Dundalk took home an incredible result in their European Conference League qualifier on Thursday night, and it was thanks in no small part to a wonder goal from Patrick McEleney
The Lilywhites were taking on Vitesse Arnhem of the Netherlands in round three of qualifying for the new UEFA competition. They went 1-0 down early on, as Matus Bero put the Dutch side in front - but McEleney soon came to the rescue.
Patrick McEleney goal the highlight of a great night for Dundalk
With 25 minutes to go in the second half, Dundalk got an equaliser on the board, with McEleney nodding home with a neat header.
What a header! @DundalkFC are level at the GelreDome.
What an outstanding header from Patrick McEleney to draw Dundalk level with Dutch side Vitesse.
65' Vitesse 1-1 @DundalkFC
Sign up 📺 | https://t.co/sVFqVgEguX#LOITV | #LOI pic.twitter.com/p2U188UT0C— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) August 5, 2021
It was his second goal, though, that lit up the tie.
With fourteen minutes to play, Dundalk broke away, and McEleney was left one on one with the Vitesse keeper. The Derryman stayed as cool as you like, and safely navigated a backtracking defender before dinking the ball over the keeper for a sensational goal to put Dundalk 2-1 up.
OH MY WORD! That is special from Patrick McEleney! 😲@DundalkFC have come from behind to lead against Vitesse, and what a goal it was from McEleney!
Unbelievable skill, composure, and audacity to pull off the finish. WOW. 🤯
Sign up 📺 | https://t.co/sVFqVgEguX#LOITV | #LOI pic.twitter.com/JEkQ7WdKcZ— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) August 5, 2021
It truly was an incredible goal, and it should have capped off a famous win for Dundalk, but a late equaliser for Vitesse took some of the shine off the result.
Still, though, Dundalk's result is another marker of the improving performance of Irish clubs in Europe. Vitesse finished fourth in a strong Eredivisie last season, so for Dundalk to get a result from the away leg will give them huge confidence ahead of next week's second leg.
The draw in the Netherlands comes hot off the heels of another fine result for Irish football, as Bohemians took a shock 2-1 win over Greek side PAOK in the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night.
It's all square ahead of the second leg next week.
After trailing to Matus Bero's first-half goal, Patrick McEleney pulled us level with a great header before scoring an absolute wondergoal but Lois Openda's 88th-minute goal levelled it.
FT: Vitesse 2-2 Dundalk FC pic.twitter.com/TlnzQIqba7— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) August 5, 2021
Patrick McEleney is playing out his final season as a Dundalk player, with a return to his hometown club of Derry City imminent at the end of the year - but he has left Dundalk fans with memories of a sensational goal at a crucial point in their European history.
After what has been a difficult year for Dundalk, the result against Vitesse will give real hope that their European dreams are still alive.
SEE ALSO: Brilliant Bohs Stun Greek Giants PAOK As The Aviva Rocks To Its Core
