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Irish Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Live Champions League qualifiers: Shelbourne host Qarabag in second round tie
Champions League second round qualifier, first leg: Shelbourne v Qarabag, Tolka Park, 7.45pm 1 minute ago Here's how Shels line out for the evening: 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗫𝗜 Your 𝙍𝙚𝙙𝙨 𝙓𝙄 is confirmed to face Qarabag FK! Kick-off at 7:45pm, live on — Shelbourne FC 🏆 (@shelsfc) 6 minutes ago Evening all! Welcome along to The Irish Times live blog for Shelbourne's Champions League qualifier against Qarabag FK. The game kicks off at Tolka Park at 7.45pm. We'll be keeping you updated on all the action, with a match report from Gavin Cummiskey to follow shortly after the final whistle.
The 42
6 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Shelbourne hope to have new Dutch goalkeeper available for Champions League tie
SHELBOURNE ARE IN a race against time to register new goalkeeper Wessel Speel for tomorrow's second round Champions League qualifier with Qarabag, although boss Joey O'Brien has confirmed that Lorcan Healy will start the first leg in Tolka Park. Speel has joined from Minnesota United in Major League Soccer but must have his international clearance signed off tonight in order to feature in the upcoming games. A hamstring injury to current first choice Conor Kearns is set to rule him out 'for a few weeks,' according to O'Brien, and that setback was part of the reason why Speel's signing was fast tracked having been on the League of Ireland club's radar for the past six months. The 23-year-old has made three appearances in the MLS this season and provides further competition for places after Kearns was forced off in the first half of last week's clash with Linfield in Belfast. Advertisement 'We need to get his international clearance done by this evening. If he's not available for this one, he won't be for the second leg,' O'Brien confirmed. 'Lorcan came in and did really well. To come on as a sub goalkeeper, there's massive pressure, it's always difficult as a sub goalkeeper coming on. He acquitted himself quite well, he had one mistake in the second half, he had a bit of luck, he got away with it. Full confidence, he's in tomorrow, he has the jersey and it's up to him then to perform. 'He (Healy) has a good way about him since he's come into the club. He's a good character, a good presence, he's got games this year, he's done well in them and hopefully he can take that into tomorrow.' 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 🔴 Shelbourne FC is delighted to announce the loan signing of Wessel Speel from Minnesota United, subject to international clearance. Read more on the Shelbourne FC website, — Shelbourne FC 🏆 (@shelsfc) July 22, 2025 As for Wessel, O'Brien praised the club for acting quickly to secure his signature. 'Waiting for his clearance, I don't know where that's going to be around matchtime. A player we've been following, he came onto our radar about six months ago, we've been following him from then, great work in the background with [goalkeeping coach] Paul Skinner in the background and [technical director] Luke [Byrne] to get it over the line, an opportunity came up for him to come in, the situation with Conor being out. I think he's going to add real competition to that goalkeeping department, it should be really good.' Jack Henry Francis is another new signing but the midfielder will not be involved in the tie as he's 'a bit behind fitness wise.' Captain Mark Coyle will be available for O'Brien and the Shels boss is hopeful Qarabag – who have played European group/league phase football in each of the last 11 seasons – might be caught on the hop given they are still in pre-season. 'It's definitely something I've found over the years when you're playing teams because fitness is a big thing. We're right in the middle of our season. Sometimes they lack match sharpness but once you have quality you don't lose it. This is our home game so its on us to get the atmosphere going, get on the front foot and go after them.' Tomorrow – Champions League second-round qualifier (first leg): Shelbourne v Qarabag, 7.45pm (Live on Premier Sports)
The 42
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Arsenal academy graduate signs for Shelbourne
ARSENAL ACADEMY GRADUATE Jack Henry-Francis has signed for Shelbourne, the club has announced. The deal is subject to international clearance as the Republic of Ireland underage international joins the Reds on a multi-year deal. Advertisement The 42 reported last month that the 21-year-old was linked with a move to Tolka Park after impressing on loan with Sligo Rovers last season. 'Delighted to sign for Shelbourne and can't wait to get started here,' the midfielder told the club website after the announcement. 'After speaking to Joey and everyone at the club it felt like the place for me to further my career. I'm looking forward to some important matches coming up and excited to see the fans.' 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗿𝘆-𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗱 🔴 Shelbourne FC are delighted to welcome Jack Henry-Francis to Tolka Park. Read more on the Shelbourne FC website, | #Reds2025 — Shelbourne FC 🏆 (@shelsfc) July 18, 2025 Henry-Francis began his youth career at Fulham before joining Arsenal's academy at the age of 13. He progressed through the ranks in North London and was a regular presence in senior training sessions under Mikel Arteta, even earning a place in the first-team squad for a pre-season tour of Scotland at just 17. Henry-Francis later joined Sligo Rovers on loan for the second half of the 2024 League of Ireland season where he made 11 appearances in the Premier Division. Eligible to represent Ireland through his family roots in Mayo and Leitrim, Henry-Francis has been capped for Ireland at U19 level on six occasions and made his U21 debut against Kuwait in 2023.
