Shelbourne’s Sean Gannon and Dawson Devoy of Bohemians(Image: INPHO/Tom Maher)
Shelbourne have discovered their Europa Conference League fate as they bid to reach the league phase for the second year in a row.
Joey O’Brien‘s side made it through to the money-spinning group stages last season via the champions path, when they began in the Champions League.
They face a much tougher task this time around, but have been boosted by their bye to the second qualifying round, where on Wednesday afternoon they learned that they will face the winners of Estonian side Nomme Kalju and Linfield, their old foes from last year’s campaign.
The Reds beat Linfield 2-1 on aggregate in the Champions League first qualifying round, and the two sides met again in the Conference League play-offs when the Dublin side claimed a 5-1 aggregate win.
Their League of Ireland and north Dublin rivals Bohemians also hope to be involved in the second qualifying round.
On Tuesday they were drawn against St Joseph’s of Gibraltar, a team that both Shels and Shamrock Rovers have beaten in the past two seasons.
If they beat their first round opponents, they will play either Welsh side Connah’s Quay Nomads or Ballkani of Kosovo in the second round.
And if Shamrock Rovers drop out of the Champions League at the first qualifying round, they will face the losers of Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris and Kosovans Drita.
Derry City‘s next task should they fail to progress past CSKA Sofia in the Europa League will be to face Croatians Rijeka in the Conference League second qualifying round.
DRAWChampions Path (Group 2)
Floriana/SHAMROCK ROVERS v Kauno Zalgiris/Drita
Main Path (Group 1)
Rijeka v CSKA Sofia/DERRY CITY
Main Path (Group 3)
SHELBOURNE v Nomme Kalju/Linfield
Main Path (Group 9)
BOHEMIANS/St Joseph’s v Connah’s Quay Nomads/Ballkani