Dundalk come so close to big European scalp
UNLIKE last season, there will be no European adventure for Dundalk fans to savour in 2017.
On Wednesday night in Trondheim they produced a magnificent performance but ultimately bowed out 3-2 on aggregate after extra time. A favourable draw at this stage of the competition is almost essential for clubs like Dundalk to make progress.
Norwegian champions Rosenborg, with their excellent European pedigree, were always going to be a difficult proposition for Stephen Kenny’s side to turn over. However, Dundalk deservedly took the lead in both legs of the tie before being pegged back for two 1-1 draws.
There were opportunities in both games for Dundalk to increase their leads and David McMillan will have sleepless nights about that glorious header chance which was well saved by the Rosenborg keeper.
Coming so quickly after Brian Gartland’s opening goal, that effort would have put Dundalk two up. Had it hit the back of the net then I think Dundalk were through as the Norwegians didn’t look like a side who were capable of scoring three.
And in extra time Ciaran Kilduff had a great opportunity to steal it on the away goal rule but his effort was touched onto the crossbar.
There was no shame in this defeat but you could see the disappointment etched on the faces of the manager and players afterwards.
They knew they had the chances over the two legs to take this major European scalp and progress in the competition. Glasgow Celtic was the reward for the victors, but alas Dundalk came up just short.
Many commentators have argued that given their heroics in reaching the group stages of the Europa League in 2016, Dundalk should have been seeded for the second qualifying round draw, but the complexities of the UEFA coefficient ranking system thought otherwise.
Icelandic champions FH Hafnarfjardar, who Dundalk beat last season, were among the seeded teams and duly progressed to the next round after beating Vikingur of the Faroe Islands.
It was back to domestic matters over the weekend and the midweek efforts in Norway took their toll as Shamrock Rovers left Oriel Park with all three league points to copperfasten Cork City’s hold on the title.
Drogheda United remain at the foot of the table after losing 4-1 to fellow relegation strugglers Galway. Pete Mahon’s side haven’t won a game since they beat Shamrock Rovers 2-1 at the beginning of April.
As expected
THE group stages of the local championship were concluded over the weekend with results going more or less as expected.
For the first time since the format changed some year ago, two teams finished level in a group so there will be a play-off to decide who emerges. Joes and Ardee drew in the opening match of the group and both lost to Sean O Mahonys by the same margin. The winners will face Geraldines in the quarter-finals.
St Pats safely negotiated the challenge of O Raghallaighs to set up a quarter-final meeting with Newtown Blues. Naomh Martin will face Dreadnots after the Clogherhead men overcame Kilkerley and Sean O Mahonys will face the Gaels in an all-Dundalk tie.
St Fechins and Oliver Plunketts were both surprisingly knocked out of the Intermediate competition over the weekend by St Mochtas and St Kevins respectively.
The quarter-final line-up is St Brides v St Finbarrs, Hunterstown v Clans, O Connells v St Kevins and Mattock v St Mochtas. Junior sees Glen Emmets take on Noamh Malachi, Glyde play Stabannon, Roche against Sean McDermotts and Westerns v Lannleire.
Gutsy
JORDAN Spieth battled for a gutsy bogey on the 13th hole in Birkdale to set the stage for a dramatic comeback over the final five holes. He held his hands to his head as his tee shot on the 13th went 70 or 80 yards offline into deep rough.
After 20 minutes of a delay for a ruling on where he could drop, Spieth recovered to escape with a miraculous bogey. He then went birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie over the next four holes to give himself a two shot cushion over fellow American Matt Kuchar going down the last.
Rory McIlroy carded a final round 67 to finish in joint fourth place.
Bet
THIS week’s Sideline Bet is Idaho at 6/1 to cause an upset against his big brother Highland Reel in the King George VI Stakes on Saturday.