IT WAS A memorable week for Irish football as Dundalk made history by reaching the Champions League playoff round with an incredible victory over BATE Borisov in Tallaght.
It was a game, and occasion, which caught the imagination and gripped the whole country as Stephen Kenny’s men pulled off one of the great results.
And the achievement was highlighted by reader Brendan Heery:
“These guys have been in the group stages of the champions league 5 out of the last 8 years. They’ve beaten Roma and drawn with Bayern….. and Dundalk absolutely battered them. Great night, well done from a Pat’s fan.”
The Lilywhites received support and plaudits from all over the country, including Stephen Keane:
“I’m a Dub and was at the game tonight. I don’t care where you’re from, if you’re Irish and follow football, you can’t help but be proud of Dundalk. They were magnificent and thoroughly deserved it. Fingers crossed for Cork now.”
Stephen Kenny’s role in the club’s success cannot be understated, and he even found himself on the scoresheet for Limerick last week — as pointed out by Rons:
“No bother to Stephen Kenny managing Dundalk and scoring for Limerick.”
With their much anticipated rematch just two weeks away, the excitement is building ahead of McGregor-Diaz at UFC 202. And the American is endearing himself to Irish fans, it seems. Kris Ertz says:
“Diaz is such a likeable, relatable dude. Honestly if McGregor wasn’t Irish I would be hoping for a Nate win 100%. As it stands I’m 50/50.”
There was sad news during the week as GAA handball legend Michael ‘Ducksy’ Walsh passes away at age of 50. Crístóir Ó Duinn paid tribute.
“Such a shock. My Dad played handball at county and provincial level for Kilkenny and I remember him telling me that when he played with Ducksy it had to be 2 vs 1 to make the match competitive because he was that good. RIP.”
It was an indelible day for Tipperary fans at Croke Park last weekend as the county’s footballers reached an All-Ireland quarter-final for the first time in the modern qualifier era. Dave O’Shaughnessy was among many fans who couldn’t hide their delight.
“I’m still smiling like an eeejit here after just getting home from the match, so we’re most of the other folks in their cars driving home to Tipp. What an amazing day for the Premier, where will this journey end? Anyone dare to call the semi-final against either Mayo or Tyrone? H’on Tipp!”
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