Good evening, folks. Welcome along to our liveblog of the first leg of the Europa League second round qualifier between Dundalk and AEK Larnaca.
It’s a big night for the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division leaders as they welcome the Cypriot Cup holders to a sold-out Oriel Park. Can Stephen Kenny’s side give themselves a sold platform heading into the second leg in Cyprus in seven days’ time?
Kick-off is at 7.45pm and we’ll keep you updated throughout the evening.
26 Jul 2018
7:09PM
The teams are in and the big news from a Dundalk point of view is that Sean Gannon has been ruled out. That means that Sean Hoare reverts to right-back, where he deputised extremely competently earlier in the season while Gannon was sidelined. Dan Cleary comes in to partner captain Brian Gartland at centre-half in the only change from last week’s 2-1 win over Levadia Tallinn.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Hoare, Brian Gartland, Dan Cleary, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson; Dylan Connolly, Jamie McGrath, Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban.
If you’ve been following our coverage of the build-up to this game, you’ll know that AEK Larnaca are certainly not at full strength this evening. Among their absentees are David Catala, their captain and veteran centre-half, and last season’s leading goalscorer Florian Taulemesse, who scored the only goal in the second leg of their tie against Cork City at the same stage last season, when Larnaca were 2-0 winners on aggregate.
Nevertheless, it’s still a formidable starting line-up which includes five players who have played in La Liga. Ivan Trickovski and Apostolos Giannou, senior internationals with Macedonia and Australia respectively, will lead the line.
AEK Larnaca: Tońo Ramirez; Igor Silva, Joan Truyols, Mikel Gonzalez; Acoran Reyes, Jorge Larena, Joan Tomas, Hector Hevel, Tomas Ioannou; Ivan Trickovski, Apostolos Giannou.
26 Jul 2018
7:14PM
Here are the substitutes…
Dundalk: Gabriel Sava, John Mountney, Karolis Chvedukas, Ronan Murray, Dean Jarvis, Patrick McEleney, Georgie Kelly.
AEK Larnaca: Andreas Christodolou, Tete, Nacho Cases, Rafael Anastasiou, Rafael Mamas, Konstantinos Konstantinou, Onisiforos Roushias.
Former Spanish international Andoni Iraola surveys the scene at Oriel Park. This is his first competitive game in charge of AEK Larnaca. He’s regarded as a legend at Athletic Bilbao following a distinguished playing career with the La Liga outfit.
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO
Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO
26 Jul 2018
7:25PM
This is AEK Larnaca’s first competitive outing since they won the Cypriot Cup at the expense of Apollon Limassol ten weeks ago.
Only four of the side who started that game are named in the team this evening: Larena, Reyes, Trickovski and Giannou. It’s an entirely different back five.
Could this be a major opportunity for Dundalk?
The winners will advance to a meeting with Ajax or Sturm Graz in the third qualifying round.
26 Jul 2018
7:30PM
Dundalk fans will be hoping for some more Michael Duffy magic tonight. He’s been on fire this season.
Pick that out! What a goal from Michael Duffy. @DundalkFC lead Levadia Tallinn 2-1 at Oriel Park (3-1 on aggregate) and you'll do very well to find a better finish anywhere in Europe tonight than this peach of a volley #RTEsoccerpic.twitter.com/ArDW8MxkAt
Gonzalez sends a very testing ball through and Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers is forced to rush out of goal to the rescue.
26 Jul 2018
8:04PM
Rogers called into action again to collect Igor Silva’s ball into the box.
26 Jul 2018
8:05PM
Hoare and Duffy both get crosses in for Dundalk but they come to nothing.
26 Jul 2018
8:07PM
Close! Good chance for Larnaca as Joan Tomas sees his shot blocked excellently by Hoare. Tomas then fires over with the rebound. Nervy moment for Dundalk.
26 Jul 2018
8:08PM
Connolly’s deep cross finds Duffy who heads across the face of goal but Larnaca get it away.
26 Jul 2018
8:10PM
Trickovski gets a cross in but it’s easy for Rogers.
26 Jul 2018
8:11PM
McGrath sends in a cross after good work by Hoare but goalkeeper Ramirez gathers it.
