SHAMROCK ROVERS EXITED the Champions League tonight, as the Dublin side lost 2-0 at home to FC Copenhagen.
Rovers were always facing an uphill battle, given that they were trailing 1-0 from the first leg.
However, despite this deficit, the Irish side acquitted themselves admirably for the majority of the first half and were unlucky not to take the lead, when Chris Turner’s powerful header struck the underside of the crossbar before being cleared.
Nonetheless, the visitors always looked a threat on the break and Rovers were punished just before half time when they failed to deal with a Copenhagen corner and Dame N’Doye was on hand to slot the ball in from close range.
Despite facing the unenviable task of now having to score three times against their opponents, Rovers did not let the intensity drop in the second half and were unfortunate again, when another Twigg header went narrowly wide.
Yet their good play went unrewarded and with just under 20 minutes remaining, the visitors sealed their victory, as Christian Bolanos converted, after N’Doye’s header had been well saved by Ryan Thompson.
The game petered out thereafter, and while it was ultimately a disappointing night for the Irish side, they at least now have the consolation prize of a Europa League spot.
