Dundalk gain momentum ahead of Molde test

DUNDALK warmed up for Thursday night’s opening Europa League group stage game against Molde with a victory over hosts Derry City last night. Ahead of the clash with the Norwegian side in Tallaght Stadium, Lilywhites boss Filippo Giovagnoli rotated his side who went ahead on seven minutes. Gregg Slogget set up the unmarked Sean Murray for the opening strike of the contest. And the visitors doubled their lead in the 15th minute when taking advantage of a Derry defensive error. When attempting to play the ball back to his keeper, Conor Clifford sliced his pass and it dropped forJordan Flores who drove the ball home. However, Derry reduced the deficit within three minutes. Cameron McJannet’s header rebounded off the body of David McMillan but the loose ball broke to Darren Cole who guided it to the net. Chances dried up in the second period but Dundalk goalkeeper Adam McCarey was equal to the opportunities that the Candystripes managed to carve out. Conor Clifford, Jack Malone and substitute Gerardo Bruna were denied by McCarey in the closing stages when Patrick McEleney went close for Dundalk. DERRY CITY: Cherrie; Cole (Horgan, 62), Toal, McJannet, Coll; Malone (Thomson 83), Clifford, Harkin, Figueira; Hammill; Meite (Bruna 70). Scorer: Cole 18. DUNDALK: McCarey; Gannon, Cleary, Boyle, Leahy; Sloggett; Colovic (McEleney 60), Flores (Shields 51), Murray (Mountney 60), Duffy (Dummigan 84); McMillan (Hoban 51) . Scorers: Murrsay 7, Flores 15 Referee: R Harvey (Dublin).