Conference League as it happened: Shamrock Rovers hammer Ballkani as St Pat's lose after Besiktas comeback in Istanbul
Shamrock Rovers faced Ballkani in tonight's Uefa Conference League third qualifying round second leg, and easily overturned a 1-0 deficit at Tallaght Stadium.
Before that, St Patrick's Athletic gave an almighty scare to Turkish side Besiktas in Istanbul, leading 2-0 befopre succumbing to a 3-2 defeat.
You can relive all the action here.
3 minutes ago
Sean O'Connor shares his final thoughts on a successful night in Dublin 24:
Full-time here at Tallaght Stadium and a flawless evening sees Shamrock Rovers progress to the Conference League play-off round where they will face Portuguese outfit Santa Clara, with the Hoops away for the first-leg next week.
A brace either side of the break from Rory Gaffney put the hosts in the driving seat before a Josh Honohan belter and a tap-in from Graham Burke got the job done for Stephen Bradley's men.
They are now just one round away from a third Conference League qualification in four seasons, as the south stand serenades the players with 'there's only one Stephen Bradley'.
4 minutes ago
FULL-TIME: Shamrock Rovers 4 - Ballkani 0 (4-1 Agg.)
All over here in Tallaght and what a wonderful second-leg result for Stephen Bradley's men. They march on to the Conference League play-off round where they will face Santa Clara from the Azores who compete in the Portuguese league.
Aside from a brief scare tonight when Marsel Ismajlgeci hit the post early in the first-half, Shamrock Rovers dominated the second-leg. Trailing 1-0 on aggregate, Rory Gaffney's goal just before the break levelled matters at the perfect moment.
The Hoops roared out of the dressing rooms in the second-half as their 35-year-old striker gave them the lead with a sumptuous 48th-minute back-heel goal. Josh Honohan thumped in a fine half-volley 7 minutes later before Graham Burke punished a goalkeeping error after the hour mark to seal a 4-1 aggregate win.
13 minutes ago
89' With nothing else on, Lee Grace has a go from range but can't trouble the goalkeeper on this occasion.
There won't be much additional injury time once we hit the 90th-minute in Tallaght. The fourth official's board goes up and it reads 2 minutes.
16 minutes ago
Elsewhere, a big win for Linfield sets up a rematch with Shels in the Conference League play-off:
While the League of Ireland's attention has been on events in Tallaght and Istanbul tonight, in Belfast, Linfield secured a huge 2-0 second-leg win over Vikingur (Faroe Islands) to progress 3-2 on aggregate and set up a rematch with Shelbourne in the Conference League play-off round.
The sides met in an All-island derby clash last month in the Champions League first round, the Reds winning 1-0 at home in the first-leg before a 1-1 draw a week later at Windsor Park saw Joey O'Brien's men progress. But after back-to-back defeats to Qarabag and Rijeka, Shels have dropped down to the Conference League where they, remarkably, will take on David Healy's side for the second time in a little over a month.
The first-leg is set for next week at Tolka Park after UEFA passed the Drumcondra venue for the play-off round, while the second-leg will take place at Windsor Park. Both Shelbourne and Linfield have never reached a European group stage/league phase in their history, but one of them will later this month. - Sean O'Connor
18 minutes ago
83' With the outcome of this tie a certainty, both sides are simply going through the formalities until the final whistle sounds. Giovanni, the 23-year-old Brazilian who was excellent in the first-leg, was anonymous tonight. He's replaced by Bleart Tolaj.
SAVE! More action unfolds in front of the Ballkani goal, but this time Golubovic parries Graham Burke's rasping strike.
26 minutes ago
74' Darragh Nugent, who replaced Conor Malley minutes ago, has been brandished with the yellow card after a hefty challenge on Ballkani midfielder Ardit Deliu.
29 minutes ago
72' With one eye on their upcoming Conference League play-off to come, Stephen Bradley has wisely decided to call some key names ashore. Dylan Watts and goal-scorer Josh Honohan make way for John McGovern and Adam Matthews.
33 minutes ago
67' GOAL! This is turning into a complete rout in Tallaght and the Hoops fans are loving every minute of it. He's only on the pitch a matter of minutes and Graham Burke has already made an impact.
A close range tap-in after a horror spill from Adnan Golubovic. The Ballkani shot-stopper looks a shadow of himself from the first-leg in Pristina. It's Burke's first European goal of the campaign and ninth this season overall.
Shamrock Rovers FC on Twitter / X
78' 🎯 | The Hoops extend this lead even further after Burkey was there to take advantage of a mistake from the Ballkani keeper and slot home moments after coming onto the field!🟢 4-0 🟠 (4-1)#RoversInEurope || @sharp_security https://t.co/6RJw0e6rcn pic.twitter.com/copMPvvCut— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) August 14, 2025
37 minutes ago
65' Rory Gaffney's evening comes to an end with two vital goals to his name as Michael Noonan replaces him up top. Meanwhile, Graham Burke takes over from Danny Mandroiu.
