Shamrock Rovers drew 1‑1 with KuPS in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play‑off on 24 August 2026. The match, held at Tallaght Stadium, ended with a late 85th‑minute equaliser from substitute Piotr Parzyszek.
The atmosphere was subdued, with 4,522 in attendance, including 13 travelling supporters from Finland. Rovers had been rattled by a disastrous Europa League exit in Albania and a loss to St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup just a few days earlier.
The game began calmly. Rovers’ midfield trio of Jack Byrne, Matt Healy and Dylan Watts controlled the centre of the pitch, while Graham Burke was the most impressive performer, attempting to unlock the KuPS defence. The first half saw no major incidents, with the only significant moment being the 55th‑minute goal from Enda Stevens. Stevens capitalised on a free‑kick from Byrne that drew goalkeeper Johannes Kreidi out of position, allowing a looping header from Watts to hit the crossbar before Stevens finished the ball into the net.
KuPS were unable to find a way past Rovers’ defence until the 85th minute. Substitute Piotr Parzyszek, who entered the match in the 59th minute, crossed from the right side and struck the front post. Parzyszek then used the outside of his right foot to direct a clever finish past Ed McGinty, earning a draw for the visitors.
Rovers almost doubled their advantage in the 77th minute. Substitute Danny Mandroiu fired a near‑post shot that hit the post and rebounded away. KuPS had an early shot in the second half, but it was a near‑equaliser from Josyln Luyeye‑Lutumba, who scuffed his finish wide.
The match was notable for the lack of any major action in the first half, a stark contrast to the chaotic performance against Egnatia in the Europa League. Rovers’ manager Stephen Bradley noted that the team had rediscovered its equilibrium, but the late equaliser highlighted the frailties exposed during the campaign.
Line‑ups:
Shamrock Rovers – McGinty; Grace, Lopes (captain), Stevens; Sobowale (Brennan 80), Watts, Healy, Byrne (Mandroiu 70), Fitzgerald; Burke (Noonan 69), Afolabi (Greene 69).
KuPS – Kredi; Savolainen, Magassa, Nuhu, Antwi; Gasc, Touray (Engvall 77); Jyry, Pennanen (Parzyszek 59), Armah; Moreno (Luyeye‑Lutumba 59).
Referee: M Krogh (Den).
