Pic: Mark McDermott
This festive period, Shamrock Rovers head into two crucial fixtures against Breidablik and Hamrun Spartans. On the back of losing 2-1 to Shakhtar Donetsk, the Hoops’ European hopes hang on by a thread.
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Pushing for progression
Shamrock Rovers caused numerous issues for Shakhtar Donetsk’s backline and appeared to be close to finding the net. The Hoops’ best period came directly after the interval, but to no avail. Goal attempts coming from Dylan Watts and Matt Healy in the first 15 minutes of the second half threatened but did not break down the Ukrainian defence.
In the final two opponents, Shamrock Rovers will be the favourites on both occasions. With maximum points, it still may not be enough to surpass the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League. Stephen Bradley’s side may need to be firing on all cylinders for both fixtures to ensure some inroads are made to the goal difference.
The double champions have scored just three goals throughout the League Phase, sitting in 35th with a goal difference of -6. This will play a part in any potential exit, as seven points were enough to qualify last season.
Narrow path to qualification
The odds have been stacked against the Hoops since the draw was made. Opponents such as Shakhtar, Sparta Prague, and AEK Athens were always going to prove difficult. However, the point in Athens is imperative to any potential progress. With seven points potentially being enough, it has been made possible, along with two victories from the final two games.
NK Celje’s visit to Tallaght has been proven to play a pivotal role in how things are panning out for the 22-time champions. After beating them last season, many supporters anticipated another victory over the Slovenian outfit. However, vast improvements had been made to the squad, and it showed as they ran out 2-0 victors.
Shamrock Rovers tend not to have goals in plentiful supply when beating opponents, but may need to get an extra couple this month. Standing in 35th with a goal difference of -6, anything but two victories is meaningless in the context of progression.
Encouraging signs
As the fixture approached with Shakhtar, it may have been anticipated that Shamrock Rovers would get nothing out of the game. While this was the case, they will be sure to take enormous confidence heading into the two final games of 2025. Shakhtar, a side fourth in the UEFA Conference League (one place behind NK Celje), lack quality in-depth.
According to FotMob, the 11 that Shakhtar fielded have a combined market value of €82 million. Shamrock Rovers’ 11 is valued at just over €4.5 million, a difference of €77.5 million. Despite the gap in valuations, there was a feeling amongst Tallaght Stadium that on another day, the outcome could have swayed the other way. In conjunction with questionable refereeing decisions, most sensed a draw as a reasonable outcome. A point that would certainly have provided a boost to hopes of continuing the European campaign to 2026.
Absentees and selection trends
Shamrock Rovers will be without Daniel Mandroiu as he recovers from ACL reconstruction surgery. Aaron McEneff and Max Kovaleskis both missed the Shakhtar defeat, with no update expected until closer to the Breidablik encounter.
John McGovern was handed his sixth start for the Hoops in the most recent outing. A common trend for Bradley is to place the Newry man in the starting 11 for European fixtures. Rovers will have had two weeks between games and a week between the final two fixtures, giving ample opportunity to come away with six points.