(Ferencvaros win 6-0 on aggregate)
Shamrock Rovers have exited the Europa Conference League, as a classy Ferencvaros calmly disposed of them at Tallaght Stadium.
Having lost 4-0 away in Hungary last week, Rovers faced an unconquerable task, even in front of their own fans. Goals in either half from Kristoffer Zachariassen and Samy Mmaee were little more than formalities that rubber-stamped the Hoops' exit in the second qualifying round.
Overcoming the Hungarian champions – who reached the last 16 of last year’s Europa League – was always seen as unlikely, however, there will be a major element of disappointment in exiting European football so early after four losses on the bounce.
Stephen Bradley’s men reached the group stages of this competition last year, banking €3.5 million in the process. This year, they have accumulated in the region of just €810,000.
However, defeat here does at least present the opportunity to now focus single-mindedly on retaining a fourth consecutive league title.
Ferencvaros, meanwhile, will be widely expected to progress further in this competition and could well achieve European group stage football for their fifth consecutive year.
Bradley had accepted his side’s likely fate before the game, and used the opportunity to introduce the youth of 19-year-old Kieran Cruise and 20-year-old Conan Noonan to his starting XI.
The Hoops kicked off positively and it was Noonan that could have opened the scoring within two minutes.
Markus Poom played a wonderful diagonal to Sean Gannon, who raced into the box before pulling a pass back to the young midfielder. The goal looked to be opening up for Noonan, however, his shot was heroically blocked by a Ferencvaros body.
The Hungarians didn’t waste any time before reacting.
Finding a pocket of space in midfield, Marquinhos instinctively released Adama Traore through on goal. The Malian international should have found the net, but Leon Pohls got down well to stop an effort that was later halted for offside.
It was a sign of threats to come as Traore ran riot down the right side – the 28-year-old testing Pohls twice more in the following minutes.
The game flowed through the opening half, as Rovers sought out a goal. Graham Burke, the club’s record European goalscorer, was central to everything the home side did, as he set up an early Johnny Kenny shot.
The on-loan Celtic striker stung the hands of Denes Dibusz, who could only deflect the ball as far as Sean Gannon. However, the wing-back’s rebound rattled the crossbar.
Kenny had another effort go close on 15 minutes, as Burke continued to create opportunities.
However, the Hoops' hopes of a positive result disintegrated on the half-hour mark. It was Traore who brought the ball into the box, Varga slipped it further into the path of Zachariassen, who stuck a deflected shot past Pohls.
The Hungarians showed their experience to take control of the rest of the half, routinely breaking up the play when required.
Bradley would have been happy to see the pace of Traore and Cristian Ramirez swapped out at half-time, however, his side never regained a grip on the game.
The Hungarians managed proceedings like an experienced European side, never looking under strain against the team that has dominated Irish football over the past four years.
The second goal deservedly came in the 90th minute. Showing inexperience, Cruise tried to shepherd a ball out of play in his own box, Marquinhos snuck in behind the young-full back to revive the and eventually get it out to Mmaee. The defender made no mistake hitting the back of the net.
Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Sean Hoare (Ronan Finn, 71); Sean Gannon, Kieran Cruise; Gary O'Neill (Dylan Watts, 46), Markus Poom, Conan Noonan (Liam Burt, 62); Graham Burke (Naj Razi, 62), Johnny Kenny (Aaron Greene, 62).
Ferencvaros: Denes Dibusz; Cebrails Makreckis, Samy Mmaee, Ibrahim Cisse (Mats Knoester, 66), Cristian Ramírez (Lorand Paszka, 46); Mohamed Ben Romdhane, David Siger (Anderson Esiti, 46); Kristoffer Zachariassen; Marquinhos, Barnabas Varga (Kristian Lisztes, 66), Adama Traoré (Owusu, 46).
Referee: Tomasz Musial (Poland).
