Shamrock Rovers could face Chelsea in lucrative new Conference League format

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley after the UEFA Europa League play-off second leg match between Shamrock Rovers and PAOK at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Shamrock Rovers could be pitted against Chelsea when Friday’s groupings for the reformatted Uefa Conference League are drawn in Monaco (1.30pm, Irish time).

This is the second time in three years that the Irish champions have progressed from the qualifying phase, their status on the Champions path ensuring a victory apiece in the Champions and Europa League opening scrambles secured a lucrative place in the third competition’s league phase.