Tonight is the first step in a two-leg process that could lead to both Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers qualifying for the lucrative league phase of the UEFA Conference League.
For Shelbourne, the journey began in the Champions League qualifiers, where they edged past Linfield in a tense first-round tie. A 2-1 aggregate win, secured in part by a red card for the home side in the Windsor Park return leg, carried Joey O’Brien’s men into the next round.
Qarabag proved too strong at the second hurdle, and their continued progress towards the Champions League proper underlines the level of opposition. That defeat pushed Shels into the Europa League, where, despite a spirited away victory against Croatian side Rijeka, they were undone at home, losing 3-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.
Linfield, meanwhile, have fought their way back into contention via the Conference League qualifiers, overcoming opposition from Lithuania and the Faroe Islands to set up a rematch with Shelbourne.
Shamrock Rovers entered the Conference League in the second round. The Hoops have come through ties against St Joseph’s of Gibraltar and Ballkani of Kosovo, and now face a significant step up against Santa Clara of Portugal, with the first leg away from home.
What’s at Stake
The stakes could hardly be higher. The winners of these ties will progress into the league phase of the Conference League, introduced under UEFA’s new format last season.
That guarantees six matches between September and Christmas against a mix of European opposition. Potential opponents include Fiorentina, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Crystal Palace, highlighting the scale of the opportunity.
For Shelbourne, success would add to the €1.7 million already secured through Champions League qualification. A place in the Conference League league phase would add a minimum of €2 million more in prize money, a transformative sum for the Tolka Park club.
For Shamrock Rovers, progression would build on just under €1 million banked so far this campaign.
After last year’s historic run, which delivered €7 million, further success would strengthen their position as the best-resourced club in Irish football and provide the financial stability to continue dominating domestically.
Fans at home won’t be left wanting. Linfield v Shelbourne will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 7.30pm, while Santa Clara v Shamrock Rovers is available on LOI TV on a pay-per-view basis.
Two Irish clubs within touching distance of European group-stage football in the same season is pretty special. Fingers crossed.
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