Conference League second qualifying round second legs: All you need to know
Nomme Kalju v St Patrick's Athletic, Kadriorg Stadium, 5.45pm
Shamrock Rovers v St Joseph's, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
WEATHER
For Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, it will be a mostly dry evening on Thursday with lots of sunshine. Highest temperatures between 17 to 21 degrees in moderate westerly winds.
Over in Estonia, it will be humid with temperatures of up to 27 degrees, with a mixture of cloudy and sunny spells, punctuated by heavy rainfall.
Deja vu for Pat's?
It's not that long ago that St Patrick's Athletic earned a narrow home win at Richmond Park despite having chances to secure a more comprehensive advantage before flying out to the Baltics for a second leg.
That was earlier this month against Lithuanian outfit Hegelmann when a late Aidan Keena penalty was eventually built on with a 2-0 win on the road.
Similarly, last week, Stephen Kenny's side edged past Estonian side Nomme Kalju thanks to a late, late winner by the evergreen Chris Forrester in Inchicore. But given that Pat's were clearly levels above Kalju in general play and the Estonians had two players sent off in the second half, the fact that they are only taking a 1-0 advantage to the Kadriorg Stadium just outside Tallinn is frustrating.
Kenny was somewhat sanguine about the position his side are in going into the second leg but sounded an optimistic tone about the Saints' chances of finishing the job and progressing to an extremely daunting Conference League third qualifying round tie against either Shakhtar Donetsk or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besitkas.
"We are disappointed that we couldn't get a second because a second would have a put is in a really strong position," he said after the first leg.
"We had a lot of chances to get a second but we couldn't take them. We can't dwell on that even though we are a little frustrated but we'll take the 1-0 victory overall as a good result."
Midfielder Romal Palmer is a long-term absentee but losing Zach Elbouzedi to a dislocated shoulder sustained after a foul in the first leg is a blow for Pat's, not just for Thursday's game, with the potential that he faces several weeks on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Pat's have signed Northern Ireland under-21 international Darren Robinson on loan from Derby County this week, with Kenny saying that: "With the injuries to Romal Palmer and Zach Elbouzedi, the timing of Darren's arrival is opportune. We feel he has the overall quality that can help us for the remainder of the season on loan from Derby."
Shamrock Rovers sitting pretty as St Joseph's come to Tallaght
Unlike St Pat's, Shamrock Rovers are sitting on a very comfy cushion against St Joseph's of Gibraltar after winning the away leg 4-0 last week.
Rory Gaffney, Daniel Mandroiu, John McGovern and Jack Byrne delivered the goals, with McGovern's particularly notable as the newly-arrived former Dungannon Swifts and Down GAA man scoring his first goal for the club in his third cameo appearance for the club.
With the age profile of the strikers at the club skewing from stalwarts in their mid-30s like Gaffney and Aaron Greene to precocious Michael Noonan who turns 17 on the day of the second leg, McGovern's age profile at 22 is a boost for manager Stephen Bradley, according to former Rovers midfielder Richie Towell.
"Now they have someone like McGovern coming in who's a perfect age, in super shape," Towell told this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
"It looks like he's an absolute match made in heaven for the way Shamrock Rovers play. The Rovers fans will love him already and if he continues to score goals, and especially in Europe, not just the fans but his manager Stephen Bradley will love him as well."
Whether McGovern starts or not tonight, Bradley will be able to make changes for the second leg given the four-goal advantage Rovers have over St Joseph's and with an important SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division fixture to come on Sunday evening at Tallaght Stadium against third-placed Derry City as the Hoops look to extend their significant lead at the summit over Bohemians and the Candystripes.
But the manager is also mindful of winning the second leg given the importance of UEFA co-efficient points for the club and League of Ireland.
