League of Ireland in Europe 2016

[passinginterest]

Think Dundalk need changes now, just to break the play and freshen things up.

[geysir]

Why didn't Dundalk just go ahead in the 95th minute?

5th yellow now for Zenit

[TonyD]

Zenit have massively upped the tempo, not sure if Dundalk will hold on, but my God do they keep trying to play brave, intelligent football.

Remarkable stuff really. Would not bet against them holding out either. And there's still Kilduff to come on and score his goal:p

[nigel-harps1954]

This is incredible stuff. What a superb team.

[pineapple stu]

Bring back Rogers!

[passinginterest]

What a wretched goal to concede after all that...

[passinginterest]

On the plus side here comes Kilduff

[geysir]

Mak the knife strikes for Zenit.

[nigel-harps1954]

Ah christ..Sava.

[ger121]

Only good thing is AZ equalised in other game.

[passinginterest]

Ah boo

[geysir]

That was a superbly worked goal from Zenit.

[geysir]

Man on Fire -- Chris Shields

[ger121]

2-1 to Maccabi now. Still 2nd. That away match to Maccabi could decide 2nd.

[pineapple stu]

Tee hee!

Shiels on for Shields

[passinginterest]

That was probably the chance for Kilduff, oh and now a pen

[geysir]

I think even I could have saved that peno,

[geysir]

That's it now,
beaten but never bowed.

[Real ale Madrid]

Dreadful from Dundalk.

[nigel-harps1954]

Nothing to be ashamed of.

[geysir]

Dreadful from Dundalk.
;)
Go fck yourself you bad loser. you world's worst loser.


Contrary to what the commentator said, I don't think the ref gave Gartland a yellow for the penalty.

[Real ale Madrid]

Sarcasm detectors are down

[BonnieShels]

Dreadful from Dundalk: Hyperbole will destroy the world. Ha.

Got to see the last 30 in Cassidy's on Camden St. Big screen showing Utd-Fenerbahce with sound. Small screen showing the Town and Zenit.

Asked for it to be switched got told that they didn't want to upset anyone and that it was set in stone.
There were 2 lads watching the Utd match. I mean 2.

The rest of us (about 15-20) watching Dundalk. If this Dundalk team can't change the pervasive bias what fuc.king hope have the rest of us.

Regardless of the result that performance was just wonderful. They ran themselves into the ground. What more can ya want.


I started to love this team am age ago because of their style of play. But I'm totally besotted with them now and their attitude and ability and the absolute balls of steel that they and their manager have.

Hon the Town!

[geysir]

Sarcasm detectors are down

It's just Cork City's sarcasm detectors are down :rolleyes:

[BonnieShels]

Was so wound up by the fact that the 2 lads were watching the Utd match decided to be a dick and ask if they were "from Manchester". They were. And they were sound. Ffs.

[hoops1]

Technically and tactically that was best performance by an Irish team in Europe that I have ever seen.

[patrickccfc]

Great performance from dundalk. To be disappointed not to beat or take a point from the highest ranked team in the competition shows how far they've come.

Although I did think there was a sense of inevitably about the winner, less so the equalizer, which I'm sure sava is disgusted about.

A draw would've been the preferred result in the other game, hopefully the return happens to be a draw as it's difficult to see dundalk getting anything in Russia.

At least they can look forward to a title party on Sunday

[White Horse]

I was very proud of that performance.

They were very tired, and it was noticeable from the hour mark. Tired players made errors and this is what cost them in the end. However, the performance and tactical set up of the team was almost spot on.

There should be no doubt by now that Dundalk belong at this level.

[TheBoss]

It will be a travesty against football if the likes of Chris Shields and Daryl Horgan are not selected for the national team, another great display from both of them. Speaking of the national team, they way that this Dundalk side go about their style of play just makes the national team look an embarrassment in honesty.

[Ezeikial]

Although right now I feel dreadfully disappointed at the result, I know I will recover to appreciate the fantastic efforts made this evening.

It is a magical time to be a fan.

[Yossarian]

Although right now I feel dreadfully disappointed at the result, I know I will recover to appreciate the fantastic efforts made this evening.

It is a magical time to be a fan.

I concur.

