Raf Diallo

RTÉ Sport Journalist

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

Crystal Palace's English striker #09 Eddie Nketiah shoots to score their late winner during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on September 27, 2025.

Premier League: Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool -recap

Liverpool suffer their first defeat of the Premier League season after Crystal Palace score deep into stoppage time to win 2-1.

Soccer • 27 Sep

Graham Burke of Shamrock Rovers scores his side's first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

Friday's SSE Airtricity League results and reports

Shamrock Rovers beat Bohemians 2-1 at Tallaght Stadium to move to the brink of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division title as Derry City draw 1-1 at Drogheda United.

Soccer • 26 Sep

Chris Forrester of St Patrick's Athletic scores his side's second goal during the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup quarter-final match between St Patrick’s Athletic and Galway United at Richmond Park in Dublin.

FAI Cup recap: St Pat's 3-1 Galway United AET

St Patrick's Athletic beat Galway United 3-1 after extra time to reach the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup semi-finals.

Soccer • 14 Sep

Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty saves a penalty from Conor Keeley of Drogheda United, not pictured, in the penalty shootout of the Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup quarter-final match between Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers at Sullivan & Lambe Park i

FAI Cup quarter-finals and LOI results and reports

Shamrock Rovers, Cork City and Kerry book their places in the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup semi-finals, while Derry City move up to second in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division.

Soccer • 12 Sep