Kenny pays tribute to Dundalk side after victory over Hajduk

Richie Towell, Dundalk FC, in action against Hajduk Split. Picture: Ivo Cagalj/SPORTSFILE

STEPHEN KENNY paid tribute to his Dundalk players after their stunning Europa League win away to Hajduk Split last night.

Dundalk joined their League of Ireland colleagues Derry City and Sligo Rovers in exiting the Europa League at the second qualifying round stage, Dundalk beaten 3-2 on aggregate, but the Co Louth side stunning

20,000 fans in Split by beating Hajduk 2-1 on the night, goals from Pat Hoban and Kurtis Byrne earning Dundalk one of their best ever European results over 90 minutes.

"There are mixed emotions in the dressing room. The players are very disappointed that they didn't go through but, to go and beat Hajduk Split on their home ground and to be applauded off the pitch by the guts of 20,000 supporters was a great memory for the players," said Kenny.

The Dundalk boss now has to get his players to refocus on domestic action, the current league leaders in action at home to Bray Wanderers on Sunday night.

Derry well beaten

DERRY CITY suffered a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Belarus side Shakhtyor Soligorsk as the Candystripes were bundled out of the Europa League 6-1 on aggregate.

Derry, trailing 1-0 from the opening leg of their second qualifying round encounter, made the perfect start when Michael Duffy reacted to Rory Patterson's smothered shot to score from close range after only six minutes.

However, the home side struck back four minutes later through Sergej Balanovich and went 3-1 up on aggregate through Alexandre Guruli in the 28th minute.

Shakhtyor added three more goals in the second half from Dmitri Osipenko (68 minutes), Nikolai Yanush (81 minutes) and Ilya Galyuza (93).