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Shamrock Rovers’ remarkable 2011 Europa League run seems a long time ago now, especially when there are just two players still involved at the club from that time. While Gary McCabe played in those group stage games, current Hoops goalkeeper Craig Hyland – who was with Rovers back then – will be hoping to see his first European action when Pat Fenlon's side take on FC Progres Niederkorn in Luxembourg next week (Tuesday June 30th).

Hyland travelled to the away game against Spurs in 2011 as cover and while he enjoyed being part of the squad as a then 20-year-old fringe player, the ‘keeper and his current Shamrock Rovers teammates are looking to make fresh European memories – starting with the game in Luxembourg next week.

“The trip to Spurs was a really good experience at the time as I was so young,” said Hyland speaking to extratime.ie after Monday’s Europa League draw. “I was able to take it all in but this time around in Europe, I’m really looking forward to it as I am more part of the squad now.

“It is a competitive game that I may get to play in this time. At White Hart Lane, I took part in the training session but this time around I will be part of the match day squad.”

Hyland, like many players in the league, spent a few days away last week recharging his batteries with Hoops boss Fenlon bringing the Rovers squad back from their mid-season break on Sunday. Early on Monday, the number of possible opponents Rovers would face in the Europa League was reduced to a side from Luxembourg, Lithuania, Estonia, Armenia or Georgia.

When the squad came off the training pitch on Monday, Rovers, who were seeded in the draw, learned who exactly their opposition would be and they were thankful it wasn’t one of those longer trips. Hyland believes the timing of the match is beneficial for the Hoops due to the fact that FC Progres Niederkorn are currently in their off-season. They finished fourth in the Luxembourg top division, a league which only concluded at the end of May.

“There was a bit of talk this morning ahead of the draw on the type of teams and countries we could have got. Some of the lads talked about some of the trips they’ve been on with two and three flights. So in one sense we are lucky that we got somewhat of a ‘local’ team. In terms of Europe, Luxembourg isn’t that far away and is easily accessible. Georgia would not have been an easy trip!

“The fact that it is straightforward without massive flight times to get there, enhances our chances going away. They will probably only just be back in pre-season training. It suits us as we are mid-way through our season and we’ve just had a short break. We come into the game refreshed but with a competitive game behind us [against Galway United this Friday].

“Dundalk beat a team from Luxembourg last year with a good result [winning 5-1 on aggregate against Jeunesse Esch] and with a bit of luck we will do the same. With a good performance we can do well and proceed to the next round.”

The draw for that next round was also made on Monday. If Rovers are to progress past Progres then they will face a more difficult trip to play FC Sheriff or Odds from Norway in the second qualifying round. Sheriff won the Moldovan Cup this year and only missed out on winning four league titles in a row on head-to-head record.

The Norwegian team Odds, who play in the city of Skien, were cup runners-up and finished third in the Tippeligaen last season. They currently sit fifth in the table having played 13 league games of their ‘summer’ season.

There was great anticipation amongst the Shamrock Rovers fans about the outcome of the draw as the club play in Europe for the first time since 2012. That eagerness is shared by the players.

“There was a great level of excitement around the dressing room today and everyone was talking about it. I’m massively excited. It is really beneficial for the club and for the players to be playing in these competitions. The league is the bread and butter and you need to do well in that competition to get to Europe but this is a lovely distraction to have.

“We have the game on Friday against Galway and then we can concentrate on Europe. We’ve no league game between the first and second leg – we have a week to prepare against the same team twice so that is really beneficial.

“We will play them, get feedback from the game and play them again the following week. That will give us the basis for preparation. We have to be wary going into the game but we will be focused on getting our preparation right.”