Dundalk will make the trip to Gibraltar to face FC Bruno’s Magpies in the first qualifying round of the 2023/24 Europa Conference League.
The Lilywhites will travel to the Victoria Stadium, situated at the foot of the famous Rock of Gibraltar, and is the home of the nation’s senior football team for friendly matches.
FC Bruno’s Magpies
FC Bruno’s Magpies are in their infancy of existence, as they were officially founded in 2013.
The club was the brainchild of a group of friends that socialised together at a popular bar called Bruno’s.
Magpies began life in the now-defunct Gibraltar Second Division and began the process of professionalising the operation with the introduction of sponsors and building a core fanbase with incentive initiatives.
This rapid growth reached its crescendo after the 2018/19 Second Division season, as Magpies won their first league title, and clinched the Second Division Cup to secure a domestic double and promotion to the top tier.
They’ve been a regular fixture of the Gibraltar National League for four seasons. Magpies finished fifth in their inaugural campaign and secured the third-place position in their most recent season to grasp a lucrative Europa Conference League spot.
European History
With the club being such a young entity, it’s not hard to see why they’re a complete novice when it comes to UEFA’s major European competitions.
They made their European debut in the 2022/23 Europa Conference League first round of qualification against Northern Ireland’s, Crusaders.
The NIFL Premiership side edged out the tie 4-3 over two legs.
Magpies beat the Belfast natives 2-1 at home, but let the lead slip after a 3-1 defeat in the second leg.
Their upcoming clash against Dundalk will only be their second outing in a European competition.
Dundalk vs FC Bruno’s Magpies
Stephen O’Donnell’s side will be strong favourites heading into this encounter but still must navigate safely to avoid a potential banana peel.
Anthony Hernandez, Joseph Chipolina, Jamie Coombes, and club captain, Kyle Casciaro are all regular faces in any Gibraltar national team squads.
Liam Nash has also recently joined Magpies on a four-week loan from Hornchurch FC of the Isthmian League in England. The 27-year-old striker has been recruited to help with this European run and was on the books at Cork City in 2019. He only made five Premier Division appearances.
Jack Storer finished up as the club’s top goal-scorer last season. While five goals aren’t extremely prolific numbers, the English striker could be on-hand to cause issues for the Dundalk backline.
The Louth side has reason to be cautious, as they’ve leaked goals this season with the third-worst defensive record in the Premier Division.
They conceded three away to Bohemians during their previous outing, which squashed their five-game unbeaten streak.
It’s still a Dundalk squad beaming with quality, especially with club-record goal-scorer Pat Hoban in dynamite form over the past month.
Oriel Park will be bouncing if their team can guarantee safe passage to the second qualifying round in the return leg on Thursday, 20th of July.
Check Us Out!
TBKO League of Ireland YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@thebigkickoffleagueofirela4048
TBKO Football Website – https://thebigkickoff.com/