Belfast Telegraph
17-07-2025
- 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.
Irish Times
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
‘F**k the pope and the IRA' heard in Windsor Park after Shelbourne goal
Strains of 'Ohhh the SFC' echoed around terraced streets in Belfast on Wednesday evening as Shelbourne FC fans chanted their anthem approaching Windsor Park football stadium. Tricolours were carried by the Dublin team's supporters along a stretch of road saturated with Union Jack and loyalist paramilitary flags in the south of the city. Police Land Rovers circled the area from before teatime. Five days earlier, a controversial bonfire with asbestos on the site was set alight in the nearby Village area off the Donegall Road ahead of the Twelfth. READ MORE For many Shels supporters, this was their first trip to Windsor in what was a second leg Champions League qualifier against Linfield FC. Eighteen coaches and an estimated 1,400 fans travelled from Dublin for the 7.45pm kick-off. Under a warm evening sun, a sea of red jerseys cheered and sang their way through the visitors' entrance on the Boucher Road. Uniformed police officers were close throughout. Richie and Emma Deasy from Blanchardstown in northwest Dublin drove up with their two children. It was their first time in Belfast for a match. Ger Martyn, Adam Leonard and Amy Rooney were the among the fans who travelled from Dublin to Belfast for the Shelbourne vs Linfield match. Photograph: Seanín Graham 'We're big Shels fans, we're looking forward to it. There's a lot of police around but it's fine; it's reassuring. There was no issue at the first leg (at Tolka Park in Dublin) last week,' said Mr Deasy. Segregation remains at Windsor, the home ground of Linfield – the club owns the land the stadium is built on – and the international Northern Ireland team. Linfield's entrance gate is at the Lisburn Road end. Despite this, some Linfield fans went through the Boucher side, and sectarian abuse was hurled between a small number of rival fans, causing police to intervene. Earlier, Dubliner Amy Rooney was among the throng of Shelbourne supporters entering the grounds. She has never been to Windsor before. 'There's always a bit of nervousness coming up here but it's good fun,' she said. Her friend, Adam Leonard, insisted: 'we don't want any hassle. I've been following Shels since I was a nipper. I'm 26 now and my dad used to bring me,' he added. 'We just want to get through to the next round.' Inside the grounds – also referred to as the national stadium – the Linfield stand swelled with more than 4,000 fans. It was awash with Union Jack and Ulster banner flags. Once a bastion of Protestantism, Windsor was seen as a no-go area for generations of Catholics. Linfield did not sign Catholic players until the late 1980s but has signed hundreds since then, from underage through to senior level. This includes current striker Matthew Fitzpatrick from west Belfast who played Gaelic football for Antrim. High-profile campaigns to eradicate sectarianism from the soccer stands have been ongoing for decades. Yet, as the warm up for teams got under way ahead of Wednesday's match, a UVF paramilitary flag was held aloft at the Linfield end. Minutes after Shelbourne scored their goal, roars of 'f**k the pope and the IRA' were chanted. When Linfield equalised with a penalty, part of the West stand – Linfield's stand – erupted into The Billy Boys, an overtly sectarian song. Banned by the Irish FA in 2014, the song contains the line 'we're up to our knees in Fenian blood'. The club was warned it would face 'severe punitive sanctions' if its supporters continued singing any variations of it. [ Shelbourne survive spirited Linfield to reach Champions League second round qualifiers Opens in new window ] During the final six minutes of extra time an announcement came over a loudspeaker that the Boucher gate would remain closed for an extra 15 minutes (so as to ensure the fans did not clash on the way out). The 1-1 draw knocked Linfield out of the Champions League Euphoric Shelbourne fans stayed behind and continued their chants before a loud chorus of 'Ole, Ole, Ole'. Shelbourne's Paddy Barrett, Evan Caffrey and Mipo Odubeko celebrate after the game. Photograph: INPHO/Ryan Byrne When they emerged, a queue formed at a George Best statue outside the grounds. Red and white scarves were tied around the neck of the bronze statue where dozens of Shelbourne supporters posed for photographs. Another fan, Ger Martyn, was already looking forward to their next game and said he was glad there was no trouble. 'I think 99 per cent of both sides of fans are here for a good time. They want their teams to go on to the next round. No one can legislate for the 1 per cent,' Mr Martyn said.
