Rovers Backed to Overcome Ballkani Despite Sunday Caution
Shamrock Rovers face a challenging task if they want to keep their Conference League hopes alive, but both Richie Towell and David McMillan believe Stephen Bradley’s side can overturn their deficit against Ballkani tonight. The Hoops trail 1-0 after the first leg in Kosovo, where Sunday Adetunji’s second-half strike separated the teams.
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Adetunji’s Familiar Threat
Towell, a former Rovers player, knows Adetunji well from facing him in 2022 when the Nigerian striker played for FC Shkupi in the Europa League qualifiers. Rovers won that tie 5-2 on aggregate, and Towell is confident they can repeat the feat at Tallaght Stadium to set up a Conference League play-off against either Larne or Santa Clara of Portugal. He expects Rovers to dominate possession while Ballkani sit deep to protect their lead, with Adetunji acting as the main outlet. Towell compared him to Tammy Abraham—tall, physical, able to run in behind, and technically strong.
Sunday’s Draw Not a Concern
McMillan, meanwhile, dismissed the importance of Rovers’ 0-0 draw against Galway United on Sunday. Sitting comfortably at the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division with a ten-point cushion over Bohemians, Bradley’s side can afford to rotate their squad for domestic matches. This allows them to focus fully on Europe, fielding their strongest line-ups for midweek continental fixtures.
First-Leg Lessons
Reflecting on the defeat in Kosovo, McMillan felt that although Rovers failed to create many clear chances, a 1-0 loss was far from disastrous. He noted that the visitors looked fitter and stronger as the match progressed, suggesting there is more to come from them in the second leg. While a scoreless draw might have been their original target, they remain in a position where the tie is very much alive.
Home Advantage Key
McMillan believes Tallaght Stadium will be crucial, given Rovers’ strong home form in Europe. He expects Ballkani to arrive determined to defend their lead, but he also anticipates Rovers will raise their performance levels and find a way to progress. Both pundits agree that despite the setback in the first leg, the Irish champions have the quality, experience, and support to turn the tie in their favour.
