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Groundhopping: Shamrock Rovers (v Sparta Prague, Tallaght Stadium)

Competition: Champion’s League Second Qualifying Round

Date: 23 July 2024

Result: Shamrock Rovers 0 – 2 Sparta Prague

Tickets:  €20 adults, €8 kids

Attendance: 9,684

Game/ Experience Rating:  ☆☆

The Game: This was an odd one: Sparta Prague are unquestionably one of the bigger European names to turn up at Tallaght Stadium in recent years, but in my view Rovers kind of beat themselves. The first goal was scrappy as anything, and basically amounted to giving the ball away and then failing to clear it. The second was a bit more involved, but Sparta were by no means impressive (though obviously a much better side than Shamrock Rovers). Their away following was fairly weak, too.

Rovers themselves created a couple of decent chances, but nothing more than that, and had very little of the ball overall, struggling to play out from defence and create any space. Irish sides have struggled in Europe in recent years and this was never likely to be the game that changed that, but it could and perhaps should have been better than a 2-0 loss, simply because Sparta struggled so much to create. Still, Rovers are poor by their usual standards this year, so perhaps it’s not unexpected.

The ground:  This was my first time in the four-sided Tallaght Stadium with the new North Stand, and it really does give it the feel of a better ground, a more rounded, high-level spot. Nice to see in the League of Ireland, it’s always been a decent place to watch football. Having decided to go last minute, we didn’t get to check out the new stand, but felt lucky to squeeze in at all (the East Stand is definitely my least favourite location in the ground, but we got in a few minutes before sell out).

Atmosphere was only okay for this, but still a fun experience.

Extras: There were programmes, but I didn’t bother. Long queues for the refreshments throughout the first and second half surprised me. Maybe they need more food outlets; maybe people should focus more on the game!

Assorted asides: A continuation of my habit of going to any Irish side in Europe. Shamrock Rovers are out of this tie in my view, but at least they drop down the competitions, which means at least two more games, and only one win in those two required to make a group stage. Fingers crossed the draw is kind!

My totals for the year so far:

Games: 6. Home wins: 1 Draws: 3 Away wins: 2

Goals: 21. Home goals: 10. Away goals: 11. Goals per game: 3.5

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