Dundalk dreams come true

TYNAN'S TAKE: COLUMN BY STUART TYNAN

WHAT a night for Irish soccer and the League of Ireland.

Dundalk FC became the first Irish side to twice qualify for the UEFA Europa League group stages after beating Faroese champions Ki Klaksvik last week.

It is certainly vindication for manager Filippo Giovagnoli, whose appointment certainly raised more than a few eyebrows but this has gone a long way to proving his worth after securing their place in the group stages, which will be worth €3 million to the club. In these times, that is a huge sum of money for Dundalk.

There will also be some interest from these parts as John Mountney, formerly of Kiltimagh/Knock United and Ballina Town, has been part of this Dundalk side for the past eight years and it will be great to see him on the European stage once more.

As for their group, by Europa League standards they have received somewhat of a glamour draw, with Molde, Rapid Vienna and Arsenal in their group.

As things stands it looks unlikely crowds will be at their home games, which is a real shame. But UEFA's announcement to allow attendances of up to 30 per cent (with no away fans) at European matches, subject to local restrictions, gives them a chance. Let's hope some sort of crowd can attend. It will make it that much sweeter.

CONNOLLY CALLS IT A DAY

IT was music to the ears of all of the Dubs rivals with the news last week that Diarmuid Connolly is to retire from inter-county football.

I cannot think of another footballer over the past decade who has polarised opinion like Connolly.

For some, he is the most naturally gifted footballer in the country, a god among the Dublin faithful, capable of producing moments of sheer genius and winning a game almost by himself. Plenty of games spring to mind: his performance in that classic All-Ireland semi-final with Kerry in 2013, his near one-man demolition job of Castlebar Mitchels with his club St. Vincent's in the All-Ireland club final earlier that year as well that pass to Ciaran Kilkenny in last year's All-Ireland final (he meant it, you can't convince me otherwise!)

His duals also with Lee Keegan during Mayo's battles with Dublin over the 2010s are the stuff of legend. Lee always did have the upper hand on him in their individual battles, even though I'm sure Lee would gladly exchange that statistic for an All-Ireland winners medal.

There is the other side, also. His talent was blighted by disciplinary issues on the pitch and off it also as well as a lingering feeling that despite all his ability and all he has won, including six All-Irelands, 11 Leinster titles and four NFL titles with Dublin as well as two All-Ireland, four Leinster and five Dublin titles with St. Vincent's, he could have done even more had he kept those issues in check.

I'm sure there will be plenty of debate about that. But one thing you can say even with the strength in depth that still remains in Dublin's forward line, someone of Connolly's gifts will be missed in that set-up.

And that will be a huge lift to all of the Dubs rival in the quest for Sam this winter.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

SPORT can bring us moments which very few aspects of life, if any, can replicate.

At Celtic Park last Sunday in the CMR League Two fixture between Castlebar Celtic B and Ballyvary Blue Bombers, it was a truly special moment for Stevie Ryan as he lined out with his son Ethan Minogue. What made it even better was that Stevie scored the opener for Celtic before his son fired in the winner later on.

Incredibly for Stevie he was in the same position as his son on numerous occasions lining up with his father Kevin, most notably as part of Celtic's last Connaught Cup-winning side back in 2003.

I wonder will Kevin be getting his boots on next!

*You can read Stuart's full column every Tuesday in our print edition.