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The 42
2 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Shels boss Joey O'Brien: 'I still don't think we're favourites to go through'
SHELBOURNE BOSS JOEY O'Brien believes Croatiian opponents Rijeka remain the favourites to progress ahead of his side's Europa League qualifying second leg clash next week. O'Brien saw his team produce a remarkable comeback in last night's first leg in Croatia, stunning the hosts with a 2-1 win thanks to second-half strikes from Sam Bone and John Martin. The famous win sets Shelbourne up for next Tuesday's second leg in the third qualifying round but O'Brien remains cautious. 'I still don't think we're favourites to go through,' O'Brien told media in Croatia after the game. 'Obviously it's a big result for us. It's a really difficult stadium here, really difficult coming over here 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 obviously going to be a really difficult game. 'But look, as I said to the boys down there, European football for me, even a long time ago when I was playing, I always seen European football as four halves of football and there's two halves to go. Advertisement 'We have a small advantage, but again, I still think they're the favourite.' Shelbourne's John Martin celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Harry Wood. Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO / INPHO O'Brien felt the opening half was a cagey affair in last night's clash, but his team improved as the game unfolded. 'The start really tough, we thought we had a shape. 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. 'But I think our shape out of possession was really good. In the second half we spoke about that in the dressing room that we wanted to try get on the ball a little bit more and show our quality. At times we've done that, but still feel we didn't show how good a team we really are in possession. 'European football you see a lot of video. I'm sure they looked at the video of our players. 'Our patterns of play and stuff like this, but I think whoever you play, it's that that first half, players are feeling each other out. It's like you see the speed, are they quick or slow? 'There's certain things that you're not used to because you're not used to the players. So I think the first half sometimes in European football, sort of 15, 25 minutes is nearly, boxing analogy, just jabbing away sort of thing, just seeing who you're up against. Shelbourne's Sam Bone scores his side's first goal. Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO Aleksandar Djorovic / INPHO / INPHO 'But then I think then you start getting into the flow of it, so I think next week, obviously both players now have a feel of each other and what they're up against.' The Shels boss hailed the quality of his squad that has put them in a strong position and they hope to harness the home crowd advantage next Tuesday. 'It's a home home leg for us. We have a good record at home, but, yeah, it's still all to play for. 'I think we have a good squad of players since I took the job. It was one of the reasons why I wanted to take the job was the quality that we have in the dressing room, and at times tonight we showed it. 'I think they're a really, really good team and they're still the favorites. 'We have a good record at home. We always want to play on the front foot of home. 'We have a crowd at home, stuff like that, so it's gonna be a really difficult game. We have a small advantage, but still all to play for.'
The Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- 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
3 days ago
- Sport
- 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).
Irish Daily Mirror
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Joey O'Brien says Qarabag experience will stand to Shelbourne going to Croatia
Joey O'Brien insists Shelbourne can only benefit from their Qarabag experience as they prepare to drop into the Europa League. The League of Ireland champions bowed out of the Champions League on Wednesday night after a 1-0 defeat in Azerbaijan, losing the tie 4-0 on aggregate. Shels were always up against it over the two legs but vastly experienced campaigners Qarabag needed a John Martin own goal to win the second-leg in Baku. O'Brien's charges will now compete in the Europa League and they face Croatian side HNK Rijeka after they too bowed out of the Champions League on Wednesday. The two-time Croatian champions and seven-time Cup winners lost 3-1 to Ludogorets in Bulgaria and finished with nine men after extra-time. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Rijeka will have home advantage against Shels next Thursday, but will now be without suspended duo Gabrijel Rukavina and Toni Fruk. Shels have the green light to play the second-leg at Tolka Park, rather than Tallaght Stadium following upgrade works. And were they to win the tie, they would not only progress to the Europa League playoff but also guarantee themselves a Conference League league stage campaign. Shelbourne players at full-time in their Champions League defeat to Qarabag in Azerbaijan (Image: ©INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic) O'Brien said: 'I watched the first-leg (of Rijeka v Ludogorets) last week and it was a really tight game and it's going to be quality players again. 'But as I said to the boys, these are the games you want to be involved in. You want to be coming to places like this, putting your best foot forward and looking to impress. 'There's been a lot of positives against Qarabag, but there's a hell of a lot of learning in getting beat. Especially that understanding that if you give up poor chances and switch off for a moment they will make you pay, and when you get your chances you must take them.' O'Brien feels that playing in the stifling 29 degree heat of Baku will also stand to his team as they prepare to play in Croatia next Thursday. '100% it will,' he continued: 'Coming away and playing in these conditions will be the case in the next few weeks, playing in these temperatures. 'I've been in this situation myself as a player where you can't catch a breath but you need to bite down on the gumshield and stay at it. 'I'm very proud of the lads, but we're not going to celebrate being beat 4-0 either because that's not the standard that's been set at this football club.' Shelbourne's Kerr McInroy in action with Qarabag's Kady (Image: ©INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic) Shelbourne are back in league action on Saturday night, away to a resurgent Sligo Rovers, and O'Brien has laid down the challenge to his players on their return. 'Sligo is the next game and it's the biggest game for us,' he said. 'If you want European nights like this again next year, and be playing at this level again, you have to take care of business in your league.' While Qarabag ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Tolka Park a week ago, O'Brien was much happier with Shels' performance in Baku. The former Ireland international explained: 'Coming to these places you have to give up possession sometimes and I thought our shape out-of-possession was really good. 'They didn't have many chances and the goal was just a sloppy ball off a second phase before half time that was a killer. The lads were probably thinking they had done enough to go in level at half-time but at this level if you switch off for one moment they will make you pay. 'But in the second-half I felt we went back out and attacked it again. We changed our shape a little bit and we had a great chance to make it 1-1 and we didn't take it. 'That's been the story of the tie.,' added O'Brien on Shels TV. 'They have taken their chances and the ones we created, we didn't take them.'
