Shamrock Rovers to face Czech champions should they reach second qualifying round of Champions League

The champions were drawn to face the Icelandic champions in yesterday’s first round draw, the second year running they will travel to the country having exited at the first hurdle last year after a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Breidablik.

In this morning’s second round draw in Nyon, Rovers could have faced FK Bodo Glimt, FC Midtjylland, or Malmo FF, but have been drawn to take on the Czech champions on 23/24 and 30/31 July, should they reach the second qualifying round.

Sparta Praha, the most successful club in the country, finished first in the Czech top-flight’s regular season last term, before going on to win the play-offs to secure a 38th league title.

They also lifted last season’s Czech Cup, with three of their players making Czech Republic’s Euro 2024 squad this summer.

Next month’s first qualifying round is huge for the Hoops. If they progress past their Icelandic opposition they are guaranteed a place in the Europa league third qualifying round, and a Conference League play-off should they lose that.

But should they lose to Vikingur Reykjavik, they will miss out on a potential Europa League slot and drop into the Conference league second qualifying round, leaving them with three rounds to get through to reach the group stage.

Meanwhile, Damien Duff’s Shelbourne will take on Switzerland’s FC Zurich should they progress past Gibraltar’s St Joseph’s in the Conference League first qualifying round.

As the Reds prepare for their first European appearance since 2006, they will be confident of progressing to the second round where the 13-time Swiss champions await with both legs pencilled in for July 25 and August 1.

Elsewhere, Stephen Kenny’s St Patrick’s Athletic have been drawn to play Liechtenstein outfit Vaduz, having received a bye into the second qualifying round, as the draw took place in Nyon this afternoon.

Vaduz play their league football in the Swiss second-tier where they finished third last term, while they became the first ever team from Liechtenstein to reach a European group stage in 2022 when they qualified for the Conference League group stage, before finishing bottom of Group E.

After exiting at the first hurdle last summer to Luxembourg's F91 Dudelange, the FAI Cup champions will fancy their chances next month as they target a first-ever European group stage appearance under former Ireland boss Kenny.

However, Derry City face a mammoth task in the second round - should Ruaidhrí Higgins' men progress past Gibraltar's Bruno’s Magpies - with the Candystripes drawn to play FC Copenhagen. The 15-time Danish champions reached the Champions League Round of 16 stage last March, where they were defeated by Manchester City, and are ranked as the 34th best team in Europa.

Dates and kick-off times for St Pat’s and Derry City’s potential second round ties will be confirmed by UEFA shortly.