Shamrock Rovers booked a Europa League date with European giants Juventus following a dramatic victory over Bnei Yehuda in Israel on Thursday night.
The Hoops went into the game in need of a shock result having required an injury time equaliser to take a 1-1 first leg draw at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin last week.
But with goalkeeper Alan Mannus in fine form to keep the Israelis at bay, Rovers took the win they needed through a solitary goal from Thomas Stewart 20 minutes from the end of the game.
The former Derry City man was quickest to react to a loose ball after Yehuda failed to clear a long throw, and the Hoops held firm at the back during the final quarter to seal a memorable triumph.
After the game Rovers manager Michael O’Neill told uefa.com, “It’s something wonderful for our fans and players to play against them at our home stadium and in Italy.
“Today, we knew to put pressure on at the right time and won this match in weather we are not really used to. We will try to do our best against Juventus too – and maybe the luck will be with us.â€
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