SHAMROCK ROVERS YESTERDAY recorded a 1-0 home victory over Estonia’s FC Flora, leaving the tie still firmly in the balance.
While it was a decent win for Rovers, a positive result in the second leg is by no means a given, as recent history attests.
We revisit three other 0ccasions in which Irish clubs faced second legs having secured a 1-0 victory in the initial game.
2010: The New Saints FC 4-0 Bohemians
Bohemians had a one-goal advantage following Killian Brennan’s goal in the first leg, however in this instance, they simply capitulated. The match began in disastrous fashion for Bohs, as they conceded three goals in the opening 20 minutes of the game.
Despite intense pressure from the Bohs’ attack thereafter, they were unable to break the Welsh rearguard and Matthew Williams all but ended the tie as a contest with 17 minutes remaining, completing what was ultimately a rout and setting up a tie with RSC Anderlecht that they subsequently lost.
2006: Apollon Limassol 1-1 Cork City
Following their victory in Turner’s Cross, Cork secured a victory under tense circumstances. The Irish side, which featured future Premier League player Roy O’Donovan and international Joe Gamble, went behind on the night, before Dan Murray’s got the all-important away goal with a superb late header. Despite the enticing prospect of a lucrative tie in the third round, Cork subsequently failed to beat Red Star Belgrade of Sebia in the next round.
2000: Shelbourne 1-1 Sloga Jugomagnat
This game was as much a triumph for League of Ireland as it was for Shelbourne, who having secured a victory in Macedonia in the first leg performed admirably in Tolka Park to finish off the task.
Irish football was in serious need of a boost, following St Patrick’s Athletic’s morale-crushing 10-0 aggregate loss to Zimbru Chisinau the previous year. Manager Dermot Keely encapsulated the sense of euphoria on the night, saying: “I never experienced anything in football as good as our performance in Macedonia, but this probably beats that.”
