigns this squad shows off its mettle and growth in the international stages,
as they recently did.
Elevating the name of
Irish football highly and putting it in the spotlight.
After two failed
years of attempting to be in the knockout rounds of Champions League and competing
with la crème of la crème of Europe to net a spot and always left in the edge.
This time the
Lilywhites came alive and put on a fierce fight in this edition of the UEFA
Europa League, were they put a one of a kind contest and coming short of
netting their pass into the next round of 32.
Considered a tough
foe to beat in their domestic competition, the Lilywhites have written history
in many ways and so far have captured the attention of many important squads
for some of its players.
After their amazing
run in Champions League and coming short of the big fete, after eliminated by
Polish side Legia Warzaw from this competition, however that did not ended the Lilywhites
aspirations in the world stage.
Suddenly placed in Europa
League competition, after their amazing run in the above-mentioned competition,
the Irish squad started its adventure in Group D, accompanied by Dutch side AZ
Alkmar, Russian Zenit St. Petersburg and Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv.
After a great series
of performances the momentum the Ireland Boys, I do laud their out of this
world efforts despite these coming from one of the worst ranked leagues and
considered a semiprofessional entity.
The Dundalk FC squad
has elevated to a new level and certainly this and its squads coming to compete
in the next editions of Champions and Europa Leagues, to be seen with a lot of
respect and taken very seriously.
So far, in their European adventure, the
Lilywhites had a win and a draw against four losses, still the experience
obtained playing in other lands and with venues doubling its attendances in comparison
to the ones at home.
Still this squad
never gave up and always fought like there was no tomorrow and as a total contender
and none of its foes in their group of play had a goal fest against them, although
these experiences and far more superior lineups would diminished the Irish
side.
These fought like
lions in the savannah and in spite of the final score, these never put their
heads down and walk off the pitch proudly.
As their conductor, he
has built one incredible group, as Boss Stephen Kenny after his years in Louth
County and the results he has deliver in making this squad as a total contender,
very well looking forward to the future.
After losing three of
his stellar players in Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan new adventure in England
Championship tier with Preston End and rookie striker Michael O’ Connor to sign
with Sheffield United, at the end that is football.
Still this is not the end for the Lilywhites,
its Boss Kenny that can already has many prospects under his radar, and these
can make the deliver when they are in demand and continue with this club magnificent
run in the future.
No wonder he was named
the Phillips Sports Manager of the Year!
After all this
dressing room is one discipline and motivated come game time, the way its man
at the helm has envisioned and formed it, it’s why the success and
accomplishments made throughout his time in Oriel Park.
Once again, the Dundalk
FC squad is one heavy favorite to be between the top and fighting to net the always-coveted
League shield that with no doubt these can repeat with a fourth one shield in a
consecutive way.
Failure is a word not
to consider in Kenny vocabulary, after all this was not a defeat or a loss just
a way of preparing themselves for the next time and showoff its fury and class
of Irish football.
You never forget your
first time, for the Dundalk Boys their one of a kind accomplishment as the
first ever Republic of Ireland club to represent its association and win tis
first ever match ina comeption of such caliber.
To conclude garlands
to the conquerors Dundalk FC Lilywhites amazing campaign and this 2016 will
always be in their minds very vividly for many generations in the Airtricity League
of Ireland, for elevating its reputation in the world.
As my friend, Ben
McEneaney puts it, Hail the Town and the Cumann
Peile Dhún Dealgan!
Post Contents and Property of Fern Mc
Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Photos Credit and Property of © Independent. IE 2016
Photos Credit and Property of © Airtricity
League of Ireland 2016
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