Stephen Kenny: Dundalk still look good to qualify for Europa League knock-out stages

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny insists his side remain in a “good position” to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Europa League despite being left cursing their luck for the second time in a fortnight after losing out to Zenit St Petersburg in a snow-covered Petrovsky Stadium last night.

Just as in Tallaght two weeks ago, an error rather than brilliance proved their undoing against the Russians with the woodwork providing the ‘what might have been’ moment in either half.

Kenny’s side had been defensively brilliant for 42 minutes until Brian Gartland was caught in possession by Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who teed up Giuliano for the opener. The League of Ireland champions dared to dream, however, when Daryl Horgan equalised seven minutes into the second-half.