I played a grandmaster at chess once, some years ago. I gave that grandmaster a fright when I caught him in a known trap and briefly had an advantage - just as Hoban scored the first goal - it doesn't mean I should have won. I didn't make many mistakes, but I made enough to lose; that's why he's better at chess than me. Dundalk made those mistakes precisely because on a European level, they're a team comprised of limited players. That's no discredit to them: they clearly gave Rapid a good game and can be pleased with much of their performance.
In another game, last year, I played very well had a small advantage against a master until quite late in the game and was hopeful of getting a draw at least, just as Dundalk were level late in the game against Vienna. Like Dundalk, I had chances for more, but a late error cost me the result. That's what limited players do: we **** up and lose against better players. Not every single time - sometime you play above yourself, sometimes you get lucky - but the mistakes are an integral part of the game; discounting them and dreaming of what might have been is for patzers. Anyway, good luck to Dundalk in the return game in Tallaght or Lansdowne or wherever it is.
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