Magnificent Hoops put seal on historic night for Irish football by proving they belong on European stage

Shamrock Rovers 0 Santa Clara 0 (Shamrock Rovers win 2-1 on aggregate)

Shamrock Rovers players celebrate with supporters after the UEFA Conference League Play-off Round win over CD Santa Clara at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

The frantic conclusion was at odds with the composure that has defined Shamrock Rovers’ ascension to another level.

On a historic night for Irish football, Stephen Bradley’s side reached a new summit by their standards, becoming the first League of Ireland team to qualify for the league phase of a European competition without availing of the champions route. Three ties. Three wins. Three qualifications in four years.

This was

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