IT ALL BOILS down to this then. After producing several unforgettable moments already this season, Dundalk are looking to create one more this evening as their participation in the Europa League hangs in the balance.
Ireland’s top club have travelled to Israel to face Maccabi Tel-Aviv and there’s a place in the knockout stages up for grabs with the Lilywhites, their latest opponents and AZ Alkmaar all chasing the runners-up spot in Group D, while Zenit St Petersburg already have top spot wrapped up.
Put simply, Dundalk are hoping Zenit can do them a favour by beating AZ in Holland as it will mean a score draw is enough to send them through. If Zenit and AZ are level at the final whistle, Stephen Kenny’s men must win at the Netanya Stadium.
We’ll keep you up-to-date with the two matches, which both kick off at 6pm.
“There is permutations that a score draw could put us through if Zenit win their match but we must not think like that,” Stephen Kenny said this week. “We can’t think like that.
It’s a win or nothing for me and I only see it as a win or nothing game for us. Maccabi are huge favourites with their record. They have been in the Champions League and have 17 international players but we have achieved special things over the last few years and we must strive to go one further.”
Read more pre-match quotes from the Dundalk boss and as well as my preview here.
The teams are in and Chris Shields starts in midfield after recovering from injury while captain Stephen O’Donnell is on the bench meaning Andy Boyle skippers the side.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv: Rajkovic; Dasa, Ben Haim, Tibi, Ben Harush; Igiebor, Golasa, Medunjanin; Miha, Kjartansson, Ben Chaim (c).
Dundalk: Rogers; Gannon, Gartland, Boyle (c), Massey; Shields; McEleney, Finn, Benson, Horgan; McMillan.
When Dundalk last faced Maccabi at Tallaght Stadium back in September, Ciaran Kilduff came off the bench to score the winner 18 minutes from full-time. The striker is back among the substitutes tonight as David McMillan has been recalled to the starting XI.
The Dundalk boss walks the Netanya Stadium pitch…
Two of Dundalk’s best players, Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan, are expected to make moves to England in coming weeks with Preston North End rumoured to be close to sealing deals for the pair.
So this could be their final game in the white and black of The Town.
Please do, Axel. We’re counting on you…
Here come the teams.
KICK-OFF - After a moment’s applause for the Chapecoense air disaster, we’re underway. Dundalk, who tip-off, are in their home kit of white and black, the home side wearing yellow with a blue trim.
McMillan is clipped by Igiebor and Dundalk have an early free-kick in a decent area. It’s sent towards Gartland but Maccabi snuff out the danger.
Gartland attempts to put McMillan in over the top but the ball is too long and runs all the way through to Rajkovic.
Maccabi then attack down the right with Kjartansson, who cuts the ball back to the six-yard box. Shields gets back to make a timely intervention, however.
Bosnian international Medunjanin attempts a shot from long distance. It’s on target but hit tamely and Rogers makes an easy save.
OFFSIDE – Maccabi have the ball in the back of the net through Ben-Chaim, but the captain had trailed offside before scoring.
Bad news coming through from Holland, as AZ have taken a seventh-minute lead against Zenit through Ben Rienstra.
A win for the Dutch side would ensure Dundalk’s elimination.
YELLOW CARD – Maccabi midfielder Golasa chops down Horgan and goes into the referee’s book. The resulting free-kick comes to nothing.
SAVE! Miha cuts inside onto his left and lets fly. Rogers gets a palm to the strike to stick it behind for a corner. That set piece causes a few problems and Maccabi win a second corner, before the ball eventually goes wide. The home side have looked lively here.
That’s better from Dundalk. After patient build-up play, Shields finds the run of Gannon down the right. The full-back crosses early but it’s headed away by Dasa.
Maccabi win a free-kick 35 yards out after Finn catches Golasa. It’s drilled straight into the wall though.
GOAL! Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-0 Dundalk (Ben Chaim)
Disaster for Dundalk. A mistake from Gartland results in Rogers bringing down Medunjanin and Ben Chaim steps up to score from the spot.
GOAL! Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-1 Dundalk (Eli Dasa own goal)
Super response from the visitors! Horgan is involved in the build-up and the ball is worked out to Shields, who drills it across Maccabi’s goalmouth. Horgan looks set to score, but Dasa gets the last touch.
A vital goal.
