Euro boost for Shelbourne as UEFA give Tolka Park the all-clear
Tolka Park has been given the green light by UEFA
Shelbourne have received a boost ahead of their return to European action after an 18-year wait as UEFA have confirmed that the Reds will be able to host their first and second round ties in the Europa Conference League at their Tolka Park home.
The Reds have not played in UEFA competition since an InterToto Cup campaign in 2006, as they were due to play in the Champions League in the 2006/2007 season but did not enter following their financial collapse after that 2006 Premier Division title win.
They go into the hat for the first round draw for the Europa Conference League and there were some concerns over whether Tolka Park would meet UEFA standards, which would have put added pressure on the likely back-up of Tallaght Stadium.
"Ahead of the draw for the opening round of the UEFA Europa Conference League, UEFA have this morning confirmed a category upgrade which will allow Tolka to host games in qualifying rounds one and two,” Shels said today. UEFA protocols would force the Reds to move to a higher grade stadium, like Tallaght Stadium for the third qualifying round if they qualify.
The draw for the first qualifying round, where Shels and Derry City will compete, will be made at UEFA HQ at 3pm today. The Reds will face one of Breiðablik (Iceland) F91 Diddeleng (Luxembourg), Tre Penne (San Marino), St Joseph's FC (Gibraltar) and Crusaders (Northern Ireland). St Patrick’s Athletic have received a bye into the second round.
