Shamrock Rovers come from behind against The New Saints to ...

Rovers still have Rapid Vienna away on November 29, FK Borac at home on December 12 before concluding a week later at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea but seven points from nine has done the heavy lifting.

Additionally, there’s an extra €400,000 banked to hoist their total prize-money to near €5m – with oodles more available as they share company with European royalty.

Stephen Bradley estimates they’ve a 97% chance of progression, a feat he urges all concerned to embrace.

By bolstering their points tally further – the best chance appears to be against Bosnia and Herzegovina outfit Borac – chances of automatic entry into the last-16, without navigating the playoffs, spike.

“We will never ever get these moments again, nor this group again because things change and people move,” hammered home the jubilant manager.

“What you are doing is special. We show up every day and that’s what separates us from the rest.

“These players have done that for a long time and I understand it takes a lot out physically and mentally. People have things going on in their lives, everyone has problems and you’re asking them to be on it every day.” History beckoned for Rovers by moving to the cusp of reaching the knockout stages of European competition and their 25% shareholder Ray Wilson made it his business to return from Australia to be among the crowd.

Early evening kick-offs suit television but not necessarily families and that was illustrated by the turnout trimming a thousand punters from the 7,111 present for the last home encounter.

That opener against APOEL was the last time Rovers were underdogs and nicking a late draw snaffled a point they could use as a springboard.

Northern Ireland champions Larne were discarded with ease on a 4-1 scoreline in Belfast a fortnight ago and despite making an early false start here, they had too much for the Welsh conquerors.

TNS manager Craig Harrison, a former Premier League player with Middlesbrough, had outlined in his pre-match musings the uphill task his side faced and it was another ex-Boro player who debunked those mind-games to create the opener.

Fourteen minutes were clocked when the visitors completed a spell of absorbing pressure by launching a counter which led to Rovers goalkeeper Leon Pohls clawing away a header by in-form striker Declan McManus.

Jordan Williams had supplied the delivery and from the loose ball, Ryan Brobbel – who as a teen was called into an Ireland squad before representing the North up to U21 level – squared for him to stab the ball from close range.

Relinquishing the league title after four domineering seasons was the kick up the backside Rovers boss Bradley said his players needed and this one in real time acted as the catalyst.

Two goals in 16 minutes before the break got them back on track. Nine minutes after conceding, a flowing move commenced with Josh Honohan’s slick pass into the feet of Neil Farrugia got them going.

His back-heel freed Johnny Kenny who got the wrong side of Daniel Davies and blasted in his 17th goal of the season with a rocket off the underside of the crossbar.

Dan Cleary was inches from connecting with a cross shortly afterwards but another inswinging centre by Darragh Burns allowed Watts nip in to bundle the ball over the line from close range.

TNS had no answers, bar Jordan Williams failing to react to a cross shortly after the break, and substitute Graham Burke twice might have extended the lead as the Hoops saw out a comfortable victory.

“We controlled the game so much we needed that third goal,” Bradley added about the risk caused by profligacy.

“Once it's 2-1, they’ll always feel they’re in the game but I thought the players managed it really well.

“TNS scored from a cross, which they tend to do, and changed the press for the second half but our players worked it out after five minutes.” Six wins on the bounce generates momentum but Rovers get a breather before a couple of friendlies at home to HJK Helsinki act as preparation for their trip to Vienna a week later.

“It’s time for players to switch off, not see me or the staff or hear us for quite some time,” emphasised Bradley. “I’m sure they are sick of that. Just go and be with their family and friends or whatever they want to do and enjoy themselves.”

SHAMROCK ROVERS: L Pohls; D Cleary, R Lopes, L Grace; D Burns (G Burke 70), M Poom (D Nugent 85), D Watts (G O’Neill 85), J Honohan; A McEneff (J Byrne 70), N Farrugia; J Kenny (A Greene 79).

THE NEW SAINTS: C Robberts; J Daniels, D Davies, J Bodenham, D Redmond; R Brobbel, R Holden (B Clark 75), D Williams, L Smith; J Williams (A Wilson 83), D McManus 

Attendance: 6,108.

Referee: Snir Levy (ISR).