Giannou tries to play in Joan Tomas but McGrath does well to track back and intercept.
26 Jul 2018
8:14PM
Shields clears a cross from Joan Tomas.
Still goalless after half an hour.
26 Jul 2018
8:15PM
Cleary coughs up possession but Larena’s long-range shot sails over.
26 Jul 2018
8:18PM
Duffy’s cross is taken by Ramirez. The Dundalk winger always looks dangerous but they need to get the ball to him more often.
The teams slightly cancelling each other out here at this stage.
26 Jul 2018
8:19PM
Dundalk get in behind with Connolly sending in a low cross towards Shields and Hoban. Worrying moment for Larnaca but they manage to clear the danger.
26 Jul 2018
8:21PM
Igor Silva booked for a foul on Duffy, whose free-kick into the box finds the head of Gartland. However, his knockdown goes straight into the hands of Ramirez.
26 Jul 2018
8:22PM
Duffy snatches at a half-volley but it’s well off target. Difficult effort, in fairness.
26 Jul 2018
8:24PM
Hoare looks for Duffy at the back post but the cross is too heavy.
26 Jul 2018
8:27PM
Duffy cuts inside and gets a shot away but it drifts over.
No breakthrough yet but it’s been a good contest so far. While Larnaca are a decent side who are very good in possession and look threatening on the break, Dundalk will feel that they’re capable of bringing a lead to Cyprus next week. They’ve got 45 minutes to find it. Join us for more updates shortly.
Close! Dundalk breathe a sigh of relief as Hevel finds the head of Truyols with a free-kick and Rogers manages to claim it at the second time of asking as Giannou was lurking.
26 Jul 2018
8:50PM
Hoban has a go from distance but it goes straight at Ramirez.
Hevels sends a good ball into the box for Giannou but Rogers collects.
26 Jul 2018
8:57PM
Shields pulls the jersey of Acoran and Larnaca earn a free-kick just outside the box.
26 Jul 2018
8:57PM
Jorge Larena has a go but it’s comfortably saved by Rogers.
26 Jul 2018
8:59PM
Larnaca goalkeeper makes a mess of his clearance, Connolly gathers but he’s absolutely creased by Hevel, who’s subsequently booked. Free-kick in a dangerous position for Dundalk.
One of Dundalk’s stars of last season, Patrick McEleney, has been introduced following his recent return from Oldham Athletic. Jamie McGrath makes way.
26 Jul 2018
9:08PM
Nice move by Larnaca but Giannou can’t get it under control in the box and Dundalk can clear.
26 Jul 2018
9:09PM
Duffy sends in a corner which Cleary heads back into the danger zone, but the referee blows up as the linesman seemingly spotted the ball curling out, then back into, play.
26 Jul 2018
9:10PM
McEleney plays it wide to Benson but his first-time shot is off target.
26 Jul 2018
9:12PM
Duffy delivers a free-kick into the box, Hoban challenges but the goalkeeper Ramirez goes down and it’s a free out.
26 Jul 2018
9:14PM
Drama here as the referee showed a red card to Hoban — a second yellow — but Hoban was then called back when the ref realised he hadn’t already been booked.
26 Jul 2018
9:16PM
Close! Benson plays in Duffy with a great ball but his shot is too tame to trouble Ramirez.
A fairly even game leaves the tie in the balance. Dundalk may feel that they should have found a goal but they certainly won’t have any fear going to Cyprus next Thursday.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t score,” Dundalk captain Brian Gartland tells Eir Sport.
26 Jul 2018
9:39PM
Anyway, that’s all from this one. Thanks for joining us!
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As it happened: Dundalk v AEK Larnaca, Europa League second qualifying round
Good evening, folks. Welcome along to our liveblog of the first leg of the Europa League second round qualifier between Dundalk and AEK Larnaca.
It’s a big night for the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division leaders as they welcome the Cypriot Cup holders to a sold-out Oriel Park. Can Stephen Kenny’s side give themselves a sold platform heading into the second leg in Cyprus in seven days’ time?
Kick-off is at 7.45pm and we’ll keep you updated throughout the evening.
