History beckons for Irish hopes in Europe

There are dates etched in one's mind when it comes to sporting occasions of significance over the course of your time as a fan. Days when things just clicked and you get to experience the joy - which can be all too rare - of your team achieving a certain milestone.

With that in mind, this Thursday Irish football fans of various hues may feel a little bit torn.

Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers both have a golden opportunity to secure group stage football in the Conference League. It'd be the first time two Irish clubs would reach the group phase of any European competition in the same season.

Of course, rivalry means many fans will scoff at the idea of being happy for a rival club achieving on such a big stage, but it's hard to escape the fact that, even allowing for tribal loyalties, this has the potential to be a milestone moment in Irish football.

Right now, though, it's important to remember just that: all it is is potential. Neither tie is fully put to bed as yet and it has been noticeable in some quarters - but not amongst the clubs themselves - at the level of confidence that both sides will complete the job this Thursday.

Shamrock Rovers undoubtedly have a bigger job on their hands as they look to tame Santa Clara, who finished fifth in the Portuguese top flight last season behind the big four - Sporting, Porto, Braga and Benfica.

The Hoops' victory in the Azores was one of the best results an Irish football club has ever secured. It's the best win in Europe, arguably, since Bohemians beat Kaiserslautern of Germany under Roddy Collins' stewardship back in 2000.

Shamrock Rovers have quietly gone about their business in Europe in recent seasons. It's easy to forget that, just last year, they reached the knockout phase of the Conference League and were unfortunate to lose out to Molde of Norway. But they have now become a formidable opponent for most sides in the Conference League.

This Thursday will provide a stern test of their European credentials. If Rovers can complete the job in Tallaght, it'll be one of their best achievements yet - possibly the best under Stephen Bradley's management.

Shelbourne, too, will be wary of their trip to Windsor Park. A 3-1 aggregate lead may look cosy, but one has to remember two things: the weight of expectation for Shels and the fact that Linfield remained durable in the first leg, despite having a man sent off and missing a penalty.

Given the club's well documented financial troubles since the mid-noughties, when they were last involved in big European nights, progression to the group stage would be huge for Shelbourne as a football club.

It'd be perfectly normal, then, for the Shelbourne players to be feeling it a bit this week as the potential for a first for the club looms. That's where the experience of Sean Gannon and Paddy Barrett, both of whom have significant European experience with Dundalk, will be important.

But Linfield will feel as though the situation is retrievable. You can be sure Chris Shields - another warrior from those glory days for Dundalk - will be hammering home that message this week. They hung in the tie admirably after losing Matthew Fitzpatrick to an 18th minute red card at Tolka Park; having fallen 2-nil behind, they had a chance to level the match at 2-all shortly after the hour mark but Kieran Offord's penalty was saved by Wessel Speel. At home, Linfield will feel as though they can put Shelbourne under pressure and test the resolve of the visitors.

On a wider point, UEFA has done many things to frustrate football lovers over the years, but the introduction of the Conference League has been one of the best innovations of modern times.

It has provided clubs in several countries, not least Ireland, with a genuine chance of making it to the group stages of a major European competition. Competing on the continent is no longer a far flung dream for League of Ireland clubs; in fact, it now should become the norm, especially for the champions each season as they receive a more favourable path through the qualifying stage.

The financial rewards are massive. Shelbourne are poised to pocket some €3.8million if they make it through. Last season, on their run to the knockout phase, Shamrock Rovers put around €6.5million in the bank.

In a league where financial difficulties have been all too prevalent over the years, such prize money is transformative, particularly in Shelbourne's case given they were in the First Division as recently as four years ago.

Aside from that, this summer will serve as a wake-up call to other clubs about the possibilities that lie ahead. Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers had paved the way in qualifying for the Europa League group phase in times gone by - Dundalk's case shows the peril of squandering such financial benefits - but now there is an expectation that Irish clubs can be in the Conference League each season.

You can be sure the likes of Bohemians, St Pats and Derry City are looking on enviously as two of their main rivals make waves.

But, there is truth to the saying that a rising tide lifts all boats.

Belief will filter down through the league that things can be achieved and the spending power of clubs competing in Europe will help increase their investment power when it comes to the playing pool - thus rising standards on the field - and into facilities, which will help raise the standard off it.

Perhaps this will be the beginning of an era which sees the Irish clubs regularly compete in Europe.

Two clubs reaching the group phase this Thursday would further underline the progress of our domestic game.