Shamrock Rovers crash out of Europe following defeat in Finland
KuPS Kuopio players celebrate their side scoring their winner Pic: INPHO/Mika Kylmaniemi Kuvien
Ireland will have no European group stage participation for the first time in three years after Shamrock Rovers crashed out of the Conference League at the playoff stage.
Miserable away form has cost Rovers since the title-holders began their campaign in the Champions League in July and KuPS completed a full complement of four defeats through Graham Burke’s own-goal 15 minutes from the end.
Floriana (Malta), Ararat (Armenia) and Egnatia (Albania) had racked up 10 goals against the Hoops as they slipped down through Uefa’s trap-doors and it took just the one in Finland to ensure they ran out of lives.
It came from a set-piece awarded following a foul by captain Pico Lopes on Swedish striker Gustav Engvall that resulted in a booking for the World Cup star. Rovers didn’t defend the free-kick into their box, culminating in the unfortunate substitute Burke nodding past his goalkeeper Ed McGinty after the ball pinballed around.
Whereas 2025 saw both Rovers and Shelbourne participate in the league phase, consisting of six matches up to Christmas, but exits by all four of the League of Ireland representatives means Friday’s draw in Monaco won’t feature a green hue.
Elimination for Rovers deprives them of an extra €2m on top of the €1.7m already grossed and they’ll harbour regrets about a campaign of spurned opportunities.
Much like last week’s 1-1 draw at Tallaght, Rovers created little by way of clearcut chances. Veteran striker Aaron Greene was denied by Johannes Kreidl with a shot early in the second half before the Austrian pawed the ball as Enda Stevens almost pounced for an equaliser late on.
More to follow…
: E McGinty; L Grace, P Lopes, E Stevens; T Sobowale, J O’Sullivan (J Byrne 63), M Healy, W Fitzgerald; D Watts (A Brennan 82), J Afolabi (G Burke 63); A Greene (M Noonan 63).
: Patrik Kolarić (CRO).
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