MCGINTY RELISHING EXTENDED SEASON

SHAMROCK ROVERS are ready to embrace a second marathon season in succession, with goalkeeper Ed McGinty declaring: 'We love it'.

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

After winning in the Azores, the Hoops kept Santa Clara at bay in Tallaght on Thursday to book their spot in yesterday's Conference League draw in Monaco.

And when former Chelsea star Eden Hazard pressed the magic button, Rovers got clear sight of what is coming down the tracks between now and December 18.

Stephen Bradley's men will host powerhouses Shakhtar Donetsk in Tallaght in what will be their stiffest test to date, having landed the Ukrainians from Pot 1.

The trip to AEK Athens - where former Manchester United striker Anthony Martial plays - will be daunting, but Malta's Hamrun Spartans look like a winnable home game.

Familiar foes Celje of Slovenia will be returning to Tallaght, a year on from their fiery exit at the hands of the Hoops and a war of words between the two managers.

Celje are still managed by former Liverpool player Albert Riera and he wrote the Rovers team-talk for them, by insisting pre-match that his own team would be dominant.