FT: Linfield 1 (Shields 45+3) Shelbourne 1 (Coote 25) – Shelbourne progress 2-1 on aggregate
(Report)
“Shelbourne earned their place in the Champions League second round as Linfield pushed them to the last kick of an enthralling, non-televised spectacle at Windsor Park,” Gavin Cummiskey writes from Belfast.
“Joey O’Brien’s men performed like the champions of Ireland, with plenty of help from two Scotsmen Kerr McInroy and Ali Coote.
“It was Coote’s goal that settled matters, although a Chris Shields penalty ensured the possibility of extra-time and penalties lingered until the final whistle.”
Read his report in full below:
That’s all from me for tonight. Gavin Cummiskey’s report from Windsor Park will be with us shortly.
Night all!
Up next for Shelbourne is another two-legged affair, this time against Qarabağ FK of Azerbaijan.
Those games will again be played home and away, the first on July 22nd/23rd and the second on July 29th/30th.
FULL-TIME: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1 (Shelbourne 2-1 on agg)
A 1-1 draw at Windsor Park means Shelbourne progress to the second round qualifiers due to their 2-1 aggregate.
Mipo Odubeko, take a bow. His goal last week at Tolka Park proved decisive.
FULL-TIME: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Shelbourne return to moving the ball between themselves. Effective as it may be it’s a bore to watch.
The referee hears our sighs and blows the final whistle.
FULL-TIME: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Linfield have possession from a goal kick and David Healy’s on the line screaming for his side to push up.
No good, Shels get it back and Odubeko is back up the other end trying to engineer a chance.
92 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
One Shelbourne man who isn’t happy to settle on a draw is manager Joey O’Brien. He’s imploring his charges to push for the winner.
Odubeko responds in kind, but Chris Johns manages a solid block.
Six minutes to be added on.
89 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Tired and all as they may be, Linfield have defended really well. They’ve denied Shelbourne numerous (albeit half-cooked) chances in the second half.
88 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
They’re into the last five minutes of normal time at Windsor Park. Tiredness has really set in for Linfield and the tempo has hit the floor, but Shelbourne just need a draw from this so they don’t look in any major rush either.
85 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Shelbourne playing quick, short passes to make use of the extra man. Not putting any real threat on the Linfield end but the clock is ticking on and Linfield are tired.
Sean Boyd comes in for Shelbourne, Wilson making way. Barrett also takes his leave. For Linfield, Charlie Allen comes on for Millar.
81 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Double substitution for Linfield. Much needed as they’re starting to look out on their feet.
75 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Shelbourne back in control now with Linfield reduced to 10 men. They’re pressing hard for another goal.
72 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Great chance for Shels. Caffrey’s crossing shot goes just inches beyond the far post.
Bit of a lull while Linfield’s Euan East is down getting treatment. He came out the worse of a heavy challenge he put in on Shelbourne’s Alistair Coote.
71 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Change for Linfield. Callumn Morrison makes way for Chris McKee.
66 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Red card for Linfield’s Ben Hall for a pointless slide on Mipo Odubeko.
The resulting free for Shels comes to absolutely nothing.
63 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Sloppy play from both sides. Easy dispossessions at both ends of the pitch.
A Harry Wood corner makes its way to Sean Gannon who shoots at a crowded goal. One of the many Linfield bodies makes the block.
58 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Shelbourne holding possession in centrefield to steady themselves a bit.
Linfield sense there’s a win to be had here but it’s their own wastefulness that’s costing them.
49 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Early chance for Linfield.
Poor clearance from goalkeeper Lorcan Healy, whose clearance finds Linfield’s Callumn Morrison. Healy redeems himself though with a scramble to get a save to Morrison’s shot.
Not an ideal start for the visitors.
45 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
The teams are returning to the pitch for the second half.
Remember, Shels still have their goal from last week in their favour, so it’s 2-1 on aggregate to Joey O’Brien’s men.
Suddenly it’s Shelbourne who look like they’re praying for the half-time whistle. Strong finish to the half from Linfield.
Referee blows it up for the break.
HALF-TIME: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Referee is having a look at the lead up to Kerr McInroy’s goal.
NO GOAL. We’re back to level.
53 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
GOAL FOR SHELBOURNE.
Harry Wood sends a free in and Linfield’s defence does well to send it out for a Shels corner. Wood steps up for the corner and it’s quickly played back to him.
Wood then spots the pass to McInroy, who pulls the trigger to find the net.
