Shamrock Rovers knocked out of Champions League by Ararat-Armenia

Shamrock Rovers were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after a 3‑2 aggregate defeat to FC Ararat‑Armenia in the second‑qualifying round. Despite a 2‑1 home win, goals from Matt Healy and Aaron Greene only levelled the tie, while Sandro Lima’s second‑half goal gave the Armenians the decisive edge.

The loss pushes Stephen Bradley’s side into the Europa League, where they will enter the third‑qualifying round against Albanian club Egnatia Rrogozhinë. Prior to the match, the Irish club had been aware that advancing would secure at least €3.1 million in prize money, with a potential €18.6 million reward for reaching the Champions League group stage. Several Shamrock Rovers players, including Danny Grant and Rory Gaffney, missed the fixture through injury.