Derry City denied Windsor Park for Europa Conference tie

Derry City have been denied in their bid to stage their second leg Europa Conference League fixture in Windsor Park.

The Candystripes travel to Kazakhstan to face Tobol Lostanay in the first leg of their third-round qualifier, with the return leg set to be held at Shamrock Rovers’ Tallaght Stadium on August 17.

The Brandywell Stadium does not meet the required UEFA criteria to host games at this stage of the competition, with an alternative always a certainty if City reached this stage. Derry City played at the Sligo Showgrounds back in 2017 while the Brandywell was being redeveloped, but that was not an option this time, with the club nominating Tallaght.

However, Uefa have now confirmed that the fixture will now go ahead as planned in Tallaght.

European football's governing body denied City's request stating the venue must be located in 'the same or another city within the territory of its association'.

"A venue may be the ground of the home club or another ground in the same or another city within the territory of its association," said a UEFA spokesperson.

"Therefore, Derry City FC will have to play in Tallaght as originally announced for the UECL 3rd qualifying round home fixture on the 17 August 2023."

Exceptions will only be made by UEFA administration should no other suitable venue be available on the 'home territory'.

Derry City last played at Windsor in a Setanta Cup quarterfinal back in 2012, a first leg which ended 1-1 ahead of a 2-1 victory for Declan Devine’s side at the Brandywell.

City boss Ruaidhri Higgins actually played in that game in Belfast, and it is he who is now hoping to create further history with the club by taking them beyond a third round of European competition for the first time.

The Candystripes qualified for the third round by defeating HB Torshavn of the Faroe Islands 1-0 on aggregate, and they followed that with an impressive 5-4 aggregate victory over Finnish side KuPs last Thursday night.