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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Joey O'Brien vows Shelbourne will turn ‘hurt into hunting' in €3.8m Conference League push after Rijeka Europa defeat
Now Joey O'Brien insists the pain will fuel their bid to reach the Conference League group stages against either Linfield or Vikingur EURO PAIN Joey O'Brien vows Shelbourne will turn 'hurt into hunting' in €3.8m Conference League push after Rijeka Europa defeat JOEY O'BRIEN said Shelbourne will turn their 'hurt into hunting' as they look to take their next chance to make the Conference League group stages. Shelbourne could have done that last night had they seen off Rijeka in the Europa League, but the Croatians claimed a 4-3 aggregate win thanks to a last minute Ante Orec goal. Advertisement 2 Shelbourne head coach Joey O'Brien says his side will turn their 'hurt into hunting' after their Europa League defeat to Rijeka 2 Ante Orec of Rijeka celebrates his late goal vs Shels, who will now head to a Europa Conference League playoff clash The Reds now go into the Conference League play-off round where they will face the winners of tomorrow's tie between Linfield and Faroe Islands champions Vikingur. And O'Brien insisted that the pain of the final minutes as Shelbourne scored a late penalty through Mipo Odubeko and came close to a winner will be used as motivation now. He said: 'We saw them celebrating and we want that in two weeks' time. We'll use this hurt and turn that into hunger. 'We're bitterly disappointed but we're still in it and we want to go through. Advertisement 'When we scored the penalty, we had the momentum with us and we had a chance after it (through Milan Mbeng) and we didn't take ours and they took theirs. 'I felt they had a lot of chances but they didn't really trouble us too much and then the goal, it was a bit of quality. The second goal too, was a bit of quality.' Orec - who had given away the penalty that got Shelbourne back in it - scored the winner that then confined Shelbourne to the Conference League play-off. And O'Brien confirmed he will go to Belfast tomorrow to watch their potential opponents as Linfield look to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the away leg. Advertisement Should they do it, it would mean an all-island tie worth €3.8 million to the winner just six weeks after Shels beat them in the Champions League in a €1.8 million tie. Shels hope that next week's first leg will be in Tolka Park, though UEFA could insist on a switch to Tallaght.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Shelbourne suffer heartbreak as Rijeka strike late to end Reds' Europa League dream
Shelbourne's hopes of Europa League group stage football ended in agony as a dramatic late Rijeka goal cancelled out their brave fightback at a sold-out Tolka Park - but one last shot at Europe remains in the Conference League play-off SHELBOURNE have another chance to make history and the group stages - but they will rue not taking this one. Croats Rijeka came to Tolka Park and won 3-1 to ensure a 4-3 aggregate Europa League win after last week's shock loss at home. 2 Ante Orec of Rijeka celebrates with Rijeka manager Radomir Dalovic after scoring their side's third goal late during the clash at Tolka Park 2 Shelbourne's Ademipo Odubeko scores from the penalty spot - the Dublin side will now head into a Conference League Playoff clash But the result does not tell the full story of a game where Shels looked well beaten, until they were right back in it, only for it to be taken away from them again. The Croatian double winners were well on top and two-goals to the good entering the final 18 minutes thanks to a fine strike by Toni Fruk and a stunning one from Tiago Dantas. But they were handed a lifeline four minutes from time after a three-minute VAR check that confirmed John Martin had his jersey pulled as he tried to reach a Harry Wood cross. Mipo Odubeko did the rest from the spot with a shot that goalkeeper Martin Zlomislic almost saved and he was almost beaten moments later by Milan Mbeng for an incredible tie-winner. But as the game seemed to be heading towards extra time, the Rijeka defender who gave the penalty away - Ante Orec - popped up with the winner. Shelbourne were crestfallen as Rijeka celebrated like there was no tomorrow. But there is a tomorrow for the Reds with Europe offering them one more chance to make the group stages. Their Champions League win last month over Linfield guaranteed the champions path and three shots at it, and that now means Conference League play-off - possibly against Linfield. The Irish League champions must overturn a 2-1 deficit against Faroese champs Vikingur in Belfast tomorrow that would set