It’s all over for Stephen Kenny’s men. One more goal would have done it but it simply wasn’t to be. They are out of Europe for another year having been the League of Ireland’s trailblazers on the continent last season.
FULL TIME: ROSENBORG 2-1 DUNDALK (3-2 AGG) – THE LILYWHITES ARE OUT OF EUROPE
Two minutes remaining as Dundalk cannot seem to get the ball into Rosenborg’s half. The hosts are proving impossible to break down as the seconds tick on.
Jamie McGrath with a chance as Robbie Benson hoofs the ball into the box via a free-kick from the halfway line. The former St Pat’s forward can’t keep the ball down and it flies harmlessly over the crossbar.
SAVE! Gary Rodgers with another fine save. Rosenborg captain Mike Jensen aims for the top corner with a strike from distance but Rodgers is equal to the effort. He rises high and mighty and tips the ball away to safety.
Five minutes to go as Dundalk continue to plug away. A goal would see them through, but it may be too late.
David McMillan with a header…
Some more good play from Dundalk as the ball is switched from side to side. The ball falls to Chris Shields on the edge of the area but he is reluctant to pull the trigger.
Rosenborg are sitting back and inviting pressure at the moment. They are hanging onto their lead as Dundalk begin to ask questions and create chances.
The corner is swung in and a header from Ciaran Kilduff is directed straight into the arms of Hansen. That’s more promising from the visitors as they remain a goal down.
Robbie Benson is fouled near the halfway and Dundalk charge the ball into the box. It lingers towards the back post and is cleared for a corner for Dundalk.
That was close… Rosenborg break from the tip-off and once again Vemmelund is on hand to provide the crucial interception inside the penalty area.
And we’re back underway… 2-1 on the night, 3-2 to Rosenborg on aggregate and we’ve 15 minutes to go.
CHANCE! Ciaran Kilduff crashes an effort off the crossbar at the end of the first half of extra time. What a moment that could have been… Rosenborg remain ahead as we reach the break. 15 minutes to go.
Dundalk are pushing forward but Rosenborg continue to maintain control. The Lilywhites are committing men forward and applying pressure in the final third but there are a lot of tired legs on the pitch at the moment.
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A massive disappointment for Stephen Kenny’s men after just a brilliant start to this game. They are behind but remember – if Dundalk were to score and keep it at 2-2 on the night they would passage through on away goals. There is still football to be played.
Vilhjálmsson rises high and beats Gartland to the cross. He plants the ball into Gary Rodgers’ corner and Dundalk are behind in the tie.
SHOT! Jørgen Skjelvik sees space open up in front of him. He doesn’t need to be asked twice and unleashes a fine effort from distance. It catches Dundalk unawares but bounces just wide of the post and off the advertising hoarding.
A big let off there for Dundalk as Fredrik Midtsjø dribbles elegantly around John Mountney. Dundalk’s energy levels are beginning to dip but the ball is eventually booted into touch.
Substitution for Dundalk: Ciaran Kilduff comes on for David McMillan after 94 minutes.
A massive 30 minutes to come for Dundalk. They look composed thus far but will need to create more chances than they did in the second half gone if they stand any chance of getting through.
EXTRA TIME TO COME: ROSENBORG 1-1 DUNDALK
A clash of heads sees Robbie Benson and Brian Gartland go down to receive treatment. That could be it as stoppage time runs on and extra time looms.
Three minutes of stoppage time to come as Dundalk remain pinned into their own half.
Rosenborg are huffing and puffing but Dundalk remain strong and willing to go at their opponents on the break.
… a fine cross from McGrath at the back post but McMillan heads wide. Stephen O’Donnell was unmarked at the back post ready to tap it home, but his striker simply didn’t see him and went for it himself as all good strikers should.
Seven minutes to go now. It looks like extra time, but a late goal could win it for Dundalk. They are pushing forward with McGrath looking lively.
He has already scored a hat trick this season, remember – could he inspire Dundalk towards a late, great winner? Only time will tell…
Substitution for Dundalk: Jamie McGrath comes on in place of Patrick McEleney after 83 minutes
SAVED! Straight off the training ground that, as Stephen O’Donnell tees the ball to McEleney who holds the ball for Robbie Benson to strike. It’s a fine effort but it just stings the palms of goalkeeper Hansen.
