Graham Burke acknowledged it was a “special” night for him personally as Shamrock Rovers concluded a 55-game season that included a league double and a dozen games in Europe.
Stephen Bradley’s side rounded out their UEFA Conference League campaign with a first win, defeating Maltese champions Hamrun Spartans at Tallaght Stadium 3-1 when the margin of victory could have been considerably greater.
Burke, Danny Grant and substitute John McGovern claimed the goals, though the hosts missed a hatful of chances on a wet and windy night in Dublin 24
It was Burke that opened the scoring from the penalty spot, taking his European tally to 14 goals and joint-top record scorer alongside David McMillan.
“It’s special,” he told RTÉ Sport’s Tony O’Donoghue. “A couple of weeks back I heard Dave was top scorer in the league and it’s nice to equal that.”
The 32-year-old said they expected Spartans to set up in an offensive shape that would allow Rovers opportunities to exploit behind the high defensive line.
“We knew they play a high line and if we got in behind, there would be space and opportunities for us,” he said.
“We didn’t take all those opportunities, and the goalkeeper played extremely well. On another night we could have got five or six.”
Rory Gaffney has a shot on goal against Spartans
Striker Rory Gaffney admitted that he, Burke and Dylan Watts “could have had a hat-trick each”, but says now that the season has finally come to a conclusion there is real satisfaction over what the Hoops have achieved.
The league title was wrestled back from Shelbourne, with a strong second-half display at Aviva Stadium last month ensuring a first domestic double since 1987.
It has been a tricky European campaign, but reaching the Conference League group stages by seeing off Portuguese club Santa Clara was a feat in itself.
“If you offered us this season at the 1st of January, we would have snapped your hand off for it, but you always want more and that’s what we will be pushing for in 2026,” Gaffney said.