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The 42
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
All-Ireland derby puts friendships to the test with so much on the line in Champions League
AT BANG ON 4.45pm yesterday afternoon three young Shelbourne fans walked into Tolka Park from the Ballybough end. They headed straight for the Riverside on the far side and began taking in the quietness before tonight's Champions League first round qualifier with Linfield. That calm was broken by the sound of a Garda shouting across the pitch just beside the home dugout where Joey O'Brien – not Damien Duff – will be patrolling come 7.45pm. 'Lads, what are you doing,' he roared in an accent that was more Ballymaloe than Ballybough. 'We're just checking on our seats for tomorrow,' one of the teenagers said, quick as a flash. 'Well get out and wait until the tomorrow then,' came the instruction from the Garda. 'Right,' the lad replied. The three of them skipped down the stairs and headed left towards the tunnel area where Shels chief executive Tomás 'Mossy' Quinn was in conversation with one of the Uefa delegates. One of the instructions given beforehand was the need for the pitch to be brought in by one metre on each side. At the other goal, some club officials had also just finished a run through of how the VAR system in operation for the first time at Tolka Park will work. The three lads continued to walk as the Garda continued to keep an eye. Dressed in black and grey t-shirts and shorts – with hoodies draped around their shoulders – they opted against stopping into the club shop that was open for business. Advertisement Some staff were sceptical about ordering half and half scarves to commemorate this All Ireland clash in the first round of Champions League qualifying. They shouldn't have been, especially as strong bonds have been formed between some supporters of these clubs from north Dublin and south Belfast. The fact this tie falls on the 20th anniversary of Linfield beating Shels 2-0 here in the final of the inaugural Setanta Sports Cup – the all-island competition that ran its course in 2014 – is apt. In the early 2000s, Fintan Cassidy was the chairman of the official Shelbourne Supporters' Club and editor of then club website ShelsWeb. In the build up to that game two decades ago he was contacted by Linfield fan Roy Matthews and asked if there was somewhere he and a group of others could watch the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester United earlier in the afternoon. 'I was able to arrange it and a group of us Shels fans along with the Linfield lads watched the game in our club bar [under the main stand] and enjoyed a few drinks together. We had made firm friends and have stayed in touch to this day,' Cassidy wrote in an email to The 42 ahead of this tie. Shels fan Fintan Cassidy (left) with Linfield supporter Roy Matthews in 2006. The following summer, Linfield fans invited Cassidy to their Irish Cup final meeting with Glentoran in Windsor Park. 'I was sat in the main stand among all the Linfield hardcore cheering on the Blues. After the game they brought me on a pub crawl of all the favourite Linfield watering holes including a few strongly loyalist drinking dens. 'When I was introduced as a Shelbourne football fan from the south, they surprisingly welcomed me as a fellow football fan and said, 'fair play to you for travelling up'. The following month a number of the same Linfield supporters group returned to Dublin to support Shels versus FK Vetra in the Inter Toto Cup. Along with a group of Stockport County fans who were also over the match, they were entertained at a BBQ in our back garden by Finian McGrath TD with his guitar singing Bad Bad Leroy Brown, which he had recently performed on Celebrity You're A Star on the RTE reality show.' The pair hope to meet up before kick-off tonight and it is impossible to ignore the derby element to this European contest, one that could be worth €2 million to Shels should they win and would also guarantee as a minimum a place in the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League. Yesterday, Shels captain Mark Coyle spoke of the squad feeling 'a recharge' in the aftermath of Duff's departure. Linfield boss David Healy. Brian Little / INPHO Brian Little / INPHO / INPHO For Linfield, they returned to pre-season just under a month ago and have played two friendlies prior to this tie. Before Duff's sudden departure in the same week the clubs were drawn together, it was set to be billed as two icons of the game north and south leading the champions of both leagues into battle. Chris Shields, the Dubliner who featured in two Europa League group stage campaigns for Dundalk in 2016 and 2020, was signed by manager David Healy in 2021 and has begun to realise how much his boss means to Northern Ireland fans. He's their record scorer with 36 goals, hit a hat-trick against Spain and scored a winner against England, all of which led to him being awarded an MBE in 2008. Shields, who is suspended for the first leg, lives nearby Healy (who is a regular at League of Ireland games and can't remember the last FAI Cup final he didn't attend) and has seen up close the adoration, as well as the criticism that comes his way. 