Why Linfield will be left feeling a big dose of regret following Champions League exit to Shelbourne
It was more Cave Hill in the contest between Linfield and Shelbourne but the end result was the same with the Dubliners coming out on top in the latest cross-border contest 2-1 on aggregate after a dramatic 1-1 draw in the second leg at Windsor Park.
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Belfast Telegraph
21 hours ago
- 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
21 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Ten-man Cliftonville crash out of Conference League after extra-time heartbreak against Gibraltar outfit
The Reds have endured no shortage of European sob stories in recent years but this one might just top the lot, with nightmare starts to both the regulation 90 minutes and the additional 30 costing them a second qualifying round date with Shamrock Rovers. Behind inside the first minute, Jim Magilton's side levelled before half-time and even took the lead in the minutes after having defender Odhran Casey controversially sent off. As had been the case in last week's first leg in Gibraltar — when they also went 2-1 up despite being a man light — they were unable to maintain that advantage for long and, when the contest went to extra-time, barely 90 seconds had elapsed by the time the visitors bagged what proved to be the winner. The Reds made two changes to the side that lined up at Europa Point Stadium for last week's first leg, with the suspended Jack Keaney — who was sent off early in the second-half of that game — replaced at the back by Shaun Leppard, while former Glenavon and Larne ace Micheal Glynn came in for Shea Kearney, who has since completed a move to Scottish Championship outfit Dunfermline Athletic. Harry Wilson, for whom injury brought about a swift exit in the first leg, was fit enough to resume his role in midfield, while up front Ryan Curran partnered Joe Gormley on the night the 35-year-old became Cliftonville's most capped European performer on his 19th appearance on the Uefa stage. His and the Reds' night, however, got off to the worst possible start when St Joseph's took the lead inside the first minute. What initially looked like a routine ball over the top suddenly spelt danger for the hosts as Rodriguez got there ahead of Leppard and worked his way past Odhran Casey to set himself up for a cool finish. The hosts' response was positive with Rory Hale appealing for handball when his shot was charged down inside the box before the resulting corner delivery saw Casey head against the bar. On 20 minutes, Saints goalkeeper Bradley Banda used his feet to keep out a Gormley strike from a tricky angle before the striker sent another attempt just wide after being teed up by Wilson. Gormley then thundered off target after plucking a Hale pass out of the air and Curran dragged a left footed attempt across the face of goal as the Reds pinned the visitors deep inside their own half. Just when it looked like their momentum was starting to slow came the leveller; St Joseph's paying the price for allowing Glynn far too much time and space and, with the Gibraltarians seemingly inviting him to shoot, he duly obliged by steering a well-placed effort into the bottom corner. A rasping long-range strike from Hale drew Banda into an unorthodox save in the last notable action of a fiery first-half, while the second period started with the keeper turning a Jonny Addis blast over the bar. Banda also did well to save a shot from Casey but the home defender's involvement only lasted a few more minutes when, already on a booking, he received a second card for a challenge on Alvaro Rey - one which he emerged from with the ball, but which was too robust for Swiss referee Sven Wolfensberger's liking. Even so, Cliftonville took the lead just four minutes later when Glynn did well to play Luke Conlan into space and, though his cross looked to have too much on it, Hale did tremendously to keep it alive and Gormley produced acrobatics to turn it in from close range. Within three minutes, though, the Saints were level with a goal that bore a resemblance to their second goal in Gibraltar, with the hosts' inability to clear their lines punished by Juanma picking his spot from distance. Both teams had their chances to win it in 90 minutes, none better than when Conlan did superbly to put Conor Falls through on goal deep into injury-time, only for Banda's fingertips to turn his shot against the post. When extra-time started, just as they had done at the start of the night, the Reds found themselves picking the ball out of their own net almost immediately when a scramble inside the box saw sub Hugo Jesslen wheeling away after appearing to get the slightest of nicks on the ball. Dead on their feet, Cliftonville did everything they could to force penalties and, having all but abandoned defending, saw Lewis Ridd make a fine stop to deny Jesslen a second right at the death - not that it mattered, with the Saints holding on to book their trip to Dublin. Cliftonville: Ridd, Pepper, Addis, Wilson (McCay 99), Hale (Hawthorne 99), Curran (Gordon 74), Leppard (Sheridan 116), Conlan, Gormley (Falls 81), Glynn (Corrigan 81), Casey. Unused subs: Morrison, Murray, Mahoney. St Joseph's: Banda, Jolley, Javi Paul, Barba, Manuel Sanchez, Rodriguez (Javi Forjan 62), Rey (Santos 107), Gabri Cardozo (Gibson 66), Juanma (Amadou 90), Alvarez (Jesslen 90), Armental (Martinez 62). Unused subs: Zappacosta, Olivero, Volz.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
St Joseph's beat Cliftonville to set up Rovers tie
St Joseph's edged past 10-man Cliftonville 3-2 after extra time in the second leg of their Uefa Conference League first qualifying round tie at a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Gibraltar, Pablo Rodriguez scored within the first minute to put St Joseph's in front on the night and in the Reds roared back with Michael Glynn equalising before half-time and Joe Gormley putting them in front after Odhran Casey was sent off following two yellow Joseph's eventually made their man advantage count as Juanma's arrowed effort equalised for the visitors and substitute Hugo Jesslen scored an extra-time winner as the Gibraltar side won 5-4 on will now face League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers in the next round. Reds react to St Joseph's early goal It was a nightmare start for Cliftonville as they fell behind in the first controlled a pass from Facundo Alvarez, beat Shaun Leppard and finished low past Lewis Reds responded well to going behind and almost equalised on five minutes when Casey rose highest to meet Rory Hale's corner, but his header came back off the had a low strike saved by Bradley Banda whilst another effort from the striker whistled just persistence finally paid off on 32 minutes when Glynn drilled the ball low into the far fierce effort from outside the box was then diverted behind by Banda as the sides went in level at the break. Reds fall short after Casey's sending off The Reds continued to dominate early in the second half with Banda called into action once more to tip long-range efforts from Jonny Addis and Casey over the momentum was curtailed just before the hour mark however, as like in the first leg, they were reduced to 10 men as Casey received a second yellow card for a foul on Alvaro rallied and went ahead five minutes later. Hale did well to keep Luke Conlan's cross in play with his acrobatic pass falling to Gormley, who produced an overhead kick from close lead lasted all of three minutes as St Joseph's captain Juanma rifled home an equaliser from the edge of the Conor Falls then thought he had won the game for Magilton's side in injury time. Conlan fed the striker, whose poked effort was turned onto the post by Banda, whilst at the other end, Javi Forjan had a late goal ruled out for they did in the first half of normal time, St Joseph's struck early in extra time, with Jesslen getting a vital touch to divert a cross from the left beyond Ridd, with St Joseph's hanging on to progress.