up a €3.8 million tie. And Linfield boss David Healy was in Tolka last night in preparation, sitting alongside Ireland gaffer Heimir Hallgrímsson. Carabao Cup introduces popular new feature on 24 teams' shirts as Arsenal are brutally trolled It was a celebrity filled director's box with Dubs legend Stephen Cluxton and Bertie Ahern also there for what was the hottest ticket in town with the game not on TV. Also there was referees' observer Martin Hansson - yes, THAT Martin Hansson who missed Thierry Henry's handball in 2009. Quite what he thought of referee Martin Barbu will be saved for UEFA, but he certainly annoyed the Shelbourne fans throughout. The penalty he gave was thanks to VAR, while he also waved away an early one when Ali Coote went over the goalkeeper as he chased a longball. But while Shels fans were aggrieved at the refereeing decisions, the greater concern for much of the 90 minutes was their opponents who came to play. The open half can largely be summed up by stating that Rijeka had the ball and Shelbourne chased after it. Rijeka rarely threatened as the Paddy Barrett-marshalled defence gave little away, but it was still hard work for the Red men. And the tension was felt in the crowd too as they watched Shelbourne drop deeper and deeper even as, at times, they frustrated Rijeka into errors. But the goal was coming long before playmaker Fruk drilled home from the edge of the area from a well-worked Rijeka move. Bar Coote's early penalty shot, Shelbourne had offered little with one Mipo Odubeko cross that almost found Milan Mbeng the nearest they came to a chance. At times, they did look too cautious with players content to keep the ball in midfield rather than make runs forward. But that may also have been to take a breather after chasing shadows for much of the opening 33 minutes. Yet, they almost got an instant reply to Fruk's opener when McInroy had a shot saved by Zlomoslic after James Norris had headed back Mbeng's deep cross. But Rijeka smelt blood and pushed on for a goal that would put them in front on aggregate as defender Stjepan Radeljic and Dantas both heading wide just before half-time. Shels boss Joey O'Brien took action during the break introducing last week's goal scoring hero John Martin for Coote. And Martin made an immediate impact as he raced onto a McInroy pass on the left and crossed low for Odubeko who, under pressure, stabbed the ball wide at the near post. But while the Reds were better, the hosts were the more threatening as Niko Janknovic twice went close from distance. And Rijeka did take the lead with a screamer on 72 minutes when Portuguese midfielder Dantas took one touch 35-yards out and unleashed a drive that flew beyond Wessel Speel. Had the referee blew for full time after that, Shelbourne could have had no complaints. But the Reds regrouped and threw everything forward and won the penalty on 86 minutes after Martin was tugged back by Orec. Even as the VAR review was going on, Evan Caffrey smartly stood on the penalty spot to stop any Rijeka players scuffing it. And Odubeko held his nerve to drill the ball under goalkeeper Zlomislic who guessed right and got something on the ball. Mbeng then had a header saved by the goalkeeper moments later that would blown the roof off Tolka. But just as extra time beckoned, Orec broke into the box to pick up a ball from Merveil Ndockyt and fire home from 12-yards. It was sickening for Shelbourne as this was a great chance to make the group stages tonight. But there is one more chance. Shelbourne 1 - 3 Rijeka Sun Star Man - Toni Fruk (Rijeka) Shelbourne: Speel 6; Bone 7, Barrett 7, Ledwidge 6; Mbeng 7, Lunney 6 (Chapman 78, 6), McInroy 7 (Kelly 90, 6), Norris 6 (Caffrey 78, 6); Wood 6, Coote 5 (Martin ht, 6); Odubeko 6. Rijeka: Zlomislic 7; Orec 6, Majstorovic 7, Radeljic 7, Devetak 7; Petrovic 7, Dantas 7 (Kreilach 90, 6); Ndockyt 7 (Menalo 90, 6), Fruk 8, Jankovic 7; Juric 7 (Lasickas 75, 6) Referee: M Barbu (Romania) 4.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Shelbourne v Rijeka – Drama in Tolka as Croatians strike late to march on
