Shamrock Rovers are gearing up for a challenging Champions League first round qualifier draw, set to take place at Uefa HQ in Switzerland. Following Pico Lopes's impressive international stint with Cape Verde at the World Cup, the club is focused on their upcoming matches. As the top-ranked team in the draw, which begins at 3pm Irish time, Rovers could face tough competition from a pool of 14 potential opponents. Among these are the Bulgarian giants Levski Sofia and the champions from Hungary and Azerbaijan, ETO Gyor and Sabah, respectively.

The two-legged tie is scheduled for July 7th/8th and July 14th/15th. If Shamrock Rovers can secure a victory, they will guarantee at least a playoff spot to return to the Conference League for a third consecutive season. This opportunity highlights the significant impact Shamrock Rovers have had on the League of Ireland’s Uefa coefficient in recent years, which has also benefited other clubs like Derry City, who are now in the Europa League qualifying mix.

In addition to Shamrock Rovers, other Irish clubs are also preparing for their respective draws. Bohemians will learn their opponents for the Conference League qualifiers, while Shelbourne has already advanced to the second round. Athlone Town represents Ireland in the women’s Champions League, with their draw scheduled for Thursday. The excitement surrounding these draws showcases the growing competitiveness of Irish football on the European stage.