David Healy's Linfield will face Shelbourne, who are managed by Damien Duff, in the first round of Champions League qualifying Irish Premiership winners Linfield have been drawn against Shelbourne in the first round of Champions League qualifying. Shelbourne, managed by former Chelsea and Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff, won their first League of Ireland Premier Division title in 18 years in 2024 after a dramatic final-day victory over Derry City. David Healy's Linfield won the Irish Premiership by 22 points in an impressive campaign for the Blues. The first leg in will take place at Tolka Park on Tuesday 8 or Wednesday 9 July, before the return fixture at Windsor Park on 15 or 16 July. Linfield last faced Shels in the 2006 Setanta Cup group stages, winning 2-0 at Windsor Park before a goalless draw in the return fixture. One year earlier, David Jeffrey's side won the cross-border tournament by beating Shelbourne 2-0 in the final at Tolka Park. Cliftonville will find out their Uefa Conference League opponents in the first-round draw at 15:00 BST. Jim Magilton's European play-off winners are unseeded and will face one of Icelandic side Vikingur, Partizani of Albania, Floriana from Malta and Gibraltar side St Joseph's. Irish Cup winners Dungannon Swifts will discover their second-round Conference League opponents on Wednesday.
Linfield draw Shelbourne in Champions League qualifying
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Linfield to Face Shelbourne in Champions League Qualifying Round"
Bbc News
8.9
TruthLens AI Summary
David Healy's Linfield has been drawn against Shelbourne in the first round of the Champions League qualifying. The match will feature the Irish Premiership winners Linfield, who had a remarkable season, finishing 22 points clear of their nearest rivals. Shelbourne, under the management of former Chelsea and Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff, recently claimed their first League of Ireland Premier Division title in 18 years, achieving this milestone with a thrilling final-day victory over Derry City. The first leg of the qualifying round is scheduled to take place at Tolka Park on either July 8 or July 9, with the return leg set for Windsor Park on July 15 or July 16. This matchup revives a historical rivalry, as Linfield last faced Shelbourne in the 2006 Setanta Cup group stages, where Linfield secured a 2-0 victory at home before drawing the return match 0-0.
TruthLens AI Analysis
You need to be a member to generate the AI analysis for this article.
Log In to Generate AnalysisNot a member yet? Register for free.