Four League of Ireland clubs now know the first steps on what each will hope can become a memorable summer in Europe.

Shamrock Rovers, Derry City, Bohemians and Shelbourne were all included in this week’s UEFA club competition draws, with the first two qualifying rounds now mapped out, at least in terms of potential opposition.

A strong European run can deliver a meaningful financial return, through prize money, solidarity payments, ticket sales, broadcast exposure and commercial value. For League of Ireland clubs operating on tighter budgets than many of their European counterparts, even one or two extra rounds can make a significant difference.

Over the past two seasons in Europe Irish clubs have earned around €20 million in the different elements of performance, qualification and bonuses. Shamrock Rovers have earned around 60 per cent of that figure with their back to back qualifications for the Conference League group phase.

It’s not a complete drop to the bottom line though. European football also brings real costs. Travel, accommodation, logistics, charter flights where required, and the practical demands of short-notice planning can quickly eat into the upside, particularly when the opposition is drawn from the far side of the continent rather than closer to home.

Rovers, the 2025 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division champions, have been drawn against Floriana of Malta in the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League.

Should they progress, they will face either FC Ararat-Armenia or Riga FC in the Second Qualifying Round. That would offer another attractive sporting opportunity but also a potentially demanding trip depending on the outcome of that tie.

If Rovers are beaten by Floriana, they will drop into the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round, where they would face either FK Kauno Žalgiris of Lithuania or FC Drita of Kosovo.

Derry City will begin their campaign in the UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round against CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria. Progress there would set up a Second Qualifying Round tie against either Qarabağ FK of Azerbaijan or Vestri of Iceland.

Should Derry not advance past CSKA Sofia, they will move into the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round, where Rijeka of Croatia would await.

Bohemians will face St Joseph’s of Gibraltar in the UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round. It is a tie that will carry a sense of opportunity for the Dalymount Park club, though Gibraltar in July still requires careful travel planning and all the usual European administrative demands.

If they progress, they will face either Connah’s Quay Nomads of Wales or FC Ballkani of Kosovo in the Second Qualifying Round. The Welsh option would clearly be more manageable from a travel perspective, while Ballkani would mean a more complex and costly trip but also another strong European occasion.

Shelbourne enter at the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round stage and will face the winners of Nõmme Kalju of Estonia and Linfield of Northern Ireland, in a potential repeat of last season’s clash between the two Champions at the time from the League of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Football League.

The First Qualifying Rounds begin in the week of Monday, July 6, with the full fixture details and home-and-away order to be confirmed.

The UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round will be played on July 7/8 and July 14/15, with the Second Qualifying Round following on July 21/22 and July 28/29.

The UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round will be played on July 9 and July 16, with the Second Qualifying Round on July 23 and July 30.

The UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round will also be played on July 9 and July 16, with the Second Qualifying Round on July 23 and July 30.

For the League of Ireland, European nights have become an increasingly important part of the summer calendar. They provide a measure of where clubs stand, an opportunity to grow reputation, and a chance to bring in income that can support development at home.

The draw has now given each club a route. The next task is to make the most of it.

 

Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and Bohemians are full members of Sport for Business 

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Image Credit: UEFA

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