All you need to know: Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic begin play-off ties

Thursday 22 August

Europa League play-off round first leg

PAOK (Greece) v Shamrock Rovers, Toumba Stadium, 6.30pm

Conference League play-off round first leg

St Patrick's Athletic v Istanbul Basaksehir (Turkey), Tallaght Stadium, 7.45pm

Coverage

Follow a live blog with updates on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app. Both matches are available on streaming service. No TV broadcast will be showing the games.

Play-offs with different backgrounds

As Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic begin their final qualifying matches, the Hoops have the advantage of already securing their place in one competition.

Victory over Celje last week ensures they will compete in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League if the can't overcome PAOK.

With a prize fund of €3.6m secured, all that is left now is to reach an even bigger competition in the Europa League.

St Pat's are in a winner takes all scenario. Istanbul Basaksehir was one of the toughest draws possible and it will take a remarkable upset for them to progress.

No Irish side has ever qualified for a European competition through the qualifying rounds without being in a champions route.

Stephen Kenny is looking to create more history, just months back involved in the League of Ireland.

Champions try to avoid Greek tragedy

PAOK have come up against Irish sides twice in the last 12 years.

In 2021 Bohemians produced two excellent displays to lose 3-2 on aggregate in the third qualifying round. The home leg was played at the Aviva Stadium.

The Greek side went on to reach the quarter-finals of the competition before losing to Marseille.

They reached the same stage of the Conference League last year, going out against Club Brugge after a lengthy campaign.

It demonstrates the level Shamrock