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Shamrock Rovers raise confidence for Europa Conference League group stages with Ferencvaros scalp

Updated / Friday, 26 Aug 2022 09:49
Andy Lyons celebrates after scoring the winner for Shamrock Rovers
Andy Lyons celebrates after scoring the winner for Shamrock Rovers

(Ferencvaros win 4-1 on aggregate)

Shamrock Rovers can get ready for the Europa Conference League group stages draw tomorrow – and they will be third seeds – after winning the battle but losing the war in Tallaght.

There was an air of formality about this after Ferencvaros' 4-0 home-leg win. They were barely out of second gear on the night but Rovers acquitted themselves well and the experiences they are enjoying and enduring on this European run will stand to them.

Andy Lyons' goal at the death from fellow sub Jack Byrne's corner helped the Rovers and Irish co-efficient and, arguably, they deserved to win the game.

They again showcased their squad depth, even if Ferencvaros go home happy and enter the Europa League.

Rovers' fate will be known after lunch on Friday when, for the first time ever, an Irish side will be drawn from a pot that isn't the bottom of the pile in European group-level combat.

There were two "away" sections in Tallaght: the official Ferencvaros support in one end, separated from another and a larger group of Hungarians who reportedly bought their tickets through Rovers but whom Ferencvaros were unhappy to have to vet as it was out of their control. Perhaps a first in Irish football.

With a view to their FAI Cup visit to Drogheda Sunday, acknowledging the fact this tie was basically dead, Rovers made changes. Rory Gaffney, Andy Lyons and Aaron Greene were rested; Jack Byrne was not risked from the off, despite his impressive cameo in a 4-0 defeat in the first leg in what amounted to junk time as Rovers tried to get something against a good side.

The gulf in quality was evident within three minutes, the visitors very nearly getting in on two occasions, Rovers camped in their own third.

Still, they settled, and most encouraging for the Hoops was how teenage starlet Justin Ferizaj looked nothing but at home at this level. Rovers' first attempt was on 20 minutes, Richie Towell having a Hail Mary; it wasn't as much as a chance, and the game was in a not-unexpected lull.

Ferizaj showed his confidence, skill and potential on 27 minutes, strolling into a dangerous position before curling a beautiful effort just wide.

Irish kids of Albanian descent have made an incredible impact at the Dubliner's age-group, with three representing Ireland on the same under-17 team; Ferizaj may yet upstage the highly regarded Rocco Vata and Kevin Zefi.

Rovers nearly went in front four minutes before the break. The spectacle was edging towards the realms of the soporific but Aidomo Emakhu won the ball in a dangerous area and flashed across goal, Towell unable to connect.

Towell gave away a silly free, from which the visitors should have gone ahead at the death of the first half. In-form veteran Alan Mannus reacted brilliantly to a header from a handful of yards from Ryan Mmaee, concluding from Eldar Civic's beautiful cross.

Former Bolton and Liverpool stopper Adam Bogdan made his first save on 55 minutes, diving low to turn away a fine Sean Kavanagh free-kick after a cynical foul on Emakhu by Nigerian international Anderson Esiti at the edge of the box.

Moments later, a superb Towell volley from Kavanagh's pass was just over. At the other end, Mmaee should have lobbed Mannus rather than find his stomach again; it was suddenly a football game.

Substitute Marquinhos should have been in just after the hour mark, his sloppy control a let-off for the Irish side; similar comments applied on 71 minutes as Balint Vecsei glanced wide from a corner.

One sub – Byrne – put another in – Lyons – but Bogdan denied Rovers the goal their endeavours merited; Neil Farrugia curled wide from the free-kick that followed. It went out for a corner.

Rovers would go in front with a minute to go. Byrne's deliveries are world-class and, from that corner, Lyons' header amounted to a bullet. Moments later, Ferizaj was named man of the match – home-grown Dubs starring on a heartwarming night for Rovers.

The Hoops' focus now turns to Istanbul and Friday's draw before Drogheda, coincidentally and curiously allied with Turkish side Trabzonspor, in the FAI Cup Sunday.

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Gannon, Hoare, Grace; Finn (Lyons 64), O'Neill, Kavanagh (Watts 73), Towell (Byrne 72), Farrugia, Ferizaj (Tetteh 72); Emakhu (Greene 64).

Ferencváros: Bogdan; Wingo, Knoester, Kovacevic, Civic; Laidouni, Esiti (Vecsei 57); Auzqui (Marquinhos 57), Nguen (Mercier 71), Traore (Lisztes); Mmaee (Boli 71).

Referee: Francois Letexier (France).

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