Drogheda primed for dream Dynamo tie

Massive fixture
A Graham Gartland goal in Estonia last Wednesday earned Drogheda a 1-0 win against FC Levadia Tallinn to seal a 3-1 aggregate triumph in their first-ever tie in this competition. That set up a second qualifying round meeting with two-time UEFA Cup winners Dynamo tonight at Bohemian FC's Dalymount Park, as Drogheda's United Park ground does not meet UEFA criteria. "It's the biggest game in Dublin since Shelbourne [FC] played [RC] Deportivo La Coruña in 2004," said Drogheda manager Paul Doolin.

European heritage
Hammered 14-0 on aggregate in their debut European tie, a 1983/84 UEFA Cup first round fixture against Tottenham Hotspur FC, Drogheda have been transformed with a move to full-time football in 2003. They are now playing in their third successive European season, but their first in Europe's top club competition. "There have been ups and downs concerning the [Irish] league this year, so to win in Tallinn is great," said Doolin. "It was a very, very good away performance. To win both legs was great. When we got the report on them I felt it was going to be a tight enough tie. I didn't think it would be an easy game to win but I felt we were in with a shout."

Gartland vindicated
Defender Gartland, meanwhile, was delighted to have redeemed himself by earning this tie after the worst week of his career, having blamed himself for the goal conceded against Levadia in the first leg Dublin as well as a penalty given away in a league defeat to Cork City FC. "I was at rock bottom for a while, especially after the Cork game," he said. "I came over to Estonia with my head in my hands and I didn't come out of the hotel room for two days. It's been a tough week. To pop up with the goal here is a bit ironic. But, that's football."

Irish underdogs
Captain Stuart Byrne is realistic about their chances. "The reality is they are the overwhelming favourites," he said. "We've no problem being the underdogs, no problem at all. Irish teams and Irish sports people in general have thrived in the past on being the underdogs. When we have nothing left in the tank we have this ability to bounce back and push on to a higher level."


Dynamo assessment
Dynamo, meanwhile, have been keeping a close eye on their Irish adversaries as they begin their bid to reach the group stage for the eleventh time in 12 seasons. "Our opponents play a very simple game using long balls forward and set pieces," said Dynamo assistant coach Valeriy Zuev. "Anyway, I fully agree with my colleague Sergei Ovchinnikov, who watched Drogheda's first leg against Levadia Tallinn – we absolutely must beat Drogheda."