League of Ireland underdog days are over, vows Stephen Bradley

Shamrock Rovers players, along with manager Stephen Bradley and his son Josh, centre, celebrate with supporters after their side's victory in the UEFA Conference League Play-off Round second leg match between Shamrock Rovers and CD Santa Clara at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Stephen Bradley has declared that the era of Irish clubs being underdogs in Europe is over after his Shamrock Rovers joined Shelbourne in the group stage of the Uefa Conference League.

This is the first time that two Airtricity League clubs have made it to the group stages in the same season. For Rovers it is back-to-back appearances and their third such odyssey in just four years. A tide has clearly turned.