BIZARRE
In these bizarre circumstances Dundalk adapted much better to the humid
conditions and outplayed Linfield with Cathal Muckian scoring both goals in
a 2-0 win. Dundalk came up against the unknown Hiberians of Malta and won
2-0 with goals from Carlyle and Devine but would it be enough for a lead going
into the 2nd leg in Malta. On a pitch that was rock hard and without grass
Dundalk lost only 1-0 and became the first Irish club to win through in two
rounds of European Competition in one season and what a reward they got in
the next round drawn against Glasgow Celtic. The first leg was at Parkhead and
Dundalk took their usual role as David in the battle against Goliath. Preparation
for the game were hampered by injuries and 6 players took the field for Dundalk
less than 100% fit 2-0 up on the half-hour Celtic were cruising but 30 seconds
later Cathal Muckian made it 2-1 but Tommy Burns capped a crazy 3 minutes
when he made it 3-1. The scene was set for the anticipated massacre in the second
half but Celtc hadn't reckoned without the stubbornness of Dundalk who quickly
settled and went close on a few occasions. Mick Lawlor was introduced as sub
after 61 minutes for Terry Daly and within 5 minutes sent the large Irish support
into raptures with a brilliant goal. Keely played a long ball out of defence, Lawlor
knocked it down to Flanagan and received the return to beat the Celtic offside
trap and delightfully sent a 35 yard chipped shot over the head of the advancing
keeper. Dundalk had several chances to equalise but as the final whistle blew
talk was of Dundalk's chances of advancing to the quarter-finals. Around 20,000
packed into Oriel Park for the 2nd leg. The football wasn't classic but the tension
was as gripping as any Hitchcock movie. One goal would swing it for Dundalk
and they went for it in the final 20 minutes, Muckian went close with a header
but Tommy McConville saw quarter-final hopes slip off his boot lace as he
miskicked in front of a gapping goal in the dying minutes. Celtic went through
but only just.
In 1980 Dundalk again showed contempt for their professional counterparts
against FC Porto in UEFA Cup. In the first leg in Portugal, Ritchie Blackmore
was the hero saving a penalty and along with his defence holding Porto to one
goal. Brian Duff hit the crossbar in the return game and had what seemed a
legitimate penalty appeal turned down and with Blackmore in fine form at the
other end the game remained scoreless and Dundalk again went out by a single
goal. Dundalk's next port of call was Iceland where they met Fram Reykjavik
in the Cup Winners Cup. Dundalk dominated the game and led through Mick
Fairclough until the dying minutes when Fram got two goals for victory. The
players reaction to defeat was one of shock and then reflection. The entire panel
of 17 without the manager gathered in one of the bedrooms for a serious inquest.
There were questions asked about why they had lost 2 late goals, accusing fingers
were pointed and the erring players raised their hands in acknowledgement. At
the end of the session, which was probably worth more than many evenings on
the training pitch, resolutions were made and Fram felt the blacklash in the return
leg, Dundalk winning 4-0 with a penalty from Leo Flanagan and goals also from
Fairclough, Martin Lawlor and Brian Duff.
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