SHAMROCK ROVERS made history in Europe last night as Michael O’Neill’s side silenced a raucous crowd in the Serbian capital Belgrade to beat FK Partizan – and become the first Irish side to reach the group stages of a European competition.
Rovers won 2-1 on the night after extra-time, which was enough to see them win this Europa League play-off round tie after a 1-1 draw in Dublin a week ago. Few believed that such an unpromising result at home would be a prelude to the drama seen last night.
In front of 16,607 boisterous fans, many of whom booed the visiting players as they came out for their pre-match warm-up, Rovers performed their most notable heroics through Pat Sullivan, who scored a stunning volleyed equaliser, and substitute Stephen O’Donnell, who scored a penalty in extra-time.
The club now enter today’s draw in Monaco for the Europa League group stage, which will earn them a minimum financial prize of €1 million – and potentially far more, depending on who they draw.
Whatever happens, they will become the first Irish club to play in European competition in the month of December since Shelbourne in the old Fairs Cup in 1964. “It’s hard to put in words,” said a breathless O’Neill afterwards.
“The performance was fantastic, it’s unbelievable. The courage they showed to play. We tried to contain them in the first half and we did that. We looked a wee bit nervy and created some of our own problems, but once we settled in the game I thought we did okay.
“We knew we had to score after they did, so it didn’t change it so much. Then the goal from Sully was out of this world. The two full-backs were unbelievable,” he said.
Only about 40-50 Rovers fans made the journey, notably fewer than attended their other European matches.
Despite the booing, the FK Partizan fans applauded the Rovers players as they left the field, having secured their historic victory.