Shels and Linfield rematch possible after Conference League draw
Both teams are involved in ties this week – Shels travelling to Croatian champions Rijeka on Wednesday in the Europa and Linfield are in Faroe Islands to take on Vikingur Gøta.
Since Shels knocked Linfield out of the Champions League first round, 2-1 on aggregate, the Reds lost 4-0 over two legs in that competition.
Linfield slipped into the Conference League, where they overcame Lithuanian champions Zalgiris 2-0 at Windsor Park last Thursday. Another victory over the Faroese will put them within 180 minutes of reaching the league phase for the first time.
Shels will also guarantee their first-ever group phase involvement should they emerge victorious in the tie against Rijeka – the second leg of which will be staged at Tolka Park on Tuesday week, August 12.
If they don't prevail, the fallback of a Conference League playoff represents their final chance to enter the league phase, gilded by boosting their prize-fund beyond the €3m mark.
Those ties, drawn today at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, are to be contested on August 21 and 28.
More to follow…
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
4 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Joey O'Brien aware Tolka test will follow Adriatic adventue
There are a lot worse ways to spend the early days of August than on the northern Adriatic coast. For Joey O'Brien and his Shelbourne players, their sojourn to Rijeka is one that will live long in the memory after their 2-1 win in the first leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier at Stadion Rujevica. Shelbourne were massive outsiders before the start of play and Niko Jankovic's opener from the penalty spot in the 56th minute only saw their odds lengthen. However, the visitors responded 90 seconds later, when Sam Bone soared high into the night sky and directed a header to the roof of the net after a Kerr McInroy corner which initially found James Norris. Twenty minutes from time, John Martin arrived at the back post to nod home Harry Wood's cross to send the travelling Shels fans into rapturous celebration, even if they were left biting their fingernails down to the quick before the final whistle. While his players may have been on cloud nine after the result, O'Brien left the distinct impression in his brief post-match press conference that they would already be grounded well before they landed back in Dublin. Describing the opening skirmishes in Croatia, the Shels boss said: "It was really tough, like we thought. We had shape, but probably gave up a bit of possession. "I didn't really like us in the first half in our own possession. I thought we turned over the ball a bit too much. "That was a negative, but I think our shape out of possession was really good. "Before the second half, we spoke about that in the dressing room, that we wanted to try to get on the ball a little bit more and show our quality. "At times we did that, but I still feel we didn't show how good a team we really are in possession." The truism that these European ties are games of two halves wasn't lost on O'Brien, who added of the night's work and the task in hand: "It's a really difficult stadium here and it's really difficult to come over to this level of opposition. We don't play this opposition in our league, a team like that, as good as that, so it was always going to be a really difficult game. "As I said to the boys down there, European football, for me, even a long time ago when I was playing, I always saw European football as four halves of football and there are two halves to go. "We have a small advantage, but it's two halves done and two halves to go. "Our record and every team in our country's record away from home in European football over the years is not very good. "It's very difficult, hence why it's difficult going away from home in Europe. But I think we have a good squad of players since I took the job. One of the reasons why I wanted the job was the quality that we have in the dressing room, and at times tonight, we showed that. "I still don't think we are favourites to go through. Obviously, it's a big result for us, but as I said, it's only two halves done. "We have a small advantage, but I still think they're the favourites. "It's a home leg for us and we have a good record at home, but it's still all to play for." The merit of the interview in sports is questionable, with both the interviewer and interviewee often indulging in cliche and retreating to the comfort of formulaic questions and answers that can be used again and again. O'Brien was illuminating in several of his observations, but at least one member of the Croatian media will be swotting up on all things Shelbourne after asking the following humdinger: "Do you consider this to be your biggest win in your coaching career?" Unsurprisingly, he got short shrift from the new manager: "In my coaching career? I think it's only my eighth game as a coach. I haven't been doing it too long."
