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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Dundalk v Rosenborg, Champions League qualifier

Dundalk took on Rosenborg in the first leg of their second-round Champions League qualifier at Oriel Park.

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The game gets underway at 7.45pm.

Queues are already gathering outside Oriel Park awaiting kick-off in 40 minutes…

Dundalk fans make their way into Oriel Park Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Anticipation is building ahead of kick-off. Dundalk have hit their stride just in time for tonight’s Champions League qualifier, with five wins from five since the Premier Division resumed from its mid-season break.

Stephen Kenny’s side have no injury worries but some fans may be disappointed that Dylan Connolly starts from the bench tonight.

“He needs time to get up to speed. He is a handful for defences and he has got electric pace – when you go up a level that is important”, Kenny said on the 23-year-old.

Tickets were sold out days in advance of tonight’s game as Oriel Park anticipates a capacity crowd. Why can’t it be like this all of the time…

Dundalk fans make their way into Oriel Park Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Here are tonight’s teams…

Dundalk: Gary Rogers, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Niclas Vemmelund, Dane Massey, Chris Shields, Michael Duffy, John Mountney, Robbie Benson, Patrick McEleney, David McMillan

Subs: Gabriel Sava, Sean Hoare, Paddy Barrett, Stephen O’Donnell Jamie McGrath,  Dylan Connolly Ciaran Kilduff

Rosenborg: Andre Hansen, Vegar Eggen Hedenstad, Johan Laedre Bjordal, Tore Reginiussen, Jorgen Skjelvik, Mike Jensen, Anders Konradsen, Fredrik Midtsjo, Matthias Vilhjalmsson, Pal Andre Helland, Nicklas Bendtner

Subs: Alex Gersbach, Yann-Erik de Lanlay, Milan Jevtovic, Marius Lundemo, Birger Meling, Arild Ostbo, Jacob Rasmussen

We’re underway…

Early chance for Dane Massey following some wonderful work from Robbie Benson inside the penalty area.

A lot of energy about Dundalk early on inside the opening few minutes.

Great cross from Benson and Massey is just moments late and glancing the ball into the back of the net. It goes over the crossbar and out for a goalkick to Rosenborg.

A foul by Massey on Helland as Rosenborg push forward but the Lilywhites regain possession easily.

They get the ball on the deck and are happy to string some passes along the backline between Brian Gartland and Sean Gannon.

They look to be taking the game to their opponents however Rosenborg’s pedigree will no doubt become evident as the game wears on.

Chance! That was indeed a chance from Robbie Benson.

John Mountney takes a bobbling ball under control, heads it down to Benson who slams a strong effort low and into the corner.

It is saved well by goalkeeper Andre Hansen but it has certainly ignited the crowd in Oriel Park!

Another chance for Dundalk as the ball falls to Player of the Month Patrick McEleney.

The Derry man gathers the ball on the outskirts of the box and takes it onto his favoured left boot. He sizes up a chance but it is blocked down Tore Reginiussen and away.

Dundalk looking very lively and have had the game’s only chances so far. A chorus of “stand up for the Lilywhites” rings out emphatically around Oriel Park as the party gets started.

Patrick McEleney and Anders Konradsen battle for possession early on…

Patrick McEleney and Anders Konradsen Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Oooh a fantastic tackle from John Mountney. The ball is brought along the touchline from Hedenstad but Mountney is having none of it and slides the ball out for a throw-in.

Dundalk are up for this. If there are to be physical battles in this game they are prepared to meet them head on. And feet on, naturally.

GOAL! David McMillan rockets a scorcher low beyond Hansen.

Some outstanding, patient build-up play from Dundalk sees the ball fall to the edge of the box. Michael Duffy crosses and McMillan is on hand to head the ball powerfully into the back of the net.

The Lilywhites lead! What a start.

It’s all action, action, action in Oriel Park as Rosenborg come up the other end almost from the tip-off.

Some energetic counter-attacking football sees Dundalk caught off guard and it’s that man Bendtner with the shot.

Gary Rodgers rises and plucks the ball elegantly out of the top corner. Brilliant from the Meath man!

