Europa Conference League draw | good for Rovers, tough for Bohemians and Dundalk

Shamrock Rovers have been handed the best draw out of the Irish clubs in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Confernece League.

The Hoops dropped into UEFA's new third-tier club competition after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Slovan Bratislava last week.

13 July 2021; Richie Towell of Shamrock Rovers shoots to score his side's second goal during the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round second leg match between Shamrock Rovers and Slovan Bratislava at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

They were one of ten clubs taking the champions path route and ended up being drawn against the winners of the second round tie between Teuta from Albania or Inter Club d'Escaldes.

The Andorran club will be very familiar to Rovers duo Sean Hoare and Sean Gannon who were in the Dundalk team that beat Inter in Andorra en route to last year's Europa League group stages.

17 September 2020; Sean Gannon of Dundalk during the UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round match between Inter Escaldes and Dundalk at Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella in Andorra. Photo by Manuel Blondeau/Sportsfile

Bohemians will face a tough tie against Greek club PAOK in the third round but they must overcome Dudelange to make it to that round.

Keith Long's men, who completed their first-round win against Icelandic club Stjarnan at the Aviva Stadium last Thursday, travel to Luxembourg for the away leg of the next round that kicks off on Thursday evening.

It is understood that the home leg of that tie, like the previous round, could take place at the Aviva Stadium seven days later although the club have yet to confirm.

13 July 2021; Dundalk players after the UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round second leg match between Newtown and Dundalk at Park Hall in Oswestry, England. Photo by Gareth Everett/Sportsfile

Dundalk have also been handed a tough draw if they progress with a win against Levadia Talinn over the two legs which take place at Oriel Park on Thursday and in Estonia, the following week.

Eredivisie club Vitesse await the winners of that tie.

FAI CUP | Last year's finalists drawn against First Division opposition in the first round of this season's tournament