And when it comes to Europe, and as a seeded team, the focus will be on sealing the deal against St Joseph's and advancing to a third qualifying round tie where either Ballkani (Kosovo) or Floriana (Malta) await, with the former leading 4-2 after their first leg.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
St Patrick's Athletic overcome scare in Estonia to keep European dream alive
The 42 Uefa Conference League second qualifying round, second leg Nomme Kalju 2 St Patrick's Athletic 2 St Patrick's Athletic win 3-2 on aggregate ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC'S European dream had been on life support before it was resuscitated in dramatic fashion in the pouring rain of Estonia. From the depths of despair came a thrilling joy courtesy of captain Joe Redmond's equaliser in the 91st minute and Jake Mulraney's winner early into extra time. It was either a flukey overhit cross or sublime piece of initiative by spotting the goalkeeper off his line – either way it was the decisive moment that ensured Stephen Kenny's men avoided a sobering defeat filled with regret. Just like how Nomme Kalju seized the initiative – and the lead – with goals in the moments either side of half-time of normal time, the Saints left the Estonians heartbroken with their response late in the day. As the rain lashed down throughout extra-time surface water began to appear to make it that bit harder to simply control possession and see out the tie. Allied with tired limbs entering the 120th minute it was only when the referee's whistle blew that Pat's fans could turn attention to a third-round qualifier against the loser of Beskitas and Shakhtar Donetsk next week. It currently looks like the Turkish giants, managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, will be coming to Dublin as their tie is ongoing and they trail 6-2. Maybe pushing for the third goal was the only way Kenny's men could retain focus given the way in which they switched off to allow Kalje find a way back into contention. The first half was following a similar pattern to the game in Dublin. Pat's had the ball, Kalju were happy to sit deep and close down when required, with Kenny's side unable to penetrate. As it wore on Pat's took their foot off the gas and some of the earlier zip about their passing faded. Advertisement They didn't need to go and chase another goal at that stage but with the hosts labouring and unable to seize the initiative the opportunity was there to punish them. But Pat's allowed Kalju grow in confidence and they were the ones to make things happen for themselves. Firstly, they drew level two minutes before half-time with a simple move down the left that caught Pat's out. Kristjan Kask beat Redmond for pace and with the centre back out of position the pull back for Ivans Patrikejevs bursting ahead of Barry Baggley into the box was perfect for him to strike first time and beat Joseph Anang low to his right. Kenny didn't hesitate to make a change at the break with Aidan Keena replacing Melia, but more lethargy in defence saw the Estonians go ahead in the tie four minutes into the second half. This time it was a second ball that kept an attack alive after an overhit cross from the right. Ivanov picked it up and with Pat's not set to defend the threat his inswinging cross was met with a powerful header by Mattias Mannilaan. Chris Forrester was brought on for Baggley in response but by the 65th minute goalkeeper Maksim Pavlov only had to make a save from a fierce Keena effort from distance. The striker then had to be replaced by Conor Carty with what looked like a thigh injury just moments later as the night got worse for St Pat's. They were staring defeat in the face until Redmond reacted quickest in the 91st minute to guide a brilliant side-foot shot into the roof of the net through a sea of bodies after Mulraney's free-kick had been parried back towards the penalty spot. Pat's sensed blood in the rain water of Tallinn and three minutes into extra-time the home side's resolve was finally broken when Mulraney was given time and space on the right. He was allowed cut in on his left and he flighted a ball over the head of goalkeeper Maksim Pavlov. All of a sudden there was sweet relief, and a release of emotion for the Saints as they now become the underdogs in the third round. Nomme Kalju: Maksim Pavlov; Daniil Tarassenkov, Uku Korre, Modou Tambedou (captain), Aleksandr Nikolajev; Oleksandr Musolitin (Mihhail Orlov 112), Ivans Patrikejevs, Nikita Ivanov (Pavel Marin 80), Kristjan Kask; Mattias Mannilaan, Guilhereme Smith. St Patrick's Athletic: Joey Anang; Ryan McLaughlin, Joe Redmond (captain), Tom Grivosti, Jason McClelland (Anto Breslin 96); Jake Mulraney (Al-Amin Kazeem 105), Barry Baggley (Chris Forrester 51), Jamie Lennon, Kian Leavy (Brandon Kavanagh 72), Simon Power; Mason Melia (Aidan Keena HT) (Conor Carty 72). Referee: Menelaos Antoniou (Cyprus). Written by David Sneyd and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Stalemate sees Shamrock Rovers comfortably through in Conference League
UEFA Conference League (second qualifying round, second leg) Shamrock Rovers 0 St Joseph's 0 (Shamrock Rovers win 4-0 on aggregate) Paul Buttner reports from Tallaght Stadium WITH THE hard yards emphatically done in last week's 4-0 win in Gibraltar, Shamrock Rovers never needed to come close to adding to that record away win in Europe here to rubber-stamp their passage through to the third round of the Conference League qualifiers. Stephen Bradley's side now meet Kosovans FC Ballkani, who beat Floriana of Malta 5-3 on aggregate, with the winners advancing to the play-offs for the League Phase. Irish League side Larne, having stunned fellow Kosovans Prishtina in a dramatic penalty shootout, means Rovers travel to Kosovo next Thursday for their first leg (instead of Tuesday), meaning Sunday's league game at home to Derry City goes ahead as rescheduled. With a European debut for 20-year-old defensive midfielder Cian Barrett, one of six changes from Gibraltar, Rovers took seven minutes to settle into the game, creating a gilt-edged chance to have gone ahead on the night. Advertisement Skipper Roberto Lopes and Gary O'Neill worked the ball down the right for the run of Rory Gaffney. The veteran striker skilfully turned inside Geovanni Barba to force a parry save at his left-hand post from Bradley Banda. Danny Grant knows he should have done far better than blaze the rebound high over the crossbar. But that was as good as it got by way of further troubling the St Joseph's goal in the first half as the visitors, playing with no little confidence, spurned a big chance of their own to take the lead on 31 minutes. Barba was allowed to surge forward from the back to play a sublime through ball for the clever run of Javi Forjan. Ed McGinty's positioning was spot on as he saved well with his legs. There was another let off for a sluggish Rovers minutes before the break, Angel Martinez volleying wide after Jayce Olivero's deep cross dropped for him on the edge of the area. With more urgency to their game on the resumption, and Lee Grace and John McGovern into the fray at either end of the pitch, replacing Lopes and Gaffney, Rovers moved the ball with more intent, a terrific save preventing a goal eight minutes in. Teenager Michael Noonan was the unintentional architect with his shot getting a flick off the head of McGovern to bring a superb reaction stop from Banda. While owning the ball for much of the remainder of the game, further clear-cut chances were scarce. There was a late shout for a penalty not entertained by the Swedish referee when Noonan appeared to be tripped by substitute Javi Paul, but, try as they might, Rovers' winner on the night never materialised. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; O'Neill, Lopes (Grace, h-t), C. O'Sullivan; Grant, Barrett, McEneff (Watts, 63), Honohan (Mandroiu, 63); Byrne (Kavanagh, 63); Noonan, Gaffney (McGovern, h-t). St Joseph's: Banda; Volz, Cardozo (Javi Paul, 79), Barba, Olivero; Pena (Rodriguez, 60), Sanchez, Juanma; Gibson (Armental, h-t), Forjan (Santos, 65), Martinez. Referee: Granit Maqedonci (Sweden). Attendance: 5,128.
