Shamrock Rovers find out identity of their Europa Conference League opponents
Shamrock Rovers have discovered the identity of their Europa Conference League second qualifying round opponents, as the League of Ireland giants embark on a fresh European campaign.
Stephen Bradley's men are hoping for a repeat of last season's heroics, when they reached the last-32 of the competition, only to bow out on penalties to Norwegian side Molde.
Rovers were bumped up to the second qualifying round after the decision to boot Drogheda United out of the competition under UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.
The Hoops were the top-seeded side in the first qualifying round draw, and they will remain seeded right the way through to the play-off round should they make it that far.
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To do so, they will first have to overcome St Joseph's of Gibraltar or Northern Irish side Cliftonville.
Shamrock Rovers were on Wednesday afternoon drawn opposite the NIFL Premiership side, as the final pairings of the draw were made at UEFA HQ in Nyon. The Tallaght side will be at home in the second-leg.
The games will take place on July 24 and 31, with kick-off times to be announced over the coming days.
Rovers last year qualified for the league phase of the Europa Conference League via the champions path - having entered Europe through the Champions League.
In the league phase, they picked up wins over Larne, The New Saints and Bosnian side Borac Banja, and draws against Rapid Vienna and APOEL Nicosia. Their only defeat came away to Chelsea on the final day of the league phase campaign.
If St Patrick's Athletic overcome Hagelmann in their first round tie, they will take on either Kalju (Estonia) or Partizani (Albania).
Meanwhile, also in today's draw were League of Ireland champions Shelbourne. They will face Zalgiris of Lithuania or Hamrun Spartans of Malta if they lose their Champions League tie with Linfield.
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