Dundalk lose on big night in Europe

DUNDALK.... 1 MOLDE .... 2

FILIPPO GIOVAGNOLI blamed himself for

Dundalk’s demise as Molde came from behind to floor the Lilywhites.

Sean Murray scored for the third Europa

League game running to hand the hosts a deserved lead in Tallaght.

But the Norwegian champions equalised with a shot that deflected off Sean Gannon before the full- back conceded a penalty soon after.

Having blitzed Molde in the first- half, Dundalk’s tank emptied in the second. And

FROM BACK PAGE they must pick up the pieces quickly ahead of Sunday’s trip to Waterford and next

Thursday’s clash with

Arsenal at the

Emirates.

Giovagnoli ( inset) raged at Dundalk’s punishing domestic fixture list and claimed it could cost them in Europe.

But he also pointed the finger of blame at himself, stating: “We’re disappointed but I could have helped the team by making substitutions s earlier.

“Molde are a strong team, but I could have done better myself. We lost energy because we have to play a game every three days.

“It’s not the best schedule when you’re playing European games against giants of European football.

“If we had games cancelled it would have been great, but that’s not going to happen and somewhere you have to pay the price and we did in the secondhalf.

“We let them command the game too much.”

Giovagnoli continued: “We have to learn fast and be prepared for the next game which is Waterford on Sunday. I’m sorry, but I’m not even thinking about Arsenal.

“My priority is Waterford, and qualifying for the Europa League next year. So we have to be strong, keep working hard and try to improve.”