Shamrock Rovers Fall to Molde in UEFA Conference League Penalties

DUBLIN — Shamrock Rovers‘ aspirations of advancing in the UEFA Conference League came to an abrupt end on February 20, 2025, as they fell to Norwegian side Molde in a dramatic penalty shootout at Tallaght Stadium.

After securing a 1-0 victory in the first leg, the Rovers entered the second leg with a 1-0 aggregate lead. Early on, however, they were sent back to level ground when Molde’s Magnus Wolff Eikrem opened the scoring in the 10th minute by capitalizing on a defensive error from Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty.

Despite the setback, Shamrock rallied and pressured Molde’s defense. Aaron McEneff nearly restored their lead, but his attempt was cleared off the goal line after being fouled by goalkeeper Jacob Karlstrom. Rovers’ protests for a penalty were dismissed by VAR, and they entered halftime tied 1-1 on aggregate.

The second half saw Shamrock take control, creating several opportunities but failing to convert. Their chances improved when Molde’s Isak Amundsen was sent off for a second yellow card, leaving the Norwegian side with ten men.

As the match progressed into extra time, Rovers maintained their attacking dominance but found themselves unable to capitalize on their advantage. Both teams remained scoreless, necessitating penalties to determine the winner.

In the shootout, Rovers’ Aaron Greene missed the crucial third penalty, allowing Molde to secure victory after converting all their attempts. Eirik Hestad sealed the win for Molde with the final penalty, making the score 5-4 in the shootout.

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley expressed disappointment following the loss, stating, “We were in control but couldn’t finish the chances we created.”

For Molde, this victory marks their third trip to the last-16 stage of a European competition in the last five years. They will look ahead to the draw, set to take place the following day, to find out who they will face next.

This elimination highlights the ongoing improvement and competitive spirit of Shamrock Rovers, who sought to be the first Irish team to reach the last-16 of a European competition since 1980. While their journey ends here, their efforts this season have raised expectations for the future.