Rosenborg 2
Dundalk 1
Rosenborg win 3-2 on aggregate
Caoimhín Reilly reports from the Lerkendal Stadion
DUNDALK’S DREAMS OF European group stage football, and a date with Celtic, were ended in Trondheim tonight as Stephen Kenny’s men bowed out to Rosenborg.
Brian Gartland had given the Lilywhites a first-half lead but, like last week’s first-leg, it wasn’t an advantage they could hold onto until the interval with Yann-Erik De Lanlay drawing the tie level.
The game remained on a knife-edge until Matthias Vilhjalmsson handed Rosenborg a passage through with a header in the first half of extra-time.
It was a cruel way to end what was a valiant effort by the champions of Ireland.
Gartland’s goal — his first European goal in three seasons — gave Dundalk the lead after 12 minutes.
In what was their first meaningful foray behind enemy lines, John Mountney forced a corner which Michael Duffy swung-in for the towering central defender who headed to the corner of the net.
The Lilywhites really ought to have doubled their advantage three minutes later when another Duffy set-piece — this time from the opposite corner — provided David McMillan with a free header.
But from six-yards the striker’s powerful nod was saved superbly by Anders Hansen in the home goal.
Duffy and Mountney continued to look dangerous in Dundalk’s attack but the home side battled their way back into contention as the first half wore on.
You couldn’t quite call Dundalk’s play tentative, but they were appearing to stand-off as the hosts committed waves to attack.
It took a miracle block from Niclas Vemmelund to deny Vegar Hedenstad an equaliser before De Lanlay raced in behind the visiting rearguard, receiving Mike Jensen’s through ball before finishing past Gary Rogers to leave the score tied at 1-1 at the break.
The home side remained in the ascendancy during the second half with Jensen continuing to make them tick in midfield. Stephen O’Donnell’s presence was requested by Kenny in a bid to deny the Dane space.
Duffy was the man called ashore, a move which greatly reduced Dundalk’s potency on the break as Rosenborg penned them in.
Frederik Midsjo forced Rogers to save before Tore Reginiussen — the Norwegian’s first-leg goal scorer — shot fresh air from six-yards following Hedenstad’s pinpoint delivery.
Benson came closest for Dundalk in the second half when his bending 20-yard free-kick forced Hansen to produce another fine stop.
The biggest talking point from the incident was the persistent fouling of the already booked Jevtovic in the build-up.
The Rosenborg attacker, who had been booked on 74 minutes, committed three fouls after his original misdemeanour with the match official Aliyar Aghayev being lenient in the extreme as the match finished level with extra-time ensuing.
Substitute Vilhjalmsson’s match-winning goal arrived eight minutes into extra-time as the Icelandic international nodded Hedenstad’s delivery to the top-corner of the net.
At that point, the contest looked decided with Dundalk heavily jaded.
Ciaran Kilduff almost provided them with the perfect tonic — and an aggregate advantage — at the death of the first period of extra-time when his shot was acrobatically saved by goalkeeper Hansen.
The second quarter-of-an-hour offered little in the way of opportunities, apart from a Jensen shot which Rogers saved, as Dundalk bowed out and the Scandinavians booked their place in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
Rosenborg: Anders Hansen; Vegar Hedenstad, Tore Reginiussen, Jorgen Skjelvik, Birger Meling; Mike Jensen, Anders Agnes Konradsen, Frederik Midtsjo; Milan Jevtovic (Elbasan Rashani 116), Nicklas Bendtner (Marius Lundemo 114), Yann-Erik De Lanlay (Matthias Vilhjalmsson 72)
Subs not used: Arild Ostbo, Jacob Rasmussen, Johan Bjordal, Alex Gersbach
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Seán Gannon, Brian Gartland, Niclas Vemmelund, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson; John Mountney, Patrick McEleney (Jamie McGrath 84), Michael Duffy (Stephen O’Donnell 59); David McMillan (Ciarán Kilduff 94)
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (gk), Paddy Barrett, Seán Hoare, Dylan Connolly
Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan)
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Gallant Dundalk (city fan)brave effort,tough on ye,,,,, unlucky Steven kenny
@billy Dorney: so close, over two legs nothing between them. It’s the nature of the game that LoI sides will always have to sell but last years Dundalk side would have been easily good enough to go through.
