After a fantastic UECL campaign that has wielded their maiden two victories in UEFA main-draw competition, Shamrock knew a win would put them in a strong position to progress directly to the last 16.
And, while Borac had the first chance of the match inside two minutes when Stefan Savić forced Leon Pöhls into an early save, they produced a composed and confident display during the first 45 minutes.
Opportunities were few and far between for both sides, but Shamrock made one of the few openings count as they took the lead shortly before the quarter-hour mark.
Johnny Kenny had already enjoyed a strong UECL campaign, scoring three goals in the opening four matchdays, when he added to that tally by heading Darragh Burns’ cross into the corner while totally unmarked.
Another early attempt from Borac at the start of the second period, this time a wild effort over the bar from Dino Skorup, was effectively as good as it got for Borac after the interval. Before long, Shamrock were two to the good as Neil Farrugia tapped into an empty net from close range.
The goal was off Kenny’s doing, as he laid it on a plate for his teammate with a delicate pass from a position where others would have tried their luck themselves. This was fast becoming the Kenny show, and just after the hour mark, the 21-year-old had his second of the night courtesy of a delightful chip over Filip Manojlović.
That strike ended the game as a contest, although Borac never looked like scoring even when the deficit was smaller. Shamrock’s transformation this term must be commended - in their previous two European campaigns, they had failed to register a single win, drawing two and losing 10 of their 12 matches.
They now sit sixth in the table and can play against overall favourites for the title, Chelsea, next week with freedom. Borac, meanwhile, must recover quickly ahead of their clash against Omonoia Nicosia next week, although a number of results will have to go against them for them not to snatch a place in the play-offs.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Johnny Kenny (Shamrock Rovers)