Linfield, Larne and Dungannon Swifts all eye Conference League progression
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Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Linfield set for an-island return battle with Shelbourne, while Larne could face Shamrock Rovers
In a further potential crackerjack of a tie, Larne may play Shamrock Rovers at the same stage of the competition. For the former to happen the Blues must defeat Vikingur from the Faroe Islands in the third qualifying round of the Conference League and Shelbourne have to lose their upcoming Europa League tie against Croatian side Rijeka with the first legs of both those ties taking place this week. In July, Shelbourne and Linfield went head to head in the Champions League with the League of Ireland side coming out on top 2-1 on aggregate. David Healy's side lost 1-0 in Dublin in the first leg and although they had chances in the return at Windsor Park, they drew 1-1 meaning they exited the competition and dropped down to the Conference League. After the match at Windsor, Linfield were fined €10,000 by UEFA for the "racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters" and €2,000 for the lighting of fireworks at the game. The Blues were also handed a partial stadium ban, which is suspended for two years. Should Linfield and Shelbourne end up meeting again in a Conference League Play-off the prize money on offer to reach the group stages will be enormous. If all that isn't enough if Larne overcome Santa Clara from Portugal in the third qualifying round, they will face either Shamrock Rovers or FC Ballkani in the Play-off round of the Conference League. Last season in the group stages Rovers defeated Larne 4-1 at Windsor Park.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Linfield could face European rematch with Shelbourne
Irish Premiership champions Linfield could face a rematch with Shelbourne for a place in the Uefa Conference League group Blues play Faroese side Vikingur in the third round of qualifying with the winners moving into a final play-off against the loser of the Europa League tie between the League of Ireland champions or Croatia's HNK throws up a very real possibility of a return of the Champions League qualifier in July which Shelbourne won 2-1 on the second leg of that tie at Windsor Park, Linfield were fined €10,000 (£8,727) for the "racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters" and €2,000 (£1,745) for the lighting of fireworks in Windsor Park, plus a partial stadium ban, suspended for two that game, David Healy side have overcome Lithuanian champions Zalgiris 2-0 at Windsor Park to move into the third qualifying round of the Conference League, while Shelbourne lost 4-0 on aggregate to Qarabag to drop into Europa League the Dublin side get the better of their Croatian opponents, they will be guaranteed a place in the Conference League group phase at worst, with a play-off for a place in the Europa League against either Greek side PAOK or Austria's defeat against HNK Rijeka and they drop into the Conference League play-off against either Linfield or also face the possibility of a meeting with League of Ireland opposition should they come through against Portugal's CD Santa Rooney's side emerged on penalties against Prishtina to keep their hopes of a return to the group phase alive and should they manage to negotiate the two legs against the Portugese outfit, they will face either Shamrock Rovers or Ballkani from Kosova.
Scotsman
7 hours ago
- Scotsman
How to watch Conference League draw as Hibs discover possible opponents
Hibs will soon find out who they could face in UEFA Conference League play-offs Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs are now in the UEFA Europa Conference League draw after suffering a late loss to Midtjylland at Easter Road on Thursday evening. After 119 minutes of play, the Danish SuperLig side found a winner, breaking the hearts of home fans inside the stadium and sending them into a third tier qualifying draw. It was, however, a mammoth effort from David Gray's side to push FC Midtjylland as far as they did with the head coach detailing his pride in the squad after the game. Speaking post match, Gray said: 'I can't ask the players for any more. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hibs head coach David Gray at full-time following the Europa League second qualifying round defeat to FC Midtjylland at Easter Road. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group) | SNS Group 'They gave me absolutely everything. I think when you add the manner of the goal we lose right at the end, it's taken three spectacular efforts to beat us over the tie against a top team. 'I'm proud of the players, proud of the effort I got from every single one of them. Ultimately, it's a bit raw at the minute. 'The players can take a lot of pride from the way they defended. The concentration needed to be there when you play against a team at this level. that's what is required. As I said, I can't fault the effort and what they've given me over the course of 210 minutes.' Hibs will now face Serbian club Partizan on Thursday 7 August before hosting the return fixture a week later and if they are successful in the third qualifying round, will then make it to the tournament playoffs. Ahead of the play-off draw, here is all you need to know about how and when to tune in... Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When is the Conference League draw? The Conference League draw will take place later today, Monday 4 August, at 1pm at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland. How to watch the Conference League draw The UEFA Conference League draw will be available to watch on TNT Sports and through Discovery+. Who else is in the Conference League draw? There are currently 60 teams competing in the third qualifying round of the Conference League, one of whom is Hibs' Premiership rivals Dundee United. Dundee beat UNA Strassen 2-0 on aggregate to reach this current round and Thursday 7 August will see them take on Rapid Wien. Other potential opponents in the play-off rounds include AEK Athens, AZ Alkmaar, Aris Limassol, Besiktas, Dinamo City and Sparta Praha. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When are the play-offs? The play-offs will take place on 21 and 28 August 2025 and will see 48 teams competing. As well as those successful from the third qualifying round, the play-offs will also introduce Crystal Palace, Fiorentina, Mainz, Rayo Vallecano and Strasbourg.
