THIS is what FAI Cup ties should be about the non league side giving their all against opposition from the National League.
Yesterday, at a blustery Paddy Mahony Park, Whitehall Rangers, from the Leinster Senior League made life very uneasy for the Premier Division outfit. And in the end they were full value for their scoreless draw and another opportunity to cause an upset.
Granted, they had their backs against the wall for long period and were fortunate to see four efforts from Dundalk hit the woodwork. But their battling performance merits another bite the cherry.
Dundalk, minus the suspended trio of David Crawley, Tom McNulty and Robbie Devereux, were forced to endure many nervous moments as they met a solid Whitehall Rangers defensive unit. So much so that manager John Hewitt withdrew both his strikers Brendan Markey and Peter Withnell after 77 minutes after they had failed to create any serious openings.
Yet the replacements of Joe Gallen and Joe Hanrahan still struggled to find gaps in the defence, although Gallen did see his header five minutes before the end of extra time come crashing off the crossbar.
That was one of four efforts during the 120 minutes that beat Whitehall goalkeeper Alan Sullivan, but hit the woodwork.a After just 10 minutes Fintan McConville hit the upright, after 87 minutes O'Sullivan did exceptionally well to push Brian Byrne's shot onto the crossbar, while in the 112th minute Byrne, again, headed against the crossbar.
But the finish by Dundalk contrasted greatly with their start to the match. Inside the first minute, goalkeeper Les Fridge was penalised for collecting a back pass. Fortunately for him, Rangers rushed the free kick and Dundalk safely cleared the danger.
And before they had time to recover their composure, Damien Doyle had tested the Dundalk goalkeeper from 20 yards after, just two minutes. Then after seven minutes Doyle crossed for John Duffy, who blasted over from close range. It wasn't the start the National League side were hoping for.
On 62 minutes it looked as if Dundalk would make the breakthrough. Brian Byrne teased the Whitehall defence, before slipping the ball through to Ray Campbell, whose well struck shot was superbly saved by O'Sullivan.
But perhaps the best chance of, the game came seven minutes into extra time when Whitehall had an ideal opportunity to take the lead. Former Dundalk man Mick Kavanagh pulled Fridge out of position and picked out the unmarked Doyle just inside the area, but the number nine fired wide of an empty goal.
