Sparta Prague await winners of Shamrock Rovers tie

Shamrock Rovers will face Sparta Prague if they progress to the second round of Champions League qualifying.

Yesterday the Hoops were paired with Vikingur Reykjavík in the first round, with the tie take place on 9/10 July and 16/17 July.

The winner will advance to meet the Czech side, with the loser dropping down to the Conference League.

The second-round clash is to be played on 23/24 and 30/31 July, with the first stage qualifier at home in the first leg.

Sparta reached the Europa League last 16 last season, exiting against Liverpool.

Meanwhile, the Premier Division champions will have just 50 supporters at their game in Iceland due to the size of the Víkingsvollur stadium.

“We have been made aware that we will receive an away allocation of 50 tickets (5%) – owing to stadium capacity of 1,000,” the club confirmed yesterday.

The ground holds 2,000 people but only seated capacity can be used under UEFA regulations.

The second leg will be played at Tallaght Stadium.

The second-round draw of the Conference League takes place at 1pm, with St Patrick’s Athletic awaiting their fate. Their five possible opponents are:

• KAA Gent (Belgium)
• FC Vaduz (Liechtenstein)
• Brondby (Denmark)
• Winner of Stjarnan (Iceland) vs Linfield
• Winner of FC UNA Strassen (Luxembourg) vs KuPS (Finland)

Derry City and Shelbourne will also be in the draw, with a good chance of reaching that stage as first round-clashes with Gibraltarian teams FCB Magpies and St Joseph’s are to come.