The teams are in and the big news from a Dundalk point of view is that Sean Gannon has been ruled out. That means that Sean Hoare reverts to right-back, where he deputised extremely competently earlier in the season while Gannon was sidelined. Dan Cleary comes in to partner captain Brian Gartland at centre-half in the only change from last week’s 2-1 win over Levadia Tallinn.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Hoare, Brian Gartland, Dan Cleary, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson; Dylan Connolly, Jamie McGrath, Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban.
If you’ve been following our coverage of the build-up to this game, you’ll know that AEK Larnaca are certainly not at full strength this evening. Among their absentees are David Catala, their captain and veteran centre-half, and last season’s leading goalscorer Florian Taulemesse, who scored the only goal in the second leg of their tie against Cork City at the same stage last season, when Larnaca were 2-0 winners on aggregate.
Nevertheless, it’s still a formidable starting line-up which includes five players who have played in La Liga. Ivan Trickovski and Apostolos Giannou, senior internationals with Macedonia and Australia respectively, will lead the line.
AEK Larnaca: Tońo Ramirez; Igor Silva, Joan Truyols, Mikel Gonzalez; Acoran Reyes, Jorge Larena, Joan Tomas, Hector Hevel, Tomas Ioannou; Ivan Trickovski, Apostolos Giannou.
Here are the substitutes…
Dundalk: Gabriel Sava, John Mountney, Karolis Chvedukas, Ronan Murray, Dean Jarvis, Patrick McEleney, Georgie Kelly.
AEK Larnaca: Andreas Christodolou, Tete, Nacho Cases, Rafael Anastasiou, Rafael Mamas, Konstantinos Konstantinou, Onisiforos Roushias.
Former Spanish international Andoni Iraola surveys the scene at Oriel Park. This is his first competitive game in charge of AEK Larnaca. He’s regarded as a legend at Athletic Bilbao following a distinguished playing career with the La Liga outfit.
This is AEK Larnaca’s first competitive outing since they won the Cypriot Cup at the expense of Apollon Limassol ten weeks ago.
Only four of the side who started that game are named in the team this evening: Larena, Reyes, Trickovski and Giannou. It’s an entirely different back five.
Could this be a major opportunity for Dundalk?
The winners will advance to a meeting with Ajax or Sturm Graz in the third qualifying round.
Dundalk fans will be hoping for some more Michael Duffy magic tonight. He’s been on fire this season.
It’s underway at Oriel Park.
The home side are defending the Town End in the first half.
An early effort on goal in the box for Larnaca, it looked like for Acoran, is blocked by one of his own players and Dundalk clear the danger.
Yellow card for Dundalk’s Dane Massey for a foul on Acoran.
Duffy does well on the left after good play by Benson. Duffy sends in a cross but Hoban can’t get it under control while under pressure.
A ball over the top finds Larnaca skipper Trickovski but his half-volley goes narrowly wide.
Dylan Connolly wins a corner for Dundalk.
Larnaca get it clear.
Close! Dundalk break brilliantly and Duffy’s curled effort from the edge of the box clips the outside of the post.
Connolly appeared to be dragged down just outside the box there but the referee saw it differently.
Shields wins a free for Dundalk wide on the right but Larnaca clear Duffy’s delivery.
Dundalk have settled into this game well, although Larnaca look dangerous whenever they threaten to break.
Gonzalez sends a very testing ball through and Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers is forced to rush out of goal to the rescue.
Rogers called into action again to collect Igor Silva’s ball into the box.
Hoare and Duffy both get crosses in for Dundalk but they come to nothing.
Close! Good chance for Larnaca as Joan Tomas sees his shot blocked excellently by Hoare. Tomas then fires over with the rebound. Nervy moment for Dundalk.
Connolly’s deep cross finds Duffy who heads across the face of goal but Larnaca get it away.
Trickovski gets a cross in but it’s easy for Rogers.
McGrath sends in a cross after good work by Hoare but goalkeeper Ramirez gathers it.
Giannou tries to play in Joan Tomas but McGrath does well to track back and intercept.
Shields clears a cross from Joan Tomas.
Still goalless after half an hour.
