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Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'We're looking to the group stages – that's where the real money is' says Shelbourne boss Joey O'Brien
Shelbourne have their eyes set on reaching the group stages of European competition after emerging successful from the All-Island derby. Their 2-1 aggregate victory over Linfield was completed at Windsor Park on Tuesday, paving the way for a second round Champions League clash against Azeris Qarabağ. The first leg takes place next Wednesday at Tolka Park. Even elimination next week cascades Shels into the Europa League, from which they will have a Conference League playoff to navigate. Shamrock Rovers passed that threshold and into the knockout stages, banking €6.5m, but Shels can gross half that by participating in the group stage. 'This opens up another door from the club's point of view,' he said, referencing the group of investors including Micky O'Rourke and the Doyle brothers, Neil and Cathal. Read More Shelbourne survive dramatic All-Island derby to set up Champions League clash with Qarabağ 'Here listen, the people at this club don't get involved at this level to make money. 'The lads in the background do it because they absolutely love it. Ultimately, to get the real money, you must make group stages. 'I told to the players in there that the aim. We don't want this to be our want our European memory. We want to go and create more history by qualifying for the groups.' O'Brien will check on the fitness of captain Mark Coyle and Conor Kearns after both mainstays were substituted with knee and hamstring injuries respectively. There's an FAI Cup tie at Fairview Rangers on Saturday first. He said: 'Mark was struggling. He's a warrior and wanted to keep going but I felt on recovery he wasn't able to sprint and we can't take chances at this level. 'With Conor going down we only had one sub (interval) left. That created an issue about when to make the sub and why we changed formation. The former Ireland international was eager to credit his former boss Damien Duff, who shocked all alike by quitting within a week of the first Shelbourne Champions League fixtures for 20 years being drawn. 'This wasn't something I had planned, just the way it worked out,' he explained. 'I just said to the lads in there, the manager had a huge say in this and the squad he built, the success that we had last year, a huge part of him created this night, it was up to us and the players, not to me, I said to the players when I took over, you take on the baton, he stepped aside, you take it and run with it and see how far we can go. 'I thought we were the better team over two legs but sometimes you don't always get what you deserve.'
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Shelbourne survive dramatic All-Island derby to set up Champions League clash with Qarabağ
UEFA Champions League First qualifying round, second leg Linfield 1 (Shields (pen) 45+3) Shelbourne 1 (Coote '25) Shelbourne win 2-1 on aggregate Linfield arranged fake fireballs to build the pre-match atmosphere but this All-Island derby produced natural sparks that created a sizzler. Shelbourne were worthy of their win over two legs – setting up a Champions League second round clash against Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ at Tolka Park next week – but there was drama galore delivered at Windsor Park. Ali Coote adding to the first leg advantage looked ominous for the Belfast crew but they pulled one back, survived a disallowed concession and had a man sent off. Still, they only lost by a single-goal margin. Shels won't care about the manner of their progress, just that it's achieved. Regardless of how they fare in Uefa's supreme competition, a playoff into the Conference League phase is pocketed for later in the year. Both teams made one change apiece, former Dundalk midfielder Chris Shields returning from suspension for the hosts while Tyreke Wilson got the nod over Liverpool loanee James Norris. David Healy had preached the virtue of patience in their game-plan but within 13 minutes Linfield had spurned two golden opportunities. Evan Caffrey of Shelbourne after his side's victory in the UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round second leg. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Straight from kick-off, a free-kick was won which was whipped in by Kirk Millar. Ethan McGee ghosted in around the back to loop the ball across goal, just a whisker too early for Ben Hall to connect a yard out. While that was manufactured, the second opening was a present. There was no pressure on Conor Kearns when he joined the kickaround at the back but stubbing his boot into the turf allowed the ball trickle straight to Matt Fitzpatrick. All the former Antrim GAA star had to do was steer the loose ball into the empty net from 25 yards but his misjudged chip strayed past the post. Far from being an early siege, yet the visitors seemed addled. For instance, Mark Coyle clearing the ball needlessly out of play was uncharacteristic and the captain lasted only 22 minutes due to a knee complaint. Shels had given their vocal sold-out allocation of 1300 fans little to cheer about by then but the man of champions manifested in a tie-changing