Live Reaction: Hoops in Groups
Credit:
“I would like to pay tribute to Shamrock Rovers on this historic night for Irish football,” was the reaction from CEO John Delaney following Shamrock Rovers 2-1 extra-time victory over FK Partizan in Belgrade thanks to a stunning goal by Pat Sullivan and an extra-time penalty from Stephen O’Donnell to go through 3-2 on aggregate.
“I am so pleased to send my congratulations to the players, managerial staff, supporters and directors of the club on a breakthrough moment for the professional game in Ireland. It was particularly pleasing to see the loyal supporters who had made the trip to Belgrade rewarded by being a part of history.”
Airtricity League director Fran Gavin was in the stadium to witness Michael O’Neill’s side stun their Serbian opponents and he believes it was a moment all fans of Irish club football could feel proud of.
“On a personal note, it was great to be here in Belgrade to witness history. Having played, managed and administrated in the league for over 30 years it’s my most memorable night. I am looking forward to seeing Shamrock Rovers continue this incredible adventure in the UEFA Europa League group stages,” said Gavin.
Airtriicy League chairman Eamon Naughton also paid tribute to the work carried out by the Rovers board in achieving a moment that Irish football has waited for a very long time to achieve.
“This achievement is great for Shamrock Rovers as a football club but it is also great for the Airtricity League,” said Naughton.
“I’m sure all of our member clubs would be quick to lend their congratulations. They’ve done us proud with the progress they’ve made and it is all the more impressive considering the journey they made from winning the First Division in 2006. The people who pulled together to keep their club alive deserve to celebrate this memorable occasion.”
Other Reaction
Stephen Rice (@stephenrice84)
“still has nt sunk in ......what a night for football in ireland!! europa league ur having a laugh :)”
Karl Sheppard (@karlsheppard10)
“Amazing won't sink in unreal for Irish footie”
Alan Cawley (@alancaw)
“Outrageous result, fair play everyone of them. Being heroic!!!!”
Chris Skudder (@ChrisSkudder) (Sports presenter and correspondent for Sky News)
“Shamrock Rovers - wow! Come on the Irish! #Ireland”
Rory Smith (@rorysmith_tel -Daily and Sunday Telegraph Merseyside football reporter.)
wonders “Does Shamrock Rovers getting in to the EL group stages mean the League of Ireland has now overtaken the SPL?”
Dara O’Briain (@daraobriain)
“Well done Shamrock Rovers! Into Proper Europe!”
Niall McGinn (@nmcginn14)
“Shamrock rovers a big well done good to see”
Seamus Coleman (@seamiecoleman23)
“Well done shamrock rovers.. Qualified for the europe league group stages! Great night for league of ireland football!”
Seán Dillon (@BusyDillo)
Absolutely buzzin for @ShamrockRovers qualifying for #europaleague proud @stpatsfc & League Of Ireland fan #delighted
Shane McFaul (@ShaneMcFaul)
Absolutely delighted for Shamrock Rovers ! They were quality and did the country and our league proud !! Well deserved !!!
David John Meyler (@DavidMeyler )
“What about Shamrock Rovers??? An absolute credit to League of Ireland football!!!”
Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri)
Celebrating a historic night for @ShamrockRovers in Lisbon
Arthur Mathews (@Munchious)
"Fantastic night for Irish football! (I'd say the best ever). CONGRATS TO ALL MY SHAMROCK ROVERS FRIENDS!!"
Dan Boyle (@sendboyle)
“Well done to Shamrock Rovers. Historic night for Irish soccer.”
Keith Costigan (@KeithCostigan -host for Fox Soccer Channel)
“Congrats to Shamrock Rovers. Great day for Irish Football. Mick O Neil is a former teammate and a great guy. Absolutely made up for him.”
Nicci Daly (@NicciDaly22 Irish International Hockey Player)
“Well done shamrock rovers. Bitta history never Hurt anyone. Actually brushing up on it myself at the mo…… history that is. #history”
Dan Walker BBC (@danwalkerbbc)
"All hail the power of SHAMROCK ROVERS. Into the Europa League group stage. Magnificent"
Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes -Football Correspondent for The Times newspaper)
"Birmingham and Stoke deserve great credit for going through, but Shamrock Rovers result is incredible. Rangers/Celtic on the other hand..."
