Rangers and Celtic heroes to lead teams into stunning all-Ireland Champions League shoot-out after box office Euro draw
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THE 2025-26 campaign officially got under way today with the first round draws for all the European competitions - and already there's been some major box office.
That's because the first round qualifying tie for the Champions League pits Northern Irish champions Linfield against Republic of Ireland champions Shelbourne.
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Shelbourne manager Damien Duff after his side's victory
Credit: Sportsfile
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Neil Lennon with John Kennedy and Damien Duff
Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow
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David Healy, ex-Rangers and Northern Ireland player, Linfield manager
Credit: Willie Vass
And just happening to take charge of the two teams are Rangers hero David Healy, now of Linfield, and former Celtic first team coach Damien Duff at Shelbourne.
They're two massive characters and there was excitement to prior to the draw as everyone knew there was a twenty percent chance of the two teams meeting.
Linfield were seeded in Group 2 of the draw, while Shelbourne were unseeded.
And the Uefa draw has duly obliged.
The first leg in Dublin on 8/9 July and the second in Belfast on 15/16 July.
The two teams met in the final of inaugural Setanta Cup competition between the teams from the north and the south, with Linfield running out 2-0 winners.
A league and league cup double winner in his time with the Gers, Healy has been linked with various managers jobs in Scotland - most recently Dundee.
The Dark Blues were granted permission from Linfield to speak to the ex-Rangers and Northern Ireland striker.
But that role went to Steven Pressley instead - leaving the four-time Northern Irish manager of the year at Windsor Park.
Former Chelsea, Newcastle and Republic of Ireland winger Duff has been a breath of fresh air since leaving a first team coaching job with the Hoops to embark on his first manager's job at Shelbourne.
Celtic transfer special - Nygren in and Kyogo to return
They clinched the FAI Premier League title in 2024 and are desperate to emulate or better the European acheivements of Shamrock Rovers, who performed with credit in the Conference League phase last season.
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