It's hard to fathom that I am home and still disappointed that we didn't at least get a point from that game.Really shows how far we've come. If we play like that in the last three games of the group then we have a great chance of getting through.

[Real ale Madrid]

Will prob need to beat AZ and draw in Tel Aviv to go through at this stage. Assuming Maccabi win at home in 2 weeks and don't win away in Zenit. Hardly impossible given the performances so far.

[jinxy lilywhite]

Gutted with the result and seems like everyone I spoke to post match felt the same.
For a team ranked 264th to give the 15th best ranked team in Europe a game like that makes me immensely proud.
Will get over the calamity in the build up to their 1st goal and our pegs seemed to go then.

This has been a fantastic journey we are on. Looks like the other result going the way it did we probably will have something to play for after the return leg in st. Petersburg.

Gutted but proud.

Hard to know how we will pick ourselves up now for bohs on sunday

[Philosophizer]

Technically and tactically that was best performance by an Irish team in Europe that I have ever seen.

In my opinion the Maccabi performance was the best. They totally deserved to beat Maccabi and we're rarely even threatened.
Tonight the players were clearly exhausted and it showed in the last 30 mins. Some balls tho!
I could throttle poor Sava for that ****-show of a clearance. And to think, he should be the freshest of them players by a mile.

[BonnieShels]

I concur.

It's hard to fathom that I am home and still disappointed that we didn't at least get a point from that game.Really shows how far we've come. If we play like that in the last three games of the group then we have a great chance of getting through.


Gutted with the result and seems like everyone I spoke to post match felt the same.
For a team ranked 264th to give the 15th best ranked team in Europe a game like that makes me immensely proud.
Will get over the calamity in the build up to their 1st goal and our pegs seemed to go then.

This has been a fantastic journey we are on. Looks like the other result going the way it did we probably will have something to play for after the return leg in st. Petersburg.

Gutted but proud.

Hard to know how we will pick ourselves up now for bohs on sunday

Isn't it wonderful that we get to be disappointed at what transpired. Not feel robbed, not feel disgusted. Just feel, "we got beaten", the way teams who spend their lives at this level feel.

This Dundalk team have done more to advance the LOI than any team in My lifetime. That's no consolation and the fact that it's no consolation is testament to their greatness.

Thanks lads. It's been a ride. And long may it continue. Stephen Kenny you're a ****ing genius.

[sparky12345678]

what he said. That was a brilliant goal dundalk scored. A sloppy mistake and got a bit tired, its disappointing to take a loss like that. Going into the game or even the group these 2 games were always gona be the hardest to get points from and they came very close last night.
its still in their hands though. Wining the last two games would gaurentee qualification at this stage. Thats a big ask depending on the result(s) in the other games but doable.
If they could go into the next leg a bit fresher (assuming the league is tied up) and on a bit more of a high, they could get a sneaky draw away in Petersburg. Will many fans make the trip?? its a lovely city :p then even 3 draws might even just be enough.
One win or 2 draws would go a long to securing that seeded spot for next year though since its still not gaurenteed that its enough atm.

[sparky12345678]

my brother just told me that he was in Setanta (ballymun GAA club) and asked for the game (I should note my brother has much less of an interest in LOI than me)... the lads at the bar were apparently were watching it on an ipad... they told him that they had the Dundalk game on originally for some regulars but had to change when other people came in asking for the Man U game...

[Longfordian]

Sure people in pubs in Longford demanded that the pubs show the United game when LTFC were playing in the cup final. It's not new, disappointing as it is.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

It will be a travesty against football if the likes of Chris Shields and Daryl Horgan are not selected for the national team, another great display from both of them. Speaking of the national team, they way that this Dundalk side go about their style of play just makes the national team look an embarrassment in honesty.

Ah here now. Chris Shields isn't even first choice for Dundalk.

[Burnsie]

Sensational performance, great entertainment. It's a long time since I supported a team so fervently as this Dundalk side in Europe, just an amazing group of men.

So many great individual displays. Gartland had that big lump Dzyuba in his pocket; Massey looked nothing short of international class at left back; Shields was a titan; Finn and Horgan showed touches of class even if they were at the periphery of the game at times; and McMillan ran his ****** off, but did it very intelligently - dropping off at the right time and always showing Zenit a side of the pitch to help the rest of the team get into a good pressing shape.

