Shamrock Rovers out to seal Europa Conference League progression but St Pats with work to do
The Saints toiled to the slenderest of first-leg leads last week, taking until late on to score against a Nõmme Kalju side reduced to nine men.
If there's a repeat of the last round against Hegelmann, when Stephen Kenny's side kept their best form for the away leg in a 4-0 aggregate romp, they'll progress with ease.
Even without shoulder injury victim Zack Elbouzedi joining Romal Palmer and Sean Hoare on the injured list, the Irish team should have enough depth to advance and tip their earnings over the €700,000 mark.
'We've got to be very determined and be ready to fight until the end here to get the result that we need,' said Kenny.
'We have a level-headed group. They understand we are not at the level that we can dismiss anybody, Estonian teams have traditionally been tough opposition. We have to earn the right to win.
'To win in Estonia won't be easy but the players are playing well now in the last couple of weeks and really starting to take control of the games in a good way, although we need to convert more of our chances.'
Elsewhere, Shamrock Rovers are all but assured of entering the third round, having swept to a 4-0 win away to St Joseph's last week.
Up against Gibraltarian opponents, the Hoops won't be concerned about an embarrassing capitulation at Tallaght (7.45pm) given the array of experience they've racked up as Champions League participants for the previous four years.
Stephen Bradley's penchant for rotation will be in evidence as the league leaders keep in mind Sunday's visit of challengers Derry City to Tallaght.
"Regardless of the team, our mentality is that it's 0-0 so we'll go to win the game,' said the Hoops manager.
'That's how we're built and how we play. That won't change tomorrow night but we also know we have a heavy fixture load coming.
'We know we have a good squad and it's important we use it. So it's important we get the balance right between wanting to go and win the game. That is important for the tie but also for our coefficient within Uefa.
'We can't underestimate that going forward. The more games you win, that's really important for the league as a whole. That's our aim here.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
19 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘They fumbled so hard' – Liverpool fans troll Chelsea as ex-Blues wonderkid Rio Ngumoha, 16, scores amazing solo goal
Ngumoha has revealed a Kop star has recently taken him under his wing LIVERPOOL fans brutally mocked Chelsea moments after Rio Ngumoha's sensational pre-season strike against Athletic Bilbao. The 16-year-old continued his fine pre-season goalscoring form with a superb solo effort against the La Liga big boys. 4 Rio Ngumoha has been one of the stars of Liverpool's pre-season Credit: Getty 4 The 16-year-old scored a sensational solo goal against Athletic Bilbao on Monday Credit: EPA 4 Liverpool fans flocked to social media to troll Chelsea for letting the teen sensation leave Credit: Alamy The teenager curled the ball into the far corner from well outside the 18-yard box following a superb solo run from just inside his own half. And the Anfield faithful couldn't help but troll Chelsea for selling the starlet to them last year after he found the back of the net. One wrote on X: "Chelsea would rather buy some random kid from Brazil than keep Rio Ngumoha. "They fumbled so hard." READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS INTO THE BLUE Sterling leads 9 Chelsea flops banished from website as 47-man squad revealed Another said: "He looks exceptional. Wow" And another said: "Another Cobham wonderkid." One chimed in: "Chelsea banned Liverpool scouts from attending their youth games after we signed Rio Ngumoha. "And I honestly don't blame them." SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN 4 Liverpool signed Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea in September 2024 Credit: Getty Ngumoha joined the Reds from Liverpool's academy last September and has flourished ever since. He was one of the star performers in the Reds' Under-18s squad last season. Forgotten Liverpool star who was hero of 2005 Champions League campaign now starring in world of professional FOOTGOLF Kop chief Arne Slot rewarded him for his exploits in January by handing him his professional debut in the Reds' FA Cup third-round tie with Accrington Stanley. Ngumoha's Cup appearance saw him become the Anfield club's second-youngest debutant. Ngumoha has loved every minute of pre-season with the Premier League champions and recently revealed that veteran defender Andy Robertson has taken him under his wing over the last few weeks. He told the club's official website: "Robbo has really helped me a lot. "He's so experienced and one of the best left-backs in the world. "I feel like having him behind me, I can't really ask for anything more. "He's experienced and teaches me a lot.' The Reds ran out 4-1 winners in the first of their back-to-back games with Bilbao, with goals from Ngumoha, Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliot - along with an OG from Alex Padilla - sealing the victory.
