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Lilywhites goalscorer Ciaran Kilduff. Karel Delvoije/INPHO

Late Kilduff header earns 10-man Dundalk first-ever point on Europa League group stage debut

AZ Alkmaar had gone ahead but Stephen Kenny’s side rallied to equalise in the Group D opener.

Barry Landy reports from the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar

COMETH THE HOUR, cometh the man.

It was 85 minutes, to be precise, when Ciaran Kilduff’s header beat Sergio Rochet and to send the scores of Dundalk’s travelling support into raptures.

Against good opposition, and considering the Irish champions were a goal and a man down, it counts as the most unlikely of points.

The Lilywhites were very good at times, especially at periods in the first half. But any point accrued in this tough Europa League group is one gained and Stephen Kenny will rightly view this as a first step en route — perhaps — extending their continental journey beyond the festive season.

A second half header from Stijn Wuytens looked to have given the Eredivisie side the victory. It came an hour into the game and at a price for Wuytens.

Dundalk fans Travelling Dundalk fans at the AFAS Stadion. Karel Delvoije / INPHO Karel Delvoije / INPHO / INPHO

In the process of scoring, Wuytens clashed with Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers, leading to great concern over the 26-year-old’s welfare. He was unconscious on the field of play. Initial fears were that he swallowed his tongue.

It was a sickening collision. After Wuytens headed the ball, Rogers’ attempted punch away landed on Wuytens and when he fell to the ground, goal celebrations were muted as teammates immediately signalled for medical help.

It came — amidst tears and prayers from his team-mates — and after 5 minutes of stoppage, he was carried off. Reports later confirmed Wuytens had regained conscious.

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The size of Dundalk’s task was outlined from the very beginning of the game. Just two minutes were on the clock when Wuytens found Alireza Jahanbakhsh. His curling shot beat Rogers but not the post.

He would later go close again. Andy Boyle was on hand to block well, but that was only after Dundalk had a strong spell of their own.

Daryl Horgan was testing the AZ back line, skipping past players at will. He teed up McMillan who shot over. The striker then shot tamely enough at Rochet after he cut in form the right.

Dane Massey also had a shot and then Horgan hit an effort wide. The chance of the first half for the visitors came on 34 minutes.

McMillan on the left touchline flicked a ball over the top for Horgan to run onto. He surged into the space, beat van Eijden and then skipped past the last defender Vlaar. He tries to beat Rochet but the goalkeeper was quick off his line and dealt with it.

On the stroke of half time, the brilliantly named Fred Friday had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. Television pictures showed Dundalk may have got away with one. Breaks come and go in football. Here, it fell for Louth men.

Stephen Kenny Lilywhites boss Stephen Kenny. Karel Delvoije / INPHO Karel Delvoije / INPHO / INPHO

Minutes into the second half, Souza’s free-kick from the left was met by Derrick Luckassen at the back post. His side foot effort looks like it’s heading across Rogers and in but Gannon was back on the line to clear as players piled in.

Then came the opener and the stoppage that followed Wuytens’ injury. When play did eventually resume, it was Dundalk’s turn to lose an influential midfielder. Stephen O’Donnell received a second yellow for hacking down left back Ridgeciano Haps.

With that, Dundalk’s attacking endeavours were curbed. It wasn’t quite an onslaught but the home side were in control.

The two full-backs were being given ample space in which to move forward in the second half and right back Mattias Johansson tested Rogers with a low effort with five minutes to go. Souza tried to turn in the rebound but Rogers was up to deny him.

Dane Massey got caught out moments later, leaving Andy Boyle to clear off the line from Luckassen. With the margin of deficit at one, concentration needed to be high if the ten men were to benefit from the one final chance that might have come their way.

It did when a quick break saw Chris Shields released down the left. He smartly cut past the defender and won the free kick. Darryl Horgan sent it in and Kilduff — on the field only a matter of minutes — headed past Rochet.

Edal Black / YouTube

For the 800 or so Lilywhites fans in the AFAS Stadion – the vast majority of them behind that goal – it was just reward for them. They sang all night and regularly drowned out the home support.

A goal and a man down with 35 minutes of football to play, it seemed the task might only become more impossible. Dundlak’s European adventure is habitually proving the doubters wrong.

AZ ALKMAAR: Sergio Rochet, Mattias Johansson, Rens van Eijden, Ron Vlaar, Ridgeciano Haps, Derrick Luckassenm, Stijn Wuytens (Ben Rienstra, 65), Alireza Jahanbakhsh Illias Bel Hassani, 75), Joris van Overeem, Dabney Souza, Fred Friday (Wout Weghorst, 55).

