Basel and Club Brugge could be next for Derry City and Dundalk in Europe

Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Dundalk have discovered their potential opponents following the third round draw qualifying draw in the Europa Conference League.

The Hoops had a week to forget last week after exiting the first round of the Champions League against Icelandic side Breidablik.

Their misery was added to when Ferencvaros lost to KI Klaksvík, meaning they begin their Conference League campaign against the Hungarian champions.

After Monday's draw for the next stage, Hamrun Spartans of Malta or FC Dinamo Tbilisi from Georgia will await Stephen Bradley's side if they progress from the second round.

Dinamo have not progressed through their last five European ties, while Spartans were beaten 6-1 over two legs this year by Maccabi Haifa.

Derry and Dundalk face likely daunting ties if they can make it through.

City could be playing Swiss giants FC Basel.

The Candystripes begin their second round tie with KuPS of Finland in the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Thursday.

Basel meet Kazakstan outfit FC Tobol Kostanay and will be hotly-fancied to reach round three for the potential meeting with the LOI outfit.

If Dundalk can overcome Icelandic side KA Akureyri in the second qualifying round, they play the winner of the tie between Club Brugge and AGF Aarhus.

Brugge reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season before exiting against Benfica.

Despite those exploits they must overcome Danish outfit Aarhus to progress to round three where the Louth side could await.

Teams must progress through four rounds to reach the Conference League group stage.

Dundalk and Derry have guaranteed €550,000 each in prize money thus far with a win in the second round worth a further €300,000.

Europa Conference League third round qualifying