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Mixed night for League of Irel...

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Mixed night for League of Ireland clubs in Europa League

Phil Egan
Phil Egan

09:12 12 Jul 2019


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Shamrock Rovers are in the driving seat after the first leg of their Europa League qualifier but Cork City and St. Pats have it all to do next week.

Brann 2 Shamrock Rovers 2

Shamrock Rovers came from behind twice in Norway to set things up nicely heading into the second leg of their Europa League first qualifying round tie.

It was an eventful night for Rovers defender Roberto Lopes, who scored and conceded a penalty.

Brann took the lead in the 12th minute when Taijo Teniste volleyed past Alan Mannus but Rovers leveled things in the 34th minute after a Jack Byrne free kick resulted in the ball going in off the knee of Amer Ordagic, although Lopes tried to claim the goal.

Lopes was involved in the action two minutes later when he brought down Veton Berisha in the penalty area and the Norway international made no mistake from the spot.

Rovers created plenty of chances in the second half with Aaron Greene going close just after the hour mark.

Stephen Bradley's side scored in the fourth minute of injury time when Lopes got on the end of Byrne's corner to head the ball home.

Cork City 0 Progrés Niederkorn 2

Cork City have it all to do in Luxembourg next Thursday after going down 2-0 to Progrés Niederkorn at Turners Cross.

The Leesiders got off to the worst possible start and found themselves 1-0 down after only 11 minutes.

Belmin Muratovic dispossessed Colm Horgan and fired the ball past Mark McNulty.

Things got even worse when Progrés were awarded a penalty after Mayron De Almeida was taken down inside the area and De Almeida converted the spot-kick to double their lead.

Cork were awarded a penalty of their own midway through the first half but Karl Sheppard failed to take advantage, leaving Cork with a mountain to climb next week.

St. Pats 0 Norrkoping 2

St Patrick's Athletic will need something pretty special to turn things around in Sweden in the second leg of their qualifier.

It was scoreless at half time but the Saints could have had a penalty in the opening half when Gary Shaw appeared to be brought down.

Norrkoping were much the better side in the second half and took the lead in the 55th minute through Simon Thern.

The Swedish outfit got their second goal five minutes from time when Kasper Larsen's header deflected in off Lee Grace, giving Brendan Clarke no chance.


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