McCabe hits equaliser to keep Hoops hopes alive

A SUPERB late Gary McCabe equaliser saw Shamrock Rovers cheered off the pitch in Tallaght last night but the earlier concession of an away goal means that Partizan Belgrade retain the whip hand in this Europa League play-off game ahead of next week’s second leg in the Serbian capital.

In truth, Partizan will wonder how they didn’t make the tie much easier for themselves but, despite dominating for long periods and spurning at least three gilt-edged chances to add to their tally last night, they had only the one goal to show for their efforts by the time Rovers threatened to turn the game on its head with just under 10 minutes remaining.

McCabe’s goal had seemed an unlikely eventuality for much of a contest in which Partizan Belgrade demonstrated their superior class. Indeed, the game was only three minutes old when attacking midfielder Nemanja Tomic served notice of his threat, rasping a free-kick from 35 yards out which Ryan Thompson did well to fingertip to safety.