Irish Euro round-up: Shamrock Rovers guarantee European football as St Pats also progress to Euro play-off round

BOTH League of Ireland sides have qualified for their respective European play-off rounds after wins in Azerbaijan and Dublin.

Inchicore side St Pats advance after a 2-0 aggregate win against Azerbaijan side Sabah FC and Zach Elbouzedi scored the winning goal in a 1-0 away win.

This result also ensures the club will pocket €1.28m in UEFA prize money, on a night that saw Stephen Kenny celebrate his 50th game as a manager in Europe.

The game was played in hostile conditions as temperatures reached just under 30 degrees Celsius.

The Saints’ keeper Joseph Anang made sure that the Dublin side had time to acclimatise to their surroundings by making some routine but crucial saves.

The first half was largely chanceless for Pats but Sabah lost Moroccan international Chakla to a red card after 26 minutes.

Stephen Kenny’s side will now face the winner of the tie between Iberia 1999 of Georgia and Istanbul Basakehir over two legs in the play-offs.

Early in the second half, the Azerbaijani side tried to catch Anang sleeping but then ended up being exposed minutes later at the other end.

The Saints went up the pitch when they got the ball back and Jake Mulraney swung a cross into the box from the right wing, with Elbouzedi heading the go-ahead goal on the night and doubling the advantage for the reigning FAI Cup holders.

Elsewhere, Rovers came out on top against NK Celje of Slovenia after an extra-time goal from substitute Graham Burke put the hoops one goal to the good on aggregate.

Shamrock Rovers went into the tie 1-0 down but confident of turning the tide in Tallaght Stadium.

The game started off rather slow but Aaron Greene and Neil Farrugia caused constant problems for the Slovenian champions.

The deadlock was broken when Dylan Watts slotted a penalty after the Celje keeper was found to have fouled Greene in the area.

Paris-born Irish youth international Ferrugia doubled the lead with a beautiful strike from over 20 yards out into the bottom corner.

Going into the half, Shamrock Rovers were sitting pretty with a two-goal advantage.

However, seven minutes from full-time, Zan Karnicnik put the visitors right back in it and sent the tie to extra-time.

However, Graham Burke proved to be the hero for the Rovers as he was allowed to dribble towards goal unopposed and release a shot from 25 yards out.

However, a howler from Stubljar in the Celje goal was the saviour for the Green and White of Dublin.

Burke’s shot squeezed under the keeper and the Tallaght side held on to secure European football this season and at least €3.6m in prize money for the club.