They made tough work of it but David McMillan’s early strike was enough to see Dundalk overcome Inter Club d’Escalades 1-0 at the Estadi Comunal in Andorra last night to set up a Europa League third qualifying date with Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova next Thursday.
Filippo Giovagnoli’s side were full value for the win but looked as though they might have been made pay for failing to add to their 14th-minute lead when Andy Boyle was sent-off in the 58th minute for a second yellow card by Belarusian official Viktor Shimusik.
Despite their numerical advantage, Inter Club - who also had Genís Soldevila sent-off in the 93rd minute - failed to cut through a stubborn Dundalk defence.
The visitors were dominant from the off and it was no surprise when they made the breakthrough on 14 minutes. Michael Duffy found space to slip McMillan in on the right and he made no mistake with a cool finish past Josep Gomes for the ninth European goal of his career.
Dundalk had several chances to add to their lead after that with Duffy, Greg Sloggett, McMillan and Sean Murray all going close.
By contrast, Inter Club would only threaten for the first time on 41 minutes when a header across the box broke to Soldevila, who was denied by a superb Chris Shields block.
Murray would hit the post in stoppage time at the end of the half from a free kick but Dundalk struggled to get going after the restart and were reduced to 10 men on 58 minutes when Boyle picked up a harsh second yellow for a foul on Marc Puyol.
Soldevila had three late chances as Adfonso Baines’ men pushed for an equaliser but passed up each of them before seeing red himself following two bookings in quick succession in stoppage time.
Milan ease past the Hoops
AC Milan have defeated Shamrock Rovers 2-0 at Tallaght Stadium in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.
Milan dominated the early exchanges and created a number of chances for Rovers keeper Alan Mannus to deal with.
It looked ominous for the home side because of how Milan held onto the ball, but Rovers did get some joy on the break.
Forward Aaron Greene had one of the best chances in the game for Rovers when he forced Milan keeper Donnarumma into making a great save to keep them in it.
Rovers did well repelling Milan's attack but after 22 minutes, Zlatan Ibrahimovic ghosted in between Rovers' two centre backs to slot home.
Rovers continued to threaten on the break as Greene forced a corner when he won the ball from an acute angle on the right hand side.
In the second half, Milan ramped up the pressure and the home side could not get out of their own half for large spells.
The visiting team created a number of chances but Rovers continued to deny them a second goal.
In the 67th minute though, Hakan Çalhanoğlu had the ball played to him outside the box and he smashed into the top right hand corner.
It effectively ended the game and despite a late surge from Rovers, Milan ran out comfortable winners in the end.
Elsewhere, Tottenham will be in North Macedonia to play Shkendija after coming from behind to beat nine-man Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2-1.
Robbie Brady scored the decisive penalty in Burnley's shootout win over Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup.
Brighton hammered Portsmouth 4-nil, but Wolves were beaten 1-nil at home by Championship side Stoke City.
