The Aviva Stadium was the setting as Dundalk took on Arsenal in their final Europa League game of this campaign. Having just won the FAI Cup at the weekend, the Lilywhites would have been in good spirits going into the game, despite being already eliminated from qualifying. They produced a respectable, spirited display but Dundalk finished the group stage with 0 points as Arsenal claimed a 4-2 victory.

Unfortunately for Dundalk, it didn’t take Arsenal long to get going. Eddie Nketiah found the net after 12 minutes. The goal came as a result of a mistake from defender Andy Boyle, his clearance was closed down by the Arsenal striker before he closed down on goal and finished calmly into the net.

They had their second just minutes later. This time it was a wonderstrike. Mohamed Elneny struck from well outside the box and the ball floated into the top corner, leaving no chance for Gary Rogers.

With the scoreline at 2-0 after 18 minutes, most would have expected a long night for Dundalk. That wasn’t the case, though. Dundalk didn’t panic and got their own back in the 22^nd minute. The goalscorer was Jordan Flores and it was a typical strike from him. He picked up a loose ball before playing a 1-2 with Michael Duffy and smashing into the back of the net from just inside the box.

Opportunities were few and far between afterwards, but Dundalk very nearly equalized in the dying embers of the first half. Darragh Leahy got on the end of a cross and his shot appeared to be goal bound, but it was blocked and went out for a corner which led to nothing.

The first half finished 2-1 to Arsenal but Dundalk should have been proud of their first half display. Despite being outclassed in the beginning of the game, they came back and didn’t look out of place despite the difference in reputation between the two teams.

Dundalk started the second as they ended the first by matching Arsenal in quality and producing a handful of decent attacking moves, albeit without any chances.

Their hard work was all but undone in the 67^th minute, though. Joe Willock scored for Arsenal after a succession of defensive mistakes/frailties from Dundalk. Despite not being a natural goalscorer, Willock also netted against Dundalk in October.

Arsenal got their 4^th of the night in the 79^th minute. Young striker Folarin Balogun was the scorer. He was afforded far too much space as he was playing in before he coolly slotted past Gary Rogers.

Dundalk deserved to decrease the deficit given their display on the night and they did so in the 85^th minute. Sean Hoare rose highest to meet a free kick with the back of his head which ended up in the back of the net.

The match finished 4-2 as Dundalk’s Europa League campaign ended while Arsenal advanced to the knockout stage. The scoreline was perhaps slightly harsh on Dundalk who remained competitive for much of the match.

FT: Dundalk FC 2-4 Arsenal ⁣
⁣
The curtain comes down on our UEFA Europa League Group B campaign – and an eventful season – with a spirited display against Arsenal at the Dublin Arena.⁣ The lads did us proud tonight. Great effort.

@sportsfile ⁣
⁣#CmonTheTown #UEL pic.twitter.com/teQF6bUfae

— DundalkFC (@DundalkFC) DECEMBER 10, 2020

The post Dundalk defeated by Arsenal in final Europa League group game appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Goals from Sean Murray and Jordan Flores contributed to a Dundalk victory as they kept their (slim) title hopes alive. This evening’s game was the Lilywhites’ final preparation for their European tie against Molde on Thursday. They’ll be hoping they can produce a similarly professional performance against the Norwegian league champions.

Dundalk were the first to strike after an early goal from Sean Murray to make it 1-0. Murray unleashed a rocket into the top right corner with 7 minutes on the clock after good build up down the left. It was only Murray’s fourth league start this season, but he certainly made an impression this evening which will give his manager a selection headache come Thursday.

What a finish from Murray

GOAL | @derrycityfc 0-1 @DundalkFC

7 | Brilliant football from the Lilywhites and Murray fires the ball home

WATCH LIVE | https://t.co/IBZkINEa20#WATCHLOI | 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 pic.twitter.com/IlXLmsmBlF

— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) OCTOBER 19, 2020

It wasn’t long afterwards in the 14^th minute that Dundalk got their second. Conor Clifford won’t want to watch the goal back as it was his mistake that led to the opportunity. A poor back pass from the midfielder handed Jordan Flores an opportunity he couldn’t miss as he tapped in from close range. Flores has scored some spectacular goals this season but this one certainly won’t make any goal of the season compilation. Still though, a goal’s a goal and it helped Dundalk come out on top in the end.

Derry struck back on 18 minutes with a Darren Cole header after an inswinging free kick from Adam Hammill. Cole has made a habit of scoring against Dundalk since joining Derry, he’s now scored 3 goals against the Lilywhites after he netted this evening.

The next chance of the game fell to Dundalk. Sean Murray produced some good play down the right before crossing into Sean Murray, but the former Watford man failed to get his second of the night as he shot wide.

Derry could have got the equaliser after 36 minutes when Meite was afforded a chance after some good high pressing from Derry, but he shot safely into Aaron McCarey’s hands.

Not long after Derry had another opportunity. This time is was Walter Figueira who struck a venomous shot but McCarey got down well once again as he palmed the ball away. Figueira was arguably Derry’s best player of the first half as he consistently caused problems for Dundalk with his pace and close control, but unfortunately for him his threatening play didn’t end with the ball in the back of the net. Figueira’s chance was the last opportunity of the first half.

After a turbulent first half – particularly in the first 20 minutes – the second half failed to live up to expectations.

It was a drab affair as both teams struggled to fashion any opportunities.

Derry were the most threatening side in the second half as they consistently tried to break down the Dundalk defence, but to little avail. They had two half chances with 80 minutes played but Aaron McCarey produced two good saves to keep out Clifford and Malone.

Dundalk had one opportunity from a free kick in the 91^st minute to seal their victory but McEleney failed to get enough power on the shot to trouble the keeper.

The match finished 2-1 to Dundalk after a unremarkable second half.

Full-time here at the Brandywell and #DundalkFC take all three points with a 2-1 win!

— DundalkFC (@DundalkFC) OCTOBER 19, 2020

Here were the teams on the night:

Dundalk: McCarey; Gannon, Cleary, Boyle, Leahy; Murray (Mountney), Flores (Hoban), Colovic (McEleney), Sloggett, Duffy (Dummigan); McMillan (Shields).

Derry: Cherrie; Coll, Cole (Horgan), Harkin, Toal; Hammill, Clifford, Malone (Thomson), McJannet, Figueira; Meite (Bruna).

The post Review: Dundalk defeat Derry at the Brandywell appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.