This could be interesting. Patrick McEleney is seeing a lot of the ball and is brought down just outside the box for a free-kick from 20 yards out. Here we go…
An important interception there from McEleney as that man again Jevtovic continues to pull the strings behind Rosenborg’s strikers. Dundalk still holding on, as both side’s begin to fatigue slightly in the summer sunshine.
Patrick McEleney is lucky to get away without a second booking there. Already on a yellow card June’s Player of the Month fouls Jevtovic but it’s just a free-kick.
This game has extra-time looming ahead of us. There is still 15 minutes to go but the partnership of Gartland and Vemmelund alongside the protection of Stephen O’Donnell looks very composed as Rosenborg continue to push forward in search of another.
Not quite backs against the wall stuff, but Dundalk have not had a significant chance in this second half. We may see Dylan Connolly or Ciaran Kilduff be introduced.
A break in play as Dane Massey receives treatment from the Dundalk medical team. He looks in pain but looks set to continue.
Chris Shields heads the ball away from Fredrik Midtsjo…
Rosenborg break with some excellent link-up play from Jevtovic. Stephen O’Donnell is the man who gets the final, crucial tackle.
Ch-ch-chance for Rosenborg! Another left-off for Dundalk as Fredrik Midtsjø goes completely unmarked in the box. The cross is sweet but he can’t make a firm connection and the ball lands fortunately into Gary Rodgers’ arms. They really should have taken the lead.
Dundalk are really struggling to get the ball out of their own half at the minute. Rosenborg have everyone bar their centre backs in the Dundalk half and are really upping the ante.
John Mountney sprints down the touchline with frantic pace. He gets a ball across goal in what has proved to be a first break for Dundalk in quite a while. McMillan can’t get to it though, and it is easily gathered by goalkeeper Hansen.
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Jensen lays the ball off to Fredrik Midtsjø. He takes a touch to his left and aims a low effort towards the bottom corner. Rodgers is a match, however, and gets down low to palm the effort to safety.
Anders Konradsen takes on Robbie Benson in midfield…
Vegar Hedenstad with a dangerous free kick towards the back post for Rosenborg. Gartland is on hand to head clear but the ball falls to Konradsen. He strikes from distance but the effort, while powerful, is right at Gary Rodgers.
Substitution for Dundalk: Stephen O’Donnell is on for Michael Duffy after 59 minutes
Tore Reginiussen breaks and plays a beautiful through ball to Nicklas Bendtner. The Danish striker takes the ball beyond Gary Rodgers and slips the ball towards the back post. It bobbles *just* wide it what is a massive let-off for Dundalk.
Chris Shields breaks quickly but slips and loses possession. Rosenborg break on the counter and Robbie Benson is called out by the referee for a supposed foul when he seemed to get the ball.
The game has proved very open and expansive in this second half. While Rosenborg’s equalizer was a heavy hit, it’s still all level. Both sides have broken at both ends as the pitch begins to open up, but Rosenborg appear to have that killer final touch.
McEleney has been Dundalk’s biggest threat going forward but he can’t seem to find Benson or McMillan with a final ball. It’s all a bit quiet at the moment though. Calm before the storm.
Brian Gartland celebrating his goal from the first half. Just look at his face…
Patrick McEleney breaks down the left for Dundalk The Derryman lays the ball off to Robbie Benson but Reginiussen is there to intercept.
Rosenborg have been threatening from very early on in this second half but the game is very open at the moment – end-to-end.
Michael Duffy battles Tore Reginiussen down the wing…
Gary Rodgers is wearing a cap in goal due to the strong sunlight in the Dundalk half.
Chris Shields is caught in possession and Fredrik Midtsjø cuts inside. He has a free shot on goal at his mercy but once again Niclas Vemmelund is on hand to put his body on the line and put the ball out for a corner kick. Rosenborg going for it straight from kick-off.
Here we go then. Remember – if Dundalk score again Rosenborg need two more to go through. A massive 45 minutes ahead for the Lilywhites.
HALF TIME: ROSENBORG 1-1 DUNDALK
Deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half Duffy swings in a free-kick from a dangerous position along the half-way line but is is cleared easily.
