Three-goal Shamrock Rovers take control of Champions League tie

Shamrock Rovers have given themselves a cracking chance of progressing to the second qualifying round of the Champions League after a relatively comfortable win on a cloudy night in Dublin before over 7,000 fans.

First-half goals from Ronan Finn and Dylan Watts, Rory Gaffney setting up both, reflected Rovers' dominance and patience; Gaffney added the third and, on this evidence, they should get the job done in Malta next week.

The Hoops were patently superior to a plucky Hibernians side and will fancy their chance of a likely meeting with a much better outfit in Ludogorets Razgrad, who won the first leg of their tie 2-0, in the next round.

Rovers were extremely fortunate not to concede in the third quarter as Hibernians belatedly showed some offensive nous and it might prove critical that they avoided giving away an away goal to the Maltese champions, who presumably will be better equipped than Rovers for the Mediterranean heat.

The game, however, looks up for them after the third goal, which also involved a bit of fortune for Rovers, perhaps the luck of the Irish in Tallaght.

With Danny Mandroui off to Lincoln, Jack Byrne out injured and Graham Burke in the same bracket, Rovers had to showcase the spread of talent in offensive midfield areas.

Stephen Kenny was among the crowd and it got noisy on two minutes as Watts threaded a ball through for Gaffney, whose effort was deflected into the arms of Ibrahim Koné.

Moments later Aaron Greene had a better chance but hooked over, appearing to be hurt from a Hibernians last-ditch tackle. Watts has been in superb form for Rovers and continued to probe, dragging wide from a left-footed effort on 12 minutes.

Then Gaffney fed the lively Gary O'Neill, who also dragged his shot wide.

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