'He's obviously a strong figurehead in the club, but he's in no way finding himself more important than anyone else. He doesn't lean on the back of what he's done for Northern Ireland. He's very much bases himself on what he's done as Linfield manager, which is a hell of a lot now, really.' He's a decade in the Linfield job, a new contract has also been signed, and last season's league title was the first for three seasons, the sixth overall during his tenure. Former player, and general manager, Pat Fenlon said last weekend that the Blues were the biggest club on the island because of the demands and expectations, a comment that garnered attention given his strong ties to clubs like St Patrick's Athletic, Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and, of course, Shels. 'It's probably the most demanding job, it is. But along with the sacrifices that you make, the excitement, the joy. I love this football club. I put so much into the job. I care so deeply about not only the image of the football club, the players, the relationship that we have between myself and the players and the players and the supporters. And I think over the last number of years we've certainly built on that,' Healy said, and with club chairman Roy McGivern sitting at the back of the room at the pre-match press conference he insisted that no player should be using the derby factor as extra motivation. '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.' O'Brien, likewise, was not playing it up, instead simplifying what is at stake. 'It's a 50-50 game. To get to this stage, a Champions League qualifier, and have a 50-50 game, is what you want. Ultimately we have that chance.' Now it's up to one of these sides to show they can reach out and take it to prolong their European adventure.
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
RTE provide Shelbourne with much-needed good news amid fallout from Damien Duff's shock resignation
RTÉ have announced that they will be showing Shelbourne's Champions League clash with Linfield live. Shelbourne will face the Irish Premiership champions in Advertisement 2 It's been a tough season so far for Shels who have failed to replicate last season's form 2 Shelbourne will be without their former manager Damien Duff for the clash The first leg will be played on Wednesday July 9 at 7:45pm in Tolka Park and will be available to watch live on RTÉ Two and streamed on the RTÉ Player. It will be the Auld Reds' first Champions League campaign in 18 years as they have reclaimed the title for the first time since 2006. But in 2006 due to financial struggles their Champions League qualifier spot was given to runners-up Derry City and Shelbourne were relegated to the First Division. Shelbourne will be without their boss of the last three and a half seasons, Damien Duff following Advertisement Read more on League of Ireland Assistant manager Joey O'Brien His side put out a strong performance in a Shelbourne are not the only ones missing a crucial character for the clash as Linfield's Chris Shields is suspended for the first leg. Unfortunately RTÉ also announced that the second leg in Windsor Park on July 16 will not be shown. Advertisement Most read in Football However, BBC Sport NI will be showing both legs of the tie live and it will also be available to watch on the BBC Sport website and app. It won't be the first time the two sides have met as there has been a number of cross-border clashes. Saipan film trailer splits opinion as Irish football fans voice concern about Roy Keane portrayal Most recently for the men's sides in 2006 when the Blues won 2-0 at Windsor Park and drew 0-0 at Tolka Park in the Setanta Sports Cup with both sides progressing from their group. The two women's teams have also met, playing each other in 2023 in the inaugural Women's All-Island Cup group stages. Advertisement The sides drew 1-1 as Linfield finished bottom of the group and Shelbourne finished second, just missing out on a semi-final place.
