Dundalk star Daryl Horgan ready to vent Euro frustrations on Cork City

Not even the consolation of having scored his first ever goal in Europe in the same week that he was called into the Republic of Ireland provisional squad for the first time could raise a smile from Daryl Horgan as he left the Petrovsky Stadium in St Petersburg on Thursday night.

However, the 24-year-old winger’s spirits will be quickly lifted from Dundalk’s 2-1 defeat to Zenit if he and his team-mates can get the better of Cork City in Sunday’s FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium to complete the double-double.

Horgan showed why he was named PFAI Player of the Year when he latched onto a poor header from Domenico Criscito in the 52nd minute to burst clear and claim a superb equaliser for Stephen Kenny’s side.

Just as in Tallaght two weeks earlier, it looked like Dundalk were en route to an historic result, until Giuliano struck for a late winner to leave them crushed.

“I wouldn’t say the goal is a silver lining,” said Horgan afterwards.

“We didn’t pick up any points over the two games, which was our aim and we were very, very close twice.

“Zenit are top class and miles ahead of us in terms of the size of the club and the established players that they have but we were very close to picking up something here and unfortunately we couldn’t.

“It’s very disappointing. We were the width of a post away from picking up a draw in St Petersburg. It’s tough to take right now,” he said.

Even the fact that the other result in Group D — Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 0-0 draw with AZ Alkmaar — means that Dundalk will travel to Israel on December 8 with a chance to reach the last 32 of the Europa League wasn’t cheering Horgan up.

“That’s unbelievable. I don’t think anyone would have envisaged it at the start but that’s not really helping me at the minute,” he said.

“It’s a sickening blow. I know Zenit were probably the better side and had the better chances but hitting the post twice in the game, sometimes it just doesn’t go your way.

“Fortunately we’re still second and it’s still in our hands but Zenit have already topped the group so you don’t really know what squad they’ll play (in the final two games) and what motivation they will have to play a full strength team. That will be a tough one but it’s still in our hands.

“I’d feel confident that we will get out of this group but it’s still going to be difficult,” he said.

Dundalk returned from St Petersburg yesterday evening but will link up again this evening ahead of tomorrow’s FAI Cup final — a game which has a potential to lift everyone’s mood.

“I’m down now but hopefully we’ll be celebrating on Sunday,” said Horgan.

“It’s going to be a tough game. Cork are a very good side as well and it will definitely be a different game than tonight.

“Hopefully we’ll have a lot more of the ball. They’ve had all week to prepare but we won’t be making any excuses. We’re well used to this now at this stage.

“We knew this was going to be the situation so hopefully we can just get the heads on and a win on Sunday will be the aim. The Zenit game is done and dusted and the cup final is what it’s all about now,” he said.