Watch: Sean Murray header leaves Dundalk on the cusp of the Europa League group stage

Dundalk are 45 minutes away from becoming the first Irish side to twice reach the group stages of the Europa League.

Sean Murray’s goal just past the half-hour has the Lilywhites on the precipice of greatness as Filippo Giovagnoli looks to emulate Stephen Kenny’s class of 2016.

The Italian has only been in the job a matter of weeks but has already guided the champions through two rounds of qualifiers, beating Inter d’Escaldes and Sheriff Tiraspol away.

And his side lead at the break thanks to Sean Murray’s second goal in two games – and a very similar to the one that took the game in Tiraspol to extra time and penalties.

The former Ireland under-21 international nipped in ahead of KÍ keeper Kristian Joensen to nod Patrick Hoban’s header into the now unguarded net.

Daniel Cleary added a second early in the second half as he volleyed home a loose ball after KÍ failed to deal with a corner.

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