42 minutes ago
58' It's interesting to note that shortly after conceding the second goal, Ballkani coach Orges Shehi opted to change formation instantly with an attacking substitution. Full-back Arber Potoku was replaced by forward Walid Hamidi - the Algerian will be a hero if the Kosovans manage to turn this around now!
45 minutes ago
55' GOAL! Shamrock Rovers are running riot now! A freekick causes bedlam in the Ballkani box as the ball pings around after Adnan Golubovic fails to gather it.
With the Ballkani goalkeeper off his line, Josh Honohan catches the bouncing ball with a sweet half-volley on the edge of the box that sails into the top-right corner. (3-1 Agg.)
Shamrock Rovers FC on Twitter / X
IT'S A BEAUTTTTYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🟢 3-0 🟠 (3-1)#RoversInEurope || @sharp_security pic.twitter.com/SD3BwJb92A— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) August 14, 2025
52 minutes ago
48' GOAL! Shamrock Rovers are in front in this tie! It's a nightmare start for Ballkani as left-back Potoku and centre-half Halili get each other in a muddle. The ball squirts out to Conor Malley to square it for Rory Gaffney who finishes with a sumptuous back-heel. (2-1 Agg.)
55 minutes ago
46' The teams are back out for the second-half which has just got underway!
No changes to report on for either team, with both managers keeping their powder dry for the time being. It could be a long night, especially if extra-time is needed to separate these sides.
59 minutes ago
Sean O'Connor shares his half-time thoughts from his perch in Tallaght:
Half-time here at Tallaght Stadium and Shamrock Rovers lead on the night and have levelled the tie through Rory Gaffney's poachers' finish right before the break.
The Hoops started on the front foot with Matt Healy going close early on, but Ballkani sent a warning sign soon after when Ed McGinty could only watch Marsel Ismajlgeci's strike from outside the area come back off the post.
Rovers finished the half much the stronger though as Rory Gaffney had three chances in the space of 10 minutes. The first found the net but was flagged for offside, the second was blocked in the nick of time but it was third time lucky as he converted from close range for his second European goal of the season, and 11th in all competitions.
A huge second-half awaits as Stephen Bradley's men target a play-off spot, likely to be against Portugal's Santa Clara, who are scoreless against Larne at the break but lead 3-0 on aggregate.
League of Ireland on Twitter / X
What a second half we have on our hands! pic.twitter.com/yVlr30k2Z2— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 14, 2025
Today 03:58 PM
FULL-TIME: Besiktas 3 - St.Patrick's Athletic 2 (7-3 Agg.)
A bizarre ending to the game in Istanbul asn Besiktas shot-stopper Mert Gunok is yellow carded for handling the ball outside of his box. I've seen red cards for less! Nothing comes of the resulting free-kick and the final whistle sounds.
It was a gallant effort from Stephen Kenny's Saints this evening. They took a shock lead from the penalty spot through Conor Carty before Ryan McLaughlin doubled their lead on 34 minutes.
However, Besiktas - recieving boos from their own fans - eventually rose from their slumber and turned the game around. Demir Ege Tiknaz cut the deficit before the break, while Tammy Abraham and Joao Mario completed the comeback. The Turkish side advance on a 7-3 aggregate scoreline.
St Patrick's Athletic FC on Twitter / X
Our 2025 European campaign ends in Istanbul, Carty & McLaughlin got our goals in a performance to be proud of It's all eyes now to Sunday's FAI Cup tie at home to Shelbourne 🎟️ https://t.co/QFZVo3K2TM#StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/i9gCerTKZI— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) August 14, 2025
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Today 03:52 PM
No love lost between the Hoops and Ballkani, as Sean O'Connor notes a bit of afters from the Gaffney goal:
Before going to celebrate in the corner, Gaffney went back to have some words with Ballkani's Arber Potoku, who just minutes before had jeered the Galway man right in his face moments after missing a chance in front of goal.
A sweet moment for Gaffney and a big one for Rovers who are full value for their half-time lead.
Today 03:50 PM
HALF-TIME: Shamrock Rovers 1 - Ballkani 0
Tallaght Stadium is absolutely rocking as the Finnish arbiter brings an end to the first-half. Stephen Bradley will be delighted with his team who capitalised on that purple patch with a goal before the break from Rory Gaffney.
It's all square on aggregate at 1-1 as things stand. We will be back for the second-half shortly.
Today 03:48 PM
45+1' GOAL! The Hoops have finally found the breakthrough! A cross from the left whipped in by Danny Mandriou to the near post is spilled by Ballkani shot-stopper Adnan Golubovic. Whoe else but Rory Gaffney is on hand to blast home from the rebound. A classic striker's finish from the 35-year-old. (1-1 Agg.)
League of Ireland on Twitter / X
45' | Shamrock Rovers are ahead thanks to Rory Gaffney☘️SHA 1-0 BAL (1-1 AGG) pic.twitter.com/fkDaqvYAVe— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 14, 2025
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Irish Daily Mirror
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