Linfield Set to Face Shelbourne in Champions League Qualifiers
In an exciting development for Irish football fans, Linfield FC, the triumphant winners of the Irish Premiership, have been paired with Shelbourne in the inaugural round of the Champions League qualifying match.
Shelbourne, under the guidance of ex-Chelsea and Republic of Ireland star Damien Duff, celebrated a remarkable resurgence in 2024, clinching their first League of Ireland Premier Division title in nearly two decades, thanks to a thrilling last-minute victory over Derry City.
Linfield, managed by David Healy, dominated the Irish Premiership last season, finishing a staggering 22 points clear at the top of the table, showcasing a stellar performance throughout the campaign.
The first leg of this highly anticipated matchup will occur at Tolka Park either on Tuesday, July 8, or Wednesday, July 9, followed by the return leg at Windsor Park on July 15 or 16.
In other news, Cliftonville will soon learn their UEFA Conference League first-round competitors during a draw scheduled for 15:00 BST. Jim Magilton’s side, having emerged as European play-off winners, enters the draw unseeded and will encounter one of the following teams: Icelandic club Vikingur, Albania’s Partizani, Floriana from Malta, or Gibraltar’s St Joseph’s. Additionally, Dungannon Swifts, who triumphed in the Irish Cup, will find out their second-round opponents on Wednesday.
This thrilling summer in European football promises to deliver unforgettable moments for fans across Ireland and beyond!