Gary Rogers helping to set records
Gary Rogers and his Dundalk colleagues created another piece of League of Ireland history tonight when a 1-1 draw with AZ Alkmaar meant they become the first team from Ireland to pick up a point in the Group Stages of the Europa League.
With Maccabi Tel Aviv due to visit Tallaght Stadium in a fortnight after surrendering a three-goal lead at home tonight, there is every possibility that Dundalk can get a win in Dublin on 29th September.
Tonight's game was scoreless at half-time although the home side had a 'goal' ruled out for offside and also hit the post in the opening half.
AZ eventually scored in the 60th minute although the celebrations were low key following the injury to Stijn Wuytens who was flattened by the advancing Gary Rogers and was stretchered-off.
Dundalk's Stephen O'Donnell departed on a second yellow card from the Maltese referee Clayton Pisani.
Andy Boyle made a vital 87th minute clearance to keep it at 0-1 and soon after substitute Ciaran Kilduff grabbed a sensational equaliser and Rogers kept his goal intact for the nine minutes of injury time that was added.
The draw earns a €120,000 bonus for Dundalk.
Gary Rogers tweeted after the game: Good to hear that Weytens is alright. Mixed for myself tonight but it a fantastic result. Brilliant stuff from our travelling fans
OTHER GROUP GAME
MACCABI 3, ZENIT 4.
Zenit come back from 0-3 down and scored four goals in the last 15 minutes for victory.
NEXT UP
29th September - Dundalk v Maccabi Tel Aviv
20th October - Dundalk v Zenit
3rd November - Zenit v Dundalk
24th November - Dundalk v AZ Alkmaar
8th December - Maccabi Tel Aviv v Dundalk.