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Breidablik won 3-1.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/2025/1210/1548215-irish-duo-conference-league/





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Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers in UEFA Conference League action: All you need to know
Updated / Thursday, 11 Dec 2025 07:11


Shelbourne still have a small chance to qualify but need a result against Crystal Palace




Shelbourne face English Premier League opposition in the penultimate round of the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, while Shamrock Rovers need to bring three points home from Iceland in their bid to qualify for the play-off round.

Here is all you need to know about the games.

TV

Both matches will be live on Premier Sport 1. Shamrock Rovers are on TNT Sports 5, with Shelbourne on TNT Sports 2.

ONLINE

There will be a live blog on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app on the Shelbourne v Palace game.

PRIDE AND POINTS


Shamrock Rovers have performed well in most of their matches
Shamrock Rovers are up first tonight at 5.45pm. Both Irish teams sit on a single point after four matches but one has the more realistic chance of progress.

The Premier Division champions have their difficult games out of the way. Losses to Sparta Prague, Celje and Shakhtar Donetsk, with an excellent draw away to AEK Athens, leaves them needing two wins to have any chance of making inside the top 24. The final home fixture is against Maltese outfit Hamrun Spartans.

Shels are also in the position of holding one point from four games, but given they have Premier League opposition coming to Dublin and a trip to Slovenia to face Celje, it's not realistic to think they can progress.

BREIDABLIK REVENGE


The Icelandic side defeated Shamrock Rovers in the Champions League
Shamrock Rovers will count their previous game against the Icelandic side as one they didn't perform at their usual level.

Now comes a chance for revenge.

Breidablik won both legs in a 2023 Champions League qualifier.

If there is a positive, the Hoops don't have to return to the venue of the away defeat which came on a tricky astro surface.

Tonight's clash will be in the Laugardalsvöllur which is a 95% grass pitch. It's used for Iceland's international home games and is booked to go under works in the future to removing a running track and expand the 9,500 capacity. It will be cold, as expected, with temperatures just above freezing around kick-off time.

Breidablik have two points accumulated so far, which means they too will be targeting this encounter for a crucial three points in the bid to stay in the competition.

One of their draws came against the side currently top of the Conference League, Samsunspor of Turkey, so they have shown some pedigree.

There are a lot of similarities between the sides. Breidablik are regular qualifiers in Europe and became the first side from their nation to qualify for a European competition outright.

Their squad has a host of experience and they are even more out of season than Shamrock Rovers with the Icelandic league finishing in late October.

You can expect the game to be quite even; they're two well-matched sides.


PALACE MATTERS


Crystal Palace are inside the top four of the Premier League
For Shels, while in theory they can qualify, it's a daunting task to face the fourth-placed side from the richest league in the world.

The Reds have been unfortunate - and perhaps will take plenty of knowledge from this campaign - having failed to take goalscoring chances and shipped goals to lose by narrow margins.

Their latest result - a 2-0 defeat in Alkmaar - had positives and they will hope to create an upset in their final matches at least.

Crystal Palace have not had things their own way so far in the campaign, losing to AEK Larnaca.

It's a different story in the Premier League with just three losses in 15 matches seeing them sit fourth in the table.

Manager Oliver Glasner has spoken about balancing European commitments and the league.

Tonight's game has become important for the Eagles as they look to try to avoid a play-off and qualify in the top eight.

He will resist temptation to rotate massively in tonight's clash despite with a home match on Sunday against Manchester City.

Instead he will rest players for their final clash with KuPS.

That will make it a lot harder for the Reds.

WHAT THEY SAY

Shels boss Joey O'Brien is keen to see his side show their best when the most eyes are watching. Tonight's clash in Tallaght Stadium is a sellout with over 9,000 in attendance.

"Sometimes you can think too far about things and think of who you're playing against and where they've come from and stuff like that. But for me, that doesn't work. It's about yourself, being proud of your own journey, how you've got here, incredible stories to get to this game.

