Shelbourne Set for Linfield Showdown in Champions League | OneFootball

Shelbourne FC will make their return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 20 years when they face Linfield FC in the first qualifying round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.

The draw was held earlier today at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, with Shelbourne FC CEO Tomás Quinn and Technical Director Luke Byrne in attendance.

The Reds will have home advantage for the first leg of the tie as the League of Ireland champions face a mouth watering tie with the NIFL Premiership title holders.

Fixture dates for both legs of the tie will be confirmed by UEFA in the coming days. The matches are scheduled to be played across the weeks of July 9th and July 16th, with full details to follow once finalised.

This draw marks Shelbourne’s return to European competition following a historic 2024 domestic season and presents an exciting chance as the club continues to progress on and off the pitch.

Speaking after the draw, Reds boss Damien Duff said: “A brilliant day for everyone at the football club, especially for those who have been through the dark times. Players and staff watched the draw together and there is already a great buzz at the prospect of an All Ireland derby.”

It’s the Reds first appearance in Europe’s premier club competition since July 2005, where having seen off Northern Irish opposition in Glentoran in Round One, before exiting at the hands of Steaua București in the next round, having drawn 0-0 in front of a capacity crowd at Tolka. The former Champions League winners progressed 4-1 with victory in the next leg in Romania. The Reds could’ve set up a rematch, with the Romanian side one of the possible opponents in this afternoon’s Group 2 draw, where they drew Inter Club.

The club will provide updates on kick-off times, venues, and ticket information once confirmed by UEFA.