Dundalk are in dreamland!
Boss Giovagnoli keeps casting a spell as Dundalk overcome plucky part-timers to win Euro payday
FILIPPO GIOVAGNOLI is eager to pit his coaching wits against Jose Mourinho after Dundalk booked their place in the money-spinning group stages of the Europa League.
‘Mourinho is an icon. I would like to play him,’ he said after Dundalk saw off KI Klaksvik 3-1 at the Aviva Stadium to secure a €3million UEFA payout and take their place in today’s draw alongside the likes of Arsenal, Spurs, Celtic and Roma.
‘Let’s see the draw. We’ve made history, it’s an unbelievable feeling,’ said the Italian.‘This result will help the club build a new journey and I want to be part of it,’ he added.
UEFA’s decision to allow the return of fans, up to a maximum 30 of capacity, to all international and club games could see Dundalk supporters attend home games in the group stages.
Current Covid-19 guidelines will not permit fans to attend Ireland’s Nations League clash with Wales in Dublin on October 11 but the Finns have told the FAI they will allow home fans to see Ireland’s game in Helsinki on October 14.
OUR town, our team, our time’ was a fitting pitchside advert for Dundalk at Aviva Stadium as they eventually scuttled the part-timers from the Faroes and sailed on into the Europa League big time.
On a soft night by the Dodder, goals from Sean Murray, Daniel Cleary and Daniel Kelly secured a jumpy play- off win and punched the champions ticket to a €3million UEFA windfall.
With further top-ups for wins and draws, Dundalk could be laughing all the way to the bank before Christmas, and they might even have some fans to cheer them after UEFA agreed yesterday to allow a partial return of spectators, subject to local authority approval.
For the moment, Filippo Giovagnoli, his players and coaching staff will focus on today’s draw where the likes of Arsenal, Roma, Napoli, Celtic, Spurs and Leicester City, lie in waiting.
The Italian would jump at a crack at a side from Serie A, where he aspired to play as a footballer but fell a couple of divisions short.
In five short weeks at Dundalk, Giovagnoli has worked more wizardry than Harry Potter to steer the Border club into the group phase of the second biggest club competition in world football.
He’s overseen three wins in Europe and justified the gamble of his shock appointment by the club’s US owners.
Should he steer Dundalk to a top-three finish in the Premier Division, or FAI Cup success, and ensure a Euro return next summer, the knives he spoke about in his back on Wednesday, would be replaced by pats of congrats.
Whatever way he’s gone about it, the garrulous 49-year-old has pressed the right buttons on the bridge as Dundalk have built up a head of steam again after their early season floundering.
At the final whistle, he and his assistant, Guiseppe Rossi, raced on the glistening pitch like young bucks to celebrate this historic victory as Dundalk became the first Irsh club to reach the group phase of the Europa League for a second time.
There was even time for a joyous run and belly-button slide towards the touchline by a grinning Giovagnoli, his players and staff. And why not? They can afford the laundry bill.
Giovagnoli made the right call to field a second XI against Shamrock Rovers last Sunday as he turned to 11 sets of fresh legs last night and trusted them to deliver, which they did after a second-half scare.
The champions didn’t have things all their own way but they took the chances coughed up to them and leaned on Gary Rogers in goal to protect their line when KI had a spell on top in the second half.
Early on, Dundalk looked a little uncertain on the left flank where Darragh Leahy and Cleary struggled at times to get a handle on their opponents.
Dundalk, who enjoyed profit through Stefan Colovic on the right, were given a sign of things to come when a long-range effort from Patrick McEleney was saved by ‘keeper Kristian Joensen.
A more efficient custodian might have been in position to gather the ball and it suggested that Joensen was either showing off or a weak link. It turned out he was the latter.
For Dundalk’s first and second goals, he was culpable. The first, in the 33rd minute, followed a Colovic cross which Patrick Hoban headed the ball towards the six yard-box.
The ‘keeper’s hesitation was fatal as Murray ghosted in and headed into the net.
He was utterly at fault for the second goal minutes after the restart when he f l apped at Michael Duffy’s corner and was in no-man’s land as the ball bobbled about like a pin-ball machine.
In a crowded box, Hoban appeared to get a touch before Cleary lifted the ball high into the unguarded net.
That should have been the cue for Dundalk to fillet the fishermen footballers, but instead it was KI who seized control.
As Dundalk were pinned back, the experience and agility of Rogers was required.
The veteran had executed two crucial saves before a deflected daisy- cutter from distance saw Ole Erik Midstkogen peg a goal back for KI.
There were almost 25 minutes to go and Dundalk were headed for squeaky bum territory as KI sensed a weakness.
In the 75th minute, Rogers
“Manager may
relish meeting an Italian side”
again rode to the rescue as he tipped over a stinging 25-yarder as Dundaslk struggled to keep up their guard.
The next goal was going to be crucial and when KI pushed bodies forward, they appeared more likely to bag it but when their next attack broke down in the 79th minute, they were suddenly short of cover at the back.
Again, Dundalk pounced t hrough Murray who swept the ball into Kelly’s path on half-way.
No one was going to catch the local speed merchant who kept his cool as
Joensen advanced, and slipped the ball unerringly into the bottom corner.
KL were glassy- eyed. While they worked Rogers again soon after, in their hearts they knew there was no way back. DUNDALK: Rogers; Hoare, Gartland, Cleary, Leahy; Murray, Sloggett, McEleney (Mountney 81); Colovic (Kelly 71), Hoban (McMillan 71), Duffy. Scorers: Murray 33, Cleary 48, Kelly 79. Kl: Klaksvik: Joensen; Pavlovic (J Johannesen 87), Faero, Brinck; Andreasen, Vatnsdal, Bjartalio, P Johannsen; Midtskogen, Kl ettska rd( Dosljak 56), Danielsen. Scorer: Midtskogen 65. Referee: M Mariani (Italy)