@Jg Igoe: have to agree with u,,legs went,,,, Loi teams will always struggle until FAI take our league seriously
@billy Dorney: well said Billy. Let’s hope ye get a good result tomorrow – give the lads the perfect send off
@Citeóg: fair dues buddy
Just like last week, played well for about 40 mins and then conceded a silly goal just before half time and lost all of their confidence. A real wasted opportunity. Looking at Rosenborg’s stadium and the gulf in resources (they have Bendtner), you could say Dundalk did well. But Rosenborg were nothing special. We (the LOI) need to take these opportunities when they happen and not continue feeding our inferiority complex.
@Daithí Ó Síocháin: agree boy,and yes they were there for the taking, still done Loi proud
@Daithí Ó Síocháin: that’s impossible when the football association of Ireland think that their domestic league as a “difficult child”. unfortunately the FAI is not a caring father who realises that a child like this requires more work
@Vincent Foley: good point
Hard luck Dundalk, you have done the league proud in Europe in recent seasons in particular
Would have been a cracking against Celtic.
@Mark Nugent: Celtic will eat Rosenberg
@billy Dorney: Nom Nom Nom
@DublinDanny: smile
Good effort from Dundalk. A great game, could have gone either way.
Impressed by the intensity and attitude from the irish team. Rosenborg were lucky, but today they played a lot better than last week.
Celtic will probably be too strong. Not impressed by Rosenborg this season, but I hope they’ll manage to qualify for the Europa League.
Thank you for two entertaining matches, and wish you all the best!
Greetings from Norway and Trondheim
@Ole Johnny Heggdal: well said, might be meeting cork city f.c. next year
@billy Dorney: hope to see your team at Lerkendal for the playoff to CL next year :)
@Ole Johnny Heggdal: Thanks for the classy comment. Good luck in the next round!
Boys looked very tired after the 70 minute mark. Some very sloppy play by both sides at times. Still though, unlucky Dundalk. There’s always next year
Unlucky Dundalk, a tie with Celtic would have been massive for them.
If Celtic play well in the next game they’ll hammer Rosenborg.
Irish teams are always going to struggle at this level unless there are big changes in terms of investment from the fai and also from the public. Rosenborg have a 21,000 seater stadium. Teams like Rovers struggle to get 1,000 fans through the gates. When you see the crowds going to gaa games, league of ireland teams must be green with envy. I think the football is of good quality in LOI, but the vast majority of “football” fans in this country would rather sit and watch the prem lge rather than our own players. The lack of promotion of the league here is shameful. Most of our future international players will almost certainly come from LOI.
@Eoin Bairéad: you’re very right,ppl need to support local teams, instead of supporting sky
Have to admit i put local rivalries aside tonight, was actually shouting for Dundalk! Kilduff’s shot inche’s high, if that went in they would be in next round. (City fan)
With all the money Dundalk banked last year, they have actually gone backwards rather than capitalising on it . Also rans in the league and now out of Europe.
@Richard Paul: lost lots of players,plus city have hit top form,, think Dundalk are just tired,, great run they had for a few years,hope my team city replicates them,or even go better
@Richard Paul: Lot of that money went into putting new pitch in, explain “Also rans”? Are you saying that because not top of the league they are finished? Cork City are a super team; nothing wrong being 2nd to them.I think its great teams like Dundalk, City and Rovers are in Europe don’t you? Try supporting the league rather than moaning about Dundalk who have been great in Europe last couple of years.
@running man: well put, think most of our premier teams are fabulous
Can be proud of their performances over the two legs; very unlucky to lose out on Celtic in the next round
Hard luck. Possibly the first time in 8 years sice watched an Irish side in Europe. I was impressed tbh. They can play a bit. Rosenberg were the better side though
@Ronan McDermott: get out and support locally
@Ronan McDermott: would their play encourage you to check out a LOI game local to you? Some great passing teams in the league Dundalk, Derry and Pats for example. I’d encourage you and the many people like you to go have a look…
@Tom Beary: ahem,,,,,,,,,and city
I live in Canada billy !
@Ronan McDermott: on loads of bucks there,what’s a flight once a month to mega bucks like yourself
I wish my friend
@billy Dorney: my honest opinion is that City don’t play great football… yes they are fantastic team and will win the league but I am not a fan of their style of football.
@Tom Beary: dunno,I like their tenacity, aggression,and ability to score,and defend