Rovers off to winning start in Europe

Odra Wodzislaw 1 Shamrock Rovers 2

Odra Wodzislaw 1 Shamrock Rovers 2

Shamrock Rovers will take a one goal advantage back to Richmond Park in their Intertoto Cup first round tie following a 2-1 win over Odra Wodzislaw in Poland last night.

Despite the homeside taking the lead with just 17 minutes to go, through Jacek Ziarkowski, Rovers struck twice through Stephen and Tony Grant to earn a valuable away win.

Rovers missed a trio of good chances in a bright opening half, the best of which came when Terry Palmer crashed a header off the crossbar after James Keddy swung a corner into the box.

READ MORE

Rovers were looking increasingly dangerous and had a goal disallowed after an hour when Stephen Grant was ruled offside.

Their adventure however looked to have cost them when Ritchie Byrne slipped and let Ziarkowski through on goal to slide the ball past the advancing Barry Ryan.

True to character, the Rovers heads did not drop, and they bounced back with interest in the dying minutes.

Stephen Grant struck just four minutes later after some good build up play from his namesake and Glen Fitzpatrick .

And with just seven minutes remaining Tony Grant finished from close range for a deserved winner and a priceless away goal advantage for Rovers.