HOOPS' JOY AT VISIT FROM SANTA

Stephen's men make history in Tallaght

- BY MARK McCADDEN

SHAMROCK ROVERS are history makers once again.

Stephen Bradley's side are through to the league phase of the Europa Conference League — and they did it the hard way — against the fifth-best team in Portugal last year.

For the first time, an Irish team has made it this far without going through the champions path.

For the first time, an Irish side has progressed to the group stages or league phase in back-to-back seasons.

And for the first time, two Irish clubs are playing at the business end in Europe.

Drink it in, because this is the greatest night in the history of the League of Ireland on the European stage. Make no mistake, they'll be talking about this for as long as the beautiful game is played in this country.

Heroes, every single one of them, from goalkeeper Ed McGinty, who had little to do before he was called into action late on to pull off a wondersave, up to Rory Gaffney and Danny Mandroiu, Rovers’ first line of defence last night as they defended last week's first-leg lead.

As for the rest, once again, Josh Honohan dazzled in his role as Rovers’ left-wing-back.

Considering Heimir Hallgrimsson’s lack of options in that area of the pitch, he might have considered himself unlucky to miss out earlier this week on a call-up for the World Cup qualifier.

He won his first physical battle with Santa Clara's Brazilian wide attacker Brenner, who bounced off the former Cork City man and fell onto his backside. It set the tone for this particular duel.