Shamrock Rovers FC celebrate
Shamrock Rovers FC players celebrate after their winning goal against Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv FC in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round second leg
Thur 22nd July
Shamrock Rovers have booked a Europa League clash with Italian giants Juventus after claiming a famous 1-0 victory over Bnei Yehuda in Tel Aviv for a 2-1 aggregate win.
The Hoops, backed by a vocal travelling support, were always in the game and got the break they deserved on 70 minutes when Thomas Stewart belted home from close range after a flick-on from a long Stephen Rice throw.
They rode their luck at times, with keeper Alan Mannus making a string of fine saves. The best came just before the goal as he turned a Linig Sinisa Hrvatska strike over the bar.
After an injury time goal from Robert Bayley gave Rovers a 1-1 draw in Tallaght last week, they knew that they had to score but they were never panicked and kept things tight in the early stages.
Mannus made an important save on 26 minute when he was on hand to deny Oz Raly, after the Bnei Yehuda player broke through on goal.
Rovers had a half-chance of their own four minutes before half-time when Gary Twigg was sent clear, but goakeeper Dele Eyenugba just beat him to the ball and was able to gather.
Bnei Yehuda came out with much more intent after the break and restricted Rovers to chasing shadows for the early part of the second half.
Mannus was again called into action on 52 minutes, saving from Liroy Zhairi after he headed the ball back across the goal.
The Northern Ireland international was keeping Rovers in the game, and four minutes later he produced the save of the match, diving at full stretch to turn Linig Sinisa Hrvatska's effort behind the goal when it looked destined for the top right corner.
The home side really should have taken the lead on 64 minutes when a powerful cross into the Rovers penalty area found Zhairi unmarked, but he was unable to direct his header and it sailed over.
The Hoops kept their heads despite the pressure and got their reward on 70 minutes when Stephen Rice's long throw into the penalty was flicked on and landed at the feet of Stewart and he made no mistake from six feet out.