HOOPS DIG IN FOR EPIC WIN
SHAMROCK R 2 ILVES TAMPERE 2
(aet - Rovers win 12-11 on penalties)
TEN-MAN Shamrock Rovers rescued the embattled status of Irish club football as they edged out the flying Finns of Ilves 12-11 on penalties in a Tallaght Stadium thriller late last night.
Twice behind, Rovers also had Liam Scales red-carded in the 87th minute before holding their nerve in an astonishing shoot-out to advance to the second qualifying round of the Europa League.
Veteran Joey O’Brien kept a cool head to score the decisive penalty after Alan Mannus denied Eemili Raittenen.
It was O’Brien’s second successful spot-kick in a marathon spotkick drama like no other for an Irish club in Europe.
The wounded reputation of the SSE Airtricity League rested on the shoulders of the Hoops after three straight losses for fellow clubs, including an earlier penalties purgatory for Bohemians in Hungary. Indeed, the Gypsies dramatic shoot-out was reaching its agonising climax just as Rovers were falling behind, with much indignation, to a debatable spot-kick for Ilves. It wasn’t the only contentious call which went against Rovers.
On a soft night in Tallaght the temperature dropped noticeably, not that Ilves, with 16 Finnish Ice Hockey titles, would have minded if it was snowing. The ball skidded off the glistening pitch as Rover strived to stay upright in Europe. Such slithery conditions tend to serve up thrills and spills, and this tie was no exception as both teams were committed to attack.
The lively Finns were in front inside ten minutes, much to the chagrin of Rovers.
A cross from the left appeared to smack O’Brien in the face and go out for a corner. But the Slovak referee, Michal Ocenas, felt O’Brien’s raised right arm had deflected the ball out of play and pointed to the spot.
As Rovers protested furiously the streaming replays vindicated O’Brien’s innocence - Lauri AlaMyllymaki tucked the ball away neatly.
Rather than feel sorry for themselves, Rovers roared back, with Jack Byrne looking to pick pockets like the Artful Dodger.
Aaron Greene was denied a snap equaliser by ‘keeper Mika Hilander before Graham Burke struck in the 14th minute.
After Rovers pressed an Ilves short kick-out, Greene hustled them into error and found Burke who curled a sweet left footer from 18 yards beyond Hilander into the top corner.
The goal ignited the Irish international for a spell as he as buzzed about like a firefly in the Tallaght lights, peppering in shots, and darting into dangerous positions
He took a tumble in the box at pace but when the referee waved play on, the howls of anguish from the Rovers bench carried to the Hell Fire Club.
For all their possession, Rovers needed to be wary and O’Brien drew on his experience with a Tissot-like challenge in the box a second penalty concession would have been hard to stomach. At the break, Rovers had reason to feel they had the measure of Ilves but the team which re-appeared must have sugared their half-time cuppa with a cube of Kryptonite.
They appeared leggy, lacking their early zip and it was from a swift counter just past the hour that they went ahead for a second time.
A slick move was topped off with a crisp right-footer from the edge of the box by Joona Veteli.
It was the jolt Rovers needed as they raised their game and drew level 12 minutes from time when Lopes deftly flicked Byrne’s near post corner into the net.
It was the third European goal in successive ties for the centrehalf, who scored last year against Brann and Apollon Limassol.
At 2-2, the game was on a knife edge balance but Rovers were dealt a blow in the 87th minute when Irish U21 defender Scales blocked his opponent close to the touchline and was sent off for a second yellow card.
Not unexpectedly, Rovers were forced to drop deep in extra time and they needed the athleticism of Lopes to keep them level in the 97th minute.
It followed a contentious free awarded against Alan Mannus, when the Rovers keeper was adamant the last touch had come off an Ilves player. From 12 yards, Ala-Myllmaki drove through a thicket of bodies but Lopes somehow executed a critical block.
With a handful of Rovers fans shouting ‘Come on Rovers’ and lighting flares atop the boundary wall on the LUAS side of the ground, a pulsating tie headed for penalties.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; O’Brien, Lopes, Grace; Finn, O’Neill, McEneff, Farrugia (Williams 78); Byrne; Burke (Watts 64), Greene (Lafferty 104). Scorers: Burke 14, Lopes 78. Sent off: Scales 87. ILVES TAMPERE: Hilander; Miettunen, Tomas, Almen; Aspegren (Arifi 110), Veteli (Siira 83), Tavares Silva, Tamminen (Mommo 99); Skytta, Ala-Myllmaki; Mettala (Raittinen 79). Scorers: Ala-Myllmaki 10 pen, Veteli 64. Referee: M Ocenas (Slovakia).