Ferencvaros complete job to end Shamrock Rovers' dismal European campaign

(Ferencvaros win 6-0 on aggregate)

Shamrock Rovers have exited the Europa Conference League, as a classy Ferencvaros calmly disposed of them at Tallaght Stadium.

Having lost 4-0 away in Hungary last week, Rovers faced an unconquerable task, even in front of their own fans. Goals in either half from Kristoffer Zachariassen and Samy Mmaee were little more than formalities that rubber-stamped the Hoops' exit in the second qualifying round.

Overcoming the Hungarian champions – who reached the last 16 of last year’s Europa League – was always seen as unlikely, however, there will be a major element of disappointment in exiting European football so early after four losses on the bounce.

Stephen Bradley’s men reached the group stages of this competition last year, banking €3.5 million in the process. This year, they have accumulated in the region of just €810,000.

However, defeat here does at least present the opportunity to now focus single-mindedly on retaining a fourth consecutive league title.

Ferencvaros, meanwhile, will be widely expected to progress further in this competition and could well achieve European group stage football for their fifth consecutive year.

Bradley had accepted his side’s likely fate before the game, and used the opportunity to introduce the youth of 19-year-old Kieran Cruise and 20-year-old Conan Noonan to his starting XI.

The Hoops kicked off positively and it was Noonan that could have opened the scoring within two minutes.

Markus Poom played a wonderful diagonal to Sean Gannon, who raced into the box before pulling a pass back to the young midfielder. The goal looked to be opening up for Noonan, however, his shot was heroically blocked by a Ferencvaros body.

The Hungarians didn’t waste any time before