Europa League Player Ratings for Shamrock Rovers against SK Brann

Dave Donnelly reports from Tallaght Stadium

Alan Mannus: 6

Didn’t have an awful lot to do on a night when the away side offered little threat bar shots from distance. Commanded his box well and was a stable presence and dependable out-ball, but he may feel he was too rash in charging out of his box before being easily rounded by Daouda Bamba for the Norwegians’ goal.

Joey O’Brien: 7

One potentially big error at 1-0 when he bit in alongside Roberto Lopes and briefly allowed Veton Berisha an acre of space to dig out a shot, but he covered well and generally coped with the visitors’ long balls forward with ease. He provided Rovers with front-foot possession when acting as a second right back.

Roberto Lopes: 6

Not quite the high drama of his performance in Bergen, where he forced an own goal and conceded a penalty inside a couple of minutes before scoring a last-gasp equaliser, but another solid performance from the increasingly impressive defender. Might be disappointed to be wrong-footed by Berisha’s flick-on for the Brann goal but made a good effort to make up the ground.

Lee Grace: 8

Must surely have a case for being the best defender in the league as he excels both in his reading of the game and his pass selection, which offered Rovers the ability to pick through the Brann high press and turn defence into attack. He had one particularly brilliant 40-yard pass to locate Jack Byrne in the first half. He perhaps could have done more to get back for the Norwegian goal.

Ethan Boyle: 6



The Wexford man hasn’t had a lot of football over the past few months since recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in the defeat to Bohemians on matchday three. The 3-5-2 system employed by Stephen Bradley over the two ties is tailor-made for the attack-minded Boyle. He stuck to his task of making the pitch as wide as possible and caused left-back Ruben Kristiansen countless problems. Unlucky not to go closer with an effort early in the second half.

Greg Bolger: 7

Typically combative performance from the second Wexford man in the starting line-up, winning headers he has no right to win and generally making it difficult for Brann to build anything through midfield while mopping up any loose ball. One mistake at 1-0 could have been costly as he coughed up possession outside his own box that led to a chance for Berisha, but played his part.

Dylan Watts: 5

Not the best day at the office for the former UCD man, who will be under pressure for his place in midfield with the return of Aaron McEneff and arrival of Gary O’Neill. Showed some neat touches in a congested midfield and a few glimpses of the vision and turn of pace that marked him out as one of the league’s best midfielders last year, but yet to realise his top form in hoops.

Jack Byrne: 9



What else is there to say about a talent who, surely, cannot be much longer for this league? A quiet first quarter for the former Manchester City man but, slowly but surely, he came to dominate the game with an astonishing range of passing. His pirouette and cool finish for the leveller, which put Rovers ahead on away goals, was a thing of beauty and he laid on the winner for Gary O’Neill.

Sean Kavanagh: 6

Came into the side for Trevor Clarke following the first leg and put himself about, particularly in the early stages, but showed somewhat of a reluctance to bomb on at times and didn’t offer the same outlet to move with speed as Boyle on the opposite flank. Set-piece delivery was generally good but the Ringsend man can play better.

Ronan Finn: 8

A tireless performance from the captain and a real leader’s display as he rolled back the years to spearhead Rovers’ forward press. Showed some real acceleration to put pressure on Brann’s centre-backs, who looked uncertain whenever he closed them down, and one interception in the first half nearly led to him opening the scoring. Lovely controlled pass set Byrne up for the equaliser, and his replacement O’Neill bagged the winner.

Graham Cummins: 4

It just didn’t happen for the Cork City loanee, who doesn’t have the legs to play the role Aaron Greene does running in the channels and didn’t offer enough in holding the ball up to suggest the trade-off was worth it. Hooked with 15 minutes to go and his replacement Dan Carr quickly showed what they were missing.

Substitutes:

Aaron McEneff: 6

Rovers have missed the Derry midfielder since he pulled out of the warm-up in the win over UCD two months ago, and he still looks a way short of full fitness as he started to feel the pace late on, but never stopped working and was tidy on the ball as ever.

Dan Carr: 7

Provided a complete contrast to the static Cummins when introduced for the final quarter of an hour, showing good strength to win the header that led to Byrne’s opener and again scrapping against physical defenders to find the midfielder to lay on O’Neill’s winner.

Gary O’Neill: 7

He’s had a few memorable nights in the sky blue of UCD but tonight was one to savour for the Kerryman, who had a limited cameo to show he could do but was composed in possession, combative when needed and bust a gut to get on the end of Byrne’s pass to win, albeit with the aid of a deflection.

Manager Stephen Bradley: 9

The Hoops boss got his tactics spot on and Rovers were the better side throughout, conceding only through a long, hopeful ball over the top. Will look forward to the tactical battle at a higher level now with moneyed Apollon.

 

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