The second legs in the second preliminary round of the European Cup competitions are set for this week.
Champions League
Glasgow Celtic, five nil up from the first leg, were first into action when they travelled to Estonia to face Nomme Kalju on Tuesday in what was a straightforward second leg with the Scottish champions, for whom Jonny Hayes was an unused substitute, securing a two nil victory for an aggregate seven nil success. Glasgow Celtic will next face CFR Cluj of Romania in the third qualifying round with the first leg set for Romania next week. The Romanian side is managed by former Chelsea player Dan Petrescu.
Dundalk made the lengthy journey to Azerbaijan where they exited the Champions League following a three nil defeat by FK Qarabag. The sides drew one each in the first leg played in Oriel Park last week. The ‘Lilywhites’ can have no complaints as they were very much second best this evening. Dundalk will now drop into the Europa League where they will travel to face Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia in the first leg of qualifying round three next week.
Welsh champions The New Saints travelled to face FC Copenhagen in Denmark where they went down to a one nil defeat and elimination on a three nil aggregate scoreline. The Welsh side also drop down to the Europa League and will travel to face Ludogorets of Bulgaria.
Europa League
Our Airtricity League representatives Shamrock Rovers exited the Europa League following a three one defeat by Apollon Limassol in the second leg this evening. The ‘Hoops’ took a two one first leg lead to Cyprus but conceded twice before Aaron Greene scored to level the aggregate score and send the contest into extra-time. There was to be no glorious ending though as the hosts scored the deciding goal to go through to the next round.
Also in second round second leg action on Thursday were:-
18.30 Progres Niederkorn(Lux) [0] 0-0 [2] Glasgow Rangers (Scotland)
19.45 Aberdeen (Scotland) [1] 5-0 [1] Chikhura Sachkhere (Georgia)
19.45 Linfield (N Ireland) [2] 1-0 [2] HB Torshavn (Faroe Islands)
20.00 Crusaders (N Ireland) [0] 1-4 [2] Wolverhampton Wand (England)
20.00 Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) [1] 3-0 [0] Connah’s Quay (Wales)