After witnessing yet another superb performance by his Dundalk side in European combat, Stephen Kenny could feel a sense of pride. Yet he also acknowledged that the better team won. Rosenborg claimed a 2-1 victory in the second leg of their UEFA Cha
After witnessing yet another superb performance by his Dundalk side in European combat, Stephen Kenny could feel a sense of pride. Yet he also acknowledged that the better team won.
Rosenborg claimed a 2-1 victory in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifier but they were pushed all the way by the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions.
Brian Gartland's early goal gave them hope of stunning their Norwegian hosts, although the dream result evaded them in spite of a battling effort.
For Kenny, it was a game where a more experienced team showed their class at the right time and that ultimately made the difference.
"We're absolutely gutted," said Kenny in the immediate aftermath of the game.
"It's just crazy to concede a goal again just before half-time, the same as last week. We needed to get in at half-time 1-0 up and that's happened to us two weeks in a row.
"Rosenborg are obviously a terrific team and in the second half they put us under a lot of pressure; we were hanging in there really.
"But then you saw the chances in extra-time...if we score two they need three...and Ciaran Kilduff hits the bar, Dave McMillan (goes close) it's a great save by their goalkeeper. Those are the margins.
"They are a quality team. We gave it a right go. We were the better team last week, today we weren't. But we hung in there overall and it's just the fine margins."
