Hoops finish off Shkupi to guarantee Europa odyssey

(Shamrock Rovers win 5-2 on aggregate)

Shamrock Rovers marched into the Europa League play-off round, and guaranteed themselves a place in the Europa Conference League group stage at the very least, after they beat Shkupi 2-1 to wrap up a 5-2 aggregate victory on Tuesday night.

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Shkupi had been firing themselves up all week over the perceived injustice of Dublin Airport failing to accommodate their charter flight for last week's first leg in Tallaght. Instead they were diverted to Shannon Airport.

Prior to that first leg the club issued a statement promising to respond "like lions on the field". Ultimately, they were contained and tamed by Stephen Bradley's impressive side.

The Hoops took a 3-1 first leg lead to the Todor Proeski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia tonight - a lead they diligently protected before Rory Gaffney's deflected effort on 65 minutes killed off the tie. With five minutes to go Aidomo Emhaku put the cherry on top when he beat keeper Kristijan Naumovski to a punt forward and knocked the ball into the empty net.

Sunday Adetunji did drill home a consolation at the death but it was a goal he barely celebrated.

The Airtricity League Premier Division leaders will now face Ferencvaros in the Europa League play-off after the Hungarians were beaten 4-1 on aggregate by Qarabag in their Champions League third-round qualifier.

Even if they lose that tie, Rovers will drop into the group stages of the third tier Europa Conference League - their graft and quality rewarded by a lucrative European safety net.

Aaron Green started for the visitors, with Gaffney leading the line and Jack Byrne joining Burke on the bench. But Chris McCann, who was terrific in the first leg, missed out due to a calf injury.

Shukp