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Stephen Kenny set for Ole Gunnar Solskjær test after Pat's progress
STEPHEN KENNY is looking forward to his side hosting a big game against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer-managed Besiktas next week, following St Patrick's Athletic's 3-2 aggregate extra-time Uefa Conference League win against Nomme Kalju tonight. In difficult conditions, a stoppage time goal from Joe Redmond rescued Pat's from elimination after the hosts went 2-0 up in Estonia. Kalju were on the brink of victory after overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit, but the visitors showed admirable resilience, and Jake Mulraney's 93rd-minute goal sealed the Dublin side's place in the next round. 'It had everything, really, four seasons in a game, finished with monsoon rain and puddles, and to be 2-0 down was hard to believe, but we showed great character to come back and win the game, which was really important,' Kenny said afterwards. 'We controlled the game early on and then to concede, they had a shot from distance but we didn't concede any chances and they scored off their first chance, that was so disappointing and then when they scored again, it left us up against it, they were taking time out of the game, sitting in a back five then and it was difficult to come back and create the chances that we needed. We were very persistent. Their goalkeeper made some unbelievable saves in the game, but thankfully, we managed to get the equaliser and the winner. Advertisement 'We used 17 players and we needed every one of them, it was a real squad effort. It's our fourth European game, and the journey continues. We got through this round, and we are delighted to win it because we know how hard it is to win away from home in Europe. 'We drew here but we were 2-0 down, to come back and do that and get through though we weren't delighted to find ourselves in that position, everyone gave everything, we had setbacks such as Aidan Keena carried off with a possible thigh muscle injury, Jason McClelland had to go off injured as well but everyone who came on played their part, thankfully it was enough.' 90+1' Redmond ⚽️ 94' Mulraney ⚽️ 'The Saints are singing in the rain' Our 2025 goal sponsors are @kavanaghspubd8 #StPatsFC 🔴⚪️ — St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) July 31, 2025 In addition, Kenny admitted he wasn't sure if Mulraney's winner, scored from a wide position, was originally intended as a cross or a shot. 'I haven't asked him, you will have to ask him yourself. The free kick [for the first goal] was important. Jake is an explosive player; he was really fatigued after 89 minutes. When we got that free kick, we wanted him on the pitch. The keeper had saved it, as he saved quite a few shots, some great shots from Aidan Keena, for Joe Redmond to finish as coolly as he did was brilliant, and we needed it, needed that late goal; many people thought it was slipping away from us. 'We have shown a capacity to get late goals, which is important for us; we did it in the last round and the first leg of the opening round. 'They beat Rovers 4-2 a few years ago. It was a tough game here. We knew it was going to be a tough game here. We were in control for large parts in that first half. They have some good players, they have a physicality. Their centre forward leads the line really well and was a handful for us. They have some players who can cause problems, but we were definitely the better side over the 120 minutes.' Kenny and co next face Turkish side Besiktas, who exited Europa League qualifying tonight after losing 2-0 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate against Shakhtar Donetsk. In addition to Solskjaer, their squad also features several familiar names to most football fans, including former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham, ex-Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista and experienced Portugal international João Mário. 'They're obviously a club with a lot of international players, they're littered with international players. So they have a lot of quality. I haven't really watched them play yet because I was firmly focused on Kalju. 'We're staying here [in Estonia] tonight, and we're flying home tomorrow. We fly home and we're presenting on Waterford, because we play Waterford on Sunday, which is an important game for us. We have to prepare and be ready to go. And the players have to switch on for Waterford on Sunday, which is a big game for us. So definitely, that's my full focus for now. 'And then on Thursday, it's a brilliant game for anyone who loves football really. It's a great game. We're playing one of the big Turkish clubs. An institution in the capital, and to play them home and away is a big test for us. We're going to have to prepare to make sure that we're ready and give ourselves a big chance. We've Waterford on Sunday first and Sligo in the middle of the two games. So it will be a really tough ask.'
