Shamrock Rovers

IT WAS REVEALED yesterday that Shamrock Rovers second leg Europe League qualifying game against FC Shkupi would not be broadcast live on TV.

A statement on the Shamrock Rovers website said, "All at Shamrock Rovers are delighted that tonight’s crucial Europa League 3rd Qualifying round tie away to FC Shkupi 1927 will now be available to stream to fans in Ireland and the UK. But now it's been revealed that fans of the League of Ireland champions will be able to see the game via a stream on LOITV. We are delighted our fans will now be able to tune in to what is a massive game for the Club

Shamrock Rovers take on KF Shkupi in the North Macedonian capital as they look to hold onto their 3-1 first leg advantage and reach the Europa League ...

Holding onto or even extending that first-leg advantage means the Hoops will make sure of group stage European football in the Europa Conference League, while simultaneously keeping the Europa League dream alive by reaching its play-off round. At the very least, securing group stage football in the third tier competition would be a huge achievement and just the fourth time a League of Ireland would have played group stage continental football. It's a huge night for Shamrock Rovers with the carrot of group stage European football potentially ahead of them for the second time in the club's history.

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Pointing to the thick line running coast-to-coast along the M7 from Shannon, through Limerick and the provincial towns of Nenagh, Portlaoise, Kildare, Newbridge, Naas and on to Tallaght, he can remind them of the “evil” they were forced to endure. “We’ve got great young players coming through and we can see now the media and sponsors are more behind us,” she cheered. “We would like to say to the Irish that they should know well that we have a very characterful team. “I want to apologise for what happened outside the stadium after the game against Modena. We are professionals and, above all, we must be examples for youths and kids. But while their frustration at this inconvenience was entirely understandable it was also misplaced, as they blamed the “evil” to which they had been subjected on a carefully orchestrated government conspiracy, rather than the usual common-or-garden Irish bureaucratic incompetence. On Tuesday night, League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers take on North Macedonian side FC Shkupi in the second leg of their Big Vase qualifying round, knowing a win will guarantee them group-stage action at the very least this season.

Shamrock Rovers fans now have a way to watch tonight's crucial European clash with North Macedonian side Shkupi.

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Shamrock Rovers fans were breathing a sigh of relief on Tuesday afternoon as a live stream for their massive Europa League clash with FK Shkupi was ...

It can be purchased here. "We are delighted our fans will now be able to tune in to what is a massive game for the Club Stream passes are available to buy for €10 here." But it was announced shortly after 2pm that Shamrock Rovers had secured the rights to stream the match live and that it would be broadcast on LOITV for a cost of €10 to fans.

The Hoops will be where most Irish eyes are focused as they aim to continue their European odyssey.

So the Hoops had to box clever. And that was it, job done. Another free-flowing counter from Rovers sees Finn tee up Towell but he gets under it and sends it over the bar from 8 yards out although it was at a bit of an angle After a brilliant bit of skill from Adetunji down the left to skip past two Rovers players he feeds it across to Kevin just outside the box. The closest Shkupi have come to scoring as a header from a free out on the left eventually goes over after it bounced around Burke plays a quality long ball into him and he beats the keeper to the ball before rolling into the empty net But it was a hugely encouraging spell for Rovers who were making the most of the space afforded to them with Gaffney, Towell and Aaron Greene just relentless. Rovers bagged group stage football there and then and had the luxury of replacing Gaffney and Finn. Talk is cheap in that regard but since that night, Rovers walked the walk by playing with a sense of purpose and have got their just rewards. And it means an Irish club will compete in the group stages of a European competition for only the fourth time after Rovers back in 2011 and then Dundalk in 2016 and 2020. Yes, the Ludogorets clash in Bulgaria was a chastening experience but the League of Ireland champions have learned from that lesson - and quickly. Rory Gaffney and Aidomo Emakhu saw to that with the group stages of both competitions underway in early September and running to early November.

