Dundalk's season finally ended tonight with a 2-1 defeat in Tel Aviv. Even a victory wouldn't have sufficed as AZ Alkmaar beat a presumably half-interested Zenit in the group's other game. The Dutch side, who sat bottom with no wins from four matches a few weeks ago, progress from the group in second spot.
A needless mistake from Brian Gartland led to the concession of the first goal and a disappointing attempt at a save from Gary Rogers failed to prevent the winner just before half-time. In between, an OG/goal from Daryl Horgan (whichever you want) had given them hope. Dundalk's goal arrived after a characteristically slick attacking move.
This isn't very romantic talk but it is enlightening. Before they beat BATE Borisov in August, Dundalk's UEFA co-efficient rating was 2.59. This left them ranked at No. 359 in Europe.
To put that in perspective, Borisov, the team they dumped out of the Champions League, boasting a co-efficient of 34.00. This placed them at 64th in the European rankings.
As for their opponents in the Europa League group phase, Zenit sit 16th in Europe with a co-efficient of 84.746, Alkmaar are in 63rd spot with a co-efficient of 30.112. While Maccabi Tel Aviv are down in 89th spot on 21.225.
Real Madrid, for what its worth, are at No. 1 in the rankings, with a co-efficient rating of 154.171.
Dundalk's co-efficient rating was - and remains - dramatically poorer than all their other opponents in both the Champions League final playoff round and the Europa League group phase.
80 teams compete across both the Champions League and Europa League group phases. Dundalk started August on 359th in the rankings.
Thanks to their exploits, their co-efficient has jumped to 5.815 and they are now ranked 232 in Europe. Arcane stuff but important.
From a financial standpoint, Dundalk keeping pace with their rivals was miraculous. This detail attracted no end of admiration from foreign news outlets.
Zenit, who beat Dundalk 2-1 both home and away, spent €145 million on their current squad. Dundalk spent €20,000 in putting their squad together.
And Dundalk's success broke new ground for the League of Ireland. Shamrock Rovers were the only previous domestic side to reach the group stages of a European competition back in 2011-12 and they lost all six matches.
While Dundalk did reach the last 16 in the European Cup in 1979-80, this was achieved at a time when the European Cup was a much less engorged entity than it is now. It only entailed beating Linfield and Maltese champs Hibernians FC. Dundalk did put up a very good show against Celtic in the round of 16 that year, but all things considered, the success of the class of '79 wasn't on the scale as that of the 2016 crop.
Even the League's standing as a whole doesn't do full justice to Stephen Kenny's achievements. When he took over in late 2012, Dudalk were rooted at the bottom of the Premier Division. 11th out of the 11 teams that completed the League season that year. Monaghan United withdrew from the League altogether due to financial pressures. Dundalk survived a promotion/relegation playoff against Waterford United to retain their top flight status.
All agree that Dundalk's performance in Europe is the greatest of any Irish club in history. It is probably the greatest season any League of Ireland team has ever enjoyed. Had they not lost to Cork City in the FAI Cup Final, there would be no room for dispute on that.
Both before and after they beat Borisov in Tallaght in August, we asked a host of LOI experts and historians (Peter Byrne, Pat Fenlon, Pat Dolan, Stuey Byrne, John Dodge) whether Dundalk, already careering towards their third successive League title, were the greatest domestic club side ever assembled. Before the win over Borisov, practically none agreed with the proposition. The morning after, some of them were moved to revise their appraisal. Read that article here.
This tweet from Stephen Mullins, during the home tie against Zenit, illustrates the scale of their achievement as much as anything else.
When barman turns off Utd for Dundalk game..times have changed #EuropaLeague #DundalkZenit #HonTheTown
— Stephen Mullins (@Mully___) October 20, 2016
Even after the defeat, Dundalk players can bask in acclaim tonight.
Dundalk your all hero s anyway leave it all on the pitch V Maccabi Tel-Aviv you deserve this #Heros .
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) December 8, 2016
Hard luck Dundalk. Did Irish football proud this year. FAI need to seriously rethink the finish date of the season #EuropaLeague
— David Rossiter (@dprossiter) December 8, 2016
Disappointing end to the group but those lads have done themselves & their club so proud all year. Fair play to all ??⚽️?? #Dundalk
— Alan Cawley (@alancaw) December 8, 2016
It's over for Dundalk but boy am I proud. Absolutely unreal! ✊?. #LOIinEurope #
— Saoirse (@SaoirseT98) December 8, 2016
Not just there to make up the numbers. A great impression Dundalk have made on the European stage. Now a well deserved overdue piss up!!
— Brian O Donovan (@cremdementhe90) December 8, 2016
@dundalk nothing to be ashamed of tonight you have done Ireland proud throughout the Europa League campaign and great to watch well done
— Jonathan Giles (@Gilesy09) December 8, 2016
Meanwhile, Tony Scully can't believe that Dundalk's marathon season is actually over.
@Poblfc @johns3boys @JMcA66b @liam31f @BenjButton87 What cup do Dundalk go into now?
— tony scully (@scullytony) December 8, 2016
