Brave Hoops fall to narrow defeat against Djurgardens

Shamrock Rovers gave by far the strongest away performance of their Europa Conference League campaign but ultimately fell to a 1-0 defeat against table toppers Djurgardens in Sweden this evening.

Former Sweden international Magnus Eriksson scored the game's only goal just inside the 20th minute mark, completing a beautiful, flowing move but, unlike in Belgium or Norway, the League of Ireland champions remained competitive throughout, Rory Gaffney and Neil Farrugia having chances to equalise, with Jack Byrne a consistently enterprising presence in the second half.

Two months ago, Rovers had earned an opening round point against the highly rated Swedish outfit - currently in second spot in the Allsvenskan table, where they are guaranteed to finish after the weekend's action - even spurning opportunities in the second half to take all three points.

Since then, Djurgardens, the exact spelling of whose name has been a source of some dispute in this part of the world, have emerged as the strongest team in the group, winning four from four, making sure of top spot before tonight's game.

Stephen Bradley's side, meanwhile, had floundered badly in their two away games in the group, shipping 3-0 losses in both Gent and Molde, the Rovers manager indicating that he was inclined to prioritise the league, with Derry City cranking up the pressure at home.

With the Premier Division trophy now safely resting in Tallaght for another year, the Hoops were freer to have a cut off this away fixture and delivered their most impressive performance on the road in the group.

The 40-year-old Alan Mannus, who recently won his fifth league title with the club, was rested, with German Leon Pohls being granted his first European start.

The visitors survived a