Thursday 15 August
Europa League third round qualifying second leg
Shamrock Rovers v Celje (Slovenia), Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
Conference League third round qualifying second leg
FC Sabah (Azerbaijan) v St Patrick's Athletic, Bank Republic Arena, 5pm
Coverage
Follow a live blog on Shamrock Rovers v Celje on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app. Score updates will be available on FC Sabah v St Patrick's Athletic.
The state of play
Shamrock Rovers are 1-0 down to Celje following a tight first leg in Slovenia which saw the Hoops have chances in the first half. Given how the game went, it wasn't the worse outcome.
The Saints played against 10 men for a lot of their clash with Sabah and secured a one-goal advantage. They were left frustrated knowing there could have been a second goal.
It remains to be seen how telling that is.
If Shamrock Rovers go through, they will secure Conference League group stage football with a play-off for the Europa League to come.
Pat's must win to reach the Conference play-off. Defeats over two legs will end their European campaign.
Shamrock Rovers prepare for potentially lucrative game against NK Celje in the Europa League, reports @Corktod #RTESport #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/Yxkk6JZVau
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 14, 2024
Hoops more comfortable on home soil?
The first leg was hard to make a judgement on due to the state of Celje's pitch.
Stephen Bradley labelled it a "disgrace". Some of the worst pitches in the Premier Division in February looked better and it restricted what both sides could do.
Being a goal down will put the emphasis on Shamrock Rovers to attack.
They will look to Graham Burke for a moment of magic as they remain without Johnny Kenny and Rory Gaffney.
The Hoops have been good in Tallaght in their home games, beating Vikingur and putting in a decent display against a Sparta Prague side bound for the play-off round of the Champions League.
This is a big ask, knowing they need a one-goal victory to force extra time.
Forget the back-up
The European campaign for Shamrock Rovers has been something like their league season.
Bright spots, lacking consistency, and just not enough to get them to where they want to be.
Time is on their side with the Conference League cushion to come, if needed.
However, this is a genuine opportunity to get a Europa play-off.
They retain the experience and face a side that, unlike Sparta Prague, are not a class above.
Tallaght Stadium is likely to be hosting a partisan crowd.
The first goal of the tie is crucial and just how Bradley approaches the tie will be fascinating.
A positive start and a breakthrough on the scoreboard will make the Hoops favourites given they'll be at home.
Concede and it will be a long way to forcing extra time.
Once again they disappointed in the league last Sunday, with Drogheda United unfortunate not to win their clash in the second half.
Bradley expect high-quality clash
With one group stage qualification behind them in the Bradley era, there is nothing new year for the four-in-a-row Premier Division champions.
He is wary of what Celje can do on the pristine Tallaght surface.
"We'll have no fear going into this game, we’ve played big teams already this year, big clubs and we’ve done that throughout the years," he said.
"We know when we’re at our levels, we can beat anyone in Tallaght.
"That’s the aim tonight. Billy [Mullen, groundsman] and his staff have the pitch in incredible condition, it will suit us, but we also know it will suit Celje as they are a good team. So, with both teams putting their best foot forward, it has the makings to be a really good game.
"They will be better. I think the pitch will ensure they will be. So, as I said, as much as it helps us, it will help them. Celje are very dangerous in transition, very quick and direct.
"We saw that last week. I'm sure we’ll see that again on Thursday night. We must make sure we’re switched on, respect that and then impose ourselves on the game as quickly as possible."
Can Pat's defend their lead?
St Pat's will also be wary that Sabah did not perform last week.
Ill-disciplined, easy to get at and vulnerable in full-back areas, it was set up for Pat's from the off.
They duly delivered a superb display. Now the concern is whether it will be enough.
It is likely the Inchicore outfit will adopt a counter-attacking line-up.
New signing Aidan Keena started the first leg, only to be withdrawn after 45 minutes.
The former Cheltenham Town striker was then given a starting berth again when Stephen Kenny made nine changes for a league clash in Galway last Sunday, indicating Mason Melia will get the nod up front.
'It's an opportunity, one that players want to grasp' - St Patrick's Athletic boss Stephen Kenny looks ahead to their Europa Conference League clash with Sabah FK on Thursday #RTESport #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/wpJnU9SmvC
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 14, 2024
It may have been a case of getting minutes into Keena's legs.
Romal Palmer was key for Pat's in midfield last week, with Kenny attempting to bat away speculation he could depart before the British transfer window closes.
It remains quite possible he will go and certainly he can make a big mark again tonight.
Having scored six times against Maccabi Haifa over two legs, it was a great feat for Pat's to keep Sabah scoreless last week even with the red card factored in.
Things could look very different in Azerbaijan. Temperatures will be around 26C at kick-off. It may prove a long 90 minutes for Pat's go try to win the tie.
Trailblazing Kenny paths a new route
The Saints boss has achieved group stage qualification twice, but never through the non-champions route.
He is looking to reach the next stage at the very least but knows a Sabah side back to their total compliment will be a different beast.
Kenny said: "It would be tremendous to get to the fourth round, the play-offs.
"The only probable route for an Irish team to qualify for the group stages is to win the league as the (parachute) opportunities created are greater.
"This is going through the hard way, going through the rounds. It's a big opportunity for us, but also a big challenge.
"Sabah will have an attacking cutting edge in their front four for sure. They have dribblers and speed in their attack and they like to dominate possession.
"We will have to counter that and try to establish possession ourselves but we showed in Tallaght last week that all our players are technically capable."
The prize in the play-off
PAOK of Greece await Shamrock Rovers in the Europa League play-off if they can turn it around. As well as that, progress tonight would guarantee €3.6m in prize money.
If not, they will likely face Armenian opposition in FC Pyunik for a place in the Conference and that tidy sum.
The Saints will be heading for Turkey to take on Istanbul Basaksehir if, as expected, they beat Iberia of Georgia.
They have banked €0.9m so far with another €400,000 on offer tonight.
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