Gary O'Neill lets fly to earn Shamrock Rovers two-goal cushion against Shkupi in Europa League qualifier first leg

Ireland might yet have two teams in the group stages of European combat for the first time after Shamrock Rovers defeated their North Macedonian rivals Shkupi 3-1 – the ultimate victory in a game billed as a struggle between good and 'evil' prior to kick-off by the visitors.

Rovers dominated the opening quarter of a contest marked by questionable Shkupi defending after which Graham Burke (penalty) and Dylan Watts helped the Hoops ease into a commanding position.

Queven Da Silva Inacio's goal ensured that the tie is far from over ahead of the return leg, the loss through injury of Chris McCann really hurting Rovers after an hour of dominance.

But Gary O'Neill restored the Hoops' two-goal cushion with a screamer at the death and that should be enough for Stephen Bradley's men.

St Patrick's Athletic are hosts here in a week's time in the Europa Conference League as CSKA Sofia bid to overcome a 1-0 deficit before what will likely be a sold-out Tallaght, albeit one in red and white – and these are rare days of bounty for the casual League of Ireland fan in the capital.

Rovers realise a place in the Conference League group stages is theirs if they win this tie on aggregate (at worst) but their eyes are on a spot in the Europa League's bunches of four – 11 years after they overcame far greater odds to achieve the same under now-Stoke manager Michael O'Neill, breaking a mould at the time.

They would have been worried had they only won by a goal here but Shkupi deserved a goal after a spirited performance, if not the perceived travesty of their preparation.

And O'Neill, one of the league's most underrated players, rather changed the outlook at the conclusion of a thoroughly barmy day.

As pre-match sideshows go, there is none in memory to