Dundalk now left needing a miracle

Dundalk 0 Legia Warsaw 2: Dundalk, as we know, have already won 3-0 against quality European opposition this season.

And now, if they are to keep their disintegrating Champions League dream alive, they will have to do the same again but in even more testing circumstances – away from home against Legia Warsaw next Tuesday, and without their inspirational skipper Stephen O’Donnell to boot.

That’s the punishing price the Irish champions are forced to pay after a debatable penalty decision and, even more cruelly, a second goal with the lack kick of the game gave Legia Warsaw the 2-0 win in Dublin which, barring a miracle of miracles, means Dundalk will not now become the first Irish club to contest the group stages of the Champions League.