Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch has found encouragement in his team's recent experience in the UEFA Conference League despite their disappointing exit after losing to HNK Rijeka.

‘We showed we can play at this level,’ Lynch said post-match. ‘Even though it was a disappointing result, the performance and the way our players approached the game were very positive.’

Lynch emphasized the value of the experience for his team: 'The journey has been invaluable for us,' he stated. 'We faced a strong opponent in HNK Rijeka, but we showed that we can compete with teams from across Europe.'

While the result was not favorable, Lynch remains optimistic about Derry City's future prospects. 'This experience will help us to grow as a club and prepare better for our upcoming domestic matches,' he added.

The match against HNK Rijeka was part of Derry City’s UEFA Conference League campaign, where they faced tough competition from various European clubs. Lynch’s comments reflect the belief that such experiences are crucial for developing a team's skills and mindset on an international level.