DUNDALK MANAGER STEPHEN Kenny was blown away by the goal that trebled his side’s aggregate lead in their Europa League first round qualifier against Levadia Tallinn.
After a 1-0 victory in the first leg in Estonia, Patrick Hoban extended Dundalk’s advantage just after the half-hour mark last night at a packed Oriel Park. But just two minutes later came a goal that received glowing praise afterwards from Kenny.
Michael Duffy, who has been having a superb season domestically for the Lilywhites, beat Levadia goalkeeper Sergei Lepmets with a brilliantly executed volley after being picked out in the box by Jamie McGrath.
Roman Debelko pulled one back for the visitors before the break, but it proved to be no more than a consolation goal as Dundalk booked a second qualifying round clash with AEK Larnaca.
“It’s goal of the season,” Kenny said of Duffy’s strike afterwards. “It was incredible technique. It took our breath away. There was a sense of astonishment that it actually ended up in the net, such was the acuteness of the angle. Incredible goal.
“I didn’t think you could score from that angle. I just couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a brilliant effort and I couldn’t believe it actually went in. It was an incredible feeling for everyone in the ground.”
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The SSE Airtricity League Premier Division leaders will have home advantage for the first leg of their meeting with AEK Larnaca on Thursday, before travelling to Cyprus for the return fixture seven days later.
A squad with a significant Spanish influence, AEK Larnaca will be aiming to eliminate Irish opposition from the Europa League for the second year in a row after they recorded a 2-0 aggregate victory over Cork City last season.
“They won the Cypriot Cup, they qualified through the league as well,” Stephen Kenny said. “APOEL, who have been in the Champions League, are their league winners so it’s a good standard.
“A lot of their players have played in La Liga, Spanish players, so they’re a good team. They’re a step-up from Levadia Tallinn, who gave us a tough game, so we’re going to have to play better.”
– Additional reporting from Caoimhín Reilly
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