Preview: Experience & endeavour can see Rovers progress

Gary O'Neill’s superb strike may not prove decisive, however, the midfielder’s last-minute effort has certainly put Shamrock Rovers in the driving seat ahead of tonight’s Europa League qualifier against Shkupi in Skopje.

Leading 2-1 in the first leg at Tallaght Stadium, and with the allotted six minutes of injury time already elapsed, a late Rovers corner found Sean Hoare in space at the back post, where the centre-half somehow had the vision and the composure to pick out his team-mate on the edge of the box.

Kerry native O’Neill did the rest, picking his spot, before whipping an unstoppable effort into the top corner in front of the adoring South Stand faithful.

A quick turnaround for the Hoops in an unorthodox Thursday-Tuesday double header, however, the Dublin club will be relieved, at least, to have made the trip to North Macedonia with the minimum of fuss.

And now Stephen Bradley’s side can go out and secure European group stage football to mirror the great Michael O’Neill side of 2011, who became the first Irish team to reach the holy grail in that season’s Europa League.

Granted, victory in Skopje tonight – Rovers can even afford to lose by a single goal and still progress – is only affording the Hoops a guaranteed place in the Conference League group stages, however, it will also set up a veritable free shot against Ferencvaros or Qarabag for a place in the Europa League equivalent.

Dundalk are the only other Irish side to enjoy group stage football, and the fact that Rovers are going into the game as favourites to progress must be almost unique in League of Ireland terms, however, it is far from a given that the Hoops will make it through.

Shkupi have blown hot and cold throughout their two and a half rounds of