Shelbourne to face Qarabag in second round of Champions League qualifiers if they overcome Linfield

Shelbourne manager Damien Duff leaves the pitch after his side's victory in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Shelbourne will meet Qarabag FK in second round of Champions League qualifiers should they overcome Linfield.

First though Shels will face off against Linfield in an All-Island Champions League first qualifying round.

Tuesday’s draw at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, paired Damien Duff’s unseeded Reds with the Irish League champions managed by former Northern Ireland striker David Healy.

Shels will host the first-leg on Wednesday, July 9,with kick-off at 7:45pm, followed by the return leg at Windsor Park on Wednesday, July 16, also at 7:45pm.

Considering Romanian giants FCSB were part of the subset group, the Dublin side will be pleased with their draw. It’s the first time since 2006 that they’ve participated in a European competition.

Prize-money of €1m is guaranteed but should Duff’s side win the first round, they are assured of another three ties with Azerbaijan side Qarabag awaiting in the next round of qualifier in Europe's premier competition.

Shels, who are currently fifth in the League of Ireland Premier Division following Monday’s victory over St Patrick’s Athletic, would host first leg on July 22/23 before travelling to Azerbaijan for the second leg on July 29/30.

Speaking after the draw on Tuesday, Shels boss Damien Duff said: “A brilliant day for everyone at the football club, especially for those who have been through the dark times. 

"Players and staff watched the draw together and there is already a great buzz at the prospect of an All-Ireland derby.”

Stephen Kenny's Saints have been drawn against FC Hegelmann, runners-up in the Lithuania league, in the first qualifying round of the Conference League.

Their other possibilities were BFC Daugavpils (Latvia), FCB Magpies (Gibraltar) and NSÍ Runavík (Iceland).

Uefa’s expulsion of Drogheda United, upheld on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday, elevates Shamrock Rovers to the second round. That draw takes place on Wednesday.