European Draws made for Irish

Irish clubs have had their annual flirtations with Europe this week as Sportspeak’s League Of Ireland Editor Michael Duffy reports;

Irish clubs enjoyed good results in European competition this week. Bohemians held Red Bull Salzburg (Austria) to a 1-1 draw away in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Second Round Qualifying tie. The Gypsies fell behind on 25 minutes when Milan Dudic rose highest at a corner and headed the hosts in front. Brian Murphy made a crucial penalty save to keep Bohs in the game. Bohemians were rewarded for their fine effort on 60 minutes when Jason Byrne knocked a header down into the path of Joseph Ndo and the Cameroon striker made no mistake from close range. 

Tam McManus scored a crucial away goal for Derry City in their Europa League Second Round Qualifying match as they drew 1-1 away to Skonto Riga (Latvia). Derry fell behind on 17 minutes when Igors Kozlovs headed past Gerard Doherty from 12 yards.

St Patrick’s Athletic will be a bit disappointed with their 1-1 home draw with Valletta (Malta) in their Europa League Second Round Qualifying match on Thursday evening. Jeff Kenna’s side took the lead on 37 minutes when debutant Declan O’Brien scored.  Valletta equalised when Gilbert Agius finished well on 65 minutes.

The draws were made for the next round of the competitions in Switzerland this morning.
Bohemians will play either FC Pyunik (Armenia) or NK Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) if the progress in the Champions league.
In the Europa cup if St. Pat’s progress they will face a difficult trip to Russia to meet PFC Krylya Sovetov Samara
Derry City will meet CSKA Sofia if they progress. Both Irish clubs would have home advantage in the first leg on July 30th with the return leg set for August 6th

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