Shamrock Rovers' Europa League campaign wilted in the Cypriot heat last night.
Aaron Greene's second-half goal equalised Emilio Zelaya’s strike for Apollon Limassol but Atilla Szalai scored to force extra-time.
Adrian Sardinero grabbed the winner in the 101st minute as Apollon secured a 3-1 victory on the night and progressed 4-3 on aggregate.
Lee Grace was sent off for the Hoops in Nicosia, with both sides ending the game with ten men.
Rovers manager Stephen Bradley felt the goals they gave away were sloppy:
“We’re really disappointed with one or two of the goals we gave away. Our defending wasn’t right", he told The Sun.
“That was very unlike us, to give those type of goals away.
“In the first half we didn’t play to our game plan. We were too defensive and we gave the game to Apollon.
“I can’t fault the players effort or desire or will to win from the second half onwards.
“From then on we were the team that was looking to win the game.
“In the first half we showed them too much respect. In the second we were very good.
“We didn’t show up in the first half. We gave them the game in that first half.
“From half-time onwards we were the better team having imposed ourselves from the restart.
“We imposed our game and our style on them and should have got a second goal.”