Both sides going for it now and Maccabi win a corner from Kjartansson’s deflected shot. There’s uncertainty when it comes in and Rogers finally gets the ball in his arms but the referee has given a free-kick to Dundalk anyway.
GOAL! Maccabi Tel-Aviv 2-1 Dundalk (Dor Miha)
Maccabi restore their advantage. Ben Chaim plays in Miha, whose strike goes under the hands of Rogers. Disappointing from the Dundalk number one.
Oh dear, AZ are now 2-0 up on Zenit. It’s not looking good at all for Dundalk as it stands.
Half-time:
Maccabi Tel-Aviv 2-1 Dundalk
AZ Alkmaar 2-0 Zenit St Petersburg
WE’RE BACK – One change to tell you about. Gartland is off with Paddy Barrett taking his place. A huge 45 minutes for Dundalk.
DISALLOWED GOAL – Maccabi appear to have scored through Miha but play is brought back and Dundalk are rewarded a free-kick for a push on Barrett.
Dundalk full-back Sean Gannon appears to be in some discomfort and is receiving treatment.
Zenit have pulled one back All hope is not lost.
THAT’S A SITTER – Ben Chaim does brilliantly yet again before Miha slices high and wide with the goal at his mercy.
ANOTHER CHANGE – Kilduff, so often the goal hero during this campaign, is on for McEleney.
Wait, Zenit have pulled one back in Holland. They now trail 3-2 with ten minutes on the clock. Stranger things have happened…
BIG CHANCE! Horgan cuts the ball back but McMillan can’t convert at the back post.
CLOSE – Dundalk are finishing with late push and Kilduff has just headed wide. You’d expect him to put that in.
Full-time:
Maccabi Tel-Aviv 2-1 Dundalk
AZ Alkmaar 3-2 Zenit St Petersburg
Dundalk are out of the Europa League.
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You only turn up to support the football team when they make it to the all-Ireland semi!
Eight All Ireland finals in the last ten years, that’s still a lot of games!
Ye I only get 1 outing a year but for a different completely reason! :(
A Dub in a pub in Kerry might be told ” watch out, you might find an All-Ireland medal in your change”..
That Fitzgerald point is arguably the greatest gaelic point ever kicked!
No argument about it
Agree.
Baby picture inside Sam and an aerial photo of your house are surely first class Kerry credentials.
Dark times ahead maybe, but this list gave me a bit of a pick me up. God, I’m lucky to say I come from Kerry.
You know you’re a sports fan from Kerry when…… You make arrangements in june, to stay in Dublin during the third weekend in september!
And that will be the first match you bother to travel to …
and the Reeks ARE majestic :)
What does a roadside yellow line mean in kerry.. ‘No parking at all’
What does 2 roadside yellow lines mean in Kerry?.
No parking at all,at all..
‘Line’..upgrade from iPhone to Samsung I’d say.
Lol.
Ya won’t drive a ka with a D reg on it .
You need worry, that’s one works both ways
Adebaaaaaayooooooo!
Need not*
You ate hang sangwiches in a layby
In fairness it was a push by Darby.
Prefer the term “out muscled” him.
As John B Keane said: “Any fella born in Kerry has a headstart over the rest of the country”. Says a lot!
When you cross the county bounds and breath in deeply!
And beep the horn to announce your return
kingdom come, kingdom go
A Kerry footballer with an inferiority complex thinks he’s just as good as everyone else! God be with you John B, an t-uasal is fearr!
The Irish Open was better when it was in Killarney.
This was penned by a kingdom passport holder! Brilliant article lads!
“Being a Kerryman, in my opinion, is the greatest gift that God can bestow on any man. When you belong to Kerry you know you have a head start on the other fellow. In belonging to Kerry you belong to the elements, to the spheres spinning in the heavens. You belong to history and language and romance and ancient song. It’s almost unbearable being a Kerryman and it’s an awesome responsibility.” (John B)
Have to admit to alot of these.
Great article. First time I saw that Sheehy goal. What movement, vision and touch of absolute class.
(RIP Tom Creedon for Cork in the buildup, great player and never forgotten).
It’s a sin not to play in the blitz!!
If I was from Kerry I’d boast about the 3 Spillane brothers that have 19 all Ireland’s between them rather than the 15 by the O’ Se brothers both impressive though.
