Lilywhites set to be tested in grueling schedule of matches

It's a crucial week for Dundalk as they take on Bruno's Magpies in the second leg of the first qualifying round of the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening. Three days later they must play Shamrock Rovers in the first round of the FAI Cup at Oriel.

Dundalk will clash with the Magpies with a good degree of confidence, having secured a scoreless draw at the Victoria Stadium in Gibraltar last week.

I think the scoreless draw was an excellent result secured by Stephen O'Donell's men, which leaves the tie wide open with Dundalk now firm favourites to go through. The Oriel Park side will know that they will have to be at their best to win the game.

Some supporters have been criticising the fact that Dundalk only mustered a draw, but this was against a team who had 10 new players in their team. They also had five Gibraltarian internationals in the team. Plus, a new manager.

Thus, it was all but impossible for Stephen O'Donnell to secure concrete information on a virtually new team. It made his task all but impossible to know what his side was coming up against.

Dundalk fans should also remember that this game was played at 5pm in the evening with the temperatures in the 30's. The main aim was to get a result from the game. This they did.

Yet it was a game that they could have lost. It was also a game that they could have won. Supporters should also remember that the Republic of Ireland also struggled against the Gibraltar International team away from home when they only won 1-0.

Gibraltar also were only finally beaten in the last 20 minutes of the international game against the Republic at the Aviva in a recent Euro qualifier.

The public here should note that the standards in the Gibraltarian league are getting better. And they should also keep it clear in their mind that the current Dundalk team cannot be compared to the great teams of Stephen Kenny and Vinny Perth when they dominated Europe for years.

Dundalk also got to the group stages of the Europa League under Stephen Kenny and the same stage of the Europa Conference League under Filippo Giovagnoli.

Dundalk lined out with the team as expected against the Magpies. Nathan Shepperd was in goals, Archie Davies and Darragh Leahy were the two full backs. Andy Boyle returned from injury at centre half, along with Gibraltarian international Louie Annesley.

The two wingers were Daniel Kelly and Ryan O'Kane. Greg Sloggett and Johannes Yli-Kokko were the centre midfielders along with Conor Malley. Pat Hoban was Dundalk's lone striker.

However, as before, Daniel Kelly was allowed to move into a striker's position. Conor Malley also seemed to be given freedom to create from midfield.

The team set out with the aim of getting a result. Now it could be another great European night on Thursday when all Dundalk need is the win, even, by a single goal.

That they survived the heat, and some major scares is beyond doubt last Thursday. Dundalk created good chances in the first half. However, as was expected, the Gibraltarians came much more into the game in the second half and missed some clear chances of scoring.

The Magpies must be rueing those opportunities, knowing they must come to Oriel on Thursday and beat Dundalk on their home patch. However, to be fair, Dundalk also had a number of chances that should have been converted into goals too.

Daniel Kelly is a terrific player and is forever a creator of opportunities. He did just that after 13 minutes when his pinpoint cross found Johannes. However, the ball hit his shoulder and went wide.

Pat Hoban linked up well with Ryan O'Kane a short time later. His effort was saved by the Magpies keeper Jaylon Hankins. The loose ball fell to Daniel Kelly. With the goal at his mercy, his effort was saved again by the Magpies keeper. This time with his feet.

Dundalk got the shock of their lives on the half hour mark when former Birmingham City player Jack Storer struck a shot that looked set for a goal after it beat Nathan Shepherd. Darragh Leahy, who is always so dependable, cleared the ball off the line.

Leahy showed great assurance minutes later when he blocked Joseph Chipolina's effort from a corner. It would have been a certain goal. Pat Hoban was very unlucky not to put Dundalk ahead just before the break. Darragh Leahy got a corner into the box. Hoban headed inches narrowly wide.

The Dundalk striker then saw a marvellous flick that was bound for the net. Again, the Magpies keeper Hankins made a great save. With the heat beginning to sap the energy of the Irish men, the Magpies came close four minutes into the second half.

Chipolina's cross found Jose Giraldez. He was only eight yards out. He missed a golden chance blasting well over. That was some let off for Stephen O’Donnell's side.

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The Dundalk defence were caught a number of times by the long throw-ins of Chipolina. One such move on 49 minutes caused havoc. The throw in was cleared by Pat Hoban. The ball came as far as Kyle Casciaro. His stinging effort was saved well by Nathan Sheppherd.

Casciaro came close with another chance while former Cork City player Liam Nash headed another chance narrowly wide. Just on the hour mark the home team should have been in front when Giraldez struck the post with a great effort.