The Journal
4 hours ago
- The Journal
Shelbourne FC beat Croatian champions away in Europa League
Uefa Europa League (Third qualifying round, first leg) HNK Rijeka 1 Shelbourne 2 GOALS FROM SAM Bone and John Martin saw Shelbourne stage a remarkable come from behind victory to record perhaps their greatest away night in Europe, stunning Croatian champions Rijeka in their own backyard on the Adriatic coast. Ahead of this first leg, head coach Joey O'Brien spoke of there being no Plan B in talking up his side's ability to come and win the game. And that they did, showing admirable organisation and shape under Rijeka's dominance of the ball and commendable composure and intent when they had it. It's now very much all to play for ahead of the second leg at Tolka Park next Tuesday. The rewards for getting through are huge. The winners advance to the Europa League play-off round with the parachute guarantee of Conference League league phase and its minimum €3.8 million prize fund. Greek side PAOK or Wolfsberger of Austria await in the play-off round of the Europa League. Defeat for the League of Ireland champions could see a repeat of their Champions League first round clash with Linfield in the Conference League play-offs, should the Irish League kingpins come through their third tier tie against Vikingur of the Faroe Islands. Joey O'Brien celebrates winning. Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO / INPHO O'Brien made five changes from last week's Champions League loss at Qarabag, setting up in a defensive 5-3-2 formation with Mipo Odubeko and Sean Boyd both starting in attack. As expected, Rijeka enjoyed plenty of possession as they worked for openings early on before an injury to Boyd forced Shelbourne into an early change with Martin coming into the fray in a straight swap up top. Despite their dominance of the ball, it was 22 minutes before the home side threatened, Amir Gojak's low drive comfortably held by Wessel Speel. The well-positioned Speel ably dealt with a strike from Niko Jankovic before Shelbouren enjoyed their first spell of possession. Rijeka finished the first 45 back on the front foot, creating their only clear opening of the half. Again it was Jankovic who got sight of goal, his low drive bringing a fine save down to his right from Speel. Advertisement But an unforced error from Speel would all but gift Rijeka the lead 11 minutes after the interval. The recently signed on loan Dutch goalkeeper took a heavy touch from Bone's back pass and then tripped inrushing Congolese winger Merveic Ndockyt. The impressive Jankovic sent Speel the wrong way from 12 yards. The lead lasted just two minute, however, as Shelbourne levelled with a terrific set-piece goal from their first corner of the game. Kerr McInroy worked a one-two from the flag kick with Harry Wood to cross. James Norris nodded the ball back across goal where Bone arrived to head it over the line. Sam Bone scores Shelbourne's first goal. Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO / INPHO The game really having opened up now, Speel redeemed his error for the penalty with a superb tip-over save to deprive Simon Butic while, at the other end, Martin surged forward to rifle a shot just over the crossbar. Shelbourne then silenced the home crowd with a brilliant winner on the night on 70 minutes. Milan Mbeng fed Wood on the right whose arced cross had plenty of pace on it for the negligently marked Martin whose firm header found the top corner to the delight of the boisterous Shelbourne support in the caged away end. Rijeka pressed for much of the remainder of the game as Shelbourne defended tenaciously, epitomised by a brave block by captain Paddy Barrett on a shot from Tiago Dantas. Then came a late scare in stoppage time when a VAR penalty check was needed after a shot from Jankovic struck Bone's arm by his side. But when the Spanish referee blew his whistle it was for full-time. HNK Rijeka: Zlomislic; Orec, Majstorovic (Husic, h-t), Radeljic, Devetak (Lasickas, h-t); Jankovic, Gojak (Menalo, 69), Dantas; Ndockyt, Juric (Cop, 69), Butic (Tanjov, 76). Shelbourne: Speel; Mbeng (Gannon, 87), Bone, Barrett, Ledwidge, Norris; McInroy (Coyle, 87), Lunney, Wood (Chapman, 77); Odubeko (Kelly, h-t), Boyd (Martin, 19). Referee: Ricardo de Burgos (Spain). Written by Paul Buttner and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