"There were a lot of positives," O'Brien added of their last clash in Alkmaar.

"I think we started really well in the game. Their first shot on target didn't come until the second-half. So going away from home in Europe and having that was really good. I felt that in possession we didn't show our real quality and how good we are as players, so that is a big thing for me tonight, that the lads embrace the challenge and show how good we are in possession."

Palace manager Oliver Glasner has heard of improvements in the League of Ireland: "It's tricky for them because their season has ended," said Glasner. "They are not in the rhythm anymore.

"They ended the season in third place, but are a very physical team.

"I think they (Irish teams) are doing well and progressing. I'm told many English internationals could also play for Ireland because of their relatives, but they are doing great."

Hoops boss Stephen Bradley said in Iceland: "It's an opposition team we know quite well, although they are in transition with their manager changing recently, they still have some very good players and a lot of those players came up against us a couple of years ago.

"We both have to win. It's a one-off game and I imagine both teams will go to win it. It has the makings to be a really good game."

TEAM NEWS

Danny Mandroiu, Aaron McEneff and John Honohan are out for Shamrock Rovers. Shels will have the same squad as the clash with AZ.

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2025/1210/1548288-iceland-joins-eurovision-2026-boycott-over-israel/
Iceland's public broadcaster RÚV has confirmed it will not take part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, becoming the fifth country to withdraw in protest at Israel's participation.

You could nearly have a thread on eejit drivers

My grandfather used to say at corners to assume that the driver in the opposite direction was an idiot.

Currently, a hostile power like Russia doesn't need to land 100,000 troops on the beach in Wexford. They could bring Ireland to its knees with far less manpower and effort.
The remote cyber stuff is one aspect.
I'd suspect a few dozen personnel, unknown, unchecked and unhindered could neutralise Ireland's energy, communication, rail network, ports etc in short time. 
We don't think it will happen, but we definitely have little means to prevent the possibility.

The countries in immediate danger from Russian attack are former Soviet states and countries in close proximity.
But, Putin and Russia generally has a big problem with prosperity and democracy to the west of them in Europe.
The more attractive an entity like the EU looks, the greater the pull away from Moscow.

Putin would have no problem taking advantage of Ireland's weak defence if it gave him an opportunity to destabilise Europe even further.

Being 'neutral' or canvassing that Russia and Ireland are good buddies and should remain so, is not a strong defence policy.

Not too many countries can defend themselves from nukes if Russia so decided, regardless the size of their army.

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/residents-of-co-tyrone-town-stunned-to-find-home-on-russian-nuclear-target-list/a1709550107.html

A senior Russian politician has warned that a Co Tyrone town is on a 'strike list' should war break out between Russia and European states.

Former Deputy Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin named 23 sites which would be attacked in the UK in the event of conflict.

All of the targeted areas are home to facilities which supply weapons and other military kit.

A senior Russian politician named 23 sites which would be attacked in the UK in the event of conflict.


Fivemiletown in Co. Tyrone is the HQ of Cooneen Defence, which says it is the "largest supplier of uniform to the UK Ministry of Defence and supplier to multiple other European Military."

[p.s. it's amazing, no one has had a go at this yet.]

So let's talk specifics lads.

What size of a standing army are we going to need to fend off this Russian invasion?

How many planes?

How many ships?

How many tanks?

Here take a chill pill and have a go Franko, I've done the first part for you

I Franko, know for 100% certainty that Ireland will never be attacked or intimidated militarily by any other nation on this good earth, not now, or in the next 10-20-30 years.

I know this because:






p.s. it's amazing, no one has had a go at this yet. Maybe Franko will get the ball rolling.

It takes a certain level of intelligence to find this 'really amazing'.

Oh do tell us all why Ireland requires almost no army, no navy and no air force.

You're 100% certain we will never need them are you? Cos if you're not, and you still don't want to spend the money, then it means you still want to let others do it for us.

p.s. No one suggested Ireland had to tool up to take on Russia by itself. But you already knew that. Sorry for blowing away your wee straw man.

