It’s the week that for League of Ireland fan feels a bit like Christmas especially for fans and players alike of the teams involved. This year of course instead of four teams taking the European plunge there are just three as Drogheda United fell foul of UEFAs multi- club ownership rules and were expelled from the second round of the Europa Conference League a severe blow to our Co-efficient but all is not lost as over the next three weeks.
Shelbourne in the Champions League and St Patrick’s Athletic in the first round and Shamrock Rovers in the second round of the Europa Conference League begin their quest to reach the promised land of the group stages of Europe’s Premier Competitions. So what awaits our two sides in action this week? Let’s find out!
Shelbourne – H vs Linfield in the UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round
How they got there: Having surrendered their title to Larne in 2022/23 and Larne retaining their title the following season, Linfield won their first title in three years winning it at a canter finishing twenty two points ahead of the reigning champions Larne as well as Glentoran.
Manager: Its hard to believe but former Man Utd player David Healy is heading into his 10th season as Linfield manager. In his time at the club, he has presided over six League titles, two Northern Ireland FA Cups and 3 league cups.
European pedigree: As a team who have won six titles in the last few years, it goes without saying that Linfield have plenty of experience playing at this level. Their two best recent seasons have been the 2019/20 season as well as the 2022/23 season where they lost in the play-off rounds of the Europa League and the Europa Conference League losting on away goals to Qarabag and on penalties to RFS of Latvia. Going further back the 1966/67 season saw them reach the Quarter Finals of the European Champions Cup probably their greatest European run
Players to watch: He is suspended tonight but League of Ireland fans particularly those from Dundalk will know what Chris Shields brings to the party. Linfield have a number of players with experience of playing in Scotland- Callum Morrison top scored in the Scottish First Division at Falkirk two seasons ago and could well be the danger man. Kyle McClean and Jamie Mulgrew provide experience and an eye for goal from Midfield
Prediction Shelbourne 2 Linfield 1
St Patrick’s Athletic Vs Hegelman UEFA Conference League First Qualifying Round
How they got there: Hegelman had a solid campaign and finished second their highest ever position for a team that only came into existence in 2009. They are on course to qualify for European football again next season as the currently sit third in the table.
Manager: Scottish Football fans of a certain age will remember Andrius Skerla for his time at Dunfermline Athletic in the early naughties! He notably scored their only goal in the Scottish Cup final in 2004- a game that signalled the end of Henrik Larssons time in Scotland. He has been manager of Hegelman since 2021. They also have a fascinating technical director in Judan Ali whose youth career involved him playing for Arsenal and Barcelona where he also worked at La Mesia as a coach being mentored by the late great Johan Cruyff. You’d imagine this will influence their style of football.
European Pedigree: Not a lot to talk about on this front. This is only their second season in Europe with their first season ending in a 5-0 aggregate loss to Shkupi from North Macedonia – a team Shamrock Rovers will have fond memories of from their 2022/23 Europa Conference League run. Hegelman did secure a 0-0 draw in the away leg so they will know how to shut up shop for the away leg.
Key Players- A strong mix of Nationalities in the team with a number of Brazilians amongst others. Perhaps one to look out for would be attacking midfielder Patrick Popescu from Romania who will be trying to unlock the Pats defence.
Prediction St Patrick’s Athletic 2 Hegelman FC 0
There you have it! Best of luck to both Irish teams in action and we will be back to see what might lie in wait next for the Irish sides very soon.