Shelbourne eye history as Joey O'Brien's Reds one step from European group stage dream

The Irish Sun

15 hours ago

Shelbourne are 90 minutes from guaranteeing European group stage football for the first time in their history
WHAT is at stake is staring at Shelbourne every day.
The Tolka Park press conference room has a giant photograph that takes up a full wall showing a fans' display from last year of major European moments.
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Shelbourne take a 2-1 lead into their Europa League clash against Rijeka of Croatia
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Joey O'Brien and his side will seal European group stage football if they progress on Tuesday night
There is the late Theo Dunne - grandfather of current player Evan Caffrey - exchanging pennants with Barcelona's Sigfrid Gracia ahead of the 1963 Cup Winners' Cup meeting.
Beside it, there is former boss Dermot Keely embracing Richie Baker after beating Sloga Jugomagnat in 2000 - the first Irish away win in Europe in 18 years.
Then there is also Dave Rogers in action against Hajduk Split in 2004, when he scored a stunning volley that set up a Champions League play-off with Deportivo La Coruna.
And, finally, there is Ollie Byrne, the late Shelbourne CEO who dared to dream that his club could reach the Champions League group stages.
Tonight, they could do that in the Conference League for the first time in their history and have fans making a display to honour one of the current Red men.
Avoid defeat to Croatians Rijeka in tonight's Europa League tie and Shelbourne go onto a play-off tie for the Europa group stages with the Conference groups already guaranteed.
There is the safety net of a Conference League play-off against either Vikingur of the Faroe Islands or Northern Irish champions Linfield no matter what.
But a 2-1 win in Rijeka last Wednesday has it all - the €3.8 million in prize money, European football until Christmas and a lifetime of memories - up for grabs right now.
Defender Paddy Barrett knows all about it having been part of the Dundalk team that reached the Europa League in 2016.
He said: 'It's life changing experiences as you're playing against top quality players, top quality teams, and you're playing against unbelievable fan bases - like our own here.
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'That's the experiences that you want as a player. So it's great to be a part of that.
'We know the task ahead, it's obviously not something that clubs do from Ireland year in, year out.
'But look, but when it comes along, when the opportunity does come along, it's amazing and we know what's at stake.'
Not that Barrett will be letting those thoughts cloud his mind when the game kicks off tonight.
He added: 'I don't think back about any games. If that was the case I'd be sitting here all day thinking about all the mistakes I've made throughout my career!
'It's all about Tuesday night and it's one that we're looking forward to.'
And boss Joey O'Brien stressed that while he knows the crowd will be wrapped up in the occasion, his team must focus on the game.
He said: 'I've said it to the lads, you've to realise these opportunities don't come around too often.
'So from a players point of view and us as a staff just make sure you put your best foot forward and make sure you have no regrets.
'It's not really thinking about what's at stake and what I can do for the club money-wise, financial-wise.
'If you start thinking like that, you start gripping the bat too tight. It's one of my favourite sayings - you start thinking, 'oh if this happens we can do this'.
'I just don't think you can play like that and that's my honest opinion. I think you need to go out and have an understanding of what you've got here and make sure you're ready to play.
'Don't have a regret of thinking that I was thinking of what could have been.
'I don't think you can play football like that. I didn't play that way as a player so I wouldn't like my team doing that.
'It's about going out making sure the lads put their best foot forward and have no regrets.'
SHEL SHOCKERS?
O'Brien also stressed that Rijeka will be no pushovers as he acknowledged the Croats should still be favourites, and the bookmakers agree.
But he believes home advantage - Rijeka have brought no supporters with them - can make the difference.
He said: 'At home, the whole place is rocking for you, it does give you that little bit more I suppose, that buzz, that little bit more energy sometimes.
'To have the fanbase there, really loud and you know, they're supporting you, there's always that little added bonus.
'We have to make the most of that, we have to give them something to cheer about. I'm sure at the start there's going to be a real excitement at the game because of what's at stake.'
O'Brien also knows Rijeka should be better than last week with playmaker Toni Fruk available again after suspension.
And boss Radomir Dalovic was not too complimentary of Shelbourne in the build-up suggesting that the Reds had little more going for them than aggression.
Still, O'Brien acknowledged tonight is about going through by hook or by crook as he confirmed that his squad have practiced penalties in case they are needed.
And, as another banner in the fan display on the press conference room wall says; 'F**k them in the Tolka.'
There will be no one in the stands at Tolka Park tonight who be be bothered if that proves the method of victory.
As that fan display also says, 'Raised on Shels And Glories'. Tonight is their chance."