Firstly... straw man... lol - see bold and cringe please




But one thing I am certain of, is that if we ever get invaded by a hostile force, unless others get involved, we're going to be toast regardless.  It's the way it has and always will be for a nation our size

Ukraine has been invaded and is being supported by weapons from other countries.

The IRA got weapons from Libya and other countries.

We wouldn't be on our own.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/11/venezuela-opposition-leader-nobel-peace-prize-maria-machado/

Venezuela's opposition leader slipped out of the country in disguise and appeared in Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Maria Corina Machado, a pro-democracy activist, stepped onto the balcony of Oslo's Grand Hotel shortly before 2.30am on Thursday after spending more than a year in hiding in Caracas.

Advertisement

The 58-year-old was smuggled out of Venezuela with help from the US in defiance of a ⁠decade-long travel ban imposed by authorities in her home country, and after spending more than a year in hiding.

Wearing a wig and disguise, Ms Machado evaded 10 military checkpoints before boarding a small fishing boat across the Caribbean to the neighbouring island of Curaçao in a 10-hour operation, the Wall Street Journal reported.

She departed Curaçao on a private plane for Norway, stopping to refuel in Bangor, Maine, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Her escape had been meticulously planned over two months and her team reached out to the White House to ensure that the boat in which she was travelling was not targeted by US air strikes. Some 20 vessels leaving Venezuela have been hit in the last three months, killing 80 people.

https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2025/1211/1548324-ireland-politics/

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee will outline a €1.7 billion defence spending plan that will run until 2030.

It will aim to speed up the modernisation of the Defence Forces and to improve defence capabilities across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.

A key part of this initiative is the delivery of the Military Radar Programme, which will get under way next year.

There will also be millions of euro set aside for anti-drone technology which is particularly relevant given the sighting of drones close to the flight path of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during his recent visit here.

More Air Corps helicopters along with an aircraft that can carry personnel and equipment over long distances will be purchased.

Major upgrades are also planned for the naval service's subsea capabilities while more funding will be available to renew the army's armoured fleet .

That's right, why bother with an army at all because we're gonna be blitzed in any event

Ireland could at least have a military that equals a relatively small republic such as Estonia with a population of 1.3m. Could we not manage that?
How is having an effective defence force contradicting a policy of neutrality unless neutrality also means bend over or turn the other cheek when a challenge comes?
For starters the country need maritime security and resources to maintain same and get funding for protection of undersea cables.

We need deterrence. Like any good set of backs. We know what it looks like in sport.
 Currently we are a soft target.

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/more-than-50-people-killed-on-a5-could-still-be-alive-if-road-upgrade-plans-hadnt-been-held-up-court-hears/a58678562.html

More than 50 people killed on A5 could still be alive if road upgrade plans hadn't been held up, court hears

There have been more than 50 deaths on the A5 since 2006 (Liam McBurney/PA)

Alan Erwin

Today at 17:30

More than 50 people killed on the A5 over the past 18 years could still be alive if plans to upgrade the road had not been held up, the Court of Appeal heard on Wednesday.

Counsel representing a campaign group supporting the proposed £1.7bn dual carriageway scheme described it as a "haunting reality" for the victims' families.

Stephen Toal KC also claimed just two landowners involved in a legal challenge to the project would lose less than 1% of their property in the section of road under scrutiny.

Backing Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmons' attempt to overturn a ruling that the current project is unlawful, he argued rights to life and ensuring public safety must outrank any alleged breach of privacy.

Proceedings centre on a decision taken last year to approve the 58-mile development between Derry and Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone.

First announced back in 2007, the scheme forms part of a proposed key cross-border business route linking Dublin and the north west.

Since then, however, it has been held up by a series of legal actions.

Read more

Part of legal battle over proposed £1.7bn A5 upgrade to be sent back to High Court

Companies which have made millions from delayed A5 road scheme

In June this year the High Court quashed the Department for Infrastructure (DfI)'s decision to give the go-ahead for the A5 upgrade.

