Darryl Geraghty
History made as Dundalk made it 4 points from 6 in the Europa League with super sub Ciaran Kilduff proving the hero in an incredible night at a jam packed Tallaght Stadium.
Dundalk FC continued their amazing European adventure with an excellent, and deserved 1-0 victory over their illustrious Israeli opponents, Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The first chance of the game, and a glorious one at that, fell to the League of Ireland Champions after just three minutes. A long clearance up field was cleverly flicked on by David McMillan into the path of Patrick McEleney, who then found himself through on goal, but his right footed strike was comfortably saved by Predrag Rajkovic, a big let off for the visitors.
But Maccabi, looking to bounce back from their disastrous opening day defeat to Zenit St. Petersburg, were they led 3-0 going into the final 13 minutes of the game but amazingly went on to lose 4-3, responded with some tidy possession around the middle third and Dor Peretz had a long range effort that sailed over Gary Rogers bar, which was met with sarcastic cheers from the bouncing Dundalk fans, but an open start to the encounter.
Both teams looked excellent in possession, putting on a high quality spectacle and going for the jugular . Controversy was to ensue in the 19th minute when referee Andris Treimanis made himself the pantomime villain of the night, failing to give a penalty for what looked a clear foul on Robbie Benson. The midfielder raced into the box and got a toe on the ball as Eytan Tibi swung wildly and between the referee and his two officials, somehow a penalty was not awarded.
On the half-hour mark, Daryl Horgan, under the watchful eye of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill, should have broke the deadlock. The pacey winger was tee’d up on the edge of the box but his low shot was straight at the grateful Rajkovic.
For all the visitor’s possession, the real goal threat was coming from the Lilywhites and as the half drew to a close Dundalk launched another excellent break from midfield. Horgan again showed excellent pace to break and down the left and squared the ball to McEleney, who cut in on his left foot but his shot was high and wide.
Dundalk started the second half in the ascendancy, pressing very well and Chris Shields began dominating the midfield, breaking up most of “The Yellows” possession.
Ciaran Kilduff replaced the tiring David McMillan, in the 64th minute and almost made an immediate impact. Ronan Finn’s deep cross from the left wing was met by the sub, but his header was just inches over the bar.
Maccabi then showed why they are currently sitting top of their domestic league unbeaten in 6, winning five an drawing one and had a good chance of their own. Haris Medunjanin worked a nice move down the right side and cut back to striker Vidar Orn Kjartansson but his shot was well blocked.
The Tallaght stadium then erupted in the 72nd minute when “it” finally happened. Dundalk got their breakthrough, taking the lead through Kilduff. Daryl Horgan was excellently picked out at the back post, and just as it looked like he was to shoot on his left foot, he cutback inside on his right and dinked a delicious ball into the six yard box where birthday boy Kilduff side-footed home.
Horgan, a constant threat down the left wing, nearly doubled the hosts advantage when his low drilled cross was somehow deflected over his own bar by Omri Ben Harush. The winger, and all of the stadium had their heads in their hands.
The Yellows pressed hard for an equalizer with a Medunjanin free kick, which was deflected for a corner but the resolute Dundalk defence held firm and saw out the game to grab all three points and become the first Irish side to take all three points in a European group stage game.
Dundalk FC: (4-4-2) Gary Rogers, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle (c), Chris Shields, Daryl Horgan, David McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff 64’), Ronan Finn, Patrick McEleney (John Mountney 74’), Dane Massey, Robbie Benson (Dean Shiels 84’)
Subs: Gabriel Sava, Shane Grimes, Patrick Barrett, Ciaran Kilduff, Darren Meenan
Manager: Stephen Kenny
Maccabi Tel Aviv: (4-3-3) Predrag Rajkovic, Haris Medunjanin, Ezequiel Scarione, Gal Alberman (c) (Barak Itzhaki 75’), Tal Ben Chaim (Yossi Benayoun
80’), Eytan Tibi, Omri Kjartansson, Tal Ben Haim, Nosa Igiebor (Dor Miha 58’), Dor Peretz
Subs: Daniel Lifshitz, Eden Ben Basat, Yegor Filipenko, Eyal Golasa,
Manager: Shota Arveladze
Referee: Andris Treimanis (LVA)