Analysing Shamrock Rovers’ 2024/25 Conference League Draw

Shamrock Rovers face a challenging draw in the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League, with a varied mix of opponents. Here’s a breakdown of each fixture and what chance the Irish champions have of prevailing as victors:

---

Game One: APOEL (Home)

Shamrock Rovers kick off their campaign against Cypriot giants APOEL at Tallaght Stadium. While APOEL has ample European experience, playing at home gives Rovers a chance to secure a result.

If they get Tallaght bouncing for the opening fixture of the phase, who knows, maybe a win isn’t too far out of reach.

Game Two: Larne (Away)

Larne from Northern Ireland are likely one of the weakest teams in the phase. Despite the challenge of an away fixture, Shamrock Rovers should fancy their chances against a team with limited European experience.

They will have to take into account the location, as it has been a long time since a side from the Republic of Ireland played in the north of the island. Despite this, a solid performance could see them take all three points, making this a must-win to stay competitive in the phase.

Game Three: The New Saints (Home)

The New Saints from Wales are another relatively manageable opponent. At home, Shamrock Rovers should be aiming for nothing less than a victory.

TNS have recently lost Brad Young, the star player within the Welsh outfit. Rovers should aim to capitalize on the inexperienced side, and gain another three points vital to their aims of getting into the playoffs.

Game Four: Rapid Wien (Away)

A trip to Austria to face Rapid Wien presents a tough challenge for Rovers. Rapid are seasoned European competitors with a strong home record, making this a very difficult fixture.

Earning even a point here would be a significant achievement, but it’s certainly one of the least winnable games on their schedule.

Game Five: Borac Banja Luka (Home)

Hosting Bosnian side Borac Banja Luka offers a good opportunity for Shamrock Rovers to pick up points. While Borac is a tricky opponent, especially with their physical style of play, home advantage could tilt the balance in Rovers’ favor.

A win here could be crucial for their hopes of advancing from the phase, and could well turn out to be a turning point in the campaign.

Game Six: Chelsea (Away)

The game that all Hoops fans were likely hoping for prior to the draw was a dream matchup against the two-time European champions Chelsea. It’s safe to say an Shamrock Rovers invasion of West London is upcoming!

Given Chelsea’s quality and depth, this is the toughest fixture by far. The sides cannot be compared, therefore a result here would be a major shock. Rovers certainly would need to have all the points required to progress ahead of the encounter against Chelsea.

Good Luck, Shamrock Rovers ☘️