DUNDALK: Gary Rogers, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Stephen O’Donnell, Ronan Finn, John Mountney (Robbie Benson, 77), Patrick McEleney (Ciaran Kilduff, 85), Daryl Horgan, David McMillan (Chris Shields, 75)

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As it happened: AZ Alkmaar v Dundalk, Europa League

Irish fans to be awarded by Uefa for their ‘outstanding contribution’ to Euro 2016

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    Mute smithers
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:29 PM

    Think i aged about 10 years for the last nine minutes well done dundalk

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:36 PM

    Think they’re really going to leave their mark this year in Europe which will be brilliant. Now if only Desmond or DOB threw a couple of million at one of these plucky clubs and get the thing really moving and forget the fai, exciting times

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    Mute Conor Crowe
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:13 PM

    I would hope someone like that gave a few million to spread amongst the clubs to improve the training grounds and get youth teams set up. Would be great if could keep our young players instead of them going to England.

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    Mute Darren Murphy
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:58 PM

    I totally agree with you conor. One person who is in the way of this is deleany

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    Mute Darren Murphy
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:59 PM

    *typo delaney

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    Mute Gerard O'Brien
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:28 PM

    Dundalk 1 – 0 Manchester Utd

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    Mute Darren Sheils
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:51 PM

    Lol!!! Love it

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    Mute Derek Finnegan
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:54 PM

    Nice one lad lmao

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    Mute David
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    Sep 15th 2016, 10:08 PM

    The sad thing is probably most Irish ppl would support Man Utd!

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    Mute Nic Antonio
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:34 PM

    Fantastic.To think this club was in a relegation play off only a couple of years ago.Heros.

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    Mute Derek Finnegan
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:32 PM

    It wasn’t about the money tonight it was about the passion they really showed themself up to be a great team in europe well done lads

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    Mute An_Beal_Bocht
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:29 PM

    Great stuff, any one else spot the lad from the press corp taking a photo of kilduff celebrating after the goal and then giving a fist pump himself, class

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    Mute Billy Larkin
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:14 PM

    Dundalk would have put up a better fight than Celtic the other night.

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    Mute Peter Murphy
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:27 PM

    Keep taking the pills? Well done Dundalk

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    Mute Donal O'Leary
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:34 PM

    Fan F**kin Tastic!!!

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    Mute Tom Reilly
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:44 PM

    Of all the great Dundalk performances recently this one has to be the best. The composure and skill were first class and to do it away from home was that bit special. Surely it can’t be long until a premiership team shows an interest in Horgan. He is now starring regularly in Europe when many top players are not. Martin O’Neill will also have to consider selecting some of the Dundalk lads in the near future.

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    Mute Eddie Byrne
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:52 PM

    Will Delaney come out of hiding to congratulate Dundalk. Waste of space him and his cronies on the board of the FAI.

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    Mute dannykiernan
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:31 PM

    Well done Duns, keeping the flag flying proudly!

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    Mute Maurice Slater
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:39 PM

    I don’t like football…..I love it.

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    Mute Danny Nash
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:45 PM

    Horgan put in a super delivery for the goal yet get’s overlooked by Ireland.

    Dundalk showed they can compete at this level.

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    Mute Boris Defender
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:41 PM

    Brilliant result! Nights like tonight would not have been possible without John Delaney.

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    Mute Niall Campbell
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:58 PM

    Yeah, without him, Dundalk would have won.

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    Mute prop joe
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:05 PM

    Yes Boris, the man is genius and underpayed

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    Mute Leo Lowe
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:55 PM

    Absolutely fantastic!

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    Mute Ciaran McMahon
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:43 PM

    Just wondering how many of MON’s squad have played regularly in Europe this year? These lads deserve a chance to prove their worth. #weknowwhoweare

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    Mute Peter Murphy
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:26 PM

    Well done Dundalk

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:26 PM

    Fair play Dundalk

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    Mute John Joyce
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    Sep 16th 2016, 7:13 PM

    Dundalk and Cork city are better than click

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    Mute John Mc Glynn
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    Sep 15th 2016, 8:49 PM

    As much as i dislike Steven Kenny (“Youre behaviour was a disgrace”), his substitutions tonight were masterful. After the sending, took off McMillan and played without a frontman for about 15 minutes and use Bensons fresh legs to keep things tight and stay in the game. For the last 10 minutes he brings on Kilduff and is able to get back into the game and take advantage of the mental fragility of the opposition. After the AZ goalscorer was stretchered off, they never looked like they were up for finishing the game off. Great result and worth more to them financially than winning the league. Ridiculous.

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    Mute Lad
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:43 PM

    How many group points did Shamrock Rover’s get a couple of years ago

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    Mute Darren Sheils
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:52 PM

    Zero

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    Mute Richie O Connor
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    Sep 15th 2016, 9:52 PM

    Zero zilch nada

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