Derry City knocked out as Rijeka clinch 1-0 win at Brandywell
Derry City’s European adventure ended on 23 July 2026 when HNK Rijeka secured a 1-0 victory at the Brandywell, a result that left the Irish club out of the competition.
How did the match unfold?
Daniel Adu‑Adjei capitalised on a Cameron Dummigan error to put Rijeka ahead in the first half, slipping the ball past goalkeeper Brian Maher. Michael Duffy’s early chance was denied by a superb save from Aleksa Todorovic, and Derry’s attempts to equalise fell short. A missed header from Liam Boyce and a wide effort by James Clarke highlighted the frustration of the home side.
Why the defensive lapse mattered
Dummigan, normally a centre‑back, inadvertently fed Adu‑Adjei the ball that doubled Rijeka’s aggregate lead. Later, he rescued the team twice, blocking a header and a close‑range shot, but the damage was done. The defensive missteps allowed the Croatians to control the tie and extinguish Derry’s hopes.
What does this mean for Derry City moving forward?
The loss drops Derry City back to domestic duties, with a trip to St Patrick’s Athletic on 2 August 2026. The club sits second in the 2025 league table with 63 points, three points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers, and has scored 52 goals while conceding 39 this season. Recent form has been poor, recording one win and four losses in the last five matches. The next fixture against the fifth‑placed Athlone side will be crucial for keeping the title race alive.
Who featured for Derry City?
The starting XI included Maher; Lyons‑Foster (Cotter 62), Dummigan, P McClean (Stott 80), Fleming; Olayinka (Burns 62), Twisk, O’Reilly, Chapman; Duffy and Boyce (Clarke 45). Substitutes and tactical changes reflected the manager’s attempt to spark a comeback, but the single goal proved decisive.
