Dublin sides Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s have qualified for their respective European play-off rounds after second-leg wins on Thursday.
Stephen Kenny’s St Patrick’s side completed a 2-0 aggregate win against Azerbaijan side Sabah FC, Zach Elbouzedi scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 away win, which ensures the club will pocket €1.28m in Uefa prize money. They will now face Turkish side Istanbul Basakehir over two legs for a place in the group stages.
The game was played in hostile conditions as temperatures reached just under 30 degrees Celsius. 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.
Rovers ensured a €3.6m windfall after coming out on top against NK Celje of Slovenia thanks to an extra-time goal from substitute Graham Burke.
The reigning Premier Division champions went into the tie 1-0 down but levelled when Dylan Watts converted a penalty.
Paris-born Irish youth international Neil Ferrugia then doubled the lead on the night with a beautiful strike from over 20 yards out into the bottom corner.
However, seven minutes from full-time, Zan Karnicnik put the visitors right back in it sending the tie to extra-time.
It was Burke who proved to be the hero for Rovers as he was allowed to dribble towards goal unopposed and strike from 25 yards, with Stubljar in the Celje goal allowing his effort to squirm under his body.