A historic night for Shamrock Rovers, but it was not a stressful one. That's the highest compliment that can be paid to their application.

Indeed, there was even a lingering sense that Rovers were able to make changes with Friday’s league game in Derry in mind rather than imminent fears of an unlikely comeback. Sundat Adetunji pulled one back for Shkupi in time added on, but there wasn’t even a trace of celebration. The state of play was reflected by Shkupi making a treble switch at the break, it was already last throw of the dice territory. In truth, it was the team with the lead to protect that created the better chances. Gaffney threatened early as the Shkupi defence parted, with Kristijan Naumovski doing enough to divert his shot onto the post. Bradley’s tactical plan was smart with Aaron Greene introduced next to Rory Gaffney in a front two.

Shamrock Rovers marched into the Europa League play-off round, and guaranteed themselves a place in the Europa Conference League group stage at the very ...

But on 65 minutes, they killed off the tie. But belief drained from the hosts. Mannus made a smart save from Georgiev's header, and Queven flashed a decent hit wide. It was a frantic start, punctuated by the loud bangs of fireworks that were intermittently let off around the ground. Then Queven tested Alan Mannus with a bouncing effort from range that the stopper gathered cleanly. But Chris McCann, who was terrific in the first leg, missed out due to a calf injury.

Gaffney and Emakhu goals put North Macedonian side Shkupi away in Europa League qualifier.

So, the North Macedonian “lions” are away to the Faroes, or Kosovo, for a Conference League play-off. Not quite the cynical hacking of Malta and Bulgaria — Rovers fans are seeing the world in 2022 — but Blerton Sheji earned a yellow card for chopping down Aaron Greene. The hosts had four bookings by the hour mark. With Rovers back three forcing Brazilian Queven (pronounced ‘Kevin’) on to his right foot, the 22 year old winger had been their most dangerous player. The goals are a bonus that keep coming. Much like the first leg, when Rovers built a 3-1 lead, the Todor Proeski Arena was unprepared for a modern, possession based approach by an Ireland team. That is the Rovers way.

A 2-1 win away from home means Rovers will face Ferencvaros for a spot in the Europa League, with a spot in the Conference League guaranteed.

The night had one last fabulous coda for Rovers, when teenage substitute Aidomo Emaku pounced on Naumovski’s error on the edge of the box, and stroked the ball into an empty net. There was another nervy moment as Rovers were caught too open on a Shkupi’s throw-in, but substitute Trapanovski shanked his penalty-box shot over the bar while under pressure from Andy Lyons. Instead they continued to create the best chances and should have settled the tie before the break. Rather than shooting, Finn brilliantly laid the ball to his right for Richie Towell, who saw a shot deflect off Naumovski and loop agonisingly over the crossbar. Shkupi began with an intensity that vanished within minutes, forcing a flurry of early corners that were dealt with by the Rovers defence. Rovers sliced Shkupi apart minutes later as Aaron Greene sent Gaffney galloping into space, who pulled the ball back for the arriving Ronan Finn.

The Hoops play Ferencvaros in next week's Europa League playoff but are guaranteed Conference League group stage action.

And that was it, job done. So the Hoops had to box clever. Talk is cheap in that regard but since that night, Rovers walked the walk by playing with a sense of purpose and have got their just rewards. Yes, the Ludogorets clash in Bulgaria was a chastening experience but the League of Ireland champions have learned from that lesson - and quickly. And it means an Irish club will compete in the group stages of a European competition for only the fourth time after Rovers back in 2011 and then Dundalk in 2016 and 2020. Rory Gaffney and Aidomo Emakhu saw to that with the group stages of both competitions underway in early September and running to early November.

The victory guarantees Rovers a group stage place in the Europa Conference League as a minimum and the €3.3 million basic prize money that goes with it.

