League of Ireland in Europe 2015

**Nesta99** · 15/07/2015, 9:06 PM

Originally Posted by MeathDrog

They held out for the 1-1 draw. All the more impressive considering they were down to 10 for the last half hour.

Must have been watching the UCD game last week!

**MeathDrog** · 15/07/2015, 9:12 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Must have been watching the UCD game last week!

They have revolutionised the game in Luxembourg.

**ger121** · 15/07/2015, 9:33 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

But off.
Dundalk are the shining light in a poor league. Isn't that bleedin' obvious?
The smart players want to play with Dundalk.

That's more like it.

**TheBoss** · 16/07/2015, 1:02 AM

Well, I thought it was one of the finest performances from an LOI side away from home, they should great composure which is needed at this level in particular in the first half. I'm not sure whether BATE upped it or Dundalk sat back in the second half, maybe a bit of both, but to say BATE never really put Dundalk under serious pressure should be a great confidence boost to Dundalk. Most importantly, they are still in the tie. I feel the pressure is more on BATE as there is a possibility that they could be out of Europe if they lose, so that may play on their minds.

In the event of coming through the tie, one of these awaits, who do you perfer, we'll find out on Friday.

Hibernians 2-1 Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Sarajevo 0-2 Lech Poznan
Partizan 1-0 Dila Gori
Malmö 0-0 Zalgiris
Garabag Agdam 0-0 Rudar Pljevlja
Ventspils 1-3 HJK Helsinki
Molde 5-0 Pyunik
Midtjylland 1-0 Lincoln Red Imps
TNS 0-1 Videoton
Skënderbeu 4-1 Crusaders

**dundalkfc10** · 16/07/2015, 7:38 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Entertaining game, all to play for in Oriel next week. With any luck RTE or Setanta will pick it up with a big game on the cards.

If RTE come looking for it, the club should tell them to **** off

**desaintsno.12** · 16/07/2015, 8:13 AM

give it to Setanta instead

**oriel** · 16/07/2015, 8:21 AM

That was a superb performance last night by Dundalk, pity about their deflected goal, but that's the way it goes. I thought we deserved a draw, but even if it did finish level we would probably still have to win next Wed night so nothing has changed really. We looked very composed during the match and competed very well.

To be in with having a chance in the second leg is all that most Dundalk fans would have wanted and we have that now. You rarely see the second legs of matches like this finishing 1-0 (win 2-2 on away goals), all they need to do is score and it becomes a huge task, but we have a decent opportunity now, and although I'm not underestimating how hard it's going to be, we are definitely capable of making the next round now.

**Ezeikial** · 16/07/2015, 8:36 AM

Originally Posted by oriel

and although I'm not underestimating how hard it's going to be, we are defintely capable of making the next round now.

It will be interesting to see what the bookies make of it!

I suspect BATE will still be favourites to progress

**White Horse** · 16/07/2015, 10:17 AM

Still buzzing from a great trip to Belarus.

I was so proud to see a team from Ireland going to play a team with recent Champions League pedigree and more than matching them. Dundalk played their normal game and looked comfortable and assured. The local fans turned up expecting their team to beat a bunch of part timers who would fall apart. Dundalk showed what is still possible in the LOI, even with current budget limitations.

The players were so disappointed to have lost the game. They really thought that the game was there for the taking.

2-1 is a good score to take into the second leg. The pressure will be on BATE now and I think their players will approach the game with a different attitude now that they have seen what Dundalk can do.

**GitYerKorna** · 16/07/2015, 11:38 AM

My internet stream was dreadful in the second half, almost un-watchable!
Fab performance from Dundalk. Great to see a LOI team go out and compete like this against a team with some pedigree. Lot's of positives to be taken from that other than a glorious defeat.
I know "we" lost the game but it was a pleasure to see an Irish team going out and having a go rather than than watch the dreadful stuff we are being served up lately via the FAI international team strategy.

**Yossarian** · 16/07/2015, 12:41 PM

Hard to know where to start with that. It was a great trip to Belarus and we had no hassle at all when we were there. I know one of the lads who made their own way didn't get in unfortunately. The charter option was the safest bet for this kind of trip.That stadium is unbelievable. Shows what you can do with consistent European success.
On the game itself I thought we played very well in the first half and controlled the game. O'Donnell was immense in the centre, very calm and controlled. They had more of the ball in the second without really creating many clear cut chances. I was actually disappointed at the final whistle as I think a draw would have been a fair result. Still it's great to be still in the tie for the second leg and we definitely are capable of beating them.

**Dunny** · 16/07/2015, 2:05 PM

Game next week now sold out.Now if you could get an away ticket....

**Dunny** · 16/07/2015, 2:29 PM

Originally Posted by Dunny

Game next week now sold out.Now if you could get an away ticket....

But now i see this..

Meanwhile, Dundalk are today seeking permission from UEFA - via the FAI - to install an additional 1,000 seats at Oriel Park for Wednesday's second-leg.
Strick UEFA criteria means the capacity at the Louth venue is restricted to 3,200 but the club is seeking dispensation.

http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/socc...kipper-6077902

**seand** · 16/07/2015, 3:35 PM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

In the event of coming through the tie, one of these awaits, who do you perfer, we'll find out on Friday.

Hibernians 2-1 Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Sarajevo 0-2 Lech Poznan
Partizan 1-0 Dila Gori
Malmö 0-0 Zalgiris
Garabag Agdam 0-0 Rudar Pljevlja
Ventspils 1-3 HJK Helsinki
Molde 5-0 Pyunik
Midtjylland 1-0 Lincoln Red Imps
TNS 0-1 Videoton
Skënderbeu 4-1 Crusaders

There's been an almost superstitious refusal to acknowledge the draw, but the fact is that we are still in the tie and we're in the draw tomorrow. The one benefit of drawing BATE is that they/we are seeded in the third round draw. The options:
Hibs Malta would be sensationally good, expect Maccabi to turn them over though, that'd be another nightmare draw.
Lech Poznan would be a nice trip but near impossible to win
Partizan a little bit more winnable but sill very tough (can't see Dila Gori turning it around, if they do we'lll have a good chance, but not too many away fans in Georgia)
Malmo would be good, a nice easy trip, and a half chance. Zalgiris would be great but I expect Malmo will have enough to get through.
Garabag... BATE all over again, strong team horrible trip. Rudar would be winnable.
HJK would be a nice trip, and a half chance.
Molde, fiddly two flights trip, tough draw.
Midtjylland (surely will go through!), not a bad draw, nice trip half a chance.
Videoton, nice trip decent chance
Skenderbeu, horrible trip great chance.

Just need Crusaders to win 3-0, Dundalk to win 1-0 and we'll have an all-Ireland battle for at least an EL group stage place

**MeathDrog** · 16/07/2015, 6:21 PM

UCD playing some good football early on!

**Nesta99** · 16/07/2015, 6:30 PM

Yeah it is a good start. I would fear the last 20 minutes in particular though even if all square by then. Fitness has to be a factor for P/T players. Dundalk players may train in the evening but get to train like they are F\T and we are blessed with a top class conditioning coach. Hope that I once again am underestimating the Students!

**Nesta99** · 16/07/2015, 6:37 PM

Bit like the Belorussians the Slovan players look a bit p*ssed off that they are getting a game! How dare these students...kicking the ball away in frustration already.