SANTA SLAY

Hoops win in Azores to grab huge advantage for Tallaght

- BY MARK McCADDEN

SHAMROCK ROVERS put a bow on one of the great nights for Irish football in Europe by securing a playoff first-leg win away to Santa Clara.

While Shelbourne were busy claiming a two-goal lead at home to Linfield, the Hoops were putting it up to the team that finished fifth in the Portuguese league last year, with only Braga, Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon finishing ahead of them.

While there is still a second-leg to come in Tallaght next week, as one-off results go, this is a night that will live long in the memories of those that travelled all the way to the middle of the Atlantic to watch Stephen Bradley’s side in action.

And what a week for the Rovers boss, who on the eve of the clubs chartered flight to the Azores celebrated with his family as 11-year-old son Josh was given the all-clear after a three-year battle with leukaemia.

There were plenty of heroes in green and white, with the performances of Dylan Watts and Matt Healy in midfield key to the Dubliners overturning an early concession.

Danny Mandroiu will deservedly get the plaudits for an energetic display in support of Rory Gaffney. He ended his night with an assist for Danny Grant's equaliser, which came shortly before halftime, and the winner, which was Mandroiu at his best - quick feet and quick thinking.