Latest news with #DavidHealy
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Linfield boss David Healy on the one factor he won't use as an excuse for Champions League defeat to Shelbourne
Linfield manager David Healy says he understands arguments for seasonal change - but insists he will never use it as an excuse for European heartbreak. The Northern Ireland Football League has embarked on a 'deeper review' of the game amid concerns over Irish League sides lacking a competitive edge on the continent.
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
David Graham: Why Linfield's defeat to Shelbourne in the Champions League was ‘inevitable'. . . change is required
I had the privilege of watching Linfield play both home and away against Shelbourne FC, either side of the border and either side of the traditional 12th holiday in Northern Ireland. To have my two young boys with me at the away game was a great memory, regardless of the result. For the second leg at Windsor, my older boy performed his duties as a ball boy, whilst my younger son joined his Linfield Academy teammates in The Kop. I know that the future Linfield players thrived on the atmosphere generated by 'Blue Unity', criticised by many who fail to see the benefit that this group creates for future generations whilst loved by those who want to turn Windsor Park into a fortress. As I left Windsor Park, my heart filled with pride at a performance filled with courage, determination and desire. Nevertheless, even in the midst of the emotion of defeat, I knew that this feeling was in many ways…. inevitable. The game, as a contest, across two legs, ended in a 2-1 defeat for Linfield, who represented NIFL and Northern Ireland football with great credit. In reality, it was always going to be an uphill struggle for Linfield, even with the obvious tactical nous of David Healy, and a team driven by the experience and fire of Jamie Mulgrew and Kirk Miller. These are points that will be overlooked now, but I imagine, will be recognised with the passing of time. Shelbourne, as they approached the second leg, had played 25 competitive domestic games, having only won eight. Crucially, this made them fitter, technically more comfortable on the ball and crucially, sharper at the most crucial moments. Why was it inevitable? Why was it an uphill struggle? In reality, no one can fully answer the questions above. The differences in seasonal calendar ensure that more questions are raised, than actual answers. Why does this matter? Well, it matters more than anyone in Northern Irish football wants to admit. In short, if an Irish league club wins the first round of the Champions league, you are guaranteed a play-off for the Conference League which is worth around £3m. For a team like Linfield, with a fanbase comparable to any Scottish league club outwith Glasgow or Edinburgh, that is generational change. For those who understand the inner machinations of Linfield, that change is well overdue. Ironically, that is a change which may cause consternation within the bloated boardroom of BT12 or other old boys clubs who've been unnerved by the likes of new Irish League owners, Kenny Bruce and Henry Ross. I am on record saying that I believe an Irish league club needs to invest approximately £1.5m into their First Team infrastructure to give them a realistic chance of winning the Gibson Cup. Of course, I can be proven wrong. My good friends, Stuart Dallas and Jarlath Faloon will underline the times Crusaders and Dungannon Swifts won trophies, well beyond their expectations. But, let's cut to the chase… We need Irish League clubs vying for Uefa group stage football every year. It makes sense for the game we all cherish across our province, and even setting aside club loyalty, the benefit to our game is unchallengeable. The solidarity payments for Uefa are something that I believe need to be explained and highlighted in much greater detail. I am happy to go on the BelTel Football podcast and discuss this, at anytime. I recall my predecessor at Linfield, Pat Fenlon, who talked to me at length about the infamous 'RFS game' in 2022. He said to me that everyone will always talk about the final few moments, where Linfield looked destined for group stage qualification in 2022, but ended up losing on penalties. Pat underlined the moment that the fixture turned, not in Windsor, but a week prior. Linfield were 2-0 up after 70 minutes, but conceded in the 88th and 96th minute. Pat, and I agree with his stance, maintained that the game changed because Linfield were essentially in pre-season whilst RFS were firing on all cylinders due to their seasonal difference. Let's not sit on the fence any longer. Northern Ireland punches well beyond its weight in world footballing terms. Nevertheless, it struggles at European level. Is it simply the mindset of club committees/boards? If that was the case, why have Larne qualified for Europe and achieved a great result against Auda? Is it a strategic failure to recognise that, with ambition and desire, NIFL clubs can confidentially plant the Northern Ireland flag in Europe? We can discuss the exact start and end dates, but the outcome must stop an opposition flag being planted on the turf of a NIFL stadium, four weeks before the domestic season is due to start.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Healy left to rue missed chances in Shels draw
Linfield boss David Healy said he was frustrated with his side's inability to "capitalise on key moments" as they suffered a 2-1 aggregate defeat by Shelbourne and exited the Champions League on Blues trailed 1-0 from the first leg and had a further mountain to climb when Allistair Coote fired Shels ahead in the second leg at Windsor Shields scored a penalty before half-time to get Linfield back in the tie, but Ben Hall's sending off killed their hopes of a comeback in the second was left to rue missed chances from the likes of Matthew Fitzpatrick and Callum Morrison when the game was still in the balance."I'm disappointed, I was proud of the players effort, I thought we were good in spells, but key moments and small details are why we lost the tie," he told BBC Sport."We had a big chance when it was 0-0, we had a big chance when it was 1-1 in the second half and those key moments we didn't capitalise on. "I don't think Shelbourne looked as threatening as the first leg. We built on the performance last week, but I said to the players you don't want to be the nearly team, I hate that and it's my initial frustration with where we are at because we put so much into the game."The Blues now drop into the Uefa Conference League and will face Lithuanian side Zalgris next Shels draw was Healy's 500th game in charge of Linfield and despite his frustration with the outcome, he said the achievement "means a lot"."I watched my first interview back recently when I first got the job and I was glowing with pride at the opportunity. It was not one I craved at the time, but hopefully I have grown into it," he added."You're not just the manager at Linfield, you're the face of the football club but I love the challenge here and I think I've become a better manager and person."
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Linfield boss David Healy laments failure to make most of ‘golden' chances after Champions League exit to Shelbourne
Linfield manager David Healy said missed opportunities haunted his side in their European defeat to Shelbourne. The 1-1 draw at Windsor Park saw Shelbourne edge the Champions League First Qualifying Round tie 2-1.
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Linfield's proud record at Windsor Park can inspire us to great heights against Shelbourne, insists David Healy
Defiant Linfield manager David Healy insists his side's impressive Windsor Park record has injected huge belief in his squad ahead of a tough Champions League showdown with Shelbourne.