50 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 2
GOAL FOR LINFIELD.
McGee crosses in to Hall in the box and there’s a Shelbourne handball which the ref deems intentional.
Shields take the penalty and fires into the bottom left to beat Lorcan Healy.
47 MINS: LINFIELD 1 SHELBOURNE 1
Offside called against Matthew Fitzpatrick. Luckless Linfield are counting the minutes to half-time at this stage.
43 MINS: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 1
Good break down the centre by Callumn Morrison but Sean Gannon is solid in defence. Linfield offering up a late press but Shels are little troubled.
39 MINS: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 1
Shelbourne completely dominating since the goal. Linfield looking like they just want to get to half-time without conceding another.
36 MINS: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 1
Shels goalkeeper Conor Kearns looks in trouble. He’s down injured for the second time.
And he’s off. Lorcan Healy takes his place between the posts.
30 MINS: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 1
GOAL FOR SHELBOURNE!
Alistair Coote follows up an earlier attempt that sailed over the crossbar to this time find the bottom right corner of the Linfield goal.
24 MINS: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 1
Substitution for Shelbourne. Joey O’Brien calls captain Mark Coyle ashore, Sean Gannon his replacement.
21 MINS: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 0
Mipo Odubeko draws a free for Shels and Harry Wood steps up to take. Linfield goalkeeper Chris Johns does well and clears.
17 MINS: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 0
CHANCE FOR LINFIELD!
Shelbourne goalkeeper Conor Kearns miskicks to his leftback and Matthew Fitzpatrick is first to react. His shot lacks accuracy though and careers across to the left of the post. Another let off for the visitors.
12 MINS: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 0
Yellow card for Alistair Coote for a tackle on Orr.
7 MINS: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 0
Shels settle in to their first attack. Good link-up play up front.
McInroy puts in a heavy challenge as Linfield look to play their way out of their own half and the referee awards the free.
6 MINS: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 0
The hosts tip off.
Free for Linfield outside the box is floated in by Millar. Hall flicks it back in for McGee but it tips over the woodwork. An early let off for Shels.
1 MIN: LINFIELD 0 SHELBOURNE 0
Almost ready to get under way at Windsor.
The game at Windsor Park is one of just two games on this evening’s agenda, along with Dinamo Minsk v Ludogorets.
The other 12 second-leg games were played off on Tuesday.
Fifteen minutes to kick-off.
Looking ahead to this evening, Linfield manager David Healy (in his 500th game in charge) didn’t appear too vexed over the deficit they must make up at Windsor if they’re to progress, aided by the return from suspension of midfielder Chris Shields.
However, previewing the game Gavin Cummiskey writes: “If Shelbourne can shut out all the external noise they are better equipped to engineer a comfortable victory.”
Read Gavin’s preview in full below:
Shels are expecting a 1,800-strong travelling support after away end tickets sold out on Tuesday.
Mipo Odubeko was the goalscorer the last day out at Tolka Park, his strike coming in the 58th minute to earn Shels the home win.
“For 90 minutes and change Shelbourne looked like the best team on the island of Ireland,” Gavin Cummiskey wrote of last week’s meeting in Dublin. “Tolka Park was draped in red, besides 250 visitors in royal blue, as this Champions League qualifier instantly settled into one-way traffic.”
Read Gavin’s full report of the first-leg fixture below:
Here’s how the sides line out..
SHELBOURNE: Kearns; Caffrey, Coyle (capt), Barrett, Ledwidge, Wilson, Lunney, McInroy, Wood, Coote, Odubeko.
Subs: Healy, Topcu, Gannon, Chapman, Boyd, Martin, Bone, O’Sullivan, Kelly, Norris, Temple, Ring.
LINFIELD: Johns; East, Hall, Orr, McGee, Shields, Mulgrew (capt), Archer, Millar, Morrison, Fitzpatrick.
Subs: Walsh, Allen, Whiteside, Roscoe, Offord, McKee, Brown, Annett, McKay, McCullough.
Hello and welcome along to The Irish Times live blog for the second-leg Champions League first round qualifier between League of Ireland champs Shelbourne and their NIFL counterparts Linfield.
Shels had hosting duties at Tolka Park last week, so the teams are in Belfast this evening for the return leg.
Kick-off at Windsor Park is at 7.45pm.
We’ll be keeping you updated on all the action throughout the evening, followed by Gavin Cummiskey’s report after the final whistle.