The Irish Sun
17-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Historic All-Ireland Champions League qualification tie awaits as Shelbourne drawn against Linfield
SHELBOURNE have been handed an All-Ireland clash in the Champions League. Linfield were one of five possible opponents for Damien Duff's men when Uefa made the groupings ahead of the draw. Advertisement 2 Damien Duff's men have struggled to defend their league title so far this campaign 2 David Healy is a legendary ex-player too having scored 36 times in 95 Northern Ireland caps Credit: Pacemaker And the Reds were drawn against David Healy's side, for what will be a first European encounter between the sides. But they have played each other in cross-border competitions before, most recently in 2006 when the Blues won 2-0 at Windsor Park and drew 0-0 at Tolka Park in the Setanta Sports Cup with both sides progressing from their group. Shels' only encounter with a team from north of the border in a Uefa competition was when they were pitted against Glentoran 20 years ago. With the away leg falling on July 12, the climax of the marching season, Shels were excused from the usual requirement of being in the jurisdiction at least 24 hours before kick-off. Advertisement Read More On Irish Football Instead, they stayed in Dundalk where officials from the two clubs dined together before travelling to The Oval on the day of the game. Pat Fenlon's side won 2-1 in The Oval before a comprehensive 4-1 victory at Tolka Park. Linfield - who will be without the suspended former Dundalk midfielder Chris Shields for the first leg - are the seeded team in the draw and won a record 57th league title by a whopping 22 points. But Duff will not be unhappy with the pairing as the Blues have struggled to make an impression in European competition since throwing away qualification for the group stage of the Conference League three years ago. Advertisement Most read in Football They were 2-0 up in the away leg against RPS but conceded twice in the last three minutes to draw 2-2. They took the lead in extra-time in Belfast but were pegged back by an injury-time own goal and lost the penalty shootout. Cristiano Ronaldo sends Donald Trump a 'special peace message' on signed shirt amid Israel and Iran conflict In 2023, they defeated Vllaznia of Albania in the Conference League before being beaten 8-4 over two legs by Pogon Szczecin. Last year they were back in the Conference League but fell at the first hurdle, losing 4-3 on aggregate to Stjarnan. Advertisement Shels got through one round in the same competition - in their first European campaign in 18 years - defeating St Joseph's of Gibraltar before being knocked out by FC Zurich.
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Mousset finally off the mark as Bohs steal another late win in Sligo
Sligo Rovers' struggles continued at the Showgrounds as a late Lys Mousset winner fired Bohemians to within two points of the Premier Division summit. To make matters worse for the Bit O'Red, Owen Elding missed an early penalty for Rovers who have now lost ten of their opening fifteen games. Rovers boss John Russell made two changes from their defeat to Shamrock Rovers. Jake Doyle-Hayes returned from suspension while Harvey Lintott made his first start in nine games. Midfielder Conor Malley made the bench having been dropped from the squad for the trip to Tallaght. A resurgent Bohs named both Rob Cornwall and Colm Whelan in their starting team, their only changes from the late win in Galway five evenings previous. Eleven years to the day since their last trophy win in the form of the final edition of the Setanta Sports Cup, Rovers squandered a glorious early opportunity to take the lead in this one when Elding fluffed an early penalty after Rob Cornwall had barged Cian Kavangh in the back. Elding's unsuccessful spot-kick struck Kacper Choraka's crossbar and was Rovers' third missed penalty of the year. The Dubliners finished the opening half on the front foot, but Sligo did fashion another good chance on 26 minutes when Kavanagh stabbed Elding's cross narrowly past the post. Aware a win would move them within striking distance of the top two, the Phibsboro outfit asserted themselves as the half wore on. Reece Hutchinson swept a Dalye Rooney effort off his own line after goalkeeper Sam Sargeant had gone travelling while the netminder diverted Dawson Devoy's powerful volley over his goal on the next attack. Sargeat was involved in proceedings again on the hour when he produced a magnificent double save. Cornwall's initial blast was parried by the former Waterford man and Sargeant repeated the trick when his timely reaction kept out Rooney's follow up. Devoy then flashed two efforts toward goal as Alan Reynolds' men looked the more likely to register a score. That goal arrived two minutes from time when substitute Mousset arrived right in time to volley past Sargeant for another win on the road for the visitors. The former Premier League frontman's first of his Bohemians tenure was one to remember. Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Harvey Lintott (Wilson Waweru 84), Gareth McElroy, Conor Reynolds (Kyle McDonagh 78), Reece Hutchinson; Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Manning (Jad Hakiki 68); Will Fitzgerald, Francely Lomboto (Stephen Mallon 68); Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh (Conor Malley 78). Bohs: Kacper Chorazka; Niall Morahan, Rob Cornwall, Sean Grehan, Ross Tierney; Adam McDonnell (Keith Buckley 78), Dawson Devoy; Ross Tierney (Archie Meekison 83), James Clarke (Lys Mousset 78), Dayle Rooney; Colm Whelan (Rhys Brennan 59). Referee: Mark Houlihan. Attendance: 2,056.
