The Daily Star Ireland
Shamrock Rovers are set to face Molde in the UEFA Conference League last 16 play-off. The Hoops narrowly missed out on automatic qualification, finishing just outside the top eight due to goal difference. Now, Stephen Bradley’s team must defeat the Norwegian side to advance further in the competition.
Rovers were seeded for the draw after finishing tenth in the league phase, which meant they could be matched against either the 23rd or 24th ranked teams. They ended up drawing Molde, who finished 23rd. As a result, Rovers will have the advantage of playing the second leg at their home ground, Tallaght Stadium.
In the league phase, Shamrock Rovers accumulated 11 points from six games, while Molde managed to progress with seven points, just enough to edge out Hearts, who also had seven points but finished 25th and thus did not advance.
The first leg of the play-off will be held on 13 February at Molde’s Aker Stadion, followed by the second leg on 20 February at Tallaght Stadium. If Shamrock Rovers succeed in overcoming Molde, they will face either Cercle Brugge or Legia Warsaw in the quarter-finals.
