EUROPA LEAGUE
Up to a thousand Dundalk fans travelling
UP to 1,000 Dundalk fans are expected to make the trip to Holland this week for Dundalk’s Europa League opener away to AZ Alkmaar.
As of 5pm on Monday around 700 tickets for the game had been sold from Oriel Park, with several more selling during that night’s game against Finn Harps. A number of supporters are also expected travel to the AFAS Stadion without tickets, although this has not been advised by the club.
The Dundalk squad will depart Dublin Airport on Wednesday morning for the game with hundreds of supporters set to join them in both Alkmaar and Amsterdam in the build-up to Thursday’s game.
Speaking to The Argus ahead of the trip, club general manager Martin Connolly (pictured) admitted it was a special time for all involved with Dundalk FC.
‘We’re excited and looking forward to it,’ he said.
‘When the draw was made it was the fixture that was probably most appealing to supporters that wanted to travel. I think that has been reflected on the ticket sales. We’re up to 700 tickets at the moment sold.’
Connolly admitted that things off the field at the club had been just as hectic as the schedule facing Stephen Kenny’s side but he insisted it was a good problem to have.
‘It is mental but as I keep saying to people, it’s a better situation than we were in four years ago when we were organising buses to go down to Waterford for a play-off.
‘You have to put it in its place and reflect on the progress that was made and we’re delighted to be in this situation.
‘We’re flat out with organising Tallaght Stadium as well for our first home game against Maccabi Tel Aviv at the end of the month between organising tickets and the bit of building work in preparation for the games. There’s new dugouts going in and a number of issues that have to be sorted to get it up to spec.’ Asked whether the club had discussed budgets for next season yet, Connolly said there simply hadn’t been a change to.
‘No, to be honest with you our heads are still spinning a bit with all that is going on here.
‘We’ve maintained all along that when we do get a chance we’ll sit down and try and look at all things. We’re trying to sort out the lease issue, we’re trying to sort out plans for Tallaght and we’re trying to organise trips for the Europa League so it’s a very difficult and busy time at the moment.’
Talks on the lease are understood to be progressing well, with discussions with Louth County Council due to take place shortly to discuss outstanding development levies on the Youth Development Centre if the club were to take over the lease from former owner Gerry Matthews.
One discussion that hasn’t taken place yet though is player contracts for next season but Connolly insisted that would be up to the manager.
‘The contracts have been extended to take in the Europa League season, the extra six or eight weeks so we’re all right on that matter,’ he said.
‘The other side of contracts is up to Stephen. I’m sure the time will come when he starts talking to players and reviewing their situation but to be honest that’s mainly left with Stephen. That’s his call.
‘It may be November when it quietens down that he does that but I don’t know is the short answer. It’ll be when he thinks the time is right.
‘I’m sure he wants the fellas to concentrate on the busy season. They’ve all a chance of making history here in the football club and I’m sure he wants their full concentration on that and then we’ll look at other things,’ said Connolly.