Extra.ie
19 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Dan Sheehan handed hefty ban after illegal play vs Australia
Dan Sheehan has been given a four-match suspension following an illegal clear-out that went unpunished against Australia. The Lions hooker made the challenge on Tom Lynagh during Saturday's 22-12 loss to Joe Schmidt's side and it initially went unnoticed by Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli. However, the 26-year-old has now been retrospectively cited by World Rugby's independent review committee. Sheehan has received a four-match ban. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan They deemed Sheehan's actions to be reckless, that contact was made with Lynagh's head and ruled the action amounted to a high degree of danger without mitigation. The sanction will be reduced to three games, subject to the Irish international successfully completing a coaching intervention course. Replays showed that Sheehan's elbow appeared to make contact with his opponent's head. Tom Lynagh was forced to go off for a HIA after the incident. Pic:Lynagh kicked a penalty moments after the incident but was then withdrawn for a head injury assessment (HIA) and did not return. Sheehan, who was captaining the Lions at the time after skipper Maro Itoje failed a HIA, has accepted the sanction. However, in his submissions, the player did not agree foul play occurred or that the offence warranted the citing. However, the 26-year-old has now been retrospectively cited by World Rugby's independent review committee. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile Sheehan will be unavailable for Leinster's pre-season clash with Cardiff on September 13 and the URC fixtures against South African sides the Stormers and the Sharks on September 26 and October 11 respectively. If he serves the full four-match ban, the forward will also sit out his side's URC clash with rivals Munster on October 18. This derby was recently confirmed to be played at Croke Park. With the RDS under redevelopment, Leinster are using the Aviva Stadium and Croker as their home grounds. Last year's derby was also held at GAA HQ, where over 80,000 spectators watched the home side earn a 26-12 victory. Leinster have said that they will return to the RDS for the start of the 2026/27 season. They will play most of their home games this season at the Aviva with some games designated for Croke Park. Before the public sale of tickets for the Munster clash, there will be a window for current Leinster Rugby season ticket holders to upgrade their tickets. This is the same process as would have applied to previous Munster games being hosted at the Aviva Stadium, rather than the RDS. Once Leinster's season ticket holders have had a window to access tickets, the remaining tickets will then go on sale to the public.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
'We want to get him fit' - St Mirren boss has plans for former Cork City man Dijksteel
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson intends on gradually integrating Malik Dijksteel into his team after granting the ex-Cork City winger his debut at Parkhead on Sunday. The original plan for the Dutchman joining the Scottish Premiership club in January was fast-tracked last week following a public spat with his City manager Ger Nash. It transpired the 24-year-old had, in fact, made himself available for last Friday week's game against Sligo Rovers despite claims to the contrary from his manager. City received a small fee for brokering a deal that suited all parties and the winger was named on the bench for Sunday's league opener against Celtic. Robinson introduced his new capture late on in the game played before bumper opening day crowd of 58,814. The Buddies were three minutes away from holding Celtic until Luke McCowan's deflected winner punctured their resistance. Lisburn-born Robinson also blooded another former League of Ireland graduate at Paradise. Tunmise Sobowale was two years ago sold by his hometown club Waterford to Shrewsbury Town and via a spell at Swindon Town was recently recruited by the Saints. Killian Phillips, who made his Ireland debut in the summer friendlies, also arrived in Paisley over the summer, upgrading his loan from Crystal Palace into a permanent deal. 'We've seen an incredible piece of athleticism from Tunmise but he's not played any football,' said Robinson after the wing-back's 15-minute league bow. 'Malik was only in the building two days and I'm not sure he touched the ball after he came on. 'We want to get these boys fit to have them as options, starting with next week. There's a reserve game this week and hopefully we'll have more selection headaches for our next game against Motherwell.' Liam Scales and Adam Idah started for Celtic, with Sligo native Johnny Kenny replacing the latter with 12 minutes left. Celtic were on Monday paired against either Kazakhstan outfit Kairy Almaty or Slovan Bratislava in the playoff round of the Champions League to be played in just over a fortnight. Idah was influential in the Bhoys' run to the knockout playoffs, where they lost in February to a late Bayern Munich goal.
