SSE AIRTRICITY LEADERS Dundalk earned a 2-0 win against Jeunesse Esch in the first leg of their Europa League first round qualifier this evening.
Competing in Europe for the first time in four years, the Lilywhites made the trip to Luxembourg to line out at the Stade de la Frontere before the return leg at Oriel Park on 10 July.
The sides went into the half-time break scoreless but Stephen Kenny’s men were awarded a penalty on 59 minutes when Eric Hoffman brought down David McMillan. Midfielder Richie Towell stepped up to beat Marc Oberweis from the spot.
12 minutes later, they doubled their lead when Ruaidhri Higgins’ cross found Towell and he blasted home.
Dundalk could have increased their advantage but a combination of good goalkeeping and and wayward shooting means they hold a 2-0 lead going into the second leg.
Jeunesse Esch: Marc Oberweis, Nenad Dragovic (Milos Todorovic 46), Ken Corral Garcia, Bryan Melisse, Kim Kintziger, Eric Hoffmann, Sanel Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Vitaly, Jonathan Ziyoko (Marko Albaneise 66) (David Solares Del Sousa 80), Adrien Portier, Martins Santols Gracia.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie, Sean Gannon, Andy Boyle, Brian Gartland, Dane Massey, Chris Shields, Richie Towell; Darren Meenan, Kurtis Byrne (Ruaidhri Higgins 68), Daryl Horgan (John Mountney 84), David McMillan (Patrick Hoban 78).
