Europa Conference League Wrap: Shelbourne come through St Joseph’s test as Derry City crash out against Bruno’s Magpies

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Shelbourne have sealed their place in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League after coming through a tough battle against St Joseph’s of Gibraltar. 

But there was no such luck for Derry City as they lost 3-2 on aggregate to minnows Bruno’s Magpies. 

Shels took a 2-1 lead to the second leg on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula before Thursday’s test, knowing they still had work to do in their bid to qualify. 

It proved to be as tough as anticipated with St Joseph’s taking a 1-0 lead in the first-half through Liam Walker. 

But the Reds levelled 10 minutes before the interval as Sam Bone struck. 

Shelbourne and St Joseph’s traded chances as the game progressed as the tension grew at the Europa Point Stadium. 

And it flared up in the closing stages when Sean Boyd needed stitches after a heavy collision. In the resulting melee, Sean Gannon was dismissed but Shels held on to qualify.

“It was a dramatic end,” Duff told Shelbourne’s media team as the Reds sealed a date with FC Zurich in the next round.

“I spoke to the guys before the game. I don’t think I have ever seen a pretty game of football here because of the heat, the dryness of the pitch and the astro. 



“We always try to paint a reasonably good picture for them and let them know what to expect. I told them that this could be a war, could be a battle at times, and it ended up that way.

“I’ve been mad with Gibraltan history for the last two or three days. I believe there have been 14 wars, battles or sieges, whatever you call it. 

“I told the guys this could well be the 15th and it ended up being that. We came out on top.”

However, Derry City suffered a humbling exit at the expense of Bruno’s Magpies. 

The Candystripes fell to an embarrassing 2-0 defeat in last week’s first leg - but were still confident that they could turn the tie in their favour. 



And when Mark Connolly put them 1-0 ahead before the break, it looked as if they would. 

But a controversial second yellow card for Adam O’Reilly minutes later halted their momentum. 

Patrick Hoban levelled the tie just minutes into the second period when he scrambled the ball into the back of the net. 

Derry had chances to go through in normal time but failed to convert as extra-time loomed. 

And it was then when Bruno’s Magpies had their moment as Evan De Haro fired in a rebound to send the Gibraltans through. They will now face FC Copenhagen in the next round of the competition.

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