Irish Daily Mirror
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shelbourne to face Croatian opposition in Europa League
Shelbourne will face Croatian opposition in the Europa League after crashing out of the Champions League in Azerbaijan last O'Brien's men were facing mission implausible in their attempts to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit to kingpins of Azerbaijan boast considerable European pedigree having reached the group or league phase of European competitions for the last 11 years while they pulled clear in Dublin a week ago, Qarabag found Shelbourne to be stubborn opponents and only won on the night after a John Martin own goal. The Shels striker was defending his near post just before half-time when Brazilian midfielder Kady surged past Mark Coyle and whipped in a cross. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . It was intended for striker Nariman Akhundzade, who was stopping low to connect, but Martin got there just ahead of him and the ball skewed off his head and into the was that in terms of the tie, but Shels - showing eight changes to their side - felt a result on the night wasn't beyond them. And Kerr McInroy ought to have equalised early in the second-half but he squandered a glorious, close-range chance with the goal at his mercy. Shelbourne fans cheering on their side away to Qarabag in Azerbaijan (Image: ©INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic) James Norris scampered down the left and delivered a cross for the unmarked Scottish midfielder, but he sidefooted the ball at goalkeeper Mateusz wasn't just Shelbourne's best chance, but the best opportunity of the entire game up to that point and McInroy couldn't believe his goalkeeper Wessel Speel - on loan from MLS side Minnesota United - was handed his first start for Shels and made a big got down low to turn Leandro Andrade's shot away for a corner, thwarting the Qarabag ace who had opened the scoring at Tolka Park a week Speel was only warming up at that point as he saved a penalty midway through the half, although Kady's execution of the spotkick left a lot to be penalty was awarded when Kameron Ledwidge handled Matheus Silva's cross into the box after the fullback raided down the right. But Kady - who tested Shels with two long range shots earlier in the game - was far too cocky and his tame, casual effort dribbled into Speel's clutches. Shelbourne's Mipo Odubeko in action with Qarabag's Matheus Silva and Pedro Bicalho (Image: ©INPHO/Aleksandar Djorovic) Thereafter, the closing stages were played at a pedestrian pace, although Daniel Kelly skied an injury-time opportunity to equalise after meeting a deep cross on the Shelbourne won't dwell on the defeat as they knew that anything on offer in Baku was merely bonus territory considering the scale of the had their Europa League safety net no matter what unfolded and will face HNK Rijeka of Croatia after they too bowed out of the Champions League last two-time Croatian champions and seven-time Cup winners lost 3-1 to Ludogorets in Bulgaria and finished with nine men after will have home advantage with Shels back on the road next week, but will now be without suspended duo Gabrijel Rukavina and Toni Shels to win the tie, they would not only progress to the Europa League playoff round but also guarantee themselves a Conference League league stage Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazade, Medina (Mmaee 72), Jafarguliyev (Bayramov 80); Bicalho, Kady (Kashchuk 80); Andrada, Addai, Zoubir (Kouakou 72); Akhundzade (Gurbanli 72).SHELBOURNE: Speel; Kelly, Temple, Bone, Ledwidge, Norris (Caffrey 72); McInroy 6 (Lunney 62), Coyle, Chapman (Coote 80); Odubeko (Wood 62), Martin 5 (Boyd 62). REFEREE A Colombo (Italy) Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
