Two first half goals were enough to confirm just that, although credit to Liam Buckley for holding onto a deficit sure to inspire hopes of a second leg revival next Sunday in Richmond Park. Buckley’s side were under pressure as soon as the third minute when imposing Czech striker Michal Pospisil, with five international goals to his name, threatened but was held off bravely with Richie Byrne getting his body between man and ball.
With ten minutes on the stadium clock, Shane Robinson floated in an inch perfect cross from the right wing for Stephen Grant, whose control was lacking but earned Rovers’ first corner. Two phases from that corner and the Irish side were 1-0 down. Vaclav Kolousek, who returned to Liberec from Italian Serie B side Salernitana in January, struck an inviting corner in which was met by the head of central defender Tomas Zapotocny above Terry Palmer, and he left no chance for Barry Ryan with a bullet header.
Nearing the midway point of the opening period, Slovan had a goal disallowed but did double their lead on 21 minutes. Good build up play from Tomas Janu and Petr Lukas freed up midfielder David Langer for a shot and his effort took an unfortunate deflection off the retreating Stephen Grant to spin past Ryan’s outstretched arm.
Amongst the 5100 attendance, 200 Dubliners were roused into applause as the Hoops finished off the half with a 34th minute chance for Glen Fitzpatrick but he chipped unconvincingly over the Slovan bar. Striker Trevor Molloy was introduced for Fitzpatrick at the break and he immediately forced a corner and found Tony Grant on 54 minutes, but winger Grant, recipient of the eircom League player of the month award for June, placed his shot from eighteen yards directly at goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
Midfielder Kolousek, five-time capped club player of the year this season, threatened with a ground shot on 58 minutes and a half-volley in the 63rd minute, but Ryan was alert to the danger between Rovers’ posts. Liam Kelly came on with seven minutes remaining as Buckley’s bench seemed to improve the overall situation and stave off Slovan’s counter attacking style.
Molloy forced a save from Kinsky before an 88th minute strike from Kolousek stung Rovers’ left upright.
Slovan Liberec: Kinsky; Ancic, Holenak, Holosko (Nezmar 58), Zapotocny; Lukas, Janu, Kolousek, Langer; Kisel, Pospisil (Slepicka 88) Booked: Janu (29 mins)
Shamrock Rovers: Ryan; Gough, Keddy, Colwell (Doyle 74), Palmer, Bryne; Robinson, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick (Molloy h/t); T Grant (Kelly 83), S Grant. Booked: Reynolds (20 mins)