A judge found the dual carriageway plans did not comply with climate change targets.

Mr Justice McAlinden also identified a failure to properly show consideration of human rights issues due to the uncertainty from not imposing a time limit for construction.

With 57 deaths recorded on the A5 since 2006, he acknowledged additional delays in progressing the development were likely to coincide with further loss of life on the existing route.

The verdict followed the latest challenge mounted by a group of local residents, landowners and farmers known as the Alternative A5 Alliance.

But a campaign body formed after Tyrone Gaelic footballer John Rafferty, 21, was killed on the A5 in October 2022 urged senior judges to allow the Department's appeal.

Mr Toal, representing the Enough is Enough grouping, told the court that another nearby road, the A4, had a similar death rate until it was replaced by a new dual carriageway.

That upgrade led to a 97% reduction in the loss of life on that route, according to the barrister.

He equated it to "dozens of children, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, who will occupy their chairs at the Christmas dinner table".

Based on a similar reduction for tragedies on the A5, counsel submitted: "Had this road gone ahead when it should have in 2007, of the 57 dead in the past 18 years 55 of them could still be alive today.

"That is the haunting reality for these victims."

There have been more than 50 deaths on the A5 since 2006 (Liam McBurney/PA)

Unmute

1010

1:18

4:17

'The A5 is like Russian roulette': Families call for action after court blocked £1.7bn road upgrade

Mr Toal further insisted the Alternative A5 Alliance's qualified right to private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights must yield to the fundamental Article 2 duty to protect human life.

He argued that only two out of the nine people who took the challenge would lose land under the authorised section of the scheme.

Disputing an assessment that one of them may have to give up 21% of his workable terrain, Mr Toal contended that official figures showed the two applicants would actually forfeit around 0.5% each.

Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan, sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Mr Justice Humphreys, was told vesting had already taken place on the land at stake.

"This is not a complaint by 100s of people worrying about uncertainty," Mr Toal added.

"It is a complaint by 2 people... in a claim where the practical effect is profoundly detrimental to tens of thousands of other citizens.

"It was an error to quash this life-saving project on the basis of an Article 8 complaint that affected a tiny number of people, who arguably weren't even affected at all as a result of the

vesting."

Counsel for the Alternative A5 Alliance, Marc Willers KC, stressed his clients were not claiming their human rights should trump those of bereaved families in the Enough is Enough group.

"It's all about the question of whether or not a time limit should be imposed... nothing more, nothing less," he said.

Mr Willers also disputed what he described as an attempt to "recast" the amount of workable land one of the farmers would have to relinquish under the scheme.

He told the court: "It is 21% of the usable land of his farm, not 1%, and that hasn't been rebutted by the DfI."

The appeal continues.

Fear mongering driven by the US again. Bastards.

What fear mongering driven by the US are you referring to?

Is this the same US that's currently trying  to sell out Ukraine to the Russians?

You lot really need to modernise your conspiracy theories.

The American arms companies who stand to gain from us arming up. As someone else said funny enough there was no mention of this shite when we'd no money to spend.

It doesn't have to be American companies. We need radar and sonar and more planes and ships. European companies can provide stuff. 

Antrim poor here, even given its demographics.

What's the nationalist population of Antrim in percentage?

IBEC is senior hurling.

Employers group Ibec has called on the Government to increase investment in Ireland's defence and security.

The representative body said the country's defence and security vulnerabilities are a critical issue for business.

Ibec said the ongoing global conflicts require "increased efforts" to ensure Ireland can protect itself and the businesses that operate here.

It said robust security is the "bedrock for business, ensuring security of supply, the ability to transact, and confidence in the rule of law."

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/1210/1548162-ibec-business-defence/

The DUP abstained in a Westminster vote to re-join the EU customs market, lol.

The North is in the customs union and the Single Market. The DUP gets the best of both worlds.