Speed, swift, counter from Dundalk! An outstanding break from Mountney crosses to McMillan but the number nine can only steer the ball over the crossbar.

It could have been 2-0 but alas Dundalk are still looking so impressive early on. They could not have asked for a better start but are showing no signs of slowing down.

What a moment. David McMillan adds another European goal to his collection and Dundalk lead 1-0…

David McMillan celebrates scoring Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Dundalk are looking like a team with European pedigree at the moment. Despite trailing Cork City by 12 points in the Premier Division they are playing with such confidence and energy.

Rosenborg look taken aback, if not entirely subdued. They had one chance from Bendtner but otherwise have had to sit back and endure Dundalk’s wave after wave of attack.

SAVE! It’s that man Gary Rodgers again… Pål André Helland throws a dummy and drops his shoulder to advance into the penalty area.

He sees the goal at his mercy and swings his left boot at the ball but once again Rodgers is a match and palms the ball away.

That’s two good chances for visitors and they are beginning to show that they carry a threat along the right wing, with Nicklas Bendtner and Helland linking up well.

OFF THE LINE. Goalkeeper Hansen spills the ball following a routine cross from Dundalk along the right. It is hoofed clear and Rosenborg are looking oddly nervous as Dundalk go in search of a second.

The double-double champions of Norway, as Stephen Kenny referred to them, are lacking some composure on the ball and are fretting under pressure at the moment.

It is such an expansive game at the moment and it is showing no signs of slowing down. Completely end-to-end.

A little bit of worry as Dane Massey goes down injured. The 29-year-old received medical treatment following a collision and was heading for the touchline but is now back on the field of play.

Another angle of David McMillan celebrating in delight as Dundalk take the lead after 18 minutes…

David McMillan celebrates scoring Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

A shot from Patrick McEleney as space begins to open up in the final third.

The forward has Michael Duffy free to his left but opts for a shot at goal which flies just wide of the post.

Just six minutes until the break following a dramatic opening half so far.

An early change for Rosenborg as Hellend is brought off with a groin injury, with Milan Jevtovic taking his place on the wing.

GOAL! (Dundalk 1-1 Rosenborg)

It’s an in-swinging free-kick and Reginiussen is unmarked inside the penalty area. He takes the ball down and taps it into an empty net.

Rosenborg have their away goal and Dundalk are stunned, it’s 1-1.

That really did come from no-where. A routine free-kick is swung in and Dundalk just cannot deal with it whatsoever.

Gary Rodgers had made some outstanding saves until now but even he could do little about the poor marking from his defenders.

This is the last thing Stephen Kenny would have wanted heading into the break and where Dundalk looked like perhaps grabbing a second now they have conceded an away goal.

HALF-TIME: DUNDALK 1-1 ROSENBORG

What a half of football. McMillan’s opener, but the equalizer has left us all a bit down. We’ve seen this sort of thing before…

The second half is just about to get underway and the Dundalk support has found its voice once again…

A Dundalk fan waves a flag as the team come out Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

And we’re back underway…

Brian Gartland and the man we all know so well, Nicklas Bendtner, featuring astro turf. Lots and lots of astro turf.

Brian Gartland and Nicklas Bendtner Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Some accurate passing from the hosts on the outskirts of the Rosenborg penalty area almost yields a chance.

Dane Massey has battled hard all evening and he finds Patrick McEleney who just can’t get the ball out of his feet.

He tees the ball off to Sean Gannon bombing forward but the right back’s effort is blocked and the danger is cleared.

Hedenstad with some fantastic work down the right wing. He crosses but  Vemmelund is there to clear.

The ball comes back out to Vilhjálmsson who plays a killer through ball to an untracked Mike Jensen who’s front post effort is cannoned off Gary Rodgers – another fine save from the goalkeeper keeps the scores one apiece.

Dane Massey has covered every blade of grass this evening…

Dane Massey and Milan Jevtovic Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Some more promising work from Patrick McEleney yields a throw-in. “He was born to play football”, notes Stuey Byrne.

That he was, Stuey, that he certainly was.

