Shamrock Rovers are closing in on European group stage football for the fourth time this decade, something they deserve massive credit for. That was the view of the RTÉ Soccer Podcast panel of Paul Corry, Keith Treacy, and Alan Cawley this week. The Hoops take a 3-1 lead to Albania on Thursday in their third-round Europa League qualifier, where progress will ensure them a place in the league phase of the Conference League, as a minimum. But manager Stephen Bradley spoke last year of what progress would look like after the club claimed the domestic double, and he specifically mentioned reaching the Europa League outright. It means losing by less than two goals against Egnatia, with Norwegian outfit Lillestrom standing between them and a place in the league phase of Europe's mid-tier club competition. Former Hoop Corry is confident that his old club will get the job done. 'They are very much in that game, they should have won by more last week,' he said. 'They did very well that night and they have done similarly in some of their other European games. The last game against Ararat-Armenia, for the first 45 or 60 minutes, I thought they were really at it. 'And if they are again on Thursday night, they should have no problems getting through that tie because I thought there was a huge difference between themselves and the Albanians. 'The only criticism of Rovers is that they didn't score more goals. Johnny Afolabi had a brilliant chance, when Graham Burke put him in, to put them further ahead, they had another one later on in the game. 'I hope they don't rue those missed chances because they're certainly a level or two above that opposition.' The panel discussed Rovers' lack of panache in the League of Ireland, despite leading their nearest challengers St Patrick's Athletic by seven points, but Corry pointed out that they're battling on two fronts, domestically and on the continent. 'They're still getting into European group stages and they're still able to rotate the squad and maintain a certain level of standard to get results. 'That's the gap between a Bohs and a Shels (versus Rovers). Yes, they don't have the same strength in depth, but there can't be that big of a drop off in performance just because you're playing within a couple of days and trying to balance it.' Treacy was singing off the same hymn sheet, praising Stephen Bradley's management of his squad rotation as they pull clear in the league, and edge towards an extended Autumn of European competition. 'We've been sitting here the last three years and we've all waxed lyrical about Shamrock Rovers' squad and strength in depth,' he said. 'Sometimes you're going to have to prove that. You can't just keep saying, 'oh, we've got all this strength in depth'. 'He's put kids out, he's chopped and changed players when he's had to. He's been able to rotate at the right times. The depth that Shamrock Rovers have is excellent. 'There's a lot of players that probably aren't out-and-out starters for Rovers that would start in any other team in the league.' Of the other two League of Ireland teams in European action, the panel were far less positive, with the expectation that both Bohemian and Shelbourne will be knocked out. Shels are 3-1 down to Dutch giants Ajax with the hope that an early goal in Drumcondra could set them up for a famous night. But Corry was quick to try to dampen expectations, suggesting that the Eredivisie side could win in first gear. 'On another night, if Ajax were to win in first gear, I think it would be a bit of a statement.' The panel also discussed Rovers' recent form, which has seen them win their last two games, including a 3-2 victory over Dundalk last week. League standing: 1st in Premier Division, 54 pts, 16W-6D-5L from 27 games, recent form WDWWD. Goals this season: 43 scored, 24 conceded (+19 goal difference). Lead at the top: 7 points clear of St Patrick's Athletic. Last result: Shamrock Rovers 3-2 Dundalk (2026-08-07). Recent form (last 5): 3W-2D-0L (WWDDW, most recent first); on a 2-game winning run. Next fixture: vs Egnatia Rrogozhinë (away, 2026-08-13).