Europa League Report: Dundalk 1 - 0 Maccabi Tel Aviv

Dundalk became the first Irish side to claim a victory in the group stages of a European competition tonight when they defeated Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-0 at Tallaght Stadium.

Birthday boy Ciaran Kilduff’s 72^nd minute goal was enough for the Lilywhites to see off their toothless Israeli visitors and put themselves firmly in the hunt for a knock-out place. The striker latched superbly onto Daryl Horgan’s teasing cross to send Tallaght Stadium into raptures.

The victory was thoroughly deserved with the County Louth side dominating almost the entire game. They created enough first-half chances to win two games, and despite Maccabi forcing the Lilywhites to endure some late pressure, the full-time whistle was met with an out-pouring of ecstasy. Dundalk now sit four points clear of Maccabi and three ahead of AZ in Group D, with progression to the last 32 becoming increasingly possible.

With captain Stephen O’Donnell suspended following his red card in their opening group game in Alkmaar, Stephen Kenny made two changes to his starting XI from the one that defeated Derry City last Friday night.

Robbie Benson and Chris Shields were introduced for John Mountney and O’Donnell in the Lilywhites midfield. The visitors made a sole enforced change from their 5-0 Tel-Aviv derby victory over Hapoel last weekend, with the suspended Elazar Dasa being replaced at right-back by Dor Peretz.

Although Maccabi’s passing was much crisper during a frantic opening, it didn’t take Dundalk too long to get on the front foot. Patrick McEleney missed a glorious chance to give the Irish side the lead inside 90 seconds. Having been played clear, the Derryman hesitated entering the box and saw his weak shot easily gathered by Maccabi ‘keeper Predrag Rajkovic.

Despite Maccabi enjoying possession spells throughout the first-half with Nigerian Nosa Igiebor and captain Gal Alberman impressing, they failed to test Gary Rogers in goal for Dundalk. In contrast, the Lilywhites despite, having to work hard to retrieve the ball, always posed an attacking threat.

Horgan was a livewire down the left-flank, with Ronan Finn and McEleney provided the attacking emphasis from more central areas. Rajkovic, who was less than assured for Serbia against Ireland earlier this month, was being tested by the Lilywhites.

A wicked Finn shot saw him unconvincingly parry the ball wide on the second attempt, while referee Andris Treimanis turned down a credible Dundalk claim for a penalty mid-way through the half when Robbie Benson went down under Omri Ben Harush’s challenge.

Horgan and McEleney had good opportunities prior to the interval, with both chances coming at the end of good phases of play. Maccabi’s first-half display was more refined in possession compared with Dundalk’s, however they possessed next-to-no offensive spark.

It could though be argued that that was down to Chris Shields’ excellent midfield patrolling – his ability to snuff out danger at source is unique, while his energy to move back-and-forth forced Maccabi to pass increasingly laterally as the half progressed.

The early second-half exchanges took the same narrative as the preceding 45. Maccabi were slicker and enjoyed more of the ball, while Dundalk robustly forced Maccabi into risky moves which yielded offensive opportunities for the Lilywhites.

It took Maccabi almost an hour to get a shot-in-anger at Rogers when Ben Harush let fly from 30 yards, only for his effort to go wide despite the Lilywhites goalkeeper sprawling to his right.

Kilduff, Dundalk’s hero from Alkmaar, was introduced for David McMillan with 25 minutes remaining and, within seconds of entering the fray, almost opened the scoring. The towering frontman rose beautifully at the back post to meet Ronan Finn’s left-sided delivery, and just as the Tallaght crowd rose to their feet, Kilduff’s powerful header skimmed the top of the net. It was the closest that Dundalk had come in a fairly subdued second-period.

That opportunity appeared to spark the Israelis into life as the game opened up significantly with gaping holes left in front of both defensive lines. Haris Medunjanin was excellent for Maccabi throughout and it was the Bosnian who created his side’s best chance when he fed Vidar Orn Kjartansson. The striker turned onto his left, only for Andy Boyle to deflect it wide.

Further chances were traded, before Kilduff lifted the roof at his old stomping ground yet again with a real poacher’s finish at the back post. The Kilcock native really is an arch-predator inside the six-yard area.

The game was end-to-end as it entered the final 15 minutes. Barak Itzhaki had a venomous shot blocked by Boyle, before Mountney saw his close range effort somehow deflect cross bar following great work by Horgan once more.

Maccabi pressed as the game wore to its conclusion, Medunjanin’s deliveries were extremely dangerous with his corner from the right flying across the face of goal. However, Dundalk deservedly held out to claim the precious Group D points.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle ©, Dane Massey; Ronan Finn, Chris Shields; Patrick McEleney (John Mountney 75), Robbie Benson (Dean Shiels 85), Daryl Horgan; David McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff 65).

Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (gk), Shane Grimes, Paddy Barrett, Darren Meenan.

Booked: Chris Shields (88).

Maccabi Tel-Aviv: Predrag Rajkovic; Dor Peretz, Tal Ben Haim, Eytan Tibi, Omri Ben Harush; Nosa Igiebor (Dor Miha 59), Gal Alberman © (Barak Itzhaki 75), Haris Medunjanin; Ezeguiel Scarione, Vidar Orn Kjartansson, Tal Ben Chaim (Yossi Benayoun 81).

Subs not used: Daniel Lifshitz (gk), Eden Ben Basat, Yegor Filipenko, Eyal Golasa.

Booked: Tal Ben Chaim (80), Tal Ben Haim (90).

Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia).

Attendance: 5,000 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Chris Shields (Dundalk).

You can see pictures from the game by Michael P Ryan, Peter Fitzpatrick and Eoin Smith here.