OUTCLASSED
Frustrated Lilywhites flunk Euro exam
ON the day the Leaving Cert results were announced, Dundalk flunked their Europa League exams, much to their irritation as they were fired up to do better.
Instead, they paid a price for switching off against a slick Slovakianside who advanced to play PAOK of Salonika in the play-off round.
Two first-half goals from the Slovaks put Dundalk behind the eight-ball and left them needing snookers on the green baize of Tallaght Stadium.
In fairness, their second-half pluck was worth Michael Duffy’s 70thminute consolation and there might even have been a late dramatic hurrah if Patrick Hoban had converted a penalty just after.
As their Euro journey hurtled into a cul-de-sac, Dundalk will reflect on a return of two goals in six games. To progress further next summer, they will require added firepower in the final third.
For much of the opening half, this was a slugger’s paradise as Dundalk threw all they had at Slovan who rode the blows and peppered Dundalk with punches of their own.
In Hungarian David Holman, they possessed a languid, leggy, midfielder who pulled the strings like a master puppeteer.
The pace of the multi-national visitors — their starting XI was drawn from 10 nations — at times frightened Dundalk who pushed forward gamely, only to leave gaps at the back.
While the gung-ho approach was roared on with early gusto, might Dundalk have been better off keeping the gloves up until a late final thrust?
For the longer the game stayed scoreless, the Irish champions only needed one opening to force extra-time.
As it was, they were 1-0 down after 12 minutes and 2-0 behind a little after half an hour.
The game was up as they were never going to score four goals, despite their stirring second-half efforts.
As they exit, Dundalk have nothing to be ashamed of, while they have banked a juicy €1.2m for their feats.
Once again, they lasted longer in Europe than any other League of Ireland clubs, if not longer than Linfield who marched on in the Europa League last night.
The tone for toe-to-toe combat was set from the first whistle as Jamie McGrath found the target with a half-volley which drew a fine diving save by lofty Slovan keeper, Dominic Greif, diving to his right.
What a goal then might have done for Dundalk’s ambitions.
As it was, Slovan quickly cleared the star from their eyes and it required an Andy Boyle goal-line clearance to deny Holman before the visitors struck blood.
From a right-wing cross, Brazilian Rafael Rato climbed above Sean Gannon at the far post and directed a header back across goal and beyond Gary Rogers.
After chances at either end, and a half-decent Dundalk penalty appeal too, a second Slovan goal arrived in the 34th minute.
Again, it was sloppy defending from Dundalk as Boyle sold Rogers short with a header and Aleksandar Gavric nipped in between them to score.
If the tie was over bar the shouting, Dundalk defiantly died with their boots on.
Approaching the hour mark, Hoban and Sean Hoare in turn forced smart saves from Grief before Duffy speared a right-footer home from 12 yards after a neat combination with Massey.
Moments later, Duffy’s shot caught the arm of a defender, but Hoban’s penalty smacked against the long legs of Greif.
As the rain dampened Dundalk’s Euro dreams, Slovan had the last word when substitute Erik Daniel added a third in stoppage time. DUNDALK: Rogers, Gannon, Cleary (Hoare h/t), Boyle, Massey; Mountney, Shields, Murray (McEleney h/t), McGrath (G Kelly 79); Hoban, Duffy. Scorer: Duffy 70. SLOVAN BRATISLAVA: Grief; Medvedev (Apau 65), Aberia, Bozhikov, De Marco; Ljubicic, De Kamps, Cavric (Daniel 62), Holman, Ratao (Sukhotoskiy 86); Sporar. Scorers: Ratao 12, Cavric 34, Daniel 90+3. Referee: R Schorgenhofer (Austria)