HOOPS GO FOURTH & CONQUER

Inspirational Gaffney to the fore as Hoops power into a play-off adventure to Portugal

- BY MARK McCADDEN

IT'S HARD to believe that Rory Gaffney turns 36 in October.

His two goals last night eased Shamrock Rovers to a Europa Conference League playoff against Portuguese side Santa Clara, while Josh Honohan and Graham Burke also found the net in a record-equalling home win.

Burke's 11th European goal extends his club record - and that's not the only all-time high that has fallen in this remarkable summer so far.

Rovers, who set a new bar for away wins with their 4-0 rout against St Joseph's in Gibraltar, were close last night to setting a new home record.

Not since the visit of Icelandic side Fram in 1982 have they won at home by a four-goal margin - and it was thanks largely to the ageless Gaffney, and a superb midfield display by Matt Healy.

Gaffney, who missed last year's league phase campaign and was unsure of his Rovers' future last winter, now has 12 goals this season.

Rovers made an encouraging start, with Danny Grant and Danny Mandroiu finding plenty of space on either flank, where their crosses were troubling the Kosovan visitors.

And from there a 16th-minute scare when Ballkani struck the post aside - it was one-way traffic.

The Hoops were almost ahead inside two minutes, through a break down the right-hand-side.