Huge Champions League shock means Ferencvaros up next for Shamrock Rovers in Conference League

Shamrock Rovers' European week has gone from bad to worse as one of the biggest shocks in recent qualifying history means they will play Hungarian side Ferencvaros in the Europa Conference League second round.

The Hoops fell to a disappointing 3-1 Champions League aggregate defeat to Breidablik yesterday to drop down to the third tier competition in what was a huge setback for their hopes for the group stages.

They remain in the 'champions route' so it was expected they would receive more favourable ties under the UEFA system which sees more domestic league winners reach the main competitions.

Stephen Bradley’s side were awaiting the loser of the first round Champions League tie between Faroe Islands side KI Klaksvik and Ferencvaros.

After a 0-0 draw last week in the small island nation, the Hungarians were hotly tipped to progress in Groupama Arena in the second leg given their pedigree, having reached the Champions League group stages just three years ago.

They also comfortably beat the Hoops 4-1 last year in the play-off round for the Europa League last year and went on to record wins over Trabzonspor, Monaco and Red Star Belgrade in their group before being eliminated by Bayer Leverkusen.

However KI secured an astounding victory in Hungary tonight, taking a 3-0 half-time lead at the 24,000 seater stadium and seeing out victory. Arni Frederiksberg scored a first-half double before Luc Kassi scored a third before the break to stun the home support, who went on to register their anger during a scoreless second half.

KI are familiar to League of Ireland supporters as they played Dundalk in a 2020 qualifier, losing 3-1 in a one-off tie.

The Hoops now must travel to Budapest to play the Hungarian champions for the Conference