The Airtricity League champions are in Belarus for the first leg of the Champions League qualification tie against FC BATE Borisov and a sizeable contingent of loyal fans have made the journey with them.
MATCHDAY! #DFC play @FCBATE in @ChampionsLeague qualifier. KO 6.30pm (Irish). RT if you think the Lilywhites will win pic.twitter.com/HLk9dJJJq2
— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) July 15, 2015
Manager Stephen Kenny told dundalkfc.com that preparation has gone well.
“We’ll train well, we’ll prepare ourselves for the match and we’re all set to go,” he said.
“We have to prepare ourselves, get ourselves right and make sure that we are as best we can be.”
The Lilywhites are drawing on confidence from their domestic form to give them a boost in European competition.
“We have had just the one defeat in 25 matches so that gives the players confidence and they are in good form,” Kenny explained.
“This is another level up though from our domestic form. This is a different standard and we know that we have to go up to ensure that we compete.”
“We are very proud to be Ireland’s representatives in the Champions League. We worked so hard and earned that right.”
Exact same right? 😂 @ManUtd @DundalkFC #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/BSGW10lGvb
— Graham Byrne (@graham10g) July 14, 2015
The club’s fans share that pride, with many making the trip to Minsk and beyond with the team.
Safe travels everyone! Cmon dtown @DundalkFC ⚽️🏁⚽️🏁⚽️ pic.twitter.com/CRbegxT5Zx
— Yvonne Curtis (@dfc19690) July 13, 2015
It's #belarusbaby @DundalkFC pic.twitter.com/esoUxE3CqQ
— Gerard Lennon (@g1lennon) July 14, 2015
Looks like it’s going to be a serious party over there – let’s hope the players can give the fans a good reason to celebrate.