UEFA Conference League: N. Ireland Clubs Draw Tough Ties
Northern ireland clubs now know their fate: Tough ties await in the UEFA Conference League. Dungannon Swifts face FC Vaduz, marking their return to European competition after nearly two decades, while cliftonville and St Joseph’s battle for a chance to play Shamrock Rovers. Linfield could face formidable Qarabag in Champions League qualifying, adding considerable pressure. News directory 3 delivers the latest updates. Larne’s path involves potential clashes with FC Sheriff Tiraspol or FC Prishtina.The stakes are high, with the possibility of reaching the Conference League group stage.Discover what’s next for these teams as they strive for European glory.
Irish Clubs learn European Qualifying Role in UEFA Tournaments
Updated June 18,2025
Dungannon Swifts,after winning the Irish Cup,will play FC Vaduz of Liechtenstein in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. This marks their first European appearance in 18 years. Rodney McAree coaches the Swifts.
Cliftonville, winners of the Irish Premiership European play-off, and St Joseph’s of Gibraltar will face off for the chance to play Shamrock Rovers of the League of Ireland premier Division in the same qualifying round. Larne, simultaneously occurring, will play either FC Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova or FC Prishtina of Kosovo if they first defeat FRK Auda of latvia in round one.
Linfield, the Irish Premiership champions, could face Qarabag in Champions League qualifying if they first overcome Shelbourne. The first leg is scheduled for July 22 or 23, with the second leg on July 29 or 30. In 2019, David Healy’s Linfield lost to qarabag on away goals in europa League qualifying, despite a victory at Windsor Park.
The loser of the Linfield-Shelbourne match will drop into the Conference League second round, facing the loser of the FK Zalgiris (Lithuania) versus Hamrun Spartans (Malta) match. Conference League second-round qualifying ties are set for July 24 and 31.
Dungannon secured their spot in Europe after a penalty shootout victory against Cliftonville in the Irish Cup final in May. The Swifts previously played in Europe, losing to Keflavik IF in the 2006 Intertoto Cup and to FK Suduva in 2007-08 UEFA Cup qualifying.
What’s next
If Irish Premiership teams advance past the second qualifying round, they will be four matches away from reaching the League stage of the Conference League, a feat Larne achieved last season.