RTÉ News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Sligo Rovers struggle continues against Bohemians
Sligo Rovers' struggles continued at the Showgrounds as a late Lys Mousset winner fired Bohemians to within two points of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division summit. To make matters worse for the Bit O'Red, Owen Elding missed an early penalty for Rovers who have now lost ten of their opening fifteen games. Sligo came into this game on the back of just one win and two draws in their last five, while the visiting Gypsies were very much in the in-form side with four victories in their last five outings. Rovers boss John Russell made two changes from their defeat to Shamrock Rovers. Jake Doyle-Hayes returned from suspension while Harvey Lintott made his first start in nine games. Midfielder Conor Malley made the bench having been dropped from the squad for the trip to Tallaght. A resurgent Bohs named both Rob Cornwall and Colm Whelan in their starting team, their only changes from the late win in Galway five evenings previous. Eleven years to the day since their last trophy win, in the form of the final edition of the Setanta Sports Cup, Rovers squandered a glorious early opportunity to take the lead in this one when Elding fluffed an early penalty after Cornwall had barged Cian Kavanagh in the back. Elding's unsuccessful spot-kick struck Kacper Choraka's crossbar and was Rovers' third missed penalty of the year. The Dubliners finished the opening half on the front foot, but Sligo did fashion another good chance on 26 minutes when Kavanagh stabbed Elding's cross narrowly past the post. Aware a win would move them within striking distance of the top two, the Phibsboro outfit asserted themselves as the half wore on. Reece Hutchinson swept a Dalye Rooney effort off his own line after goalkeeper Sam Sargeant had gone travelling. While the net minder diverted Dawson Devoy's powerful volley over his goal on the next attack. The Dalymount outfit continued to press. Jordan Flores' drive took a lick off Elding's heel as it fizzed wide, followed by another decent save from Sargeant who pushed a Cornwall header away from danger. Sargeant was involved in proceedings again on the hour when he produced a magnificent double save. Cornwall's initial blast was parried by the former Waterford man and Sargeant repeated the trick when his timely reaction kept out Rooney's follow up. Devoy then flashed two efforts toward goal as Alan Reynolds' men looked the more likely to register a score. That goal arrived two minutes from time when substitute Mousset arrived in time to volley past Sargeant for another win on the road for the visitors. Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Harvey Lintott (Wilson Waweru 84), Gareth McElroy, Conor Reynolds (Kyle McDonagh 78), Reece Hutchinson; Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ronan Manning (Jad Hakiki 68); Will Fitzgerald, Francely Lomboto (Stephen Mallon 68); Owen Elding, Cian Kavanagh (Conor Malley 78). Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka; Niall Morahan, Rob Cornwall, Sean Grehan, Ross Tierney; Adam McDonnell (Keith Buckley 78), Dawson Devoy; Ross Tierney (Archie Meekison 83), James Clarke (Lys Mousset 78), Dayle Rooney; Colm Whelan (Rhys Brennan 59).
