Linfield boss David Healy outlines how teen star can follow Trai Hume blueprint and prove hit at the very highest level
Orr excelled in his first season with the Blues in 2024/25, helping them win the Premiership title and lifting a host of Young Player of the Year awards that ignited interest from a host of clubs from across the water.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
11 minutes ago
- BBC News
Odubeko's strike sees Shelbourne edge past Linfield
Shelbourne got the better of Linfield in the first leg of their Champions League first qualifying round tie at Tolka Park with Mipo Odubeko's second-half strike the only goal of the Northern Ireland champions had to soak up plenty of pressure to ensure they would return to Belfast for next week's second leg facing only a one-goal what was their first competitive game of the 2025-26 season, David Healy's side appeared well drilled and defended strongly throughout, although Evan Caffrey had two good chances in the first hosts in Dublin also had a penalty award overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR) in the first half, but Odubeko's well-taken finish in the 58th minute ultimately proved to be the difference. Linfield show defensive grit in goalless first half The game at Tolka Park provided a second clash between the champions of the Irish Premiership and League of Ireland Premier Division in as many seasons after Shamrock Rovers thumped Larne 4-1 in last year's Uefa Conference while the southern side again asserted their dominance in the first half of this one, Linfield held firm through the opening 45 minutes despite a few Caffrey looked lively throughout for Shelbourne and came closest to opening the scoring in the early exchanges when he got onto the end of a near-post corner only to see his flicked header come back off the same player then drew a brilliant save from Linfield keeper Chris Johns from point-blank range after defender Euan East had slipped in the Shelbourne piled on the pressure, they thought they would have the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot when Ben Hall was adjudged to have handled Jonathan Lunney's effort from the edge of the box, but the decision was overturned by admirably organised without the ball, in the absence of playmaker Joel Cooper who joined Coleraine over the summer, Linfield offered little attacking threat, although they did have a few chances of their own in the goalless first half. First Ethan McGee drove an effort wide after latching onto a loose pass across the box before, in the final minutes before the break, Callumn Morrison's looping effort failed to catch out Conor Kearns in the Shelbourne goal. Shels up ante with second-half substitutes Shelbourne were playing their first Champions League fixture since 2005 and, while their title-winning manager Damien Duff departed between the draw and this first leg, they came into this one 25 games into their domestic manager Joey O'Brien got his first win against Cork City on Friday night and, in comparison to Linfield who had only last week's Charity Shield final under their belts, their increased match sharpness was Odubeko is one player who has been enjoying life under former West Ham and Bolton defender O'Brien and the striker opened the scoring with his third goal in as many minutes into the second half, he was put through by substitute strike partner Sean Boyd, took a touch to get the ball out of his feet and fired into the far corner. Boyd, whose assist came only two minutes after his introduction, proved to be a lively replacement as he flashed a header across goal before firing Tyreke Wilson's cross over the top. Kieran Offord came closest to delivering a Linfield equaliser in the closing minutes when he charged down Conor Kearns attempted clearance only to see the ball deflect narrowly wide.
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Enzo Maresca says ‘proud' Chelsea keen to get back to the top
The Blues secured a place in Sunday's showpiece in New York with a convincing 2-0 win over Brazilian side Fluminense in sweltering conditions at the MetLife Stadium. Coming after the team won the Europa Conference League and secured Champions League qualification last month, it has been a highly satisfactory end to Maresca's first season in charge. It has been a turbulent few years at Stamford Bridge following the takeover of 2022 but Maresca is pleased with progress on the field during his tenure. The Italian said: 'We are very happy. We are very proud to play in the final on Sunday. 'This is the Club World Cup – the best clubs in the world are here. For us to be there on Sunday is something that we are very proud of. 'The last few years have not been what the club deserves or what the history of this club says. 'This year, luckily, it has gone quite well. The Conference League, we managed to win it, and now we are in this final and we are in the Champions League. 'We are very proud to help the club to get back to where it deserves to be.' See you in the final. 👋💙 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 8, 2025 Joao Pedro scored both goals on his first Chelsea start as the Londoners proved too strong for the Brazilian outfit. The striker, a former Fluminense player, only completed his £60million move from Brighton last week and he seized his chance to shine in the absence of the suspended Liam Delap. 'We are very happy with Joao,' said Maresca. 'We know that Joao is a very good player and he has qualities. 'Another thing that is important about Joao is that he was on holiday, so he's a bit more fresh compared to the rest. 'It is important to be aware of that but when you play every three days in this competition you need a big squad, you need all the players.' Having reached the final, Chelsea are now guaranteed a payday of around £80million from their involvement in the tournament and have a chance to play for a jackpot exceeding £90million. The exact figure has not been made clear by tournament organiser FIFA. This is a huge boost to the club coming in what is shaping up to be a busy summer in the transfer market. It also appears particularly timely, coming after they were punished by European governing body UEFA last week for breaches of financial regulations. Maresca, however, insists the money is not his motivation. 'I am happy for the club but I don't care,' he said. 'When I prepare for a game, I don't prepare thinking, if we win, we have more money. 'It is something for the club, it is not for us, unfortunately. We already have a clear idea about what we need to improve for next season and hopefully we can have it.'
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Enzo Maresca says ‘proud' Chelsea keen to get back to the top
The Blues secured a place in Sunday's showpiece in New York with a convincing 2-0 win over Brazilian side Fluminense in sweltering conditions at the MetLife Stadium. Coming after the team won the Europa Conference League and secured Champions League qualification last month, it has been a highly satisfactory end to Maresca's first season in charge. It has been a turbulent few years at Stamford Bridge following the takeover of 2022 but Maresca is pleased with progress on the field during his tenure. The Italian said: 'We are very happy. We are very proud to play in the final on Sunday. 'This is the Club World Cup – the best clubs in the world are here. For us to be there on Sunday is something that we are very proud of. 'The last few years have not been what the club deserves or what the history of this club says. 'This year, luckily, it has gone quite well. The Conference League, we managed to win it, and now we are in this final and we are in the Champions League. 'We are very proud to help the club to get back to where it deserves to be.' See you in the final. 👋💙 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 8, 2025 Joao Pedro scored both goals on his first Chelsea start as the Londoners proved too strong for the Brazilian outfit. The striker, a former Fluminense player, only completed his £60million move from Brighton last week and he seized his chance to shine in the absence of the suspended Liam Delap. 'We are very happy with Joao,' said Maresca. 'We know that Joao is a very good player and he has qualities. 'Another thing that is important about Joao is that he was on holiday, so he's a bit more fresh compared to the rest. 'It is important to be aware of that but when you play every three days in this competition you need a big squad, you need all the players.' Having reached the final, Chelsea are now guaranteed a payday of around £80million from their involvement in the tournament and have a chance to play for a jackpot exceeding £90million. The exact figure has not been made clear by tournament organiser FIFA. This is a huge boost to the club coming in what is shaping up to be a busy summer in the transfer market. It also appears particularly timely, coming after they were punished by European governing body UEFA last week for breaches of financial regulations. Maresca, however, insists the money is not his motivation. 'I am happy for the club but I don't care,' he said. 'When I prepare for a game, I don't prepare thinking, if we win, we have more money. 'It is something for the club, it is not for us, unfortunately. We already have a clear idea about what we need to improve for next season and hopefully we can have it.'
