- Dave Donnelly
- Thu, Jul 06 2017
Shamrock Rovers booked a Europa League meeting with Czech side Mlada Boleslav as a first-half Graham Burke goal helped them to a 1-0 win (2-0 on aggregate) over Iceland's FC Stjarnan.
The Hoops endured a nervy second half as Stephen Bradley's young side learned to deal with the visitors' more physical and direct approach but they were good value for the win in front of watching Ireland boss Martin O'Neill.
It's the first time the Hoops have won home and away in Europe since they beat Odra Wodzlslaw in the now-defunct Intertoto Cup in 2003-04.
Burke completed a wonderful move involving Brandon Miele and Trevor Clarke after 20 minutes as the Hoops' made their dominance in the opening stages count.
The hosts created the first meaningful opportunity of the game as Ronan Finn pickpocketed Alex Hauksson in midfield and set up Burke, but the striker's shot flew over the bar.
Stjarnan responded in kind as a long throw from Josef Kristinn Josefsson was cleared only to the edge of the box, and Hauksson's volley drew and outstanding one-handed save from Tomer Chencinski. Roberto Lopes denied Hilmar Arni Halldorsson a follow-up.
The decisive moment came just before the midway point in the first half as an outstanding piece of individual skill from Miele saw him leave Johann Laxdal for dead and drive into the box.
Miele's ball across goal evaded everyone and looked to be headed out only for Trevor Clarke to slide and hook the ball back in for Burke, who finished first-time from a couple of yards out.
It was just reward for Rovers' superior endeavour, and Miele had a chance to make it two as Burke turned creator, but he failed to connect properly with his header and the chance was gone.
Miele and Clarke were causing untold problems for the Stjarnan full backs with their pace and the switched wings regularly, and Clarke went close again as he broke in from the left to connect with Simon Madden's near-post cross.
The visitors came into the game as the half drew to a close and had a succession of half-chances as the Hoops defence showed signs of uncertainty against the directness of their opponents.
Lopes did well to deflect a Hedinsson shot wide just after the half-hour and Sigurdsson forced a routine save from Chencinski while Lopes again did well to block from Halldursson after a mix-up on the edge of the box.
The Hoops had a penalty shout just before half time as Clarke was hacked down on the edge of the box, but it looked to be just about the correct decision, and the set-piece came to nothing.
The second half was a cagier affair as Rovers sat back and invited the visitors to break them down, and Clarke almost teed up Shaw for a second on the counter only for Brynjar Gudjonsson's decisive intervention.
Moments later, Rovers again had Chencinski to thank as Holmbert Fridjonsson found space down the right and pulled the ball back for Halldursson and the Canadian showed great reactions to tip the powerful shot over.
Stjarnan dominated much of the remainder but their limited play yielded little. Their best chances came from long throws, first as Finsen shanked a volley wide following a poor clearance by Lopes and again when Finn directed a tricky ball past his own post.
A mix-up between substitute David McAllister and Dave Webster presented Gudjon Baldvinsson with a great chance to level it on the night seven minutes from time but his shot was turned behind by a combination of Lopes and Chencinski.
And Michael O'Connor could have eased Rovers nerves on the break when he was sent clean through by Finn, but he hesitated and Bjornsson was able to turn his shot behind.
The goalkeeper saved again from O'Connor moments later and then denied Miele as the Hoops laid late siege to the Icelanders' goal and the Hoops saw the final minutes out comfortably.
Shamrock Rovers: Tomer Chencinski; Simon Madden, David Webster, Roberto Lopes, Luke Byrne; Ryan Connolly (Aaron Bolger 87), Ronan Finn, Trevor Clarke, Brandon Miele, Graham Burke (David McAllister 78); Gary Shaw (Michael O'Connor 69).
Subs not used: Kevin Horgan (gk), Sam Bone, James Doona, Aaron Bolger, Sean Boyd.
Booked: None.
Stjarnan: Haraldur Bjornsson; Johann Laxdal, Brynjar Gudjonsson, Daniel Laxdal, Josef Kristinn Josefsson; Alex Hauksson (Olafur Karl Finsen 49), Eyjolfur Hedinsoon, Holmbert Fridjonsson (Mani Hilmarsson 90+2), Baldur Sigurdsson (Heidar Aegisson 77), Hilmar Arni Haldorsson; Gudjon Baldvinsson.
Subs not used: Sveinn Sigurdur Johannesson (gk), Ottar Bjarni Gudmondsson, Hordur Arnason, Kristofer Konradsson, Mani Hilmarsson.
Booked: Baldur Sigurdsson (70), Gudjon Baldvinsson (90+3).
Referee: Glenn Nyberg
Attendance: 4,500 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Brandon Miele (Shamrock Rovers).