Konradsen is given far too much space from Brian Gartland and Niclas Vemmelund. The midfielder releases an effort which is far too tame to test Rodgers between the sticks.

Dundalk do not have the same unwavering confidence they had in the opening half.

Rosenborg’s away goal seems to have put the Lilywhites back into their shell, as they begin to invite pressure on from the Norwegians.

Niclas Vemmelund has gone off injured for Dundalk with a hamstring strain and is going to be replaced by Paddy Barrett off the bench.

Nicklas Bendtner is not a popular man in Oriel Park as he refuses to give the ball back to Dundalk after Gary Rodgers put it out of play to allow Paddy Barrett to come into play.

A chorus of abuse is hurled at the former Arsenal man but I’m not sure that he cares one bit.

Michael Duffy alongside Fredrik Midtsjo…

Michale Duffy and Fredrik Midtsjo Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Another chance for Dundalk as a fine cross is pinged just over the top of the crossbar by McMillan.

The forward was down the other end defending only minutes ago and is back in the penalty area firing on all cylinders.

The game is slightly subdued at the moment. Stephen Kenny will know he needs another goal travelling to Norway next week, but their opponents will only be too happy for it to stay put at 1-1.

It’s all to play for… and Dylan Connolly is still on the bench.

It looks like that man Connolly could be about to make his Champions League debut. The former Bray ace has been instructed to warm up by Stephen Kenny.

Yes he is indeed. Michael Duffy is brought off and Dylan Connolly is introduced.

The winger made his debut against Bohemians last week in a 1-0 win, playing for an hour and now makes his home debut in front of the Oriel Park faithful.

CHANCE. John Mountney uses his incredible pace to get by his marker and send in a dangerous cross at the back post.

Connolly is his intended target but he fails to make contact with the ball and it edges away from danger.

Dundalk have a renewed sense of energy and confidence. Connolly making an instance impact here with just under 20 minutes remaining for the Lilywhites to grab a second here.

Gary Rogers with Nicklas Bendtner…

Gary Rogers with Nicklas Bendtner Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Dundalk enjoying a spell of possession at the moment – they know just how badly they need a second.

A break was on momentarily with Rosenborg with backs to the wall, but like much of this second half David McMillan makes the wrong pass as fatigue begins to set in and the Lilywhites being to lose that sense of cutting edge.

Just over 10 minutes to go and it’s finely poised. As they always say… anything can happen.

Substitution for Dundalk: David McMillan comes off to a fine round of applause as Ciaran Kilduff takes his place.

Substitution for Rosenborg: Fredrik Midtsjo comes off and is replaced by Yann-Erik de Lanlay.

Sean Gannon is brought down by substitute de Lanlay and Dundalk have a free kick in a decent position.

Paddy Barrett tries his earnest to take the ball down and arrow a header goal-bound but the free-kick is a Hail Mary effort and sinks the ball safely into goalkeeper Hansen’s arms.

Five minutes to go…

Mountney has earned Dundalk a corner and this could be a final throw of the dice. Oriel Park holds its breath…

CHANCE. Brian Gartland times his run perfectly, the defender rises like a salmon completely unmarked but cannot direct his effort on goal – it flies over the crossbar and Rosenborg go up the other end.

That was close! Rosenborg go up the other end and it’s another lucky escape as Gary Rodgers stands tall to swat the ball away. It’s end-to-end at the moment with just injury time left to go, BUT CAN SOMEONE FIND A WINNER?

There will be 3 minutes of additional time…

Mountney stands over a free-kick and it’s last chance saloon but Ciaran Kilduff cannot find the bottom corner with his header. Yet another fine delivery from Mountney but as the sun begins to set in County Louth we could be set for a draw.

One more minute to go for Dundalk as the final whistle beckons…

Dane Massey with a crucial deflection as Dundalk lose possession and Rosenborg counter brilliantly. It’s the last kick of the game and the visitors have a corner kick.

… Breath. Rosenborg are penalized and it’s a free out to Gary Rodgers.

FULL TIME: DUNDALK 1-1 ROSENBORG

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