Forget about No 12 Tadgh’s jig.Put on a kilt.Stop Olympians,Motorsports and spread the word of God and “dance dance wherever you may be!!
That baby is in the Sam draped in the cork colours….
Actually, I thought it was the Armagh colours which unfortunately would make that child about 11 years old now.
Never forget listeing to weeshie munster final day…. moyihan kicks it up the field, o se, fitzgerald , russell hes kicked it, where’s it going…. its a goal …. Its a Goal (roaring down the radio) Actually that ball has just juggled wide.
Best Gaelic Football game of all time Dublin v. Kerry 1977 All Ireland semi.Not a Kerry fan but that Kerry team was greatness from top to bottom as they went on to prove.If you’ve never seen that game go check it out.
”Yerra no need for a hotel. Margaret, willu call awna and tell her we’ll be needing the spare room in siptimber”
Awna.
Haha, perfection.
Excellent article, makes one very proud to be a Kerryman. Sad to say the only all Ireland I ever got to see in Croke Park was the one with the infamous Darby goal.
Jackeen
Enjoyed that thanks journal , poor old weeshie he will never live that beyonce moment down , the great micheál a gent could listen to him all day . Hope Kerry get their mojo back this year , but if not the Dubs get my support . Looking forward to the other counties clips . :)
Weeshie, the legend.
http://youtu.be/zNOUbD2I6XU
Weeshie Fogarty it the worst commentator of all time… if youre trying to hear a match when driving somewhere its just frustrating that he goes on and on about everything except what’s happening on the bloody pitch…. “it hit the bottom of the post, or will i say the butt of the post, or maybe the base of the post is it……..” 5 mins of shyte talk about terminology relating to posts later….. “either way no goal”
Hate the guy don’t see why people like him….
I like him even more now after that
like watching a train wreck, you just can’t look away, same feeling I get with Weeshie the more whacky he gets the more I need to listen
Anthony Weeshie is a natural communicator and a broadcasting legend on this island. You sir are a heretic.
I played in the castleisland blitz and got to the finals and lost both finals also, but some of the best b-ball you will see anywhere back home
Everyone is always going on about how great Kerry people are yet it’s a county that has yet to provide us with one famous person.
John o donoghue….
Tom Crean and Daniel O’Connell are quite famous and John B Keane wrote a few books in his time.
Beat me to it Mike
Tom Crean and Daniel O’Connell are quite famous and John B Keane wasn’t a bad writer.
Off the top of the head Hollywood star Micheal Fassbender and his equally as famous appendage.
Pierce Brosnan fathers family came from Tralee Co Kerry, he is pretty famous I think. :)
Fassbender was born in Germany no?
Born in Germany raised in Killarney
Here’s a picture of him with an accordion I hope that appeases you
http://static.independent.ie/migration_catalog/article25276719.ece/ALTERNATES/h342/fassbender1
I knew he was raised in Killarney, I’m from 25 mins over the road, but he was born in Germany and his father is German, to claim he’s a Kerryman is a little bit of a stretch… It’s like claiming Daniel Day Lewis is Irish!
And who the hell are John Keane and Tom Crean? Never heard of either of them!
Where you spend your formative years is more binding than any bloodline. Danial Day was raised in the UK, not the same at all.
Cavan
When your a female from the kingdom on holidays abroad on a night out with the girls in a Kerry jersey O’Neills tracksuit bottoms and hi-tek runners …..classy
You will smell like urine….
Doctor, why do I hear banjos?
‘Cause you are at the Fleadh Ceoil in Lishtowel boy.
You smell like cat food and you still have your grandfathers communion money !
Weeshie on Terrace Talk…haven’t peed myself laughing like that in a long time…”Beeanky….what does he do?” Frickin brilliant!
Those horrific polyester football jerseys which people choose to wear when abroad are just an embarrassment. Presumably Kerry people’s fashion sense is influenced by the Exhange and Mart.
Well that wasnt even the slightest bit offensive….
Ah get over it. Im a jacket dub….wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.
Maybe because Dublin isn’t the butt end of every damn joke in the country!
Pat Spillane is a very good GAA analyst, he is not afraid to speak his mind irrespective of who he might offend (including the Dubs.)
michael fassbenders willy is most certainly NOT from kerry. but watch the last 10 mins of xmen and listen to his accent. janey mac his one of us alright.