Raf Diallo

RTÉ Sport Journalist

23 October 2025; Franko Kovačević of Celje scores his side's second goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between Shamrock Rovers and Celje at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Conference League recap: Defeats for Shels and Hoops

Shamrock Rovers suffer a 2-0 home loss to NK Celje in the UEFA Conference League after Shelbourne fell to a late 1-0 defeat at KF Shkendija in North Macedonia.

Soccer • 23 Oct

Katie McCabe during a Republic of Ireland women training session at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Republic of Ireland v Belgium: All you need to know

The Republic of Ireland meet Belgium in the first leg of their UEFA Women's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off on Friday at Aviva Stadium. Here's all you need to know.

Soccer • 23 Oct

Keith Andrews, Manager of Brentford, applauds fans after the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brentford at London Stadium on October 20, 2025 in London, England.

Andrews finds footing ahead of Kelleher's Reds reunion

Ten weeks into his tenure, Keith Andrews' next test as Brentford manager is the visit of Liverpool to the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday night.

Soccer • 25 Oct

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saves the penalty of Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F qualifying match between Portugal and Republic of Ireland at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal.

Player Ratings: Late show denies Irish rearguard action

After the acrimony of Armenia, the Republic of Ireland's defensive unit stood up strong until Portugal pounced late in Lisbon. Here's how the Irish players rated against Portugal at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Soccer • 11 Oct

Milan Mbeng of Shelbourne in action against Adrian Svanbäck of Hacken during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between Shelbourne and Hacken at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

Shels on right side of 'cat and mouse' battle - O'Brien

Shelbourne manager Joey O'Brien and his BK Hacken counterpart Jens Gustafsson reflected on the tactical battle between the sides as last year's League of Ireland champions earned a point from their UEFA Conference League bow.

Soccer • 03 Oct

Milan Mbeng of Shelbourne in action against Adam Lundqvist, left, and Silas Andersen of Hacken during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between Shelbourne and Hacken at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

Battling Shels take a point from Conference League bow

Shelbourne marked their UEFA Conference League debut with a battling point as they drew 0-0 with BK Hacken at Tallaght Stadium.

Soccer • 03 Oct

Shelbourne head coach Joey O'Brien after the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between Shelbourne and Hacken at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

O'Brien drew on Christmas tale to rally Shels troops

It was a night of firsts for Shelbourne but Joey O'Brien's last message before sending his players out to battle against BK Hacken emphasised how far the club has come.

Soccer • 03 Oct

Jens Gustafsson participates in the UEFA Conference League Play-Off between CFR Cluj and BK Hacken at Dr. Constantin Radulescu Stadium in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, on August 28, 2025

Shels 'more direct than we are used to' - Gustafsson

BK Hacken manager Jens Gustafsson is anticipating coming up against a Shelbourne side that he believes are a little bit less direct than other League of Ireland clubs but that will pose a veritable physical test for his team.

Soccer • 01 Oct

Mipo Odubeko speaks to the press during a Shelbourne media conference at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

LOI's Euro double act 'good for the country' - Odubeko

Shelbourne striker Mipo Odubeko is relishing the prospect of being part of a historic night for League of Ireland clubs in Europe on Thursday when two clubs will simultaneously be involved in a competition proper for the first time.

Soccer • 01 Oct

Head coach Joey O'Brien during a Shelbourne training session at the AUL Complex in Clonshaugh, Dublin.

O'Brien harpoons Hacken's red herring as match-up looms

Joey O'Brien believes BK Hacken's recent downturn in form could prove to be a red herring as his Shelbourne side get set to make their league phase debut against the Swedish side in the UEFA Conference League at Tallaght Stadium tonight.

Soccer • 02 Oct