Ciaran Kilduff and Dundalk are blasting their way through the Europa League with the kind of swagger that we're eternally told Irish football cannot carry, making the slick progression of Stephen Kenny's side all the more satisfying.
Firstly, they rescued a draw away to AZ Alkmaar, and now they've beaten Macabbai Tel Aviv 1-0 thanks to Ciaran Kilduff's goal. In doing so, they were rewarded with the greatest honour in Irish football: a remuneration of €360,000 otherwise known as the FAI CEO's annual salary.
@DundalkFC Absolutely outstanding 👍 https://t.co/y0d1JoCuXK
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) September 29, 2016
It was another great performance and the result for the Irish champions, with renewed calls to recognise the superb managerial talents of Stephen Kenny, with an eye on the Irish job in the future.
So what has been your favourite moment of Dundalk's European odyssey? The clinical and holistic dismantling of BATE Borisov, and Stephen O'Donnell's iconic post-game interview? The size of the crowd at the Aviva as the rain sluiced down during the Legia Warsaw game? Robbie Benson's astonishing volley in the return game in Poland? Or either of Ciaran Kilduff's goals in the group stage thus far?
Among the many great stories and memorable moments, one has emerged ahead of them all. It comes via Today FM's Phillip Egan who reveals how humble Dundalk remain in astonishing victory:
Ciaran Kilduff scores the winner against Maccabi & after I interviewed him he asked me was I alright for a lift #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld
— Phil Egan (@philegansport) September 29, 2016
Compare Kilduff's outlook to that of Manchester United's Anthony Martial, who was determined not to stop for journalists in the mixed zone at Old Trafford last night:
If you're going to skip the mixed zone there's no point being subtle as @ManUtd 's Anthony Martial proves @PAdugout pic.twitter.com/8flt0bBByM
— Rich McCarthy (@VJRichMcCarthy) September 29, 2016
Marvellous.
Dundalk continue to light Tallaght with their bliss.
