Just 5 weeks ago, Dundalk FC seemed to be in freefall. After the restart last July, the champions quickly found themselves 12 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers, and were dumped out of the Champions League, losing 3-0 to Celje. The loss in Slovenia proved to be Vinny Perth’s final game in charge, and many Dundalk fans grew concerned as to what direction the club was headed in, following rumours of board trouble suggested by Perth. Worry around Oriel Park increased days later, when Filippo Giovagnoli emerged from obscurity and took up his first ever senior job, with the UEFA Pro License-less Italian referring to the task as a “kamikaze mission”. By this stage, many fans would have been satisfied with a 2nd or 3rd place finish, and possibly a decent cup run. No one could have imagined that just 5 weeks later Dundalk would be preparing to face Arsenal in the Europa League group stage.
Following a 1-0 away win at Andorran side Inter, and a penalty shootout triumph at FC Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova, Dundalk found themselves 90 minutes away from a second Europa League campaign in 4 years. Faroese side KÍ started the brighter in the Aviva last night, with Dundalk struggling to play outside their own half & break down the compact opponents. Hoban headed wide after Colovic sent a good cross in, and the Lilywhites grew into the game after the first quarter. McEleney saw his curling effort saved just afterwards. As Dundalk sought a breakthrough, on 33 minutes a searching ball from Hoare found Hoban, who knocked it onto Murray to head into the net. The goal was scored in the same style as Duffy’s versus Denmark in 2018, although Dundalk were hoping for a much kinder final score. Dundalk saw out the half well and entered the break a goal up.
Dundalk had a dream start to the second half as they doubled their lead. Daniel Cleary was in the right place to fire home from 4 yards, after the KÍ keeper totally flapped at a cross. Failing to consolidate their advantage, KÍ had their best spell in the 3rd quarter, testing Rogers & Gartland in particular, with the Dundalk keeper making a super save before Gartland headed off the line around the hour mark.
As the rain began pouring in Lansdowne, KÍ pulled a goal back through an excellent Midtskogen strike from 25 yards on 65 minutes, before Rogers was called into action again, saving a swerving effort from Bjartalio. With their backs against the wall, Dundalk dropped deep and counted down the minutes. Relief came on the counter with 10 remaining, when a super Sean Murray crossfield pass found Daniel Kelly who slotted home and put the tie to bed. Having grown up near the Aviva, Kelly joked that “my ma, da & bro are wrecking the gaf only down the road”. Kelly was playing for Crumlin in the Leinster Senior League only 3 years ago, and described last night as “amazing, and the stuff of dreams”.
On the final whistle, some Dundalk men dropped to their knees in disbelief, and some hugged teammates to within an inch of their lives, as they secured a group stage place. Giovagnoli joins an elite group of men who have led a League of Ireland side to the Europa League group stage. Michael O’Neill oversaw Rovers campaign in 2011, while Stephen Kenny led the Lilywhites in the 2016 campaign. Dundalk will now face Arsenal, Rapid Vienna & Molde in Group B, with the fixture details announced this evening. While the €3 million cheque for qualification stole the headlines, Dundalk will also receive a huge €190,000 for every group stage point won.
UEFA also announced today that spectator restrictions will begin to be eased soon, with up to 30% of the stadium's capacity being opened up for spectators. The FAI said that they will “discuss today’s development with the Irish government”. With Dundalk’s group stage games due to be played in the Aviva, it’s possible that around 15,000 may be permitted to attend, bringing in extra revenue for the club. With the chaos that the last 6 months has brought to the League of Ireland, and the country in general, Giovagnoli’s side has given “the town”, and the league a huge boost. From youth football camps last summer, to possibly sharing the touchline with the likes of José Mourinho & Steven Gerrard, perhaps a movie can be made about Giovagnoli in a few years time.