DUNDALK MANAGER STEPHEN KENNY admitted his side were ‘hanging on a bit’ for the frantic final few minutes of their Champions League qualifier against Icelandic side FH but acknowledged the 3-3 aggregate result was a ‘big victory’.
The Lilywhites were second-best for much of the opening period and went behind after 19 minutes but kept their focus and found their way back into the game – something that impressed their manager.
“They looked very comfortable and they scored”, he said.
“We looked like we were under a bit of pressure. But I felt that for the last 20/25 minutes of the first half, we had a lot of good play and we were unlucky not to go in level, at least.
We said at half-time. ‘Listen, it’s only a matter of time – we’re cutting them open’. We looked like we had more energy and we started to pass the ball more accurately.”
Despite Ronan Finn’s missed penalty, David McMillan scored twice after the break to turn the tie on its head and give Dundalk a 3-2 aggregate lead.
The hosts needed two goals to go through but could only manage one and it’s the League of Ireland champions that now progress to a third qualifying round clash with BATE Borisov.
For Kenny, the finale made for uncomfortable viewing and was certainly far from ideal.
“Anyone who thought FH were on their feet, they got a new lease of life”.
“The last 10 minutes we were hanging on a bit. We didn’t want that but we’ll take it. We’re through and though it’s a 2-2 result it’s an away win. It’s a big victory for us.”
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