Shamrock Rovers can take one giant step towards the knock-out stages of the UEFA Conference League as they welcome Welsh champions TNS to Tallaght Stadium this evening (kick-off 5:45pm).
The Hoops are looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the league phase of the competition knowing that a victory would take them to seven points from three games, having drawn with Cypriot side APOEL in their opener, and following it up with an impressive 4-1 away win at Larne.
With 24 of the top 36 teams making it through to the next phase of the tournament in the New Year, seven points is the predicted tally that will see teams secure their spot, as the competition moves to a knock-out format.
Tougher games await the Hoops following tonight's clash with The New Saints, but all the focus for the recently dethroned Irish champions will be on the Tallaght encounter as Stephen Bradley's side look to maintain their momentum on the European stage.
Rovers' four-season stretch as League of Ireland kingpins came to a conclusion last Friday night as Shelbourne were crowned Premier Division champions, so with domestic duties completed for the 2024 campaign, the Hoops can fully focus on their remaining matches in Europe before their extended season finally comes to a close.
Two home, two away, as Rovers travel to Austria after the TNS game for a tough clash with the renowned Rapid Vienna, before returning to Tallaght to take on Bosnian outfit Borac Banja Luka.
The Hoops will target points in all three games, and will hope to have secured their spot in the next phase before their daunting trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea.
But first TNS.
Similar to the Larne fixture at Windsor Park, tonight's game will come in the guise of a familiar fixture to Rovers as both squads would be fairly similar in relation to the levels that players have played throughout their careers.
On paper, Rovers perhaps the more experienced of the two, boasting several international players like Graham Burke, Jack Byrne and Roberto Lopes, while the Welsh outfit are made up of players who have been on the English lower league circuit, having come through some of the bigger clubs at underage level.
TNS winger Josh Daniels is well known in League of Ireland circles having played for Derry City, while he was also at Glenavon in the Irish League. Midfielder Rory Holden also came through the Ryan McBride Brandywell club before moving to Bristol City in 2017.
Dan Williams had a spell at Dundalk in 2022, while USA international defender Matthew Olosunde – he has one senior cap – signed for Manchester United in 2018, but failed to break through at Old Trafford.
Rovers may not have claimed the title this season, however, they have finished in style with a run of victories to end out the campaign, and Bradley's vastly experienced unit will be brimming with confidence going into the game with their Welsh counterparts.
The stadium should be close to full for another big European night in Dublin and while the Rovers players may be suffering with a touch of end-of-season fatigue, coupled with the obligatory what-ifs, after playing their way back into contention for the title, they will be buoyed by the fact that they have a full three-week break between competitive games after tonight’s clash.
And if the Hoops can take that momentum, from the Larne game especially, into tonight’s fixture, they can certainly aspire to come out on top and add another three points to their tally.
Larne were perhaps caught cold at Windsor Park, however, TNS are well used to European competition and will bring a level of confidence themselves, coming into the game off the back of an impressive 2-0 victory over FC Astana last time out - they beat Bohemians and Cliftonville in previous European campaigns.
Rovers, however, are looking back to their best in recent weeks and are spoilt for choice with their attacking options going into tonight’s game.
Dylan Watts has enjoyed a stand-out season for the Hoops, while Graham Burke is also showing the form that saw him drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad a few seasons back.
Johnny Kenny has grown in confidence this season and is a real threat up top for the Hoops with his direct running and energetic approach, while the mercurial Neil Farrugia returns to the squad after missing the Larne game through suspension.
The manager will have a big call to make regarding Aaron McEneff and Gary O'Neill and whether he can work both midfielders into his starting XI.
O’Neill has been a rock in front of the Rovers defence over the past few campaigns, while McEneff came in and played magnificently in the Belfast clash last month.
Jack Byrne, likewise, is starting to look his old self, and is primed to make his mark; the Dubliner has a penchant for the big occasion and will surely be anxious to put in a real performance should be start tonight.
By the manager's admission, his side were not good enough this season to win the league, however, he has full faith in his squad to put in a professional performance in tonight’s vital fixture.
Bradley said he knows what went wrong early in the season, and while he is loath to speak about it while the current run of games continues, there were elements of Friday night’s performance against Waterford that showed that frailties still exist within the squad.
The must-win season finale proved a really entertaining encounter and the Hoops did manage to come out on top, however, the attack-minded and carefree Waterford approach caused real issues in the second half.
Rovers are not used to teams taking the game to them in such a manner in the League of Ireland, however, they have looked a lot more composed in similar situations in European games, so the nature of that Waterford game should be factored into the equation as the Hoops had to win to keep the pressure on Shelbourne.
Whether TNS have the confidence to come and take the game to the home side remains to be seen, but it is probably a scenario that the Hoops would welcome as it would leave space and gaps to exploit when in possession.
Rovers have proved themselves against stronger opposition in Europe and will again be confident of creating opportunities themselves tonight, and while the league campaign did not go to plan, the European exploits have proved positive all season and have the real potential to continue this evening under the Tallaght lights.
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