Europa Conference League Qualifying Preview : Dundalk FC v FCB Magpies

DUNDALK FC

Following a goalless encounter in the sweltering Gibraltar heat last week, Dundalk host FCB Magpies in the second leg of their Europa Conference League Qualifier at Oriel Park on Thursday at 7.45pm

With the Lilywhites missing out on Europe last season, this is their first European encounter in front of a full house of home fans on the Carrick Road since the defeat to former Champions League Group Stage participants Qarabag in 2019.

Thursday’s game sees a reversal of fortunes as the Louth outfit have a stronger European pedigree of late than their Gibraltarian opponents who were only founded in 2013 and their Oriel Park excursion will only be their fourth European game, having themselves suffered an agonising defeat at the hands of Crusaders last season.

With the high temperatures playing a key role in the first leg and Dundalk coming into the game with very little background information on the Magpies, home fans will expect an entirely different encounter. Speaking to his club media, Dundalk FC Head Coach Stephen O’Donnell was relishing the game, “Oriel Park has been starved of European football since 2019 so there should be a really good atmosphere and we’re really looking forward to it,” he said. “It’s all to play for and the tie has to be won on the night so it’s a night we really want to savour.

“It’s a huge week for the club. After Thursday, we have an FAI Cup tie against Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park on Sunday; two huge games in the space of four days, but our full focus is on the Magpies.

“We want to be on a plane to Iceland or Wales next week for the second round. As a player, you want to be churning out games in Europe and travelling around Europe every second week. It makes you feel like a proper footballer.

“We’ll approach Thursday night in the right way and, hopefully, we get that little bit of luck and play to our ability which will give us a great chance of getting through.”

FCB Magpies

For their part, the Magpies arrive in Ireland knowing a single goal may send them through a round in Europe for the first time in their history.  While they were indebted to their goalkeeper Jaylan Hankins for a fantastic double save to preserve their clean sheet last week, manager Alfonso Cortijo may also be disappointed that his side don’t have a lead coming into the second leg. Dundalk defender Darragh Leahy saving his side with a goal line clearance before a late Magpies effort hopped beyond the post with Nathan Shepperd beaten.

In squad news, Magpies club captain Francisco Zuniga missed the first leg and may return to bolster the defence on Thursday. Similarly, Jack Storer- who had a lively first half as it was his effort repelled by Leahy- was replaced at the break and ex Cork City frontman Liam Nash- who took his place- could be in line for a start.

Referee: Patrik Kolaric (Croatia)

PREDICTION

Dundalk FC  3-1 FCB Magpies

Dundalk FC

Injured: Robbie Benson, John Mountney, Keith Ward, Darren Brownlie

Doubtful: Cameron Elliott

Suspended: None

FCB Magpies

Injured: None

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None