Molde come from behind to defeat Dundalk in Europa League group stages opener

The home match for the Dublin side was played at their neighbours’ Shamrock Rovers’ Tallaght Stadium, who took the Irish Champions’ title off Dundalk last week after being crowned league winners.

UEFA will not allow Dundalk to play their Europa League home ties at their own Stadium, Oriel Park, so the Dublin side have been forced to play at other venues in the city.

They have opted to play most of their matches at the National Aviva Stadium but that was unavailable for the Molde tie as the stadium was being used for preparations ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations rugby match against Italy.

Dundalk started the game well and in the 25th minute they had put the ball in the back of the Molde net after Pat Hoban headed it home. The referee however ruled it out for a push from the Dundalk striker.

Ten minutes later Dundalk’s Mountney picked out the head of Sean Murray with a pinpoint cross and he scored another good header for Dundalk in Europe. it was a beautiful glancing header to make it 1-0 after 35 minutes.

Molde started the second half with a greater degree of urgency and lifted the pace of the match up and were passing the ball around at a greater pace with Dundalk trying to hang on to their slender lead.

In the 62nd minute Dundalk couldn’t hang on any longer and Etzaz Husain hit a left-footed volley from the edge of the box which deflected off Sean Gannon to take it past Gary Rogers in the Dundalk goal to make it 1-1.

In the 73rd minute the pressure became too much again.

Ohi Omoijuanfo completed the comeback for the Norwegians from the penalty spot after a trip from Sean Gannon.

He stroke it low and hard into the corner giving Gary Rogers no chance. It was a bitter blow to Dundalk who by this stage were looking very tired.

Up next for the Dublin side in the Europa League is a trip to London to play Arsenal.