Alfie Lewis was the first substitution made by Stephen O'Donnell. He had a terrific game and played a major part in ensuring his side got out of Gibraltar with a result.

Dundalk had a real let off late in the game when the Magpies got in behind the defence. His lob beat Nathan Shepperd. It went wide of the post. Luckily for the visitors, Anthony Hernandez was unable to connect with the ball with what would have been a certain goal.

And that was to be the last incident of the game. Dundalk were indeed very lucky to get off the Rock without conceding a goal. I saw enough from the Gibraltar side to know they will trouble Dundalk on Thursday night.

I was amazed Stephen O'Donnell also only made two substitutions, considering his team were playing in such sweltering heat. It was amazing that he did not make the five substitutions that he had at his disposal.

Alfie Lewis was excellent when he took over from Ryan O'Kane on 73 minutes. John Martin had no time to stamp his authority on the game as he only came on with three minutes remaining. He replaced Yli-Kokko. 

I can only make the judgement that the reason why there were no other substitutions made was because some of these players may still have been carrying injuries.

To see Andy Boyle playing for the entire 90 minutes was amazing. Andy has been out with injuries twice this season. To see him only returning and playing the full game, to me seems somewhat precarious. But the Lilywhites did get out with the result they were looking for.

And it's results that matter. But I worry about the Dundalk defence. This season it has been very porous. Dundalk could easily have conceded one or two. They tore holes in the Dundalk defence at times. This should not be happening.

But it's unfair to blame the manager for this. I am sure that Stephen O'Donnell has not been able to make some of the signings he would have liked. This is because of the club's finances. The money is simply just not there.

The Dundalk boss is really being asked to perform miracles, given the injury crisis the club has faced all season. And add the fact that he has just not been able to add any Irish players of good quality to the club. 

I think many of his signings have great potential and will be much better next year. But the Lilywhites are in bad need of signing defenders and also ensuring they hold on to what they have.

O’Donnell

Stephen O'Donnell told the Democrat after Thursday's game his side created most of the chances. He also said they had most of the possession. He seemed to think that the Magpies were never really a threat.

Well I'm afraid to say it, but the Magpies did pose concrete threats in both the first and second half. Dundalk will have to be very careful about this tie on Thursday.

John Martin was brought on as a sub in the dying minutes. He has recovered from injury. But I'm sure the manager would have wanted more time for the player to recover, rather than bringing him into this game, no matter how late.

Other subs like Paul Doyle and Robbie McCourt have struggled all season with injuries. it's possible the manager just did not want to risk them given that Dundalk face such a heavy schedule this week.

Stephen O'Donnell had every right to say that he took a lot of positives from the game. He now knows everything about the Magpies. Before this game he was going into the unknown, given the Magpies signed 10 new players recently and hired a new manager.

Dundalk had knowledge of a friendly they played against Preston. It was 0-0 at half time. But the Magpies changed their side completely in the second half. Preston went on to win 3-0.

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The Rovers Game

On Sunday, Oriel Park should be packed to the rafters as Dundalk get ready for their first round FAI cup clash with Shamrock Rovers. Draws like this do not come any harder.

They are the one team I always want to see Dundalk avoid in the cup, particularly in the early rounds. Last season then cup holders Pats went out of the competition in a whimper when they were beaten by Sligo Rovers in the first round.

Pats were still in the Europa Conference League. But they were knocked out of that competition also soon afterwards. This game is hugely important. If Dundalk can win the cup, they have an automatic route to Europe next season.

To qualify going through the league they face very stiff opposition from Pats, Derry and Bohemians and other clubs also. With the injuries they have, I think Dundalk will do well to finish fourth.

Even then it would not guarantee a place in Europe. The automatic positions are second and third. I just can't see Dundalk finishing in the top three this season.

Rovers are not playing well at the moment. Dundalk recently played them off the park in the league and beat them 2-0. Rovers beat Dundalk 4-0 earlier in the season at Oriel. My heart of course says Dundalk. I'm afraid my head says Rovers.

They are the best team in the country. They can beat anybody on their day. But Dundalk can beat them. They must get stuck into them from the start and not let them settle.

But we have to remember that should Dundalk beat the Magpies on Thursday, then they will be in European competition again the following Thursday. The players must put that out of their minds and concentrate on the task on hand.

This game must be played to the finish. There will be extra time and penalties if needed. This gives Dundalk a slight advantage.

This is the most important week for Dundalk so far this season. Let's hope they advance in Europe and the FAI Cup. And best of luck to the Ireland women in the World Cup, which which also starts this week.

I hope everybody has a safe week. Please remember to look after each other.