breakthrough but the Dutchmen equalised with 12 minutes remaining and the
game went into extra time. With only 3 minutes of extra-time remaining it seemed
a toss of a coin would decide the outcome until Morrisey headed home for a
famous victory. In a brave performance Dundalk finally went down 6-1 to
Glasgow Rangers in the 1st leg of the next round at Ibrox Park. Murray made
the indent in the Rangers defence from a penalty. The second leg was famous
for its off the field activities when hundreds of Rangers fans, mostly from Belfast,
were involved in running battles with the guards. For the record Rangers won 3-0.
PLUMB DRAW
The following year, 1969, Dundalk got a plumb draw against Liverpool in
the Fairs Cup but the Merseysiders came out of the hat first and wouldn't concede
home advantage. Tommy Smith give notice of what was to come with two early
block-busters and Liverpool led 5-0 at the break. There was no question of letting
up and the late Bill Shankley sent his men out to promptly score 5 more for
a 10-0 final scoreline and Liam Tuohy the Dundalk manager was philosopical
when he commented "They wouldn't let us play with their ball". The Welsh referee
on the night seemed to be having an ongoing conversation with Dundalk striker
Turlough O'Connor and when questioned afterwards the referee said "Oh yes
that centre-forward, he kept pestering me saying, "Aw, come on ref, give us a
penalty". I finally got so fed up I told him listen Laddie if one of your lot get
into the area with the ball I'll give you the bloody penalty.
BARREN YEARS
Dundalk went through some barren years in the early '70's and it wasn't
until 1976 that Dundalk returned to the European stage under the astute
leadership of Jim McLaughlin who had built a championship winning team the
previous season out of free transfer players. Dundalk were paired with PSV
Einhoven of Holland in the Champions Cup and they included many of the
players of the Dutch World Cup Squad of 1974. 11,000 fans were in Oriel Park
for the first leg to witness the start of an unbeaten home record in Europe which
was to stretch over 6 years and 7 games. Dundalk went straight for the jugular
vein and Oriel park erupted after 6 minutes as Shakes McDowall converted a
Mick Lawlor cross. Thats the way it stayed until half-time and the Dutch were
visibly shaked by the onslaught from the part-timers. Dundalk didn't let up in
the second-half with McDowall, Dainty, Lawlor and Cavanagh buzzing but with
only 10 minutes remaining PSV hit Dundalk on the break and scored an
undeserved equaliser. At full time Dundalk players were visibly out on iheir feet
as they received a standing ovation from the crowd. It was back to reality in
the away leg, Dundalk going down 6-0, four goals coming from Rene Van der
Kerkof. Ritchie Blackmore was injured late on in the game and Tommy
McConville took over in goals because both subs had been used.
Dundalk's first entry into the Cup Winners Cup was greeted with a draw
against crack Yugoslav team Hadjuk Split and they received a great ovation from
the crowd, who had paid £5,500 gate receipts, because they had conceded home
advantage for the first leg. The game against PSV the previous year had whetted
the appetite of the large crowd and they weren't to be disappointed as Cup Final
hero Terry Flanagan scored the winning goal with only six minutes left. After
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