Dundalk are still in the hunt in the UEFA Champions League following a 1-1 draw over Norwegian giants Rosenborg. A magical goal from David McMillan gave Dundalk a positive result Stephen Kenny craved to banish the demons of his previous meeting in
Dundalk are still in the hunt in the UEFA Champions League following a 1-1 draw over Norwegian giants Rosenborg.
A magical goal from David McMillan gave Dundalk a positive result Stephen Kenny craved to banish the demons of his previous meeting in 2003, despite an equalising, and more importantly, an away goal from defender Tore Reginiussen.
As it would be expected of a European tie, the game had a blistering start and as stated by Kenny pre-match, Dundalk would go out to express themselves and play to their core strengths.
To their credit, they did that in abundance and took the game to the double-double winners of Norway.
In the opening minutes, a brilliant move down the left from a Massey throw was sent in by McEleney to the on-rushing Benson but he couldn't get the vital touch. Moments later, an amazing reaction save from Hansen proved vital as Duffy’s shot looked goal bound as Dundalk continued to look dangerous on attack.
They got their just rewards on 18 minutes when a brilliant reaction from Dane Massey and a first time ball to Duffy saw his curling effort headed home with real venom by David McMillan who sent 3000 Dundalk fans into raptures.
Dundalk continued to press as they sensed that Rosenborg were on the ropes with a brilliant burst of pace from McEleney seeing his shot just evade the keeper but not the post. The home crowd was silenced when a cross from the right by Vegar Hedenstad was met by Tore Reginiussen who stabbed the ball home from close range to give them a vital away goal.
The second half was a much quieter affair but a brilliant through-ball by Fredrik Midtsjø was cleverly saved by Rogers as Milan Jevtovic lurked with interest. McMillian was almost in again with a brilliant turn in the box only for it to be blocked and cleared at the last second by the Rosenborg rear guard.
With 25 minutes remaining, a Dundalk corner from Duffy was headed just over from McMillan which got the crowd to their feet again. The game petered out with half-chances but Dundalk looked more composed and confident compared to their rivals who looked rattled at the home sides display.
Dundalk will be exteremly pleased with both their performance and the result and will go to Trondheim with nothing to fear. One thing is for certain, Dundalk away from home have produced some fantastic European performances.
Dundalk: Rogers; Gannon, Gartland, Vemmelund, Massey; Mountney, Benson, Shields, Duffy; McEleney, McMillan.
Rosenborg: Hansen; Hedenstad, Reginiussen, Bjordal, Skjelvik; Jensen, Konradsen, Vilhjalmsson; Helland, Bendtner, Midstjo.
SUBS:
42: Milan Jevtovic for Pål André Helland
63 Mins: Paddy Barrett for Niclas Vemmelund
70 Mins: Dylan Connolly for Michael Duffy
80 Mins: David McMillan replaced by Ciaran Kilduff
81 Mins: Yann-Erik De Lanlay for Fredrik Midtsjø