The 42
5 hours ago
- The 42
Shelbourne secure famous Europa League win in Croatia
Uefa Europa League (Third qualifying round, first leg) HNK Rijeka 1 Shelbourne 2 GOALS FROM SAM Bone and John Martin saw Shelbourne stage a remarkable come from behind victory to record perhaps their greatest away night in Europe, stunning Croatian champions Rijeka in their own backyard on the Adriatic coast. Ahead of this first leg, head coach Joey O'Brien spoke of there being no Plan B in talking up his side's ability to come and win the game. And that they did, showing admirable organisation and shape under Rijeka's dominance of the ball and commendable composure and intent when they had it. It's now very much all to play for ahead of the second leg at Tolka Park next Tuesday. The rewards for getting through are huge. The winners advance to the Europa League play-off round with the parachute guarantee of Conference League league phase and its minimum €3.8 million prize fund. Greek side PAOK or Wolfsberger of Austria await in the play-off round of the Europa League. Defeat for the League of Ireland champions could see a repeat of their Champions League first round clash with Linfield in the Conference League play-offs, should the Irish League kingpins come through their third tier tie against Vikingur of the Faroe Islands. Advertisement Joey O'Brien celebrates winning. Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO / INPHO O'Brien made five changes from last week's Champions League loss at Qarabag, setting up in a defensive 5-3-2 formation with Mipo Odubeko and Sean Boyd both starting in attack. As expected, Rijeka enjoyed plenty of possession as they worked for openings early on before an injury to Boyd forced Shelbourne into an early change with Martin coming into the fray in a straight swap up top. Despite their dominance of the ball, it was 22 minutes before the home side threatened, Amir Gojak's low drive comfortably held by Wessel Speel. The well-positioned Speel ably dealt with a strike from Niko Jankovic before Shelbouren enjoyed their first spell of possession. Rijeka finished the first 45 back on the front foot, creating their only clear opening of the half. Again it was Jankovic who got sight of goal, his low drive bringing a fine save down to his right from Speel. But an unforced error from Speel would all but gift Rijeka the lead 11 minutes after the interval. The recently signed on loan Dutch goalkeeper took a heavy touch from Bone's back pass and then tripped inrushing Congolese winger Merveic Ndockyt. The impressive Jankovic sent Speel the wrong way from 12 yards. The lead lasted just two minute, however, as Shelbourne levelled with a terrific set-piece goal from their first corner of the game. Kerr McInroy worked a one-two from the flag kick with Harry Wood to cross. James Norris nodded the ball back across goal where Bone arrived to head it over the line. Sam Bone scores Shelbourne's first goal. Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO / INPHO The game really having opened up now, Speel redeemed his error for the penalty with a superb tip-over save to deprive Simon Butic while, at the other end, Martin surged forward to rifle a shot just over the crossbar. Shelbourne then silenced the home crowd with a brilliant winner on the night on 70 minutes. Milan Mbeng fed Wood on the right whose arced cross had plenty of pace on it for the negligently marked Martin whose firm header found the top corner to the delight of the boisterous Shelbourne support in the caged away end. Rijeka pressed for much of the remainder of the game as Shelbourne defended tenaciously, epitomised by a brave block by captain Paddy Barrett on a shot from Tiago Dantas. Then came a late scare in stoppage time when a VAR penalty check was needed after a shot from Jankovic struck Bone's arm by his side. But when the Spanish referee blew his whistle it was for full-time. HNK Rijeka: Zlomislic; Orec, Majstorovic (Husic, h-t), Radeljic, Devetak (Lasickas, h-t); Jankovic, Gojak (Menalo, 69), Dantas; Ndockyt, Juric (Cop, 69), Butic (Tanjov, 76). Shelbourne: Speel; Mbeng (Gannon, 87), Bone, Barrett, Ledwidge, Norris; McInroy (Coyle, 87), Lunney, Wood (Chapman, 77); Odubeko (Kelly, h-t), Boyd (Martin, 19). Referee: Ricardo de Burgos (Spain).
