Irish eyes on Milan’s visit to Shamrock Rovers

DUBLIN, Sept 15, (AP): With one of the biggest clubs in European soccer making its return to the Emerald Isle on Thursday, Irish soccer is buzzing.

AC Milan expects to have Zlatan Ibrahimovic in tow against Shamrock Rovers in Europa League qualifying for the storied Italian club’s first competitive game on Irish soil since 1975, when it was held to a scoreless draw in the midland town of Athlone.

It’s welcome attention for Ireland — where many fans openly support teams in the Premier League and beyond — and reminiscent of Real Madrid’s 2009 preseason visit that featured Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut for the Spanish club.

“The news coverage, talk radio, sports radio, digital platforms, podcasts, it’s all been about this game,” Rovers board director Mark Lynch said. “For us as a club, it’s great to hear and see that. The attention has been at extremely high levels and spread near and far.”

The second qualifying round game will be played in an empty Tallaght Stadium, in south Dublin, under UEFA’s strict rules because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hoops — technically Shamrock Rovers’ nickname based on their traditional green-and-white hoop jerseys — are the underdogs. The pandemic-restricted schedule means just one game, however, which could give the hosts a boost.

“There’s no fear,” Rovers striker Graham Burke told Irish Football Fan TV on Tuesday. “I don’t see

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where there should be pressure on us going into the game.

“I know it’s AC Milan and everything, people may not give us a chance of anything,” Burke said. “We think we maybe have a shot if we compose ourselves.”