Witsel was a class above the rest unfortunately. The way he went through the gears to set up the second goal was a joy to watch. Ultimately he and Giuliano - current internationals with top 10 ranked countries - were the difference between the teams. Not bad for accountants, actuaries and a basketball coach....

[legendz]

Great effort against a difficult opponent like Bohemians, Shelbourne and Derry who have gone before them in the old UEFA Cup first round.

[disgruntled]

Great display from Dundalk. If that Massey header went in it could have been really interesting.
Sorry they didn't get something from the game.

[ciaraa]

I could throttle poor Sava for that ****-show of a clearance. And to think, he should be the freshest of them players by a mile.

bad clearance but he shouldn't have even been given the ball in the 1st place. they were away up the wing before some lad decided to come inside and play it across the pitch. even after he sliced it there was enough of a chance for the backs to clear it.

[seand]

Yes Sava miskicked but it wasn't the only error in the defending of that goal, just an obvious one. Thought Sava did well overall again.

Dundalk were great I thought- they went toe-to-toe with one of the biggest, richest clubs in the world. It's no exaggeration to say we're redefining what is possible for an Irish team. It is possible to compete if you are as fit as the opposition and if you play intelligently.

[Nesta99]

Great effort against a difficult opponent like Bohemians, Shelbourne and Derry who have gone before them in the old UEFA Cup first round.

I am sure you mean well in what you say but this isnt Dundalk's first foray in Europe and we have a pretty decent history of results dating back to the old Fairs Cup days, CWC, EC. It isnt the first time Dundalk have broken ground for the League of Ireland in Europe also. This probably sounds defensive and it isnt intended it is purely to note past results of significance. A lasting legacy from this European campaign when opportunity in the past was lost in terms of ground improvements will be the all important thing when the dust settles on this.

[Straightstory]

It will be a travesty against football if the likes of Chris Shields and Daryl Horgan are not selected for the national team, another great display from both of them. Speaking of the national team, they way that this Dundalk side go about their style of play just makes the national team look an embarrassment in honesty.
Completely agree.
If Dundalk tie up the league on Sunday (or at Pats on Tuesday) they then afford to rest players for the Galway game next Friday. A well deserved break of nine or eleven days before they head off for Russia. What a team they are. A joy to watch.

[Ezeikial]

My heart still aches with the disappointment of not getting a result last night, but is also bursting with pride that these titans are representing my home town club.

This team have altered expectations in a very profound way. It was started by Stephen Kenny and inculcated into a team of remarkable people, but it is contagious in a very positive way - club officials, supporters and the wider community have all been elevated to aspire to more.

Maybe it is not an overstatement to suggest that it may also force a raising of the bar in the wider LoI community

[sbgawa]

My heart still aches with the disappointment of not getting a result last night, but is also bursting with pride that these titans are representing my home town club.

This team have altered expectations in a very profound way. It was started by Stephen Kenny and inculcated into a team of remarkable people, but it is contagious in a very positive way - club officials, supporters and the wider community have all been elevated to aspire to more.

Maybe it is not an overstatement to suggest that it may also force a raising of the bar in the wider LoI community

I hope you are right if its another 5 years before we get a team into the group stages of a European competition it will be very disappointing.

[gufcfan]

Maybe it is not an overstatement to suggest that it may also force a raising of the bar in the wider LoI community

Things like strength and conditioning are not being taken seriously in the LOI. There's players around the league getting away with murder.

Dundalk have plenty of players that have jobs, so that can't be the excuse any more.

I'd like to think that Dundalk will make clubs look at themselves, but I'm sceptical.

[White Horse]

I hope you are right if its another 5 years before we get a team into the group stages of a European competition it will be very disappointing.

Unless standards are raised in the league, it will be an intermittent thing.

There is no comparison between Dundalk at the moment and prior to the European campaign. When they played FH in July, they were way off the pace of European football. Last night they went toe to toe with Zenit and looked very much at home.

Good LOI teams like Dundalk now, and Rovers in 2011, need better competition in their own league in order to improve performances in Europe. In that way they will be competitive in the qualifying stages.