SAVE! Midtsjø hits a tame effort which is deflected into the opposite direction but Gary Rodgers keeps his composure to remain on his feet before diving brilliantly at the right moment and put the ball out for a corner.
That’s a hammerblow for Dundalk. All is not lost but Stephen Kenny will be so disappointed his side could not make it to the break ahead. If Dundalk were to score Rosenborg would need two more, so it’s still all to play for.
Captain Jensen does brilliantly to ghost through. He flicks the ball onto Yann-Erik de Lanlay who takes it in his stride and slots it underneath Gary Rodgers. We’re level again.
GOAL! ROSENBORG 1-1 DUNDALK
Not for the first time a Dundalk player stalls in possession. This time it’s Patrick McEleney who loses the ball as a break threatens on the counter. Dundalk have enough bodies to overcrowd Rosenborg and suppress an attack.
Birger Meling swings in a free-kick but the pressure does not give up. The ball is pinged back into the box where defender Tore Reginiussen rises, but Niclas Vemmelund is on hand to clear. Dundalk will be hoping to make it to the break with their lead in-tact as pressure continues to mount from the Norwegians…
Both men are back on their feet. Massey remained on the pitch while Gannon received treatment on the sideline. The defender is back, however, and play continues.
A chance. The ball falls to Yann-Erik de Lanlay on the right who swings a tame curling effort wide of the post. Worryingly though Sean Gannon is down following a clash of heads inside the box…
Nervvvy. Robbie Benson is disposed and Bendtner breaks. The ball is put out for a corner but Dundalk are looking a bit rattled at the moment. More pressure from Rosenborg is beginning to ask questions of Dundalk’s composure to hang onto this lead.
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Nicklas Bendtner gets a nice touch on the edge of the box but his own pass is sloppy. Rosenborg earn a corner and Anders Konradsen rises highest, but his header is well and truly over the crossbar.
Sean Gannon finds John Mountney in a neat one-two. Gannon tries to meet his team-mate’s run behind the lines, but it’s very sloppy and peters harmlessly out of play for a Rosenborg goal kick. A first attack for Dundalk for quite a while as Rosenborg enjoy possession and try to get their heads back in place.
Hold on. Those aren’t cheers. Those are boos. Rosenborg were you saying boo, or Boo-urns?
Another cross for Dundalk. This time it’s Patrick McEleney but again it is cleared with ease. Dundalk failing to commit bodies into the box as they remain tight in defence and midfield. The Rosenborg fans have found their voice again following a deathly quiet 15 minutes…
Michael Duffy has been immense tonight. He piles down the left wing and crosses but no-one is there. Goalkeeper Hansen collects graciously as the game takes a breather following a high-tempo start.
Jevtovic swings it in and Gary Rodgers comes. The Meathman gets a hand to it but it has to be booted away again. Rosenborg enjoying a spell of pressure now as Dundalk sit back and soak it up. A few nervy moments but Dundalk are getting breaks time after time on the counter.
Another good ball from Milan Jevtovic is headed away by captain Gartland. The ball is delivered back into the box but again is cleared – this time out for a Rosenborg corner.
McEleney cuts inside and lays the ball off to Robbie Benson. Michael Duffy peels away from his marker but the ball is slightly overhit. That could have been a chance and Benson is not happy with his team-mate’s slow movement.
Oriel Park erupts following Brian Gartland’s opening goal…
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Ooooh that was close. Rosenborg break and they hit Dundalk on the break. Jevtovic runs with pace and crosses but yet again Sean Gannon has positioned himself well and boots the ball into touch. A nervy moment.
As in the first leg, Rosenborg look rattled. They seem to have underestimated Dundalk not once, but twice! They have failed to get a single change in this game, and it’s all Lilywhite pressure all over the park.
CHANCE! David McMillan rises like a salmon from Duffy’s corner and goalkeeper Hansen plucks it from settling into the top corner. It’s all Dundalk at the moment, who are looking a constant threat from corners on both sides.
Me, oh my. What a start, what a start. Dundalk are in control and in the lead. There is still 75 minutes to go but they have looked very dangerous. Another chance comes their way via that man again Michael Duffy. His cross is poor but Dundalk have a corner.
