Shamrock Rovers Champions League journey came to an end in the second round with a 4-2 defeat (6-2 on aggregate) to Sparta Prague at Stadion Letná.
The Hoops will now play in the Europa League, and they are guaranteed four more games on the continent.
Rovers died with their boots on as Aaron Greene twice equalised on the night after Victor Olatunji and Mathias Ross scored, but it wasn't enough as Asger Sørensen and Indrit Tuci sealed the win for the home side.
Stephen Bradley’s players had everything to do in Prague as they were 2-0 down from the first leg at Tallaght Stadium, and that led to an energetic opening from the Irish champions.
The Hoops got forward and won various set-pieces after fouls on Gary O’Neill and Darragh Nugent. While nothing came out of these half-chances, they were seen as a positive sign by the travelling supporters.
Sparta Prague came through this spell and Olatunji turned in a Imanol cross in the 29th minute.
The game restarted with a foul on Neil Farrugia and that gave Rovers an opportunity to build from inside their own half. They passed around the back before going long, and Dylan Watts’ pass was picked up by Greene. Peter Vindahl came out to put the striker off and it was no use as he was able to squeeze in an equaliser in the 33rd minute.
Sparta Prague shrugged off this minor incursion and immediately regained the lead, with Ross knocking in an Qazim Laçi corner.
Rovers continued to press and they went into the break frustrated about a penalty appeal being turned down after a collision between Greene and Sørensen inside the area.
The second half started with a deep cross into the box by Josh Honohan, and Greene guided this into make it 2-2, 4-2 on aggregate.
Any hope of a comeback for the ages was immediately extinguished as Sørensen headed in a Kryštof Daněk corner in the 48th minute.
The third goal effectively ended the tie and extinguished any possibility of a frantic finish. Sparta Prague knew this, and they wound things down by pinning Rovers into their own half.
Tuci’s goal was the pick of the bunch as the substitute collected a pass from Ermal Krasniqi, adjusted his position on the edge of the area, and fired well beyond the reach of Leon Pohls.
Sparta Prague: Peter Vindahl; Mathias Ross, David Pavelka, Asger Sørensen (Jaroslav Zelený 62), Tomáš Wiesner (Martin Suchomel 84), Lukáš Sadílek, Qazim Laçi (Markus Solbakken 62), Imanol, Kryštof Daněk (Indrit Tuci 69), Victor Olatunji (Jan Kuchta 69), Ermal Krasniqi.
Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls, Sean Hoare (Daniel Cleary 24), Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace, Josh Honohan, Neil Farrugia (Markus Poom 63), Gary O’Neill, Darragh Nugent, Trevor Clarke (Darragh Byrne 63), Dylan Watts (Jack Byrne 63), Aaron Greene (Graham Burke 74).
Referee: Simone Sozza (Italy)
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