Rovers back in action in Europe
SHAMROCK Rovers kick off their first ever European campaign in the new league format on Thursday night, as they welcome Cypriot champions Apoel Nicosia to Tallaght Stadium.
Apoel won their respective league on goal difference last season after finishing level on points with AEK Larnaca, and with the unpredictability of the Irish Premier Division this year you wouldn’t rule out a similar conclusion from occurring come the end of the month.
Rovers had seemingly put behind their poor form after back-to-back defeats to PAOK and Bohemians in September as they went on a four-game unbeaten run, winning three and drawing away to Derry City.
However, their 3-0 defeat to Pats on Friday night ended that streak and is sure to be a wake-up call to Stephen Bradley and his side, who were a clear second best against their Dublin counterparts.
Josh Honohan is a doubt for Thursday after coming off with a knock after eight minutes against Pats, but Rovers hold no other fresh injury concerns heading into the game.
As for team selection, Jack Byrne and Johnny Kenny both saw no gametime on Friday so they could see minutes, with the latter having missed the majority of Rovers’ European campaign to date due to injury, although he has scored twice in the three European games he has been involved in this season.
The hoops have won two of their four European games in Tallaght this year, only losing to Sparta Prague and PAOK, who both qualified for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League respectively.
Rovers have profited this season in Europe by being able to put their inconsistent domestic form to the side and produce performances of a calibre which has seen them qualify for the UEFA Conference League.
Apoel do hold a threat though, with the 2011 Champions League quarter finalists boasting the likes of former Benfica player Pizzi and former German international Max Meyer, however he is an injury doubt for the game.
Under new manager Jose Dominguez who started the job in August, they sit fourth in the league after five games and drew their most recent game on Sunday.
€430,000 is the prize for the winner on Thursday, as Rovers look to kick off their historic European campaign in the best way possible.
