Uefa Champions League qualifier Víkingur 0 Shamrock Rovers 0 Johnny Kenny squandered a couple of gilt-edged chances for Shamrock Rovers to take a first-leg lead back from Iceland in their opening Champions League round. Vikingur dominated large spells of possession in Reykjavik – forcing 18 corners - without penetrating and the substitute ought to have punished them. With 18 minutes left, the Sligo man on loan from Celtic got himself into a great position on the left side of the box but could only stroke his angled shot past the far post.
Despite losing Darragh Nugent eight minute later to a harsh second yellow card, the Hoops flourished on the break. A long ball out of defence allowed Kenny to show his pace by dashing across two opponents but he was unable to keep his shot he lifted over the advancing goalkeeper Ingvar Jónsson from sailing marginally over the crossbar. “Johnny is gutted after missing the second one,” said Hoops boss Stephen Bradley afterwards.
“We knew spaces would be there and the gameplan worked but we can’t be too harsh on Johnny.” He was content with the night’s work, happy to be well in a tie they complete on home soil next Tuesday at Tallaght Stadium. Should the Hoops progress, they have the mighty task of facing Sparta Prague in the second round on July 23 at home and before heading to the Czech Republic a week later.
The draw for the third qualification round will take place on Tuesday July 22. Were they to be knocked out next week,.