“I am so pleased to send my congratulations to the players, managerial staff, supporters and directors of the club on a breakthrough moment for the professional game in Ireland. It was particularly pleasing to see the loyal supporters who had made the trip to Belgrade rewarded by being a part of history.”
Airtricity League director Fran Gavin was in the stadium to witness Michael O’Neill’s side stun their Serbian opponents and he believes it was a moment all fans of Irish club football could feel proud of.
“On a personal note, it was great to be here in Belgrade to witness history. Having played, managed and administrated in the league for over 30 years it’s my most memorable night. I am looking forward to seeing Shamrock Rovers continue this incredible adventure in the UEFA Europa League group stages,” said Gavin.
Airtriicy League chairman Eamon Naughton also paid tribute to the work carried out by the Rovers board in achieving a moment that Irish football has waited for a very long time to achieve.
“This achievement is great for Shamrock Rovers as a football club but it is also great for the Airtricity League,” said Naughton.
“I’m sure all of our member clubs would be quick to lend their congratulations. They’ve done us proud with the progress they’ve made and it is all the more impressive considering the journey they made from winning the First Division in 2006. The people who pulled together to keep their club alive deserve to celebrate this memorable occasion.”
Other Reaction
Stephen Rice (@stephenrice84)
“still has nt sunk in ......what a night for football in ireland!! europa league ur having a laugh :)”
Karl Sheppard (@karlsheppard10)
“Amazing won't sink in unreal for Irish footie”
Alan Cawley (@alancaw)
“Outrageous result, fair play everyone of them. Being heroic!!!!”
Chris Skudder (@ChrisSkudder) (Sports presenter and correspondent for Sky News)
“Shamrock Rovers - wow! Come on the Irish! #Ireland”
Rory Smith (@rorysmith_tel -Daily and Sunday Telegraph Merseyside football reporter.)
wonders “Does Shamrock Rovers getting in to the EL group stages mean the League of Ireland has now overtaken the SPL?”
Dara O’Briain (@daraobriain)
“Well done Shamrock Rovers! Into Proper Europe!”
Niall McGinn (@nmcginn14)
“Shamrock rovers a big well done good to see”
Seamus Coleman (@seamiecoleman23)
“Well done shamrock rovers.. Qualified for the europe league group stages! Great night for league of ireland football!”
Seán Dillon (@BusyDillo)
Absolutely buzzin for @ShamrockRovers qualifying for #europaleague proud @stpatsfc & League Of Ireland fan #delighted
Shane McFaul (@ShaneMcFaul)
Absolutely delighted for Shamrock Rovers ! They were quality and did the country and our league proud !! Well deserved !!!
David John Meyler (@DavidMeyler )
“What about Shamrock Rovers??? An absolute credit to League of Ireland football!!!”
Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri)
Celebrating a historic night for @ShamrockRovers in Lisbon
Arthur Mathews (@Munchious)
"Fantastic night for Irish football! (I'd say the best ever). CONGRATS TO ALL MY SHAMROCK ROVERS FRIENDS!!"
Dan Boyle (@sendboyle)
“Well done to Shamrock Rovers. Historic night for Irish soccer.”
Keith Costigan (@KeithCostigan -host for Fox Soccer Channel)
“Congrats to Shamrock Rovers. Great day for Irish Football. Mick O Neil is a former teammate and a great guy. Absolutely made up for him.”
Nicci Daly (@NicciDaly22 Irish International Hockey Player)
“Well done shamrock rovers. Bitta history never Hurt anyone. Actually brushing up on it myself at the mo…… history that is. #history”
Dan Walker BBC (@danwalkerbbc)
"All hail the power of SHAMROCK ROVERS. Into the Europa League group stage. Magnificent"
Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes -Football Correspondent for The Times newspaper)
"Birmingham and Stoke deserve great credit for going through, but Shamrock Rovers result is incredible. Rangers/Celtic on the other hand..."
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan. View Full Profile