KÍ’s European fairytale washed away in Irish rain

As the first Faroese football club ever to make it into the Europa League playoffs, KÍ’s hopes were high ahead of yesterday’s game at Dublin’s Aviva stadium.

But a string of errors from the Klaksvík side brought this European adventure to an abrupt end with a 3-1 defeat in rainy conditions.

KÍ started out well, but the home team created most of the chances, and after 33 minutes Sean Murray opened the score with a header.

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KÍ’s hopes of reducing the deficit were given a blow at the start of the second half when Dundalk’s Daniel Cleary fired home from close range after KÍ keeper Kristian Joensen failed to clear a corner kick.

This goal appeared to add some spark to KÍ’s gam. After a few close attempts, KÍ finally managed to find the back of the Dundalk net courtesy of a 66th-minute shot from Norwegian striker Ole Erik Midtskogen.

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KÍ were piling on the pressure, but a failed strike from KÍ’s Patrik Johannesen turned into a quick counter attack, which saw Dundalk striker Daniel Kelly outsmart the KÍ keeper to seal the match at 3-1.

Despite a few attempts by KÍ to fight back in the remaining 11 minutes of the game, it was clear at this stage that this year’s European dream had come to an end.

Dundalk FC-KÍ, 3-1

1-0: Sean Murray, 33 min.

2-0: Daniel Cleary, 48 min.

2-1: Ole Erik Midtskogen, 66 min.

3-1: Daniel Kelly, 79 min.

Translated by prosa.fo