UEFA Conference League: HNK Rijeka tie ‘a great opportunity’ for Derry City – Tiernan Lynch

Lynch’s side entered the second round of the Conference League qualifiers after losing 5–3 to CSKA Sofia in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.

The second leg of the Europa League qualifier in Brandywell was temporarily halted and police were deployed following a row between rival fans in the stands.

Despite the loss and setback, Lynch added that his team can look back and use the match to build ahead of their opening Conference League playoff game.

“The atmosphere last week was absolutely electric. It was my best night at Brandywell. We lost the game, but I thought the fans were fantastic,” continued the 50-year-old.

“They were pressed in there, they were loud, they kept going. They stayed with us, they pulled our lines at times.

“I think if we can get back to the same place, then ideally you would say a draw and put ourselves back on a level playing field to go into the second tie. That would be ideal for us.”

As a result of the crowd trouble, Derry has been given a Partially suspended stadium closures for a probationary period of two years.

They were fined 20,000 euros (£17,000) and banned from bringing fans to CSKA Sofia’s next European game, with a further one-game ban suspended for two years.

“I think it’s a game that should probably be remembered for football,” added Lynch, who was speaking before the punishment was confirmed on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, it will probably be remembered for the crowd trouble and trouble and CSKA, Sofia supporters and Ultra or whatever they’re called.

“It’s unfortunate. It’s not nice to see that everyone has seen the families now. That’s how scary it was, it was scary. My own family was in the crowd so I know how people felt.”