1987 European Cup Winners Cup v Ajax Amsterdam
The story of this match was how Dundalk managed to contain an Ajax team, containing no less than 11 internationals, to just 3 shots at goal for 65 minutes until an incredibly unluck deflection broke Dundalk’s spirit and gave Ajax the lead. This opened the floodgates and Ajax went on to win 4-0.
Early on Alan O’Neill denied Van TSchip and Johnny Bosman hit the post but Joey Malone, John Cleary and Harry McCue were keeping the Ajax attack at bay. Bosman tested O’Neill again in the minute before the break. Ajax were jeered off the pitch at half time. Ajax were much improved after the break. This was due to two reasons: the introduction of Frank Stapleton and Frank Rijkaard’s superb performance. Still the Dundalk defence held out despite Stapleton shooting wide on two occasions. Then, on 65 minutes, came disaster for Dundalk. Rijkaard hit a powerful drive from 25 yards that took a wicked deflection off a Dundalk defender and dropped under the bar giving O’Neill no chance. To Dundalk’s credit they didn’t fold after this goal and it took a tremendous 25 yards strike by Danny Blind to break them again. Substitute Aaron Winter scored in the 81st minute before Rijkaard set up Stapleton for the fourth on 87 minutes.
The Dundalk team that night was: O’Neill, Lawless, Lawlor, McCue, Malone, Shelly, Murray, Wyse, Kehoe, Cleary, Eviston, Newe Sub: Gorman for Eviston
In the second leg, Dundalk were eliminated 6-0 on aggregate after an entertaining match in Oriel Park in front of a disappointing crowd of 4500. The highlight of the game was the performance of Dundalk goalkeeper Alan O’Neill who, more so than ever after this performance, was the man that a lot of people wanted to see selected as Packie Bonner’s understudy in the national side. O’Neill’s heroics started in the seventh minute. Gino Lawless was adjudged to have tripped Rob Witscge and the referee pointed to the spot. It looked a clear dive but Dundalk’s fans anger turned to joy after O’Neill guessed correctly to save Spelbos’ penalty. That save lifted Dundalk and they played with much more composure. When Ajax did break through O’Neill was equal to the challenge. O’Neill’s best save was a 20 yard shot from Bosman that he brilliantly tipped over the bar. Larry Wyse had a rare Dundalk chance when he shot from distance but Menzo saved easily.
In the 2nd half Dundalk began creating more opportunities. On 51 minutes Joey Malone sent Dessie Gorman through with a great pass. With only Menzo to beat Gorman disappointingly shot wide. O’Neill then denied Witschge with another good save. Dundalk were holding their own in midfield and on the hour Paul Newe sent over a great cross that reached Gorman unmarked but he headed wide. Dundalk looked well capable of holding out for a 0-0 draw at least until a terrible piece of misfortune in the 72nd minute. Paul Newe had come back to help the under pressure Dundalk defence and, under no pressure at all, attempted to pass back to O’Neill. Newe did not notice that O’Neill had advanced off his line and his passback was too high and despite a despairing dive from O’Neill it ended up in the back of the net. Ajax added another on 87 minutes when O’Neill made a great save from Scholten only to see the rebound fall at the feet of Meijer who tapped the ball into the empty net.
The teams that night were: Dundalk: O’Neill, Lawless, Shelly, Murray, McCue, Malone, Wyse, Kehoe, Cleary, Gorman, Newe Subs: Eviston for Gorman Ajax: Menzo, Blind, Spelbos, Sholten, Winter, Bosman, Van’t Schip, Wounters, Stapleton, Muhren, Witschge. Subs: Meijer for Stapleton, J Witschge for Bosman
EYEWITNESS AJAX
Harry McCue
It was a great occasion. We kept them scoreless for 65 minutes before they got a goal from a deflection. I was marking Frank Stapleton that night.
John Cleary
We had very high standards under Turlough. We had a match in Galway on the Sunday and we were flying to Amsterdam the following day. The match in Galway was played in a downpour. We were 1-0 when Gino Lawless gave me a suicide pass. I tried to pass it on but it got stuck in the mud. Luckily the striker who won the ball missed but Turlough went beserk at me in the dressing room. We had a big row. Even on the train back to Dublin the row continued. The lads kept at me to calm down or I wouldn’t go to Amsterdam. I just said that’s fine if that’s the way it is. I was the first person to turn up at the airport and who was the next? Turlie! He just walked up to me and I thought he was going to tell me I wasn’t travelling. Instead he held out his hand and said “I was out of line” and apologised. I have nothing but the greatest respect for Turlie as a man or manager.
Larry Wyse
Ajax were an incredible team. In both games they were amazing. We could barely get a kick of the ball they kept possession so well. I remember the former Man United player Arnold Muhren playing that night. He was wonderful and at the end of the game there wasn’t a bead of sweat on his forehead! Those games were a great experience. We thought we were good players but it was a different level and we just chased shadows. It was not nice to be beaten though!
Paul Newe
It was terrible. I had twenty family and friends watching from the stand. I remember that we had a corner but Ajax won possession and started a counter-attack. I had just got an earful for not tracking back so I ran the length of the pitch to help out. I thought I was great getting back to defend! I won possession and, of course in those days you can pass the ball back, tried to chip the ball back to Alan but ended up chipping it into the top corner. However, despite that moment it was a magnificent experience to play against Ajax.
