Dundalk can ruffle a few more feathers in Europe

ALONG with another few GAA heads, I jumped onboard the Dundalk FC bandwagon last Thursday morning and stowed away to Alkmaar in Holland for the club’s first-ever match in the Europa League group stages.

Not being a regular in Oriel Park for many years and kitted out in my Harp Lager-emblazoned retro shirt, I received some curious glances at the airport. I felt a little like the occasional mass-goer who had given up attending regularly on Sunday mornings and who now shows up only for the big days out at Easter or Christmas. You know the type?

When you return to church, nobody really greets you with open arms, but if you’re prepared to sing the hymns and engage with the rest of the worshippers then gradually these lost sheep are welcomed back into the flock.

Anyway, back to Holland last week. Alkmaar is a wonderfully welcoming city, similar to Galway in many respects. Small and compact, with a real a buzz about the place. It’s most famous for its cheese, but we never got to sample the city’s wares such was the short nature of our visit.

After meandering through the waterways and cobbled streets from our hotel, we eventually ended up in a small square in the centre where most of the visiting fans were congregated.

My insecurities about being the only bandwagon jumper present were completely unfounded as I immediately recognised many other ‘non mass-goers’ in attendance.

The fantastic autumnal sunshine mirrored the warmth and banter of the crowd and we all enjoyed a great afternoon of craic and merriment as AZ and Dundalk fans mingled freely together.

The legacy of Irish travelling fans’ exemplary conduct on the continent was obviously well heralded in Alkmaar before our arrival. Pubs, bars and cafes welcomed us with smiles and open arms and the local police were cordial and friendly, ably assisted by a handful of travelling Gardai.

Contrast this to the Man United fans we encountered at the airport who were specifically advised by authorities to remain low-key and not wear their colours for their meeting with Feyenoord on the same night.

As game time approached, we were all spared the few bob taxi fare to the stadium as officials ushered us onto specially laid-on buses.

There was a great atmosphere in the ground as the 1,000-plus travelling contingent allowed their voices be heard.

Not looking any way overawed by the occasion or their surroundings, Dundalk started very brightly and gave as got as they got, particularly in the opening half. Yes, we rode our luck on occasions, but €20 on Custom Cut at 5/1 to win the Joel Stakes at Newmarket on Friday at no stage did Dundalk look out of place in this sort of company.

On the hour mark our good humour was dampened temporarily as AZ took the lead and it didn’t improve when Stephen O Donnell was red-carded soon afterwards.

However, Stephen Kenny’s men showed great heart and character to battle back from two such bodyblows and the roof almost came off the away end when Ciaran Kilduff’s 89th-minute equaliser went in. Cue pandemonium and only a vague recollection of the remaining 10 minutes or so.

On a night when global soccer giants Man United failed to get a result in Rotterdam, Dundalk came away from the same country, in the same competition, with a thoroughly deserved share of the spoils.

In gaining that first point from the group stages of a European competition, Dundalk have broken the glass ceiling for League of Ireland clubs, and although the Lilywhites are by some distance the lowest ranked team of the 48 remaining in the Europa League, who would bet against them ruffling further feathers in the weeks ahead.

The same buses ferried us back to the city centre where jubilant Dundalk supporters partied and celebrated well into the wee hours. Hearty breakfasts the following morning sent our tired and emotional group back to Schiphol airport for the flight home. It was very short, but a hugely enjoyable trip.

I wasn’t in Haggardstown on Saturday evening for the senior double-header, but by all accounts O’Mahony’s and St Mary’s were both worthy winners. It sets up a great final for two weeks’ time in Drogheda, with very little separating these two teams.

The Dundalk men will be slight favourites to land their first ever senior title, while Ardee will go into the game with every confidence of adding to their 11 titles.

I did, however, make it to Croke Park the following day and was disappointed Mayo did not come out on top. The inclement weather influenced the quality of play, but entertainment and excitement levels were through the roof.

There is no doubt Dublin had an off day, but I felt Mayo’s aggressive ‘in-your-face’ tactics unnerved the Metropolitans and such an approach could still pay dividends the next day. The men from the West, however, will be kicking themselves that they didn’t close out a game where they so clearly held the upper hand.

FINALLY, a word of congratulations to Eve McCrystal who, along with Katie George Dunlevy, won gold and silver at the Paralympics Games in Rio, bringing Ireland’s medal total to 11.

Eve, who is originally from Jenkinstown, acts as pilot to the visually impaired Dunlevy for the Tandem Cycling team.

NO luck again with last week’s Sideline Bet, but Cillian O Connor did kick the final score of the game to send it to a replay.