THE DUFF OF DREAMS

Derry hero Michael rates crucial goal in Finland as his highlight from playing in European competition

- SIMON COLLINS

MICHAEL DUFFY has played against Arsenal at the Emirates in the Europa League group stages.

But the winger insists his goal that sent Derry City into the third round of the Conference League will go down as one of his best European moments.

The 29-year-old former Dundalk player, who made his 36th appearance in European competition against Finland's KuPS in a six-goal thriller in Kuopio on Thursday night, netted a 69th minute header to secure a 3-3 draw at the Savon Sanomat Areena.

That proved enough for Derry to advance to the third round in Europe for the first time since 2006, winning 5-4 on aggregate against the Finnish league leaders.

It has set up an arduous trip to Kazakhstan to take on Tobol on Thursday before the return leg at Tallaght Stadium the following week.