It’s all about the money for Champions League qualification

A disparity in resources off the pitch was eventually mirrored by those on the Lansdowne Road turf.

If Dundalk’s beating of BATE Borisov was deemed the scalp of the Champions League third round, then the outcome of this play-off was along more predictable lines.

Legia Warsaw’s first-leg victory was a lesson in game management, backboned by a stout first-half display and given flight afterwards through their risk-taking.