Irish Clubs Learn European Qualifying Opponents
Linfield could face Shelbourne for the third time in two seasons in the UEFA Conference League if they advance past Nomme Kalju FC. Larne's Champions League path could lead to Crvena Zvezda, while Coleraine will take on HJK Helsinki in the Conference League. Other Irish clubs, Glentoran and Derry City, also learned their potential European qualifying round opponents across various competitions, with matches scheduled for July.
Irish Premiership side Linfield may encounter League of Ireland Premier Division team Shelbourne in the UEFA Conference League, marking their third European meeting in two seasons. This potential rematch would occur if Linfield successfully navigates their first qualifying round tie against Nomme Kalju FC of Estonia next month. Last season, Shelbourne secured aggregate victories over Linfield in both the Champions League qualifying (2-1) and the Conference League play-offs (5-1).
If the fixture proceeds, Shelbourne would host the first leg. Meanwhile, Irish League champions Larne's potential second qualifying round opponent in the Champions League is Serbian club Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade). Larne must first overcome San Marino's Tre Fiori in their initial qualifying tie; a loss would see them drop into the third round of the Conference League.
Irish Cup winners Coleraine are set to enter the Conference League in the second qualifying round against Finnish side HJK Helsinki. HJK is noted as the most successful Finnish club, boasting 33 championship titles, 14 Finnish Cups, and six Finnish League Cups.
For Glentoran, the winner of their Conference League first qualifying round match against RFS of Latvia will face the loser of the tie between Qarabag of Azerbaijan and Vestri of Iceland. Derry City, last season's League of Ireland runners-up, will play CSKA Sofia in the Europa League first qualifying round. A win would pit them against the Qarabag/Vestri winner in the Europa League second round. Should Derry City lose to CSKA Sofia, they would face Riejka of Croatia in the Conference League, the team that eliminated Shelbourne from the Champions League last year.
The second-round ties for these competitions are provisionally slated for July 23 and 30, following first-leg fixtures on July 9 and 16. Final details for all matches are yet to be confirmed.
According to Yahoo Sports Soccer, these draw outcomes set the stage for a busy European qualifying period for Irish clubs.
