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As it happened: Rosenborg v Dundalk, Champions League qualifier

Dundalk took on Rosenborg in the second leg of their second-round Champions League qualifier in Trondheim.
Jul 19th 2017, 8:47 PM FULL TIME: ROSENBORG 2-1 DUNDALK (3-2 AGG) – THE LILYWHITES ARE OUT OF EUROPE
Jul 19th 2017, 8:07 PM EXTRA TIME TO COME: ROSENBORG 1-1 DUNDALK
Jul 19th 2017, 7:03 PM HALF TIME: ROSENBORG 1-1 DUNDALK

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.

Substitution for Rosenborg: Bendtner is replaced by Lundemo after 114 minutes

David McMillan with a header…

David McMillan directs a header towards goal Ciaran Culligan / INPHO Ciaran Culligan / INPHO / INPHO

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.

EXTRA TIME HALF TIME: Rosenborg 2-1 Dundalk (3-2 on aggregate)

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.

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.

GOAL! ROSENBORG 2-1 DUNDALK

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 begins…

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…

Chris Shields and Fredrik Midtsjo Ciaran Culligan / INPHO Ciaran Culligan / INPHO / INPHO

Substitution for Rosenborg: Vilhjálmsson is on for de Lanlay after 72 minutes.

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.

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…

Robbie Benson and Anders Konradsen Ciaran Culligan / INPHO Ciaran Culligan / INPHO / INPHO

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…

Brian Gartland celebrates scoring with Dane Massey Ciaran Culligan / INPHO Ciaran Culligan / INPHO / INPHO

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…

Ciaran Culligan / INPHO Ciaran Culligan / INPHO / INPHO

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.

We’re back underway for the second half…

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.

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…

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…

Stephen Kenny Ciaran Culligan / INPHO Ciaran Culligan / INPHO / INPHO

And Chris Shields warms up before tonight’s game…

Chris Shields during the warm up Ciaran Culligan / INPHO Ciaran Culligan / INPHO / INPHO

Michael Duffy pictured leaving the team hotel earlier. His assist was superb for David McMillan’s goal last week.

Michael Duffy leaving the team hotel Ciaran Culligan / INPHO Ciaran Culligan / INPHO / INPHO

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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