DID YOU KNOW?

53rd goal in 53rd minute

DYALN Connolly’s 53rd minute winner away to Levadia Tallinn on Thursday was coincidentally also the 53rd Dundalk FC goal scored in European competition. The 23-year-old is the club’s 31st different goalscorer in European competition with his strike helping Dundalk to the 33rd win recorded by a League of Ireland side away from home in Europe.

Kenny level with Pat

STEPHEN Kenny equalled Pat Fenlon’s record of 11 wins as a manager in Europe with victory over Levadia Tallinn on Thursday night. Kenny can now surpass that total if his side can follow it up by beating the Estonians again in Thursday’s second leg. While the result of that game is unknown, Kenny will move level with former Bohs boss Billy Young’s record of having taken charge of the same club 22 times in Europe when he leads his side into battle at Oriel Park on Thursday.

Gary equals Byrne

DUNDALK goalkeeper Gary Rogers made the 36th European appearance of his career on Thursday night, putting him level with Stuart Byrne.

Only three League of Ireland players have now played more European matches than the Meath man. He will move level with two of them, Owen Heary and Dan Murray, should he start Thursday’s second leg. Ollie Cahill’s record of 41 European appearances would then only be four games away. Thursday was the 36-year-old’s 24th game in the UEFA Cup/Europa League which is a record for a League of Ireland player - two clear now of Dan Murray.

First Euro starts

JAMIE McGrath and Dylan Connolly both made their first European starts when selected by Stpehen Kenny for Thursday’s match in Tallinn. For McGrath it was his fourth European appearance in total while for Connolly it was his second. Ronan Murray also came off the bench in stoppage time for his European debut.

250 and Mount-ing

JOHN Mountney (above) came off the bench in the 88th minute in place of Dylan Connolly to make the 250th appearance of his career. Earlier Dane Massey’s selection had seen him move level with the Mayo man on 227 appearances for Dundalk – a figure only topped amongst the current squad by Chris Shields. Mountney’s introduction ensured he remains ahead of the left back. Thursday’s game was also a landmark for Robbie Benson who made the 300th appearance of his career.