07-08-2025
Shamrock Rovers trailing after first leg defeat to Ballkani
Shamrock Rovers will feel they have enough about them to progress to the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League despite trailing 1-0 to Kosovan side FC Ballkani after the first leg of their third round qualifying clash.
Sunday Adetunji scored the only goal of this game at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina to hand the Kosovans the advantage ahead of the return leg at Tallaght Stadium next Thursday.
Premier Division leaders Rovers were nowhere near their best in this one against an outfit who are yet to start their domestic campaign. Stephen Bradley's side struggled to find the higher gears on a frustrating night for the Dublin outfit who will be disappointed with the lack of opportunities created.
The Hoops boss made just the one change from last weekend's league win over Derry City. Darragh Nugent came in for Aaron McEneff, while Roberto Lopes' start in defence saw the Cape Verde international become Rovers' record appearance holder in Europe, his 48th turnout in continental competition, one ahead of the previous holder Ronan Finn.
Without heavy hitters such as McEneff, Jack Byrne, Graham Burke and Trevor Clarke through injury, the visitors were happy to go in scoreless at half-time in this one.
There was an early tactical mix-up from the Kosovans who somehow allowed the unmarked Nugent the freedom of the Hoops' final third. However, Danny Mandroiu's through pass lacked the necessary finesse as his over-hit ball ended up going through to Adnan Golubovic in the Ballkani goal.
The Suhareka-based side, who begin their season next weekend, threatened Ed McGinty's goal on several occasions throughout the opening period.
Nigerian striker Adetunji was just short of Brazilian wide-man Giovanni's cross on 12 minutes. Adetunji arrived a split-second too late to meet the Sao Paulo native's ball from the left, to the expense of McGinty who Adetunji crashed into in the aftermath.
McGinty, thankfully recovered, had to show a strong fist to beat away Geralb Smajli's stinger from 20 yards out on Ballkani's next attack three minutes later.
Orges Shehi's charges looked to expose Rovers' right side again on 20 when Almir Kryeziu pulled inside only to pull his resulting shot well wide of the target.
The Hoops were struggling somewhat to retain possession inside the opposition half, but were themselves comfortable with what their opponents could throw at them.
There was a moment of worry for the travelling support on 34 when a short Ballkani corner ended up with Ardit Deliu. But the Albanian sliced his shot narrowly wide of McGinty's goal from the edge of the 'D'.
The former Sligo Rovers stopper had to keep an eye on Kryeziu's mishit cross nine minutes from the interval which sailed over McGinty and beyond his far post.
Stephen Bradley's men pulled a first save from Golubovic before the break after the hosts lost Ivica Batarelo to a suspected hamstring pull.
The goalkeeper's acrobatics saw him take Josh Honohan's header from a Dylan Watts corner off his own line at full stretch.
In what was the first meeting between a Kosovan and an Irish side in European competition, it was Rovers who fashioned the first chance of the second period. However, Mandroiu was unable to sort his feet out in time to guide Honohan's squared ball beyond Golubovic from close range six minutes after the re-start.
Rovers were made to regret this on 56 minutes when the hosts hit the front.
Adetunji's deft touch to take in Geralb Smajli's assist and send Dan Cleary out of the game bought the striker the space to compose himself before executing a calm finish beyond McGinty.
Ballkani, who knocked out Maltese side Floriana in the previous round, should have punished Rovers further before the hour but Kryeziu could only blaze over after McGinty had denied Walid Hamidi's drive from the angle.
The busy McGinty then had to use both hands to keep hold of an effort from Kryeziu as the home side looked to double their advantage against a now faltering Hoops.
Giovanni flashed a left footer past the post after the Rovers rearguard struggled to get rid of a route one ball forward from the Ballkani back line.
Golubovic was again Ballkani's hero in the second minute of added time at the end of this first leg. The Slovenian net minder again denied another Honanhan header, this time from a Watts set piece from the Rovers left.
FC Ballkani: Adnan Golubovic; Geralb Smajli, Ivica Batarelo (Bajram Jashanica 39), Gentrit Halili, Arber Potoku (Elvis Letaj 86); Ardit Deliu, Giovanni, Albert Diene; Walid Hamidi (Bleart Tolaj 65), Sunday Adetunji, Almir Kryeziu.
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Dan Cleary; Josh Honohan, Danny Grant; Matt Healy, Danny Mandroiu, Darragh Nugent (Connor Malley 60), Dylan Watts; Rory Gaffney (Michael Noonan 60).
