Dundalk are now one game away from the Champions League group stages and are guaranteed at least a place in the Europa League.
It’s a stunning achievement for the side who went into last night’s crucial second leg a goal down against BATE Borisov.
Football fans rushed to congratulate them after their 3-0 victory, but when the FAI joined a lot of League of Ireland fans were unimpressed.
What an incredible night for the @SSEAirtricityLg and for Irish football! Well done @DundalkFC! 🇮🇪👊🏻🙌🏻 https://t.co/lDsxUxLX1Z
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) August 2, 2016
FAI CEO John Delaney’s reference to the League of Ireland as ‘a problem child’ came up a LOT – we’re guessing he sincerely regrets that line.
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg seriously, you now want to lap up the glory of something your CEO called a problem child? #jokeshop #delaneyout
— Kevin Mullen (@mullers75) August 2, 2016
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC @FCBATE @ChampionsLeague Not so much the problem child tonight then eh?
— Erika Ní Thuama (@Erika_2_me) August 2, 2016
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC @FCBATE @ChampionsLeague isnit the problem child to you! Failed a good product and never backed it!
— daniel lang (@daniellang7) August 2, 2016
There were many sarcastic references to the €5,000 per club in funding the FAI announced last week.
@FAIreland ah lads seriously it was extra 5,000 euros that did it. Ye are geniuses up there👍
— BH37 (@brianheneghan) August 2, 2016
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC You might consider giving them more than a measly £5,000 per club so.
— Timmy Birchall (@tbirchall) August 2, 2016
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC @FCBATE
— Adam Freeze (@AdamByrne123) August 2, 2016
That €5000 made all the difference 👌 Fair play lads. John Delaney is a genius.
And even more scornful references to Delaney’s well-known fondness for joining in fan celebrations.
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC is John Delaney in a chopper on his way to Tallaght with a load of drink vouchers??
— Eoin Scully (@Sculltown) August 2, 2016
@flanno7hi @Sculltown @FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC if its the northern train (they serve booze) he can put on a free bar too.
— TheOpelJersey (@TheOpelJersey) August 2, 2016
One word in particular kept getting mentioned.
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC @FCBATE @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/knMj1Av054
— Bohemian SC (@SCBohemian) August 3, 2016
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg @DundalkFC @FCBATE @ChampionsLeague ah welcome aboard the bandwagon! Bit late. But still good if you to stop by
— Colin Forde (@colinjforde) August 2, 2016
@FAIreland @SSEAirtricityLg not like the fai to hop on a band wagon
— Mark Thomas (@tarkmhomas) August 2, 2016
Oh dear, maybe it would have been better to say nothing.
