Shamrock Rovers bag major boost for League of Ireland as FAI Cup winners set for Europa League pathway

THE 2025 FAI Cup winners are set to enter the 2026-27 Europa League, with a second-chance in the Conference League.

Shamrock Rovers’ win over Molde on Thursday earned enough coeffecient points to provisionally secure a ranking among Europe’s top 33 leagues this season.

Seb Daly/Sportsfile

And, if confirmed by UEFA, it would mean a Europa League first round entry next year for this year’s FAI Cup winners.

Currently the Cup holders enter the Conference League, occasionally in the second round rather than the first. 

And that Europa League entry comes with the safety net of a place in the Conference League in the following round after any elimination from the Europa League.

Currently, only the Champions League path comes with that safety net for Irish sides.

A top 33 place in UEFA’s rankings – which will be confirmed in May – would also see the runners up in the League go into the second round of the Conference League rather than third round.

Ireland are provisionally 31st in Europe at present, and cannot fall lower than 33rd.