At 29-years-old Ronan Finn remains one of the League of Ireland’s foremost experienced players in European competition.
Only Dundalk captain Stephen O’Donnell has also played in two editions of the Europa League group stages alongside Finn, with the Shamrock Rovers midfielder amassing a grand total of 24 appearances in Europe so far in his career.
The first of those appearances came at Sporting Fingal, more came when Rovers became the first Irish club to qualify for the competition and more again when Dundalk repeated the feat last season.
He was on the field in Belgrade when O’Donnell scored a dramatic penalty in extra time to put Michael O’Neill’s side through and he was there when the Lilywhites earned a first ever win for an Irish side in the Europa League when they defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 in Tallaght Stadium.
Having learned what it takes to make it through to the group stages at Rovers before and again last year under Kenny for Dundalk, Finn will be looking to create more happy memories for the Hoops’ come tomorrow night in Tallaght against Icelandic side Sjaraden.
Rovers take a precious 1-0 lead and an away goal into tomorrow’s Europa League first round second leg qualifier and Finn knows they have given themselves the best possible chance of going through.
“It’s nice to come back after a good result and there is a good chance for us to now to push on into the next round”, he said speaking to The 42.
“It’s an opportunity, we’ve given ourselves a good one but we have to make sure we finish the job tomorrow.
“We’re not jumping the gun — our opponents tomorrow are a good side. They showed last week that they can be dangerous. There wasn’t that much in the game so by no means are we taking this game lightly.
“Obviously we want to push on and get through the round, but I think it would be unfair on our opponents to look beyond tomorrow because we can’t take our eyes off the ball. They’re a good side and there wasn’t that much in the game last week so it’s going to be a tough one.”
Stjarnan were champions of Iceland in 2014 and finished in fourth and second place in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
They are currently fourth in the table with four wins from nine games this season, going into Thursday’s game with a win behind them having defeated KR Reykjavik 3-2 in the domestic cup on Sunday.
Their manager Rúnar Páll Sigmundsson admitted on Wednesday afternoon that his side were disappointed with their performance in the first leg in Iceland. A retaliation from his side, known for their swift counter-attacking style of play, is expected tomorrow night in Dublin.
Finn maintains that there is still all to play for and that going into the game with a complacent mentality could be detrimental for Rovers.
“They could have been slightly nervous last week, who knows. We’ve got to make sure that we play our own game”, he said.
“Playing against them first-hand you get to know your opponents a little bit better. You can watch them on video but getting up against them you’re going to learn that little bit more about them.
“The onus is on us tomorrow, we’re at home and have to go and play our own game and make sure that we don’t get overawed by the occasion. It’s a proper European night for the club and there’s a lot at stake so we have to make sure that we live up to it.
“Playing away from home there is that sense that there is a little bit less pressure on you. You’ve no fear but tomorrow they’re going to come over here with nothing to lose. They’re going to play off the cuff and they’re going to play attacking football.”
Finn took the captain’s armband following his move back to Rovers from Dundalk where he won two Premier Division titles at Oriel Park.
His leadership will be paramount for Stephen Bradley’s side tomorrow night, as it was this time 12 months ago Rovers were beaten 2-0 at home by Finnish club RoPS at this stage in the competition which resulted in the departure of manager Pat Fenlon.
Finn says they will be taking the game to their opponents and will not be satisfied to simply play for a draw which would see them through.
“Listen, they score from a set piece and the game is back in the balance. At the minute we are a goal up but we’re not going to be playing for a 0-0 draw, it’s going to be the opposite.
“Our manager has told us to go and win the game and make sure we keep a clean sheet. We’ve good form here at home and the pitch is looking really well, so we’ve just got to make sure that we have no excuses tomorrow and make sure that we get the job done.”
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They need a man that will cover all the angles as the US will be gunning in two years. I wonder would he be a head wrecking captain and will Garcia be in the running!
@The Croupier: Garcia will only be 40 at the next Ryder cup … if he doesn’t considerably lose form I would expect he is still in the running for a place in the team ??
@The Croupier: cringe. The captain, while an honour essentially a ceremonial position. Not a whole lot to it.