What TV channel is Ballkani vs Shamrock Rovers on? Stream, kick-off time and odds as Hoops travel to Kosovo
SHAMROCK Rovers have ventured all the way out to Kosovo for this evening's European Conference League third round qualifier.
The Tallaght outfit secured their spot in this stage of the competition by comfortably easing past St Joseph's of Gibraltar 4-0 on aggregate.
Here's everything you need to know about this evening's first leg:
WHAT STREAM IS BALLKANI VS SHAMROCK ROVERS ON?
After weeks of having to resort to less familiar streaming sites, this European tie involving a League of Ireland club will be shown on LOITV. It won't be televised anywhere.
WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?
The match will start at 7:30pm Irish time. The Fadil Vokrri Stadium, also known as the Pristina City Stadium, will be the venue.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
The home side are favourites to win on the night at 5/4 while The Hoops are 11/5 outsiders. A draw is set at 9/5.
WHAT'S BEEN SAID BEFOREHAND?
Stephen Bradley has hailed record-breaking Roberto 'Pico' Lopes as one of the reasons why the Hoops can believe in playing group-stage football again.
Captain Lopes, 33, will make his 48th European appearance for Rovers this evening — beating Ronan Finn's club Euro record.
And Bradley insisted that the Cape Verde international deserves all the plaudits he gets as a key man in Rovers' success since joining in 2017.
Bradley said: 'It's a credit to Pico. When he came here, he was an average midfield player, I would say. He would say.
'And he's turned into the best centre-back in the country for quite some time. He's become a full international.
'He's played at a really high level. He's been a big part of what we've done.'
Son Heung-min breaks down in tears as Tottenham legend bids emotional farewell before MLS transfer
Echoing his gaffer's view, centre-back Dan Cleary admitted he has been a long-time admirer of his defensive partner.
Cleary said: 'I've known Pico probably since we were kids. I used to hang around with his brother in Crumlin. We used to be knocking around near his house as well.
'When I came here three years ago then I got to know him even better. We went to the same school as well. He's a top lad. Leads by example every day.'
Bradley insisted that the European experience Lopes and his side have — which includes two seasons in the Conference League group stage — makes him sure the Hoops can qualify again.
1
Rovers look to practically have the league title wrapped up with 10 games to go
But this season they are trying to navigate a trickier path as they must win every tie, compared to 2022 and 2024 when they were on the 'Champions path', giving them the safety net of dropping down from other competitions on both occasions.
Bradley said: 'That's the beauty of the Champions path. And not having that, we knew it was going to be difficult.
'What I said at the start, our aim is to get into the group phase, the league phase. That's our aim.'
The Hoops will face either Larne or Portuguese outfit Santa Clara in a play-off if they can overcome the Kosovans.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
27 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Friday night LOI previews: Derry look to add to Cork pain while Drogheda will sense an opportunity
(Ryan McBride Brandywell, 7.45) Team news: Derry lose newcomer Alex Bannon to suspension. Fiacre Kelleher is a concern for Cork. Talking point: Cork's bruised players will take heart from last week's win over Galway United, especially the clean sheet (only their second of the season) while Derry spent the week picking over the bones of their collapse in Dublin against Shamrock Rovers. This Derry side – especially a new-look defensive unit manned by July signings – is still bedding in but Tiernan Lynch has more options squad-wise than Ger Nash. Ref: Declan Toland Odds: Derry 4/11, Cork 15/2, draw 10/3 Verdict: Home win DROGHEDA UNITED v WATERFORD (Sullivan & Lambe Park, 7.45) Team news: Drogheda are missing Paul Doyle, Elicha Ahui and Steve Zishim Bawa but Warren Davis is back to full fitness. Waterford duo Kacper Radkowski and Matty Smith are out long term but otherwise the Blues have a full squad. Talking point: Back-to-back 1-0 wins show Drogheda have a formula that works, like winning away to Bohs last week despite having a small amount of possession. With some of their rivals for a top-three finish in European action this week, this is an ideal chance for Kevin Doherty's men to continue their march.
