Roddy hails Derry heroics

Derry official Jim Roddy was delighted after Shaun Hargan scored the winner to earn a shock European win away against Swedish side Gothenburg yesterday.

The Eircom Premier Division side landed the shock UEFA Cup first qualifying round first-leg win in Sweden against a club who had won the trophy twice.

Hargan scored the winner with 10 minutes remaining through a header from a corner when he lost his marker Niclas Alexandersson, the former Everton player.

“This was a great result. You always hope for an away goal in Europe but to get an away victory is a different class,” said Roddy on Sky Sports News.

“I’m sure the manager will make sure they are not getting too carried away, he’ll have them prepared as they were for the first leg.”

Drogheda were denied a debut win by a late equaliser from HJK Helsinki in the first qualifying round first leg, with the clash finishing 1-1.

Meanwhile, Portadown look likely to fall at the first hurdle of the UEFA Cup after losing 3-1 at home to FBK Kaunas.

Glentoran are still in the hunt for a place in the next round of the UEFA Cup despite going down 1-0 against SK Brann of Norway.