Dundalk are in front! Michael Duffy gets yet another assist and Gartland leaps over his marker to tower the ball bobbling into the corner. What a start for the Lilywhites!
GOAL: DUNDALK 1-0 ROSENBORG
A good interception from Sean Gannon who has to work hard a second time as Rosenborg pile down the left wing. Yann-Erik de Lanlay is proving lively on the wing early on but Gannon is holding his own.
Fredrik Midtsjø breaks through and Gartland has to come early to slide the ball from danger. There is a lot of space forming in front of the Dundalk defence, the absence of captain Stephen O’Donnell apparent in these early stages.
It is quite warm as the Dundalk players take a quick moment to get water on board. The sun is beaming down in Norway. A stunning evening for a Champions League kick about.
Jørgen Skjelvik with a decent cross at the front post but Brian Gartland is on hand to head away easily. Not a full attendance at the Lerkendal Stadion but the Rosenborg fans are making themselves heard.
Foul on Vegar Hedenstad as Duffy clashes knees with the defender near half-way. Positive early start from Dundalk, but this is going to be a long night ahead.
An early long ball from Gary Rodgers sees David McMillan fouled. The Lilywhites get the ball on the deck and are taking control in the early stages. The Rosenborg fans are in full voice in the summer sunshine.
The teams are out on the pitch in a stunning Lerkendal Stadion. Kick-off is just moments away. A potential third round clash with Celtic lies in wait, but if Dundalk lose tonight they are out completely. No pressure…
Stephen Kenny surveys the pitch in Norway ahead of kick-off. Just five minutes to go…
It wouldn’t be the same without George now would it. Hopefully there won’t be too much danger now for Dundalk tonight…
And Chris Shields warms up before tonight’s game…
Michael Duffy pictured leaving the team hotel earlier. His assist was superb for David McMillan’s goal last week.
Dylan Connolly remains benched, but as in the opening leg his pace could prove a massive asset in the latter stages of this game.
Likewise despite some questioning his performance in Oriel Park, Niclas Vemmelund starts alongside Brian Gartland with Sean Hoare on the bench.
Just fifteen minutes to go until kick-off. Lilywhites boss Stephen Kenny said Dundalk would need to play “the game of their lives” tonight.
He said: “From our point of view, our incentive is huge to qualify for the next stage,” he said. We had such a journey last year with all the games that it has given everyone a real taste for that.
“In order for us to progress we are going to have to put in one of the greatest performances in Irish football history. They have such a great pedigree. Everyone is really looking forward to it, spirits are good and we will have to play the game of our lives.”
Dundalk remain unchanged but Rosenborg have made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 in Oriel Park seven days ago…
Here are tonight’s teams…
ROSENBORG: André Hansen, Vegar Hedenstad, Birger Meling, Tore Reginiussen, Mike Jensen, Anders Konradsen, Yann-Erik de Lanlay, Jørgen Skjelvik, Fredrik Midtsjø, Milan Jevtovic, Nicklas Bendtner
DUNDALK: Gary Rogers, Seán Gannon, Niclas Vemmelund, Brian Gartland, Dane Massey, Chris Shields, John Mountney, Michael Duffy, Robbie Benson, Patrick McEleney, David McMillan
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Ireland will win the 6nations and I believe the French game will be Paul O’Connell’s finest 80mins in an Irish jersey. We have a great team, great support and sheer intensity to complete the campaign.
Simple answer. Yes.
Ireland to win coz we have better players and they are playing on form. Ireland also have better management. I cannot see France winning this one.
Joe needs to bring back in O’Gara at Fly half……
Because I dont know the names of any other players and I really want to live under a bridge with all the other trolls. Sure why dont we go full hog and bring back john hayes, marcus horan, mal o kelly and loads of other retired players and just go out there and f#$/$#g hammer the french.
What about David Humphries
Claw, Keith Wood, Mick Galway, foley, quinlan, Wallace, Stringer, Rob Henderson….. All them too…. Good man!
Ya definitely Humphries, Johnny Bell, Gary Longwell, Andy Ward & Kevin Maggs too just to be safe.
