AS FAR as entertainment value goes, the Dáil motion that preceded last night’s coverage of Shamrock Rovers’ Champions League clash with Hibernians on the RTE News channel probably edged it.
However, the true value of tonight’s scoreless draw in Malta can be measured in cold hard cash - and potential progress to the group stages of one of UEFA’s three competitions.
The results means a minimum €1.4 million in prize money for Rovers, almost €600,000 more than had they failed to progress.
READ MORE: Hibernians vs Shamrock Rovers LIVE: Result and recap as Hoops cruise through after 0-0 draw
And it gives them a real fighting chance of making the lucrative group stages - with a play-off spot in the Conference League now the worst case scenario.
Rovers tonight produced the quintessential European second-leg performance to deny their opponents any hope of clawing back last week’s three-goal deficit.
The boot is often on the other foot when it comes to Irish clubs in Europe. Last year Rovers chased a two-goal reversal against Slovan Bratislava, only to come up short in Tallaght.
This time around, they could afford to play well within themselves safe in the knowledge that they emphatically held the upper hand after the first-leg.
They invited their opponents to try to break them down, but the task was far too big for Hibs.
Aside from a flurry of attacking activity in the closing moments of the first-half, the Maltese champions offered very little in attack.
The early stages suggested that it might be a more open affair, with Rovers seemingly eager to push for a fourth aggregate goal.
But when it didn’t materialise, they were happy to frustrate and knock the ball about in the stifling Mediterranean heat.
It’s rare that an Irish side can play in second gear at this level.
But with a trip next week to Bulgaria to face Ludogorets Razgrad, who will offer a much sterner challenge, the Hoops were happy not to have to overexert themselves.
They played with discipline, having done the hard work seven nights earlier in front of a packed home crowd, and could have nicked a couple on the break.
Aaron Greene’s heavy touch moments into the second-half allowed Hibs goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone to race off his line and smother.
Richie Towell had the ball in the net on 66 minutes after fine play by Rory Gaffney and Ronan Finn, but he was correctly adjudged to have been offside.
And Gaffney’s 80th minute effort curled wide of the right-hand post after Andy Lyons, Jack Byrne and Sean Kavanagh linked up.
Tonight saw Byrne and Graham Burke return from injury, as both made substitute appearances.
Burke bizarrely received a yellow card long before his introduction, for not speedily heeding the referee’s instruction to stop warming up behind Kone’s goal.
To highlight how effective Rovers were at keeping their opponents at bay, Hoops keeper Alan Mannus’s first save of the game came deep into injury-time when he held onto Jurgen Degabriele’s 20-yarder.
READ NEXT:
Rory McIlroy says it's the right decision that LIV backer Greg Norman is not at The Open
Josh Cullen joins Burnley on three year deal as Nathan Collins leaves the Clarets
Man Utd make winning start under Erik ten Hag with Liverpool demolition - 6 talking points
Tiger Woods launches stunning attack on LIV Golf rebels playing at The Open
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
