The set up was good they played the usual brand of football, Dundalk they were simply put to the sword in a tough first half by the Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava. Cavric and Ratao first-half goals ensured that Dundalk's European Odessey end
The set up was good they played the usual brand of football, Dundalk they were simply put to the sword in a tough first half by the Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava.
Cavric and Ratao first-half goals ensured that Dundalk's European Odessey ends in Tallaght with an added goal from Erik Daniel.
While the initial signs with Jamie McGrath going closest from a first-minute volley. However it was Ratao who struck first blood for the away side after an initial attacking play broke down and Slovan broke free of the Dundalk defence, Ratao was at the back post to head it with all the time in the world, Dundalk were dumbstruck by it, for all their good play it was the Slovaks who made it really count.
The second goal was uncharacteristic in its build-up as well as its execution, Aleksandar Cavric put Boyle under too much pressure that it made the defence make a snap judgement to head the ball back to Rogers, Cavric seeing the play took advantage and lobbed the low headed ball over Rogers and into the back of the net.
It looked as if Dundalk could have given a glimmer of hope before half time when Mountney forces a great save from Grief, that would become a narrative for the night.
Slovan's last line of defence proved to be the cornerstone. The second half saw new impetus from the home side as changes to the side prove to give better balance and drive.
After Grief saved well from both Hoban and Hoare, the latter looked as if it was flashing in. He was finally beaten when Duffy slammed one home and moments later it looked as if it was game on when Dundalk got a penalty.
Hoban was thwarted by Grief, like so many others before him. That is as good as it got for Dundalk, in truth the two goals left it all for them to do and it was far too big of a mountain to climb.
European football at this level gets more difficult and more strenuous. Slovan used their experience and class to see the game out. Erik Daniel's late strike added the cherry on top of Slovan's cream.