move two minutes later. A dash to the endline by left wingback Tyreke Wilson resulted in a cross that found its way to Harry Wood. Tricky as Wood he is, two Linfield defenders folded too easily when he feigned to shoot and the low effort beat Chris Johns but not Shields on the line. When the home side failed to clear the looping ball, Coote took one touch just inside the box to steady himself before burying a right-footer into the bottom corner. Wilson ought to have expanded the aggregate lead to three a minute later, only to blaze over after being left unmarked. It all the hallmarks of a routine win for the League of Ireland title holders at that stage but a chaotic final 15 minutes of the half, added to by 10 in stoppage time, offered hope to Linfield. First up in their favour was Shels losing another bedrock in Kearns. The early blunder hurt in body as well as mind, triggering a hamstring twinge as he kicked the ball out. He was replaced by Lorcan Healy, the deputy who'd made three appearances in May, and the clear tactic from his namesake was to bombard him with deep crosses. One of those on the stroke of the break was aimed for Ben Hall but the defender's aerial clash with Wilson led to the ball touching the latter's hand. Up stepped Shields to send Healy the wrong way to level proceedings on the night but there would be further drama before the dressing-room visits. Wilson's immediate surge into attack accrued a corner, from which Shels executed a rehearsed set-piece. That three-man move culminated with Kerr McInroy sweeping the ball into the corner but the celebrations were halted by a VAR check. English Premier League referee Andy Madley was alerted to a tug on Euan East at the back post by Paddy Barrett and adjudged it so to keep the tie in the balance. Linfield had hope and might have had an equaliser within 13 seconds of the restart arising from another howler. Healy was the culprit on this occasion with a wayward pass but redeemed himself by sticking out a foot to deny Callumn Morrison's scuffed shot. That hope subsided on 63 when Hall saw red for clipping Mipo Odubeko as he raced clear. The defender was marooned as last man after a misplaced pass by teammate Matthew Orr presented the Shels striker with a snip to intercept. Odubeko could have padded the cushion at the death when set free on the left but the save by Johns was academic as the Reds went marching on. LINFIELD: C Johns; E McGee (K Offord 77), E East, M Orr, B Hall; K Miller (C Allen 83), C Shields, J Mulgrew (D McCullough 77), J Archer; C Morrison (C McKee 69), M Fitzpatrick. SHELBOURNE: C Kearns (L Healy 31); E Caffrey, M Coyle (S Gannon 22), P Barrett, K Ledwidge, T Wilson (J Norris 83); K McInroy, JJ Lunney; A Coote (S Boyd 83), M Odubeko, H Wood. Referee: Andrew Madley (ENG). Attendance: 7000 (est).
Irish Examiner
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Shels boss O'Brien comfortable despite change ahead of Euro clash with Linfield
Nobody is anticipating this latest All-Island European competition derby to conclude as emphatically as the last. Ten months ago, Shamrock Rovers dismantled Larne 4-1 at Windsor Park. It was a battle of the champions, but not in the Champions League. Both had begun their journey in last year's supreme competition, proceeding to follow the path of middle to lower-sized country representatives by cascading into the new Conference guise. Shelbourne's meeting with Linfield on Wednesday is in many ways a different proposition. Firstly, there'll be two legs in the first qualifying round of the Champions League compared to the one-off nature of the Conference League phase. Regardless of the neighbourly aspect, this was billed as Damien Duff's debut on the European stage when the draw was made on June 17. Five days later, he quit, paving the way for his assistant Joey O'Brien to take the reins. He's only been one game at the helm as permanent boss, Friday's 3-1 over Cork City, before he leads Shels back into the Champions League for the first time in 17 years. 'To be honest, a lot has changed but a lot hasn't changed, really,' said former Ireland international O'Brien. 'It's still the same sort of thing; I'm coaching everyday, I'm out on the pitch everyday. 'I had a great relationship with the manager before, and I would have had a lot of say in a lot of meetings. I would have taken a lot of meetings. 'So in a way a lot has changed, but in a strange way nothing really has changed, if you know what I mean. He's a full squad to choose from. 'I pick the team now, I suppose, but again I'm picking the team with the staff and previously I was helping the manager pick the team,' he added. 'I've obviously got a personal relationship with the manager; he's a friend of mine, so as I said before, I think we'll be friends forever.' Healy is a regular visitor to the FAI Cup final, aware of the comparison between the two leagues. 'I like the league, I like the way it's played, I like the way it's advertised,' he said. 'You go to most grounds and there is a brilliant atmosphere, there's a brilliant crowd. 'It's something that everyone is trying to encourage in our league - to get people out, get the crowds coming to watch the games, and hopefully in time we can.' The second leg takes place next Wednesday at Windsor Park.
