HAVING PLAYED European football in major stadiums in Dublin, Warsaw and Alkmaar, it’s back to cosier surroundings of Tallaght Stadium for Dundalk tonight as they take on Maccabi Tel Aviv in their second Europa League Group D fixture.
Stephen Kenny’s side picked up a well-deserved point in the Netherlands last time out and come into the game after a 3-1 win over Derry City in the league last Friday night.
The visitors are also flying domestically with five wins and a draw from their first league games. Last Sunday saw them put five unanswered goals past city rivals Hapoel Tel Aviv in the derby.
Kick-off tonight is 8.05pm. The game is live on eir Sport, but we’ll be bringing you minute-by-minute updates here.
The walk up to Tallaght Stadium was unusual this evening in that there was a pro Palestine march taking place outside. On a day when Uefa fined Celtic for displaying Palestine flags in a recent Champions League game, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one or two on show here with an Israeli club visiting.
The teams are in and Dundalk make two changes to the sides which lined out against AZ Alkmaar and Derry City. Skipper Stephen O’Donnell is suspended, so Chris Shields comes into the midfield, while Robbie Benson replaces John Mountney on the right wing.
Maccabi Tel Aviv manager Shota Arveladze, a former Ajax and Rangers striker, is forced to making one switch. Full-back Elazar Dasi was sent off in their 4-3 defeat to Zenit St Petersburg, so he is replaced by compatriot Dor Peretz.
Dundalk: Rogers; Gannon, Boyle (c), Gartland, Massey; Benson, Shields, Finn, Horgan, McEleney; McMillan.
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Rajkovic; Peretz, Ben Haim, Tibi, Ben Harush; Igiebor, Alberman (c), Medunjanin, Scarione, Kjartansson, Ben Chaim.
Both sides are out on the field and we’re seconds away from kicking off.
WE’RE UNDERWAY – Dundalk wearing black with a gold trim, the away side in all yellow.
SUPER CHANCE! The game isn’t even two minutes old and Dundalk should really be in front. A long ball down field is headed on by McMillan and, coming in from the right flank, McEleney latches onto the ball.
Unfortunately, the former Derry City man shoots straight at Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic, who recently lined out against Ireland.
Maccabi full-back Dor Peretz with a wild shot, which is nowhere near troubling Gary Rogers.
Nigerian international Nose Igiebor connects with a free header but can’t direct it on goal.
Daryl Horgan has been in the thick of the action in the last few minutes — running at defenders at every chance. He seems in two minds upon receiving the ball inside the opposing box though, and ends up losing possession.
Nice football from Dundalk down the right with Finn feeding Gannon and the full-back winning a corner.
They recycle when it’s half-cleared and Finn forces Rajkovic into a double save — first with his feet and then his fist.
Really encouraging stuff.
PENALTY SHOUT! Benson is caught late in the box by Ben Harush, but referee Andris Treimanis waves claims away.
Argentine midfielder Ezequiel Scarione volleys wide after a cross from Tal Ben Chaim is headed to the edge of the box.
Well-worked again from Dundalk, with Massey and Finn involved before Horgan fires low at the Maccabi keeper, who is being kept busy.
The same player is teed up for another strike moments later, but he’s ruled offside.
Tal Chaim played through but Rogers is out swiftly to smother the ball.
Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan causing problems for Don Peretz of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Another decent opportunity as McMillan picks out the run of Horgan, who in turn finds McEleney. He attempts to step inside onto his left foot but is off-balance while shooting and lifts the ball well wide.
Let’s hope they don’t regret not taking one of these chances.
Half-time: Dundalk 0-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv
SECOND HALF – Up an running once again in Tallaght after I’ve treated myself to a warm cuppa and complimentary sambos during the break.
No substitutions so we’re as you were.
Shields sends an attempt on goal over the bar and Maccabi record a shot off target from Ben Harush.
SUBSTITUTIONS – Maccabi take off Igiebor for Dor Miha, and Dundalk bring on Ciaran Kilduff, hero in Alkmaar, for McMillan. The striker is on a matter of seconds and heads narrowly over from a Finn cross.
CHANCE FOR MACCABI – Medunjanin cuts the ball back for Icelandic midfielder Vidar Orn Kjartansson and he blasts over.
GOAL! Dundalk 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv (Ciaran Kilduff)
SCENES! Horgan clips to the back post and it’s super sub Kilduff again with the clinical finish. Tallaght erupts.
MORE CHANGES – John Mountney is on for McEleney, while Maccabi withdraw captain Alberman for Barak Itzhaki.
HERE’S YOSSI BENAYOUN – The former Liverpool and Chelsea attacker replaces Tal Ben Chaim.
Four minutes of additional time to play…
Full-time: Dundalk 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv
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