Derry City secure first-leg win over KuPS as Dundalk slump to defeat in Iceland

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FAI Cup holders Derry City secured a potentially big result in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night as they claimed a 2-1 win over Finnish side KuPS.

The Candystripes came into the first-leg of the tie off the back of a narrow aggregate win over HB Torshavn last week – but they moved through the levels against KuPS.

The Finnish side however took a first-half lead from the penalty spot.

Mark Connolly was adjudged to have handballed in his penalty area while attempting to block a shot with Axel Vidjeskog on hand to slot home from the spot.

But Derry responded well and levelled in the 69th minute.

Former Dundalk midfielder Will Patching powered home a thumping header from a Paul McMullan cross.

And just ten minutes later City were ahead in the tie.

Striker Cian Kavanagh broke free at the back post to nod home an inviting Michael Duffy cross – sending the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium into raptures.

That win means that Derry head to Finland next week with a slender one-goal advantage for the second leg of their tie.



The winners of this two-legged affair will play the victors of the tie between Basel and Tobol Kostanay.

The Kazakhstan side lead that tie 3-1 after the first leg, which they won away from home.

Meanwhile, Dundalk have it all to do if they are to reach the third qualifying round of the Conference League.

The Lilywhites slumped to a damaging 3-1 defeat against Icelandic side KA.

Daniel Kelly scored Dundalk’s only goal as strikes from Bjarni Adalsteinsson and Sveinn Hauksson (x2) did the damage.

If Stephen O’Donnell’s men manage to turn the tie around next week they are likely to play Club Brugge in the next round of qualifying.

The Belgians are on course to qualify after defeating Danish side Aarhus 3-0 in their respective first-leg tie on Thursday night.

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