Another special European night in Tallaght as Rovers bank €1.7m
IT WAS another special European night in Tallaght on Tuesday as Shamrock Rovers progressed to the second qualifying round in the Champions League.
There 2-1 dramatic victory over Vikingur Reykjavík sets up a clash with Sparta Prague next week and following the victory it guarantees the Hoops European monies for the year to €1.7m.
Rovers lost over €2m in 2023 which makes Tuesday night’s win even more important with 7,632 supporters attending the game.
With the match against Sparta Prague in Tallaght next Tuesday and with the new North Stand allowing for over 10,000 spectators, it will generate more revenue for the Hoops and another big night in Tallaght.
“We said to the players before the game European nights in Tallaght can be special.
“You can make special memories in this place and that was the challenge to the players, and they have come out and done that,” said Stephen Bradley after the match.
“The crowd came out in numbers, they were incredible, they gave us energy. It was a top-class performance against a very good side.
“We were disappointed with the start; they got a few corners from our mistakes.
“But we knew if we pressed early on we would would catch them out, they are very open and it gave us opportunities to score”.
On the support from the Rovers fans Bradley went on to say: “These fans have been incredible for this group of players.
“I can’t emphasise how important they are for us.
Cody Kehoe, Reilly Saul and Lucas Roche. Photos Paddy Barrett
“They were incredible tonight.
“They came out in their numbers and gave us so much energy when we needed it down to 10-men.
“They dug in for us and the players dug in for them to create a special night in Tallaght”.
“While all the talk is about the Champions League, Rovers go head-to-head with Dublin rivals Bohemians on Friday night.
Johnathan Kehir and Richie Vodo (Shamrock Rovers U20)
“We have Bohemians on Friday night, but we will do the homework on Sparta in the background.
“It’s Bohemians this Friday, we really want to be in that cup final and win that competition and that starts on Friday.
“There was huge drama as Nikolaj Hansen missed a penalty with the last kick of the game as Shamrock Rovers secured a place in the next round thanks to Johnny Kenny’s brace in the 8th and 20th minute.
“The Hoops battled hard in the second half after Nikolaj Hansen’s header on the hour mark gave the Icelanders a huge lift.
“The League of Ireland champions looked to have done enough until Vikingur were awarded a spot kick late in stoppage time.
Nikolaj Hansen missed the penalty as Rovers survived the scare and look forward to Sparta Prague next week.
Rovers boss Stephen Bradley had praise for his goal scorer Johnny Kenny saying: “There is not a better striker in the country than Johnny.
“We knew it was coming last year just the goals weren’t there.
“This year he has come back a different animal. He’s the best in the country.
“His link up play is improving and once you are on one and one you are in trouble.
“He was brilliant tonight”.