Who could have predicted this one? In a blockbuster all‑Ireland fixture, League of Ireland champions Shelbourne have been drawn to face NIFL Premiership champions Linfield in the first qualifying round of the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League.
The first leg will be played at Tolka Park in Dublin on 8 or 9 July, with the return leg scheduled for 15 or 16 July at Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast.
Shelbourne entered the draw unseeded but having secured their Champions League Qualifier place via their first League of Ireland SSE Airtricity Premier Division title since 2006.
Linfield, seeded in the draw, return to the Champions League qualifiers after securing their 57th Sports Direct Premiership title, finishing 22 points clear of their nearest rivals. They are managed by former Northern Ireland striker David Healy.
There was also much excitement in Scotland, with both managers having spent time in their careers at Glasgow Celtic and Glasgow Rangers.
The tie introduces a high-profile all‑island clash not seen since their meetings in the Setanta Sports Cup, where Linfield prevailed in 2006.
The winners advance to the second qualifying round, while the losers move into subsequent Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Next out of the draw for that UEFA Conference League was St Patrick’s Athletic, who will face FC Hegelmann of Lithuania in the first Qualifying round, with details of dates and venues yet to be confirmed.
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Linfield faced Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Conference League group stage last year and both sides will be happy with the profile and the lower travel expenses that come from having been drawn together.
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