Shamrock Rovers grouped in Europa League draw with AC Milan potential opponents

Shamrock Rovers have learned their potential opponents for Monday's Europa League draw with European heavyweights AC Milan one of three teams they could be drawn against.

On the eve of the draw, UEFA have confirmed the groupings and the Hoops, who are unseeded, will be drawn against either the seven time European Cup winners from Italy, Fehervar FC from Hungary or FK Zalgiris Vilnius from Lithuania.

It is 45 years since Milan travelled to Ireland to take on Athlone Town in the UEFA Cup and they could be set for their second visit to Ireland in European action if they are drawn away to Rovers.

It is a decade ago that Rovers played Italian football royalty when they took on Juventus in the Europa League qualifiers – losing 2-0 in Tallaght Stadium and 1-0 in Italy – with Stephen Bradley involved as a player in that tie.

The second qualifying round of the Europa League will take place on 17 September behind-closed-doors in a one off tie. Home advantage will be decided in Monday’s draw.

Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley maybe putting a call into Dalymount Park to get the low down on Fehervar if they are drawn against the Hungarian team – they defeated Bohs at home 4-2 on penalties last Thursday after the game ended 1-1 after extra-time.

The third potential opponents – who are all clubs that are currently on the Irish government’s green travel list – is Lithuanian side Zalgiris Vilnius.

St. Patrick’s Athletic played Zalgiris in the Europa League qualifiers in 2013 with the Saints drawing 2-2 away in the first leg but losing 2-1 at home. 

Derry City lost against Lithuanian opposition this week – losing away 3-2 after extra-time to FK Riterai.

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile