Robinson looking to finish off Helsinki

Tagged as the first Drogheda player to score in Europe following his spectacular curling lead goal in Helsinki a fortnight ago…

Tagged as the first Drogheda player to score in Europe following his spectacular curling lead goal in Helsinki a fortnight ago, Shane Robinson knows all too well he has gifted the club a glorious opportunity to progress in the Uefa Cup.

Still, though, the lively winger is refusing to dwell too long on the significance of it as he prepares for tonight's finely balanced first qualifying round, second leg tie with Finnish side HJK Helsinki at Dalymount Park.

"Of course we'll be looking to take advantage as it's an away goal and hopefully it will count for something at the end of the night.  But the game is still a draw at the moment as far as we are concerned.

"We can't afford to concede so we'll have to push on a bit and finish it out.  They know if they concede it's not the end of the world as if they get one goal back the tie is still in the balance.

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"I reckon it will be cagey enough but we did well on the break over there, even late in the game after they scored, and that's possibly where we might catch them."

Drogheda may be somewhat alien to European competition - they lost 14-0 on aggregate to Tottenham Hotspur in their last venture 23 years ago - but many of their present day squad boast vital experience.

None more so than Robinson himself, who three seasons ago was part of the Shamrock Rovers squad that fought courageously for home and away victories over Polish opponents Odra Wodzislaw in the Intertoto Cup.

"Myself, Glen Fitzpatrick, James Keddy and Tony Grant (all current Drogheda players) were on the same team so hopefully that's a good omen.  We've been there and seen one European game out so hopefully we can produce a similar performance tonight."