David Healy full of respect for League of Ireland as Linfield prepare for Champions League clash vs Shelbourne
The Blues will be cheered on by just 280 fans at Tolka Park but that is because
Advertisement
2
Linfield boss David Healy says he's a big admirer of the LOI
2
Linfield face Joey O'Brien's Shelbourne in the Champions League this week
He said: 'I watch the league and I know Jamie Mulgrew and quite a few of the other lads who would watch the league quite frequently, certainly when it's on TV or maybe take it in.
'Myself, the chairman, Jamie and some of the players make the effort to come down to the FAI Cup final most years. I can't remember the last one I missed.
'I like the league, I like the way it's played, I like the way it's advertised. 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.'
Advertisement
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
Healy claimed
He admitted Shels were favourites but insisted he was approaching it as he would any other European tie.
He said: 'Other people will talk about it because it's looking at you straight in the face, it's north v south, but it's not something we've talked about in the dressing room.
'It's not something I've spoken about to the players to try to gee them up because they shouldn't need to be geed up. It's the first round of the Champions League.'
Advertisement
Most read in Uncategorized
'I've seen it all' - Michael Buffer introduces Chelsea and Fluminense players and teams like boxers in Club World Cup
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
3 hours ago
- The 42
New signing Pedro scores twice as Chelsea book Club World Cup final spot
NEW SIGNING JOAO Pedro scored twice on his first start as Chelsea eased to a 2-0 win over Fluminense on Tuesday to seal a spot in the final of the Club World Cup. The Brazilian striker opened the scoring in lethal fashion in the 18th minute of the last-four clash at the MetLife Stadium and struck again shortly before the hour mark as Chelsea set up a showdown with either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain in the final on Sunday. Signed from Brighton and Hove Albion just last week for a reported £60 million ($79 million), the 23-year-old cut short an off-season holiday and made his debut off the bench in the quarter-final win over Palmeiras. He was then given his first Chelsea start up front here in place of the suspended Liam Delap. Joao Pedro refused to celebrate after either goal against the club with whom he started his career and made 36 top-team appearances before moving to England with Watford in 2020. The result ends Fluminense's impressive run at the tournament after the 2023 Copa Libertadores winners had held Borussia Dortmund in the group stage, beaten Inter Milan in the last 16 and knocked out Manchester City's conquerors Al-Hilal in the quarter-finals. With their exit go the prospects of a South American winner of the first 32-team edition of the Club World Cup, with Chelsea claiming back-to-back victories against Brazilian opposition to reach the final. Advertisement As always seemed most likely, the trophy will be claimed by one of Europe's superpowers, with the final now guaranteed to be between two of the last five winners of the UEFA Champions League. Fluminense coach Renato Portaluppi had described his team as the 'ugly duckling' of the tournament due to the enormous difference between their budget and those of the other three sides left in the United States. This game ultimately proved to be a step too far for their team, captained by 40-year-old former Chelsea centre-back Thiago Silva. Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca was without the suspended Levi Colwill and Delap but midfield lynchpin Moises Caicedo returned after sitting out the win over Palmeiras in Philadelphia due to a ban. The Premier League side were simply too strong for their opponents in a game watched by 70,556 fans on a hot afternoon just outside New York City. They went ahead thanks to a wonderful strike by their new forward, who controlled the ball on the edge of the box after Silva had cleared a Pedro Neto cross. Joao Pedro took a touch and curled a shot beyond veteran goalkeeper Fabio into the far corner, before holding up his hands apologetically towards the Fluminense fans massed behind the goal. The team from Rio de Janeiro were an intermittent threat, and Hercules — match-winner against Al-Hilal in the last eight — almost equalised in the 25th minute. He played a one-two with German Cano and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but Marc Cucurella got back to clear off the line. Fluminense were then awarded a penalty 10 minutes before the interval when a set-piece delivery by Rene struck the arm of Trevoh Chalobah in the box. However, French referee Francois Letexier overturned the decision following a VAR check. Chelsea got their second on 56 minutes, just after Fluminense had sacrificed one of their three centre-backs to send on an extra attacker. Enzo Fernandez released Joao Pedro on the break, and the forward who scored 10 goals in the Premier League last season for Brighton produced another clinical finish in off the bar. There were chances for Chelsea to score further goals after that, but the new boy's double strike sufficed. – © AFP 2025
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Moises Caicedo hands Chelsea injury scare just days before Club World Cup final after he limps off vs Fluminense
CHELSEA suffered an injury scare to Moises Caicedo as they beat Fluminense to reach the Club World Cup final. The midfielder has been ever-present for Enzo Maresca's side at the tournament. Advertisement 4 Moises Caicedo twisted his ankle badly against Fluminense Credit: Reuters 4 He fell to the ground in pain Credit: AFP 4 Caicedo received treatment and was able to complete the match Credit: Getty 4 Enzo Maresca is now sweating over the midfielder's fitness ahead of Sunday's final Credit: AFP But now the Caicedo twisted his ankle when battling for the ball in a nasty-looking incident. He received treatment but was able to complete the match though he is now a doubt for the final. Maresca was asked about his potential availability but could not give a definitive answer. Advertisement READ MORE ON CHELSEA He said: "I told Caicedo he has to do everything to be on the pitch on Sunday. "We will see." Chelsea have multiple midfield options available with Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro was the hero for Chelsea with Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Exclusive BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The players came out to an And although Chelsea survived a penalty scare and had to clear a shot off the line, they never looked in danger of being knocked out. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens spotted with Chelsea squad after Club World Cup win over Palmeiras... despite not signing yet
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- 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.
