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Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle have been urged to go out with a bang in Israel.

The Republic of Ireland recruits face into their final game for Dundalk in tonight’s Europa League decider against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Centre-back Boyle has agreed to join Championship side Preston and wing wizard Horgan is close to joining him at Deepdale.

Securing a ticket to the Last 32 will be bittersweet for Lilywhites boss Stephen Kenny who is about to pay the price of success.

But in Netanya last night, he called on the pair to stand and deliver one last time and propel Dundalk to even greater heights.

If AZ Alkmaar fail to beat Zenit St Petersburg in Holland, the Irish champions will qualify for the knockout rounds if they get a score draw or better in Netanya.

(Image: Inpho)

Kenny said: “I won’t use the word sadness because that’s not the right word. It’s a little bit frustrating but that’s the way it is.

“‘I’ve huge respect for all the players and this is a great time in their lives, coming here and playing these matches.

“I’m not going to say carpe diem but they have to just f*****g grab the opportunity. It’s a great night of football and a real epic ending to try and qualify.

“If we got through it it would be special.”

And Kenny would love Horgan to cast another of his magic spells in Europe by signing off with a goal.

He said: “We saw it in St Petersburg when he was able to pull off that bit of brilliance and hopefully he can do it again.”

But while frustrated to lose two of his star players, Kenny admits he could not stand in Horgan or Boyle’s way.

“You don't like to lose them,” he said, getting slightly emotional. “Andy Boyle is a funny one. He's 25 now. He was our greatest hidden secret for the last four years.

“Then he gets into the international squad and it's like the emperor’s new clothes, everyone looks at him closely and say 'Jesus, he really is good'.

“But I wouldn't have been thinking that I don't want him in the squad in case he gets a move.

“You have to be true to the player and you have to be true to their potential. He's been outstanding and probably good enough to get into the international squad two years ago.”

A frustration for Dundalk is that both players will leave on free transfers as they are out of contract.

But it’s Catch 22 because players on the radar of English clubs are loathe to sign lengthier deals in Ireland as they know UK clubs are reluctant to pay a fee.

Kenny said: “You can't be critical, it's just the way it is. We might get into a position where we start thinking long-term.

“But if we made Daryl any sort of offer a year ago he wouldn't have signed it, and certainly with Richie Towell before that.”