RoPS 1
Shamrock Rovers 1
(RoPS progress 3-1 on aggregate)
SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE been knocked out of the Europa League at the first hurdle, despite a spirited performance in Finland this evening.
Rovers, who lost the first-leg 2-0 to the Finnish side in Tallaght last week, ultimately proved to be one loss too many for the Rovers board, and they sacked manager Pat Fenlon on Sunday afternoon, with first-team coach Stephen Bradley in caretaker charge of the side tonight.
The Hoops came into the tie with their European hopes hanging by a thread, but their chances of causing an upset were significantly boosted in the 22nd minute when skipper Gary McCabe coolly converted from the penalty spot after Dean Clarke was fouled in the box.
But the sense of optimism only lasted for four minutes as RoPS took full advantage of a miskick from goalkeeper Craig Hyland to put the sides level on the night, but more importantly, 3-1 ahead on aggregate.
Rovers tried to work their way back into the contest, but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
Patrick Cregg’s shot from distance, just before the hour mark, nearly found the top corner, but his attempt went over the bar.
The Hoops were to go even closer just a couple minutes later when a fine Simon Madden cross was met by the onrushing Gavin Brennan, but his shot was saved by the Finnish goalkeeper.
Rovers struggled to make their opponents sweat in the second-half, and RoPS easily saw off the Premier Division side to progress to the next qualifying round.
ROPS: Reguero; Lahdenmäki, Jammeh, Hämäläinen, Pirinen; Saksela, Taylor, Mravec, Saine (Makitalo 46′, Ngabe Nganbe 54′), Muinonen; John (Kokko 46′).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Hyland; Madden, Cornwall, Heaney, G. Brennan; Miele (T. Clarke 67′), McCabe, Cregg, K. Brennan; D Clarke (Boyd 73′), Shaw (Dobbs 73′).
