Soccer

Europa League: Irish teams battle for third round spot

Irish League runners-up Linfield must overcome a 2-1 deficit against Spartak Trnava if they're to take their place in the Europa League's third round
Irish League runners-up Linfield must overcome a 2-1 deficit against Spartak Trnava if they're to take their place in the Europa League's third round Irish League runners-up Linfield must overcome a 2-1 deficit against Spartak Trnava if they're to take their place in the Europa League's third round

The remaining Irish contingent in the Europa League must all overcome a first-round deficit if they are to progress from tonight's Europa League second qualifying round.

Linfield host Spartak Trnava at 7:45pm after securing a precious away goal in last week's 2-1 loss to the Slovakians.

If the Blues succeed at Windsor Park, it will mark the first time they will have gone beyond the competition's second round.

Shamrock Rovers FC have a mountain to climb in their second leg match, taking place tonight at 7pm - they went down 2-0 at Tallaght Stadium in their opening tie against Norwegian outfit ODDS Bk.

Pat Fenlon's men must now find the net at least twice in the Skagerak Arena if they're to have any hope of making the third round.

Surprise package UCD enter tonight's return leg against Slovan Bratislava in confident mood despite the scoreline currently reading 1-0 in the Slovakian's favour.

The university side take on the Slovak Super League team at 6pm at the Belfield Bowl in Dublin, and have already exceeded expectations in their fight for European success.