Hoops hammer Ballkani to reach UCL play-offs

(Shamrock Rovers win 4-1 on aggregate)

Shamrock Rovers booked their place in the UEFA Conference League play-off round in style as they trounced FC Ballkani in this third qualifying round second leg at Tallaght Stadium.

Oasis are in town for their reunion tour and Rory Gaffney, who is enjoying a swansong season, gave a vintage display with two clinical finishes either side of the break to put the Hoops ahead on aggregate.

The 35-year-old wasn't involved in last years’ European campaign and was training with the club in pre-season whilst out of contract. He has rewarded Stephen Bradley’s faith with 12 goals in an electric season.

A rip-roaring second half was capped by a sumptuous volley from Josh Honohan and a Graham Burke finish as Rovers dismantled their Kosovan opponents and set up a play-off for a league phase place with Santa Clara of Portugal.

What a hit! 🤯☄️

Josh Honohan with an absolute peach of a strike to put @ShamrockRovers well on their way to a place in the UEFA Conference League Play-Off round 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Z2LCFy4TGb — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) August 14, 2025

After losing the first leg and drawing a blank in Galway, the hosts looked back to their fluid and attacking best, led by an obsessive hunger to win possession high up the pitch.

Rovers started aggressively and in the second minute, Matthew Healy’s deflected shot from the edge of the area was smothered on the line by goalkeeper Adnan Golubovic.

The first half went into a lull and the once fervent crowd unleashed a frightful gasp as Marsel Ismajlgeci’s curling shot rattled the post in the sixteenth minute as the visitors enjoyed a purple patch, getting into several dangerous positions.

Rovers found their groove after the half-hour mark with Gaffney’s running of the channels causing Ballkani all sorts of problems.

The forward got in behind the Kosovan defence and slipped the ball through the legs of Golubovic, but Tallaght fireworks were cut short by the offside flag.

The South stand regained its voice however, and Gaffney beat Arber Potoku before the full-back recovered to block his shot and direct some gestures at his opponent.

Gaffney would have the last laugh as he put Rovers ahead on the night and level on aggregate on the stroke of half-time.

Daniel Mandroiu’s low cross from the endline was spilled by Golubovic and Gaffney pounced from close range before goading Potoku.

Rory Gaffney (L) had a few words for Arber Potoku after opening the scoring

Gaffney was the hero again just two minutes after the break with a wonderful flicked finish after Conor Malley had capitalised on an error from Potoku whose nightmare continued.

Potoku couldn’t be blamed for Rovers’ third as he was substituted before Honohan’s spectacular volley from 20 yards put the hosts two goals ahead on aggregate and out of sight.

Honohan, whose driving run initially won the corner from which the ball broke for him, unleashed a screamer into the top corner to cap off a dream ten minutes for the Hoops.

It was party time in the 67th minute as Ballkani fell asunder. Substitute Burke latched on to an inexplicable back pass and found an empty net.

The game was over as a contest and Bradley rang the changes as his side saw out this tie with minimal fuss, leaving Irish football with two rolls of the dice for the league phase of the Conference League.

Shamrock Rovers will face the Azores Islands' Santa Clara over two legs after they beat Larne 3-0 on aggregate while Shelbourne take on Northern Irish neighbours Linfield.

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty, Josh Honohan (Matthews 70), Pico Lopes, Lee Grace, Dan Cleary, Dylan Watts (McGovern 70), Daniel Mandroiu (Burke 63), Matthew Healy, Rory Gaffney (Noonan 63), Daniel Grant, Conor Malley (Nugent 70).

Ballkani: Adnan Golubovic, Geralb Smajli, Arber Potoku (Hamidi 54), Gentrit Halili, Giovanni (Tolaj 81), Almir Kryeziu, Marsel Ismajlgeci (Diene 68), Ardit Deliu, Elvis Letaj, Bajram Jashanica, Sunday Adetunji (Serebe 68).

Click here to read article