Shamrock Rovers ultimately bowed out of the Europa League third round qualifier to Juventus on Thursday following a 1-0 defeat in Modena, but the Hoops registered an admirable performance.

 

Having played quite well in last week's first leg at Tallaght Stadium, Rovers travelled out to Italy aiming to make it difficult for the Serie A giants to progress through to the next round of qualifying.

 

And that is exactly what Michael O'Neill's men did as they started well in the heavy rain and Gary Twigg registered the first shot on target after just 12 minutes.

 

The threat from Juventus was always there as Amauri showed when he headed wide from Marco Motta's cross, while Davide Lanzafame and Simone Pepe both came close with chances.

 

It was Amauri who remained the most dangerous outlet for Luigi Del Neri's side though and his shot wide after holding off Aidan Price was an excellent solo effort.

 

Rovers' best chance of scoring came when Stephen Bradley cross was just missed by Twigg and Billy Dennehy before captain Dan Murray headed downwards.

 

On 74 minutes, the only goal of the game arrived when Alessandro Del Piero blasted in a trademark free-kick. Yet despite the loss Rovers boss O'Neill was full of praise for his players after the game.

 

"I'm very proud of the players. I thought the performance tonight was exceptional against obviously an exceptional team," said O'Neill afterwards.

 

"It would have been lovely to get away with a draw and it took a special goal from a special player to separate the sides and our players have a lot to be proud of."

 

Juventus: Storari; Motta, Chiellini, Bonucci, De Ceglie; Pepe, Sissoko, Marchisio, Lanzafame; Diego (Del Piero HT), Amauri (Trezeguet 81).

 

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus; Flynn, Murray, Price, Murphy; Kavanagh (Stewart HT), Rice (Bayly 59), Bradley, Chambers (Turner HT), Dennehy; Twigg.

 

Referee: Georgios Daloukas (Greece).