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Derry's Jordan Coyle grabs another win at Dublin Horse Show
Derry's Jordan Coyle scored his second win in as many days at the 2025 Dublin Horse Show, with a superb performance in today's Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes. Riding the 14-year-old gelding Chaccolino, Coyle was one of six riders to make it into the jump-off. His second round clear in 37.19 seconds proved unbeatable, with American world number eight McLain Ward and Imperial HBF taking runner-up spot in 38.56, while Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa recorded his second podium finish of the week, taking third place with Major Tom. Tipperary's Tom Wachman earlier warmed-up for Friday's Aga Khan with a victory in the Anglesea Speed Stakes. Wachman guided the nine-year-old mare Hawaii to the fastest clear in 69.51 seconds, to finish just ahead of Switzerland's Bryan Balsiger in second with Fais Toi Belle du Seigneur Pleville (69.65), while Denis Lynch finished third with Katja (70.10). Irish riders have now taken victory in four of the five international competitions so far at the Dublin Horse Show and will be hoping that winning form continues on Friday for the team, who have been drawn fifth to jump in the Nations Cup of Ireland for the famous Aga Khan trophy. The Netherlands will be the pathfinders followed by Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Great Britain, Mexico and defending champions USA. Team manager Michael Blake has named a four-man team of Tipperary's Denis Lynch with Vistogrand, Tipperary's Tom Wachman with Tabasco De Toxandria Z, Kilkenny's Seamus Hughes Kennedy with ESI Rocky (ISH) and Meath's Cian O'Connor with Bentley De Sury. For Wachman, his Aga Khan appearance comes 10 years after his first jumped in the famous Ballsbridge arena in 2015 in the 12.2 pony competition. "That's probably my first real memory. It's a great class, always scheduled after the Aga Khan. There's usually a good crowd for it, and it's very fast and competitive," the 20-year-old recalls. "It's a home show, with a big crowd here, and everyone's supporting the Irish. You meet a lot of people you mightn't see all year, but you meet them in Dublin—that's how it has always been since I started coming here. It's a special week, and I always look forward to it." Ireland's last Aga Khan win came in 2022 and they go in search of what would be their 25th Aga Khan victory in front of their home fans.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
St Pat's v Besiktas live updates from Tallaght and Ballkani v Shamrock Rovers
Following Shelbourne's heroics on Wednesday evening, St Patrick's and Shamrock Rovers are both in European action tonight. St Pat's welcome Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Besiktas to Tallaght Stadium, the home of Shamrock Rovers, in the Europa Conference League, with the Hoops on the road in Kosovo, where they take on FC Ballkani. Just like Shels' 2-1 victory over Croatian side Rijeka, neither game involving St Pat's or Rovers is being shown live on TV in Ireland, much to the frustration of fans. However, they are both being streamed live online, with St Pat's v Besiktas on SolidSport for a cost of €13, while Ballkani v Shamrock Rovers is on LOITV and will set you back €9.99. Rovers' game kicks off first, starting at 7.30pm Irish time, with Stephen Kenny's men's clash kicking off at 7.45pm. Kenny is under no illusion about the size of the task facing his side, saying ahead of the match: "It would be one of the great victories in Irish football history if we could do it. But obviously it's a big challenge and Beşiktaş have a tremendous tradition and are an institution in Turkey, a big club." 18:26 Robert Hynes Good evening and welcome to our live blog for the Europa Conference League matches involving St Pat's and Shamrock Rovers. It's a huge night for both clubs, who are well aware of reward on offer if they can advance to the next round. St Pat's are coming into their third European tie of the campaign, having beaten Lithuanian side FC Hegelmann 3-0 on aggregate in the first qualifying round of the Conference. Stephen Kenny's side then got past Estonian club Nõmme Kalju FC after extra-time last week, running out 3-2 winners on aggregate. Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers cruised past St Joseph's of Gibraltar in the last qualifying round, winning 4-0 away from home before a 0-0 draw in Tallaght. We'll bring you live updates from both games right here throughout the evening, but will be mainly focussing on St Pat's v Besiktas.
