Dec 20,2024
Shamrock Rovers ultimately fell to a 5-1 defeat away to Chelsea in their UEFA Conference League game at Stamford Bridge but the Hoops will go on in Europe this season, with a playoff phase knockout game pencilled in for the new year.
The sizable visiting support were briefly sent into raptures when Markus Poom's wickedly deflected shot levelled the game at 1-1 on 26 minutes but defensive lapses continued undermine throughout the first half.
The 18-year old former Barcelona striker Marc Guiu finished the first half with a hat-trick, the first two goals gifted through woeful back-pass mishaps from the visitors.
Chelsea enjoyed more than 80% possession during the first 25 minutes but it took a defensive error for them to take the lead.
Renato Veiga hoofed a looping ball forward for Tyrique George to chase. Darragh Burns reached it first, but his wayward header back to his goalkeeper was woefully misjudged, allowing Guiu to steal in and nod Chelsea in front.
Chelsea's youngsters had been rampant in the league phase and it appeared set for another procession but Rovers responded within minutes.
Johnny Kenny, who might have scored the opener but failed to connect properly with Dylan Watts' cross, forced a top-corner save from Filip Jorgensen.
Watts' resultant corner travelled to the edge of the box, where Poom, arched his back and pinged a left-footed half volley, which ricocheted off Cesare Casadei's heel and whizzed past a helpless and stranded Jorgensen. The sizable Rovers contingent erupted in the opposite corner of the ground.
By the half-hour mark, things were tied at 1-1 and things could hardly have been going better the Hoops.
However, Chelsea's second, sickeningly similar to their first, undid all the good work as Daniel Cleary offered Guiu another gift.
His pass back was under-hit and got nowhere his goalkeeper, but had the perfect trajectory for Guiu to get there first and nip around Leon Pohls to make it 2-1.
The hosts scored a third after 40 minutes. Cucurella threaded a ball through for Christopher Nkunku, who was tackled by Roberto Lopes as he set to pull the trigger. However, this laid the ball on a plate for the arriving Dewsbury-Hall, who calmly side-footed into the bottom corner for his second Chelsea goal.
Guiu completed his hat-trick with the last action of the first half, rising highest inside the box to glance Noni Madueke's cross into the corner.
By now, Rovers' hands were plonked on hips and there were fears the scoreline could turn ugly. Cucurella cut inside his defender before driving inside the near post to make it 5-1 just before the hour.
Both sides ran their bench, Enzo Maresca introducing Joao Felix alongside a number of academy graduates, while Bradley turned to Graham Burke, Danny Mandroiu and Jack Byrne.
Burke, in particular, delivered an excellent cameo showing and Rovers could have had a second near the end.
Byrne stole in behind the Chelsea defence on the right side of the penalty box. His cut-back found Cleary, whose slightly scuffed shot almost crept inside the far corner.
Teenage winger Tyrique George almost made it 6-1 at the death but his curled shot was blocked by Lopes on the line.
After full-time sounded, the Shamrock Rovers players, some of whom may be bound for the exit door, stood and saluted the huge travelling support in the corner.
Bradley, meanwhile, was serenaded with a rendition of Wham's 'Last Christmas'.
At the close of play all around the continent, Rovers wound up finishing in 10th position in the league phase overall, meaning they will face either Molde or TSC Backa Topola in the playoff knockout phase next February.
