The Daily Star Ireland
Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers will both feature in the group stage of the UEFA Conference League after today’s draw in Monaco produced a historic moment for Irish football. For the first time ever, two League of Ireland clubs have reached this stage of a European competition, capping off a remarkable week in which Shels overcame Linfield and Rovers edged Portuguese side Santa Clara.
Shelbourne’s Historic Campaign
Fresh off their 2024 Premier Division title, Shelbourne are preparing for their first-ever group stage campaign. Damien Duff’s side will welcome Crystal Palace to Tolka Park in what promises to be a marquee clash. Palace are the only Premier League representatives in the competition, having controversially been demoted from the Europa League due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
Shels’ most challenging away trip will be against Dutch giants AZ Alkmaar, where Irish striker Troy Parrott is enjoying a prolific run of form in 2025. Beyond that, the Reds will host Kosovo’s FC Drita and Sweden’s Hacken, while travelling to Slovenia’s NK Celje and North Macedonian champions Shkendija.
Shamrock Rovers Face Tough European Tests
Stephen Bradley’s Shamrock Rovers, no strangers to this stage after making the knockouts last year, were handed another demanding draw. The Hoops will host Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk and Slovenia’s Celje, along with Malta’s Hamrun Spartans. Their away assignments are even tougher, with trips to Sparta Prague, AEK Athens, and Icelandic side Breidablik—familiar foes who knocked them out of the 2023/24 Champions League qualifiers.
Last season, Rovers finished 10th in the league phase, advancing with three wins and two draws before bowing out to Molde on penalties. Their experience and consistency at this level could again prove decisive in navigating a difficult group.
Conference League Group Stage Format
The format remains unchanged: after six matches, the top eight of the 36 teams advance directly to the last 16. Those finishing between ninth and 24th will enter the knockout play-offs. This structure gives both Irish clubs a clear pathway to European football in the spring if they can replicate last season’s form.
Europa League Highlights
The Europa League draw also delivered intriguing storylines. Nottingham Forest will relive history against Malmo, their opponents in the 1979 European Cup final that secured Forest’s first European crown. Now under Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest will host Malmo at the City Ground while also facing Porto, Ferencvaros, and Midtjylland at home, with away trips to Real Betis, Braga, Sturm Graz, and Utrecht.
Aston Villa will play Coppa Italia winners Bologna at Villa Park, alongside home ties against Salzburg, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Young Boys. Their away schedule features Feyenoord, Fenerbahce, Basel, and Go Ahead Eagles.
For Scotland’s representatives, Celtic narrowly missed the Champions League group stage after losing to Kairat on penalties and now face Roma, Braga, Sturm Graz, and Utrecht at Celtic Park, plus away ties against Feyenoord, Red Star Belgrade, Midtjylland, and Bologna. Rangers, after a crushing 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge, will also compete in the Europa League. They’ll host Roma, Braga, Ludogorets, and Genk, while travelling to Porto, Ferencvaros, Sturm Graz, and Brann.
Outlook
With Irish clubs breaking new ground and Britain’s top sides facing storied European opponents, the 2025/26 Conference League and Europa League campaigns promise drama, tough tests, and the possibility of more history being written.
