Derry and Saints fly Irish flag in Europa League

Ireland will have two sides to cheer in the third qualifying round of the 2009 Europa League after Derry and St Patricks both secured aggregate victories in the second qualifying round of the tournament on Thursday night.

St Patricks secured passage to the next round of the 2009 Europa League courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate victory over Valetta. The Irish side managed to clinch a crucial goal ten minutes into the match, and the resulting 1-0 scoreline proved sufficient to win the tie.

“I am over the moon, it is by far the biggest result of my career to date, to do it with 10 men in the searing heat I couldn’t be more proud of the players,” Saints manager Jeff Kenna told the Irish Times after the match.

“The game plan was to pass the ball because of the heat. Irish teams are more renowned for the blood and thunder, up and at ‘em type football, and playing with fantastic tempo and passion in the tackle.”

Meanwhile, Derry also achieved a 1-0 victory in front of their faithful at Brandwell on Thursday evening. The win gave Derry a 2-1 aggregate win over Latvia’s Skonto Riga, despite the home side fielding an under-strength team for the match.

Crusaders were less fortunate than Derry and St Patricks on the night, falling 4-2 to Macedonian side Rabotnicki. The result secured the Macedonians a 5-3 aggregate win against the Irish part-timers.