Chelsea class tells but Shamrock Rovers set for more in Europe

Shamrock Rovers ultimately fell to a 5-1 defeat away to Chelsea in their Conference League game at Stamford Bridge but the Hoops will go on in Europe this season, with a playoff phase knockout game pencilled in for the new year.

The sizable visiting support were briefy sent into raptures when Markus Poom's wickedly deflected shot levelled the game at 1-1 on 26 minutes but defensive lapses continued undermine throughout the first half.

The 18-year old Barcelona striker Marc Guiu finished the first half with a hat-trick, the first two goals gifted through woeful back-pass mishaps from the visitors.

Chelsea enjoyed more than 80 per cent possession during the first 25 minutes but it took a defensive error for them to take the lead.

Renato Veiga hoofed a looping ball forward for Tyrique George to chase. Darragh Burns reached it first, but his wayward header back to his goalkeeper was woefully misjudged allowing Guiu to steal in and nod Chelsea in front.

Chelsea's youngsters had been rampant in the league phase and it appeared set for another procession but Rovers responded with minutes.

Johnny Kenny, who might have scored the opener but failed to connect properly with Dylan Watts' cross, forced a top corner save from Filip Jorgensen.

Watts' resultant corner travelled to the edge of the box, where Poom, arched his back and pinged a left-footed half volley, which ricocheted off Cesare Casadei's heel and whizzed past a helpless and stranded Jorgensen. The sizable Rovers contingent erupted in the opposite corner of the ground.

By the half-hour mark, things were tied at 1-1 and things could hardly have been going better the Hoops.

However, Chelsea's second, sickeningly similar to their first undid all the good work as Daniel Cleary offered