UEFA Conference League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- APOEL

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers welcome APOEL of Cyprus to Tallaght Stadium for the first time as they embark on their latest UEFA Conference League journey (kick-off 8pm).

The Hoops come into the game on the back of a chastening 3-0 defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic on the same ground on Friday night.

Joe Redmond’s first-minute opener and a brace from Jake Mulraney stopped Rovers in their tracks to leave them five points off leaders Shelbourne with four games to go.

That result has halted the reigning champions’ chances of retaining the league for a record fifth time in a row but they have little time to dwell on it.

The Cypriot champions will pose a significant challenge to Stephen Bradley’s side but one they will relish as they face six league phase games over the coming months.

Bradley said: “APOEL are a really good team. Very strong off crosses, good in transition, quick and direct. 

“You can see they have players who have played around Europe throughout the years, you can see that with the quality they have. 

“But you don’t expect anything different at this level and you think what we’ve faced already this season, we should be well used to that. 

“It’s really exciting, playing against a good team and that’s where we want to be.”

Trevor Clarke and Rory Gaffney remain sidelined for the Hoops but Josh Honohan returns after limping off against Pats, while Seán Hoare and Aaron McEneff also return.

APOEL

Cypriot champs APOEL come to Tallaght on the back of three wins in their opening five league games.

A scoreless draw with Omonia 29is Maiou on Sunday was less than ideal preparation but all eyes are fixed on their opening Conference League clash with Rovers.

APOEL, nicknamed ‘Thrylos’ - Greek for ‘The Legend’ - are the most successful team in Cyprus, with 29 titles to their name.

It will be their second time facing Rovers in Europe - the last was a comprehensive Cup Winners’ Cup defeat in 1978 - but the first in Tallaght Stadium.

And the team who have competed four times in the group stages of the Champions League, reaching the quarter-finals in 2012, will not be cowed by Rovers.

“They have a very peculiar way of playing, very interesting to be fair, but we are prepared for that,” said manager José Dominguez.

“I rate Shamrock Rovers more as a whole, they never give up. They are dynamic. They attack a lot and are good at the back. 

“So it was very interesting to prepare for this game and to analyse Shamrock Rovers. We are fully prepared for the game.

“Their dynamics, the way the team plays [caught my eye]. It was interesting to see their strategies. It was interesting to see some different things to what we normally encounter.”

Referee: Jérémie Pignard (France).

MATCH STATS

Shamrock Rovers and APOEL have come up against one another once before in Europe, in the 1978/79 Cup Winners’ Cup.

Goals from Johnny Giles and Steve Lynex saw Rovers to a 2-0 win at Milltown before Lynex fired Rovers to a further 1-0 victory in the return leg in Nicosia.

Rovers’ most recent battle with a Cypriot side saw them lose out narrowly to Apollon Limassol in qualifying for the 2019/20 Europa League.

Goals from Lee Grace and Roberto Lopes, following Fotis Papoulis’ opener, saw the Hoops to a 2-1 win in Tallaght in the first leg.

Emilio Zalaya and Attila Szalai put Apollon in the driving seat in the away leg before Aaron Greene’s long-range thunderbolt forced extra time.

But Rovers wilted following Grace’s red card in extra time and Adrián Sardinero wrapped up the tie for Appolon with the decisive goal.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 17/5; Draw 9/4; APOEL 17/20.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 1 – 2 APOEL

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Rory Gaffney, Trevor Clarke.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended:None.

APOEL

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended:None.

Pico Lopes: 'It’s a real carrot for you - can you go and compete at the highest level possible?' https://t.co/f0gr9agl5Zpic.twitter.com/1gJ3fjuRBC

— extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) October 3, 2024