Shamrock Rovers were the first League of Ireland to play a game in Europe and Dalymount Park was the venue for their 6-0 loss to Manchester United in September 1957. Other League of Ireland clubs also used Dalymount as their home venue for European games and between 1957 and 2012 60 European games were played at the Phibsborough venue. The stadium was allowed fall into disrepair then and when Bohs were in Europe a few seasons back they played their home games at the Aviva. But the stadium, situation at Dalymount has improved in recent years and last week Bohs beat Ballkani from Kosovo 2-1 in a Conference League game, their last European game at the Phibsborough ground before the ground closes in October for a major renovation job. Bohs play the second leg in Kosovo tomorrow night. If Bohs progress to the next round they will play Besiktas from Turkey or Midtjylland of Denmark.
SHELS HAVE
3-GOAL EDGE
Shelbourne put themselves in pole position to advance to the Conference League third qualifying round and a possible game against Ajax after they beat Estonian club Nomme Kalju 5-2 in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie at Tolka Park last week. After making club history by reaching the Conference League phase last season, Shels put in a great display against Kalju, who had squeezed past Linfield 3-2 on aggregate in the first round. They now have a three-goal advantage ahead of tomorrow's second leg in Tallin.
DERRY HOST
CROATIANS
Derry City have to overcome a one-goal deficit in the second leg of their Conference League against Rijeka of Croatia tomorrow night after they were beaten 1-0 in Croatia last week. Croatia international Toni Fruk, fresh home from the World Cup, broke the dead-lock on 52 minutes with what proved to be the winner, punishing a lapse of concentration in the Derry defence. The Candystripes will be hoping to win by two clear goals when Rijeka visit the Brandywell to-morrow night.
PURSE FOR SLIGO
Former EPL defender Darren Purse has been appointed as the new Sligo Rovers manager on an 18-month contract. Purse, who played for two seasons with Birmingham City in the English top flight, arrives at the Showgrounds from Cardiff City, where he spent almost five years working with the club's under 23 and under 21 sides, running their loan programme and serving a spell as assistant manager of the first team. At the Showgrounds he replaces John Russell, who has moved on to Shelbourne. Sligo has a tradition of appointing English-born managers.
BLADES SIGN
DUB DOHERTY
Sheffield United have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland international defender Matt Doherty on an initial one-year deal with the option of a further year. The 34-year-old Dubliner has made almost 400 appearances for Wolves over two spells but left Molineux this summer. Doherty becomes Chris Wilder’s first permanent close-season signing as they look to improve on a 13th-place finish in the Championship last season.
LOI Results Galway 0, Waterford 0; St Patrick’s Ath 1, Dundalk 1; Sligo Rovers 2, Drogheda Utd 2.
