Stephen Bradley eyeing next phase as Shamrock Rovers 'up and running' in Conference League

Shamrock Rovers used all their experience to remain in the contest against APOEL having been reduced to ten men and going a goal down early in the second half, before fighting back against all odds to secure a late, late equaliser in their UEFA Conference League encounter at Tallaght Stadium.

The opening game of the Conference "league phase" saw the Hoops go head-to-head with the Cypriot champions, who came to Dublin looking for all three points. And Rovers had to dig deep to stay in the game in the early exchanges as the visitors came flying out of the blocks, threatening the goal inside the opening 60 seconds of the contest.

APOEL attacked with pace and precision throughout those opening ten minutes, as Rovers maintained their composure and their shape to keep the chances to the minimum before gradually getting a foothold in the game.

By half-time and with the teams going off level at the break, there was a sense of optimism amongst the home side who had earned the right to take the contest to their frustrated opponents after the break.

And it showed early in the second half as it was Stephen Bradley's side who started on the front foot with Johnny Kenny getting a sight at goal shortly after the re-start.

But then, disaster struck as a bemused and bewildered Neil Farrugia trod off down the tunnel having received his second yellow card of the game, just five minutes after the re-start.

Booked for a bit of a tame off-the-ball altercation in the first half, Farrugia then picked up a very soft second for a slight tug on APOEL playmaker Marquinhos.

The visitors sensed their opportunity and made the breakthrough shortly afterwards from a well-worked set-piece, as Cyprus international Konstantinos Laifis crashed his header home.

APOE