I don’t understand why one of Irelands all time greats has no place in this team. Willie John McBride.
Tony Ward too.
Andy Ward
Think it could be a low scoring cagey game. Sextons kicking will be vital. Take points when we can.
Wont happen I fear.
The squad ultimately has and has always had an underdog loser mentality. In the last 10 years we have totally failed at 3 world cups, lost at least 3 championships and lost 3 easily winnable games against the All Blacks.
Before the start of this 6 nations England and France had both only won 2 more games than us but they have won 4 and 5 championships compared to our puny 1. Not enough players have been capable of following POC and BOD to victory I’m afraid.
I certainly hope Joe Schmidt rids us of this loser mentality.
You’re the one with the loser mentality. I’d hate to have a team talk from you.
Maybe you could rid us of your loser mentality and not post.
@peter, I’m a great admirer of your wit. You’ll make something of yourself one day.
Sad retort Peter.
Don’t get your knickers in a twist there, Brian. I was replying to Small retort’s post.
Loser!
An easily winnable game against the all blacks? Ya must be confusing them with another team, no such thing. Even riddled with the flu last year england had to play out of there skins to beat them
Ireland usually see their best chance the year we have England & France in Dublin.My worry is that this side have yet to win a tight game, we failed to beat NZ when we had them on the ropes and we failed to drive on and beat England when we were 10 – 3 up in the second half.
We have the team to do it but actually going out and doing it is a different matter.
Scratch the surface and I fear the same inconsistent, underachieving, low-confidence team from the last 4 years will be there.. They need a good start and calm leadership, or else the self-doubt will return and the French will grow in confidence. They were frenetic and insecure in the first half in London. A 10min try-blitz from some unforeseen French bolters and history will repeat itself.
Even if they finish level on points with England should the cup not go to the English ad they beat us in London.
They’d have an advantage as they’ve two games against too 4 at home
The six nations has it’s own unique scoring system, no bonus points. Directly from the six nations website (http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/championship/rules.php)
The RBS 6 Nations Championship Trophy is presented to the team who earn the most points during the season, with 2 points being awarded for a win, and 1 point for a drawn match.
If two or more teams finish the Championship with the same number points, the winner is decided on match-points difference (subtracting match-points ‘against’ from match-points ‘for’ in all Championship matches). If there is still no winner, then it is awarded to the team who scored the most tries during the Championship.
If after all this a winner still cannot be decided then the Championship is shared between the teams.
England will have played 2 at home. Ireland 3 at home.
True but England will have played 2 of the big 4 at home (Ireland and Wales) whereas Ireland will have played 2 of the big 4 away.
England and Ireland are the only form teams and England got that game at home.
Sean Farrell myself and your old man here in Bahrain think you couldn’t be further from the truth
Steve Walsh owes us a few generous decisions against France, he screwed us over in 2007 when we couldve won the slam!
Based on Irelands performance this season in the 6 nations we are the form side going into the Paris game. But take into account the all blacks game during the November series which in my opinion was the best 60 minutes of rugby iv seen Ireland play in my lifetime then you would have to say that this irish side are the top northern hempishre side. Yes we lost to England at Twickenham but let’s call a spade a spade we were unlucky that day. Ireland deserve to win the championship and if the french stumble bod and the boys will punish
Not really sure about being unlucky in Twickenham. I don t think we did enough to won that game , or put another way, I don t think we found away to win the game.thought sextons second hald kinda cost us dearly though I think we ll beat france if johnny plays to the level that we know he can
Without being arrogant or cocky we should be quietly confident about winning this game.
We need a huge performance but the championship is in our hands.
Once the players focus on the job at hand and not get distracted by all the other stuff then we should be fine.
It’s important that we try and take the game to France and control the tempo and pace.
If we can build phases like we did against Italy then I can see the crowd and the French players getting frustrated.
Upfront we can hopefully get an edge as our pack seems like a tighter unit than there’s.
Will be fascinating to see what game plan Schmidt takes into this one as he has had a different plan for every game so far. We were good enough to draw with France on the last 2 occasions and with the way that this squad has developed there is no reason why we can’t go one better.
The harsh lessons learned against NZ and England should help this team to get over the line on this occasion.
Can’t wait :)