Ireland call-ups boost Dundalk

Dundalk’s trip to Russia received a welcome boost yesterday with Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle included in Martin O’Neill’s provisional 35-man squad for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Austria.

It was just the tonic the squad needed after something of a false start the day before when their chartered flight was delayed by more than six hours, resulting in them not arriving in the team hotel until around midnight.

The international call-ups were the talk of the squad yesterday in the build-up to tonight’s Europa League clash with Zenit St Petersburg at the Petrovsky Stadium (kick-off 6pm, live on eirSport). Both Boyle and Horgan were understandably chuffed at the honour but, as has been typical of Dundalk in recent years, they now want more.