Irish Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shelbourne v Linfield TV rights secured ahead of Champions League clash
Shelbourne's Champions League clash against Linfield at Tolka Park will be shown live on television. RTE have secured the rights for the first-leg of the All-Island encounter in the opening round of the qualifiers. The League of Ireland champions host the NIFL Premiership winners at the Drumcondra venue on Wednesday, July 9. And the game - which kicks off at 7.45pm - will be broadcast live on RTE2 and the RTE Player. The second-leg will be played at Windsor Park on Wednesday, July 16 but Linfield must negotiate the TV rights for that game. 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. Shelbourne's preparations for their biggest game in years were thrown into disarray when manager Damien Duff sensationally quit the club on Sunday. Assistant manager Joey O'Brien took charge of the team for last night's 2-2 draw away to Waterford and will do so again for Friday's trip to Galway United. But it remains to be seen who Shels will have in charge - temporary or permanent - for these Champions League deciders with Linfield. Shels are already guaranteed a minimum €1 million in European prize money but knocking Linfield out would almost double that. And beating the Blues would guarantee at least another three European ties for the Reds. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
Irish Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shelbourne discover next Champions League opponent, if they beat Linfield
Shelbourne will face Qarabag of Azerbaijan in the next round of the Champions League, if they can get past Linfield. If they eliminate the Belfast giants, Damien Duff's charges would be at home in the first-leg of the second qualifying round clash with Qarabag. Qarabag are 12-time champions of Azerbaijan and boast strong European pedigree, having made the group or league phase of competitions every year since 2014. Last season, they reached the league phase of the Europa League and sailed through to the round of 16 in the Europa League in 2023. In 2019, Qarabag beat Dundalk 4-1 on aggregate in the Champions League second qualifying round. And that same year, they edged out Linfield on away goals when they dropped into the Europa League playoff round. Either Shelbourne or Linfield will be at home to Qarabag on July 22/23, with the second-leg scheduled for July 29/30. 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. But Shels won't lose sight of their big date with Linfield on July 8/9 with a tantalising €2 million Champions League shootout three weeks from now. All-Island bragging rights are also on the line when the League of Ireland champions face the NIFL Premiership kingpins at Tolka Park and then Windsor Park. And Reds boss Damien Duff said yesterday: 'It's a brilliant day for everyone at the football club, especially for those who have been through the dark times. 'Players and staff watched the draw together and there's already a great buzz at the prospect of an All-Ireland derby.' Shels are guaranteed a minimum €1 million in European prize money but knocking Linfield out would almost double that. Beating the Blues would guarantee another three European ties for Duff's men, who found timely form on Monday by beating St Pat's. Duff is ready to strengthen his squad in the transfer window as he knows it will be demanding trying to juggle league commitments with European adventures. And particularly so if Shels unlock the door to the 'champions path' by beating David Healy's Belfast giants. But Duff has the experience of last season's two rounds of the Conference League to lean on and said: 'It's just a mentality thing. 'The big teams all around Europe, yeah, they play on a Wednesday and they're up for the game but they're up for it again on the weekend. It's absolutely alien to our lads, I get that, but it's something that I'll try to hammer home. 'It's not 'Oh, Friday, and we have to go again Monday. Oh, I'm tired'. You're not tired. They're all young boys. A lot of them are still living at home with their mammies getting their washing done, their cooking done. 'You can sleep 20 hours a day if you want to. All I want to see you for is 90 minutes.' And Duff added: 'Mentally, attacking two games a week out of three isn't an elite mindset for me. It's attacking every game.' Linfield are out of season but there won't be any issue getting a handle on such familiar and local opponents as Duff prepares to do his homework. The Ireland legend added: 'I've been an analyst 90% of the time for three years, believe it or not, and 5% manager and 5% coach. This year we've got Martin Doyle in, which is a big help and there's an excitement in that. 'Last year, it was St Joseph's (of Gibraltar) and we were trying to claw footage of them. The next game, Zurich, you're looking at footage and thinking, 'are they that good? Are they that bad?' You go and play them away and they're that f***** good, yeah. 'There'll be an element to that this year, but you can sleep when you're dead.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email.
