UPDATE: After a dramatic late penalty Celtic joined Dundalk in the final qualifying round for the Champions’ League last night. They are one of five potential opponents the SSE Airtricity Champions could face in the draw which will be made in Switzerland tomorrow.
The others are Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus, Legia Warsaw of Poland, Red Bull Salzburg of Austria and Viktoria Plnek of the Czech Republic, all Champions of their own league and all just one roadblock away from history and a not so small fortune for Stephen Kenny’s side.
August 3rd, 2016
Dundalk FC guaranteed themselves an extended stay in Europe with a spectacular win over BATE Borisov in the Champions’ League Qualifying stage last night and are now a single two legged tie away from the group stage of the richest football tournament in the world.
They will learn their opponents on Friday and it could be Celtic who face Astana in their second leg tonight.
Dundalk have now secured a guaranteed income from UEFA of €7million and that would rise to a minimum of €12 million should they overcome the next hurdle.
Regardless of that the amount they have ‘in the bank’ is equal to the total amount of Government Funding for Youth Sport through investment in the GAA, Rugby and Soccer in the current year.
It is over half of the entire media rights payment which the GAA will seek from the current negotiation of a new three year term.
It is a greater sum for one year than any single sports sponsorship deal signed in Ireland.
This is in every way a massive result for Dundalk who were on the verge of extinction four short years ago but now stand on the edge of an achievement which no League of Ireland club has previously managed.
Even if they lose they are now guaranteed access to the group stage of the Europa League, where they could yet be joined by Cork City who’s own date with destiny comes at a sold out Turners Cross this Thursday.
With 47,000 Irish soccer fans packing the Aviva Stadium on Saturday to see the pre-season friendly between Celtic and Barcelona, the question will arise now of how Irish soccer can take the right steps to capitalise on the Dundalk success.
Last night’s game was played at Tallaght Stadium and the rest of the European adventure will also have to take place away from Oriel Park in Dundalk which is too small for UEFA matches at this level.
Should part of the money earned be invested in exploring whether the Aviva Stadium should become the Euro home for the season? Should the investment in underwriting that cost be made by the FAI in a roll of the dice to entice floating soccer fans to experience the thrill of top flight action on their own doorstep?
It’s a complex question given the tribal nature of sport. While most domestic fans will have applauded Dundalk’s success, many more will begrudge it.
Many more again would still turn out to watch Arsenal, Man City or Leicester City if they were drawn to play against Dundalk.
The point though is to look beyond today and see if we can visualise a tomorrow when the triumph of an Irish team in Europe is expected rather than feeling like it is ripped from the pages of a fantasy storybook.
The groundwork for that potential sea change has been laid by the players and management of Dundalk. It will be fascinating to see where the next step leads to…
Image credit: Inpho.ie
