Shamrock Rovers managed a good draw in the Europa Conference League

By Judy J. Beasley Last updated Jan 27, 2023

Shamrock Rovers have enjoyed a favorable draw in the Europa Conference League as the Hoops’ European adventure continues.

The Rovers, who reached the group stage of European competition for the first time since 2011, were drawn alongside Belgian club Gent, Norway’s Molde and Sweden’s Djurgardens.

Stephen Bradley’s side ended their Europa League play-off run in style with a confidence-building 1-0 win on Hungarian kingpins Ferencvaros on Thursday, having already secured a Conference League berth after reaching that stage.

Shamrock Rovers’ Andy Lyons celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League Play-Off Second Leg match between Shamrock Rovers and Ferencvaros at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin. Photo: Eoin Noonan/Sportsfile

In a boost, the victory saw Rovers go into Pot 3 of Friday afternoon’s Europa Conference League draw in Istanbul, Turkey.

The League of Ireland holders avoided last season’s Champions League semi-finalists and top-ranked side Villarreal, Premier League side West Ham and Italian side Fiorentina – who were the team to avoid in Pot 2.

2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League draw:

Group A: Istanbul Basaksehir, Fiorentina, Hearts, RFS Riga

Group B: West Ham United, FCSB, Anderlecht, Silkeborg

Group C: Villarreal, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, Austria Wien, Lech Poznan

Group D: Partizan Belgrade, FC Cologne, Nice, FC Slovacko

Group E: AZ Alkmaar, Apollon Limassol, FC Vaduz, Dnipro

Group F: Ghent, Molde, Shamrock Rovers, Djurgardens

Group G: Slavia Prague, CFR Cluj, Sivasspor, FC Ballkani

Group H: FC Basel, Slovan Bratislava, Zalgiris Vilnius, Pyunik Yerevan

A view of the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match ball next to the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy during the 2022/23 UEFA Club Competition Match Balls Shoot at the headquarters of UEFA. Photo: Kristian Skeie – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Rovers’ European adventure at this stage has already netted €2.94m in prize money, and a group stage victory is worth a further €500,000, while a draw would guarantee €166,000.

Earlier this week, Tallaght Stadium was confirmed as location for Rovers’ home games in the competition.

Group stage matches will start on September 8 with further matchdays on September 15, October 6, October 13, October 27 and November 3.

The winner of each group will advance to the Round of 16, with the runners-up facing one of the third-placed teams in the Europa League in the Round of 16.

The 2022/23 Europa Conference League Final will take place at the Eden Arena in Prague on June 7, 2023.