Cleary coughs up possession but Larena’s long-range shot sails over.
Duffy’s cross is taken by Ramirez. The Dundalk winger always looks dangerous but they need to get the ball to him more often.
The teams slightly cancelling each other out here at this stage.
Dundalk get in behind with Connolly sending in a low cross towards Shields and Hoban. Worrying moment for Larnaca but they manage to clear the danger.
Igor Silva booked for a foul on Duffy, whose free-kick into the box finds the head of Gartland. However, his knockdown goes straight into the hands of Ramirez.
Duffy snatches at a half-volley but it’s well off target. Difficult effort, in fairness.
Hoare looks for Duffy at the back post but the cross is too heavy.
Duffy cuts inside and gets a shot away but it drifts over.
Half-time: Dundalk 0 AEK Larnaca 0
No breakthrough yet but it’s been a good contest so far. While Larnaca are a decent side who are very good in possession and look threatening on the break, Dundalk will feel that they’re capable of bringing a lead to Cyprus next week. They’ve got 45 minutes to find it. Join us for more updates shortly.
The game has resumed. No changes on either side.
Cleary is booked for a foul on Trickovski.
Close! Dundalk breathe a sigh of relief as Hevel finds the head of Truyols with a free-kick and Rogers manages to claim it at the second time of asking as Giannou was lurking.
Hoban has a go from distance but it goes straight at Ramirez.
Hevels sends a good ball into the box for Giannou but Rogers collects.
Shields pulls the jersey of Acoran and Larnaca earn a free-kick just outside the box.
Jorge Larena has a go but it’s comfortably saved by Rogers.
Larnaca goalkeeper makes a mess of his clearance, Connolly gathers but he’s absolutely creased by Hevel, who’s subsequently booked. Free-kick in a dangerous position for Dundalk.
Michael Duffy takes it but it goes far too high.
Close! Hevel finds Acoran with a cross to the back post but his volley goes wide.
Substitution for AEK Larnaca: Tete replaces Joan Tomas.
Larnaca starting to enjoy more possession in Dundalk’s half now. They move the ball really well.
One of Dundalk’s stars of last season, Patrick McEleney, has been introduced following his recent return from Oldham Athletic. Jamie McGrath makes way.
Nice move by Larnaca but Giannou can’t get it under control in the box and Dundalk can clear.
Duffy sends in a corner which Cleary heads back into the danger zone, but the referee blows up as the linesman seemingly spotted the ball curling out, then back into, play.
McEleney plays it wide to Benson but his first-time shot is off target.
Duffy delivers a free-kick into the box, Hoban challenges but the goalkeeper Ramirez goes down and it’s a free out.
Drama here as the referee showed a red card to Hoban — a second yellow — but Hoban was then called back when the ref realised he hadn’t already been booked.
Close! Benson plays in Duffy with a great ball but his shot is too tame to trouble Ramirez.
Duffy charges through and strikes low and hard but Ramirez makes an important save. Just over 10 minutes to go, Dundalk finishing with a flourish.
A second substitution for Dundalk sees Dane Massey replaced by Dean Jarvis.
Duffy finds the head of Hoban from a free-kick but he can’t direct his effort on target.
Nacho Cases replaces for Jorge Larena for Larnaca.
Ronan Murray replaces Dylan Connolly for Dundalk.
Duffy goes into the referee’s notebook for a foul on Truyols before Rogers has to make a save from Nacho Cases.
McEleney does well on the left and tees up Hoban, but he blasts over with a left-footed effort. Time running out for Dundalk to gain the upper hand.
Giannou gets a shot away for Larnaca but it drifts harmlessly wide.
A third change for Larnaca sees Giannou replaced by Roushias.
Five minutes of additional time being played.
Duffy looks for Hoban with a cross but Hevel makes a vital intervention.
Full-time: Dundalk 0 AEK Larnaca 0
A fairly even game leaves the tie in the balance. Dundalk may feel that they should have found a goal but they certainly won’t have any fear going to Cyprus next Thursday.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t score,” Dundalk captain Brian Gartland tells Eir Sport.
Anyway, that’s all from this one. Thanks for joining us!
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