Looks like game over but City must believe it’s game on

On the face of it, the failure of any of the four League of Ireland clubs to register a win on their first nights of European football this season doesn’t paint a pretty picture of the domestic game but, as ever in the context of the away goals rule, the good — as well as the devil — is in the detail.

In the Champions League, Dundalk will have been disappointed not to score at home to Riga but, in keeping the Latvians at bay at Oriel Park on Wednesday, Vinny Perth’s men can take heart from knowing that they are now the only side in the tie who can still benefit from the vital away goal.