Just two rounds away from the group stages of the 2026/27 Europa League, Shamrock Rovers know they will face Norwegian outfit Lillestrom next up, should they get through the third round of qualifying.
They are on home soil for this week’s first leg against Albania’s KF Ergnatia, a match they enter as slight favourites, against an outfit who have risen quickly through the ranks.
30-cap Albania international Nevil Dede took the helm at the club in May, with the side playing third tier league football as recently as 2017, before winning their first and only first division title in 2024.
Ergantia were edged out on penalties by Celje in Champions League qualifying, thereby falling into the third qualifying round of Europe’s secondary club tournament, with Rovers having been beaten by Celje themselves in the group stages of a disappointing 2025/26 UEFA Conference League campaign.
Stephen Bradley’s charges may feel they hold a slight edge given the fact the Albanian league does not start up again until the new season begins on August 22, with Shelbourne inflicting their own last league defeat back in mid-June.
Rovers’ home form has been a hallmark of their European campaign to date, winning 5-1 and 2-1 against Floriana and Ararat-Armenia respectively, though the latter tie saw them lose out 4-1 on aggregate and therefore drop out of the race for the Champions League.
The former tie saw Newry’s John McGovern score twice in Tallaght, though top scorer Aaron Greene - who has seven league goals - and Michael Noonan could well start up top this time around.
Bradley is not underestimating Tuesday’s opposition, stating he expects an open affair, but says he ‘might get even more grey hair’:
“Their tens are very good, their forwards are good, their wide players are good. They scored five goals against Celje. They have a good attack.
“From speaking to people in Albania, they tend to come and attack the game from the first minute. That’s what they will do. They have spent a lot of money, there’s a lot of investment, they really fancy their chances, I’m sure.”
With Pico Lopes back at the heart of defence, Ergnatia have their own star at centre-back in the shape of Swiss born Arben Xhemajli, with the ex-Sunderland star linked with a €100,000 move to Malaysia.
Progression to the next round would secure a minimum of Conference League group stages for the reigning SSE Premier Division champions, who have 10 league matches left and a seven-point cushion to play with this season.