Live | Shelbourne take on Croatian side HNK Rijeka in their Europa League third qualifying round second leg tie at Tolka Park this evening. Leading 2-1 from last week's first leg, the League of Ireland Premier Division champions are just a draw away from an estimated €3.4million in Uefa prizemoney and further riches with a guaranteed place in the league phase of the Conference League. Catch all the action as it happens here. 90'+6 Free Kick Shelbourne Shooter Harry Wood John Martin wins a freekick just beyond halfway. Wessel Speel is joining the attack. This is last chance saloon stuff. 90'+4 Substitution Rijeka Substituted out Luka Melano Substituted in Merveil Ndockyt A change in midfield for the Croatian champions sees Melano, who featured off the bench in the first-leg, come on for the final few minutes. There will probably be an extra minute added on for some gamesmanship from the visitors. 90'+2 Substitution Shelbourne Substituted out Kerr McInroy Substituted in Daniel Kelly A final roll of the dice sees Daniel Kelly replace the weary Kerr McInroy. Rijeka have tried to kill the clock with some bodies down with cramp. 90' Goal Rijeka Scorer Ante Orec Assist Niko Jankovic GOAL! Tolka Park is stunned into silence. It's heartbreaking for Joey O'Brien's side. Merveil Ndockyt's free-kick falls to Niko Jankovic. He squeezed it back to Ante Orec who drills it into the far corner of Wessel Speel's goal. That could be the winner. We will have 5 minutes of injury time to play! 88' Scoring Chance Shelbourne Player Milan Mbeng SAVE! Suddenly, it's Shels on the front foot as Mipo Odubeko wins the ball back. A cross into the crowded penalty box falls to Milan Mbeng. The French full-back is caught off guard but manages to get his shot on target - straight into Zlomislic's gloves! 86' Goal Shelbourne Scorer Mipo Odubeko GOAL! We are heading for extra-time as it stands! It was anything but convincing from Mipo Odubeko in truth. He goes low to his right with just enough power to see the ball squeeze under Martin Zlomislic's grasp. 86' Penalty Shelbourne Shooter Mipo Odubeko PENALTY! The Romanian arbiter takes his sweet time to come to the decision... and he points to the spot. Tolka Park erutps. Mipo Odubeko has the ball under his arm. 83' VAR HUGE PENALTY APPEAL - a third of this game for Shels! Harry Wood's cross from the right towards John Martin is perfect. Ante Orec gets the wrong side of the Kilkenny native and looks to have clearly pulled his jersey. VAR is reviewing the footage this time and the Romanian ref is going to his monitor! 79' Substitution Shelbourne Substituted out James Norris Substituted in Evan Caffrey The introduction of Evan Caffrey is part of a double switch with Ellis Chapman taking over from JJ Lunney to breathe life into the Shels midfield. 76' Substitution Rijeka Substituted out Ante Juric Substituted in Justas Lasickas This change tells you all you need to know about Rijeka's intentions. Full-back Justas Lasikas replaces the Croatian champions' striker on the night Juric. Time to shut up shop it seems! 74' Scoring Chance Shelbourne Player Paddy Barrett Decent chance for Shels a minute after conceding their second goal of the night - Paddy Barrett connects beautifully, but Rijeka goalkeeper Zlomislic watches it sail over his crossbar. 73' Goal Rijeka Scorer Tiago Dantas Assist Mladen Devetak GOAL! Shels are behind on aggregate now. It's another absolute world class strike from Tiago Dantas, but it's all too easy from a Shels perspective. Full-back Mladen Devetak just passes it inside to the former Bayern Munich academy talent. He looks up with space in front of him, and rifles it into the top-right corner from all of 30 yards. A thunderbolt! 71' Corner Shelbourne Shels get their second corner of the game which is taken by Kerr McInroy, but it yields nothing in an attacking sense. Kameron Ledwidge gives away possession needlessly thereafter. 69' Scoring Chance Rijeka Player Toni Fruk The Shels fans are left incensed by a supposed foul on John Martin by Tiago Dantas. Rijeka attack through Toni Fruk who curls wide from the edge of the box. It's fair to say the Romanian arbiter has let the game flow this evening. No bookings to speak of yet and he's hardly used his whistle! 68' Success for Robbie Keane's Ferencvaros as Aidan Fitzmaurice updates us on the final score: Full-time in Budapest and Robbie Keane's Ferencvaros win 3-0 against Ludogorets and enter the playoff round of the Champions League. If their schedules allow - and they both have a big weekend ahead - Keane might put in a call to his former Ireland teammate Joey O'Brien for an insight on Ferencvaros's next opponents, Qarabag, as they knocked O'Brien's Shels out of the Champions League in the last round. 65' Scoring Chance Rijeka Player Niko Jankovic SAVE! That was well held by Wessel Speel. Rijeka strike on the counterattack as Niko Jankovic's effort takes a nasty deflection off Paddy Barrett. The 23-year-old reacted brilliantly to keep it out. 61' Corner Shelbourne More protestations for a penalty from Shels as John Martin goes down in the box under pressure from Stjepan Radeljic. VAR doesn't intervene, so it stays as a corner. 58' Corner Rijeka After a strong spell in possession, Rijeka earn themselves a corner which eventually falls to Dejan Petrovic. The 27-year-old Slovenian swings a right boot at it, but sends it high into the Dublin night sky.