A free kick brought brief anxiety to the Rovers area on 32 minutes. Graham Burke, on three minutes as a substitute, found Gaffney with a clever pass. As in the first leg Mannus was terrific with saves from a Gerogiev header and a long range shot from Alvarez before Rovers struck for their second goal on 85 minutes. Burke again delivered a sublime assist to send fellow substitute Emakhu in over the top for the 18-year-old to clip the ball past a hesitant Naumovski and roll it to the net. Rovers survived to strike to all but kill the game on 65 minutes. Minutes later Pepi Georgiev got in behind onto a fine through pass, controlled the ball well on his chest to plant his half volley straight into the arms of Mannus as Rovers were forced onto the back foot.

Shamrock Rovers secured their place in the final round of qualifying for the Europa League with a 2-1 victory away to Shkupi on Tuesday night.

After a slow start to the second half from the visitors, Gaffney scored with their first opportunity since the restart with 65 minutes gone, with his shot picking up a deflection to beat the goalkeeper. But instead they advanced with a 2-1 win, with goals coming from Rory Gaffney and Aidomo Emakhu. Shkupi had put Shamrock under plenty of pressure in the first half though both Gaffney and Richie Towell threatened on the break.

By Matthew Foley. Shamrock Rovers secured a place in the group stages of European competition on Tuesday evening with a 2-1 win (5-2 on aggregate) against ...

A place in the UEFA Europa Conference League Group Stage awaits for the side defeated in that tie, however, the Hoops, with confidence and momentum behind them, will relish the opportunity of testing themselves against the experienced Hungarian champions. It’s a quick turnaround for Rovers as we are back in action on the domestic front in less than 72 hours. That target has now been realised by a squad who continue to perform and impress on the biggest stage. With Shkupi continuing to push, Bradley brought on further fresh legs in Neil Farrugia and Aidomo Emahku and with six minutes to go, the latter doubled Rovers lead. Rovers made sure to stay compact in defence and absorbed the pressure brilliantly, nullifying the majority of the home side’s advances. Opportunities for the North Macedonian outfit were few and far between, largely thanks to resolute defending from the Hoops rearguard, epitomised by Dan Cleary who was making his European debut for the Club at the heart of the defence.

The victory guarantees Rovers a group stage place in the Europa Conference League as a minimum and the €3.3 million basic prize money that goes with it.

A free kick brought brief anxiety to the Rovers area on 32 minutes. Graham Burke, on three minutes as a substitute, found Gaffney with a clever pass. This Club. 💚#RoversInEurope pic.twitter.com/Il0q8EyMjK This team. As in the first leg Mannus was terrific with saves from a Gerogiev header and a long range shot from Alvarez before Rovers struck for their second goal on 85 minutes. Minutes later Pepi Georgiev got in behind onto a fine through pass, controlled the ball well on his chest to plant his half volley straight into the arms of Mannus as Rovers were forced onto the back foot.

Stephen Bradley hailed his Shamrock Rovers side for taking flight to group stage European football - but then raised questions about why his team will not ...

I understand travel is chaos for everyone at the moment but it can’t be that both Bulgarian teams are flying in and out of Dublin direct and we have to go out through Shannon and then you have St Pat’s with the trouble they were having. We needed to learn from that and it’s made us stronger. How Irish teams can’t do this and every team that seems to come here can do it, it's not acceptable," said Bradley who was asked if he was angry with DAA or the Irish government.

The Hoops secured European group stage football after goals from Rory Gaffney and Aidomo Emakhu gave them a 5-2 aggregate win over Shkupi.

“There needs to be serious questions asked of this. “Questions need to be asked to the right people. “There are serious questions that need to be asked.

TONIGHT, SHAMROCK ROVERS play KF Shkupi of North Macedonia in the second leg of their Europa Leag...

It is such a big game for the club and for Irish football, hopefully they can get to watch it.” Hopefully, we can get a stream for the fans to watch it back home. "Looks like Shamrock Rovers game on Tuesday will not be on Irish TV. The game is for a group stage spot, but yet still nobody cares to cover It. Irish sport is really let-down by a non-existent Irish TV industry," said another fan