‘Twas amidst a fairly surreal scene at Belfast’s Windsor Park stadium that Joey O’Brien’s Shelbourne side emerged victorious over David Healy’s Linfield outfit.
Compliance with UEFA rules around ticket allocations and health and safety meant that Windsor, despite its capacity to hold 18,500, only ended up housing 7,137 spectators. It created a scene in which a loud and colourful 1,300 strong Shels support, and an equally boisterous Linfield support cheered their charges on amongst a noticeable theatre of empty seating.
With 175,000€ plus the promise of a two-legged showdown against Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag FK on the line, both clubs had plenty to play for.
And it was the Belfast blues, Linfield, who started brightest. Kirk Millar, standing over a free-kick 10 yards or so outside the right hand side of the box, pitched his delivery accurately toward the outstretched boot of Ethan McGee who managed to dink it dangerously back towards goal but the presence of two Shels defenders combined to eventually nullify the attack. Five minutes in, the game took on a more frantic quality via one or two nervy unforced Linfield errors and a couple of tackles of the tenacious type via the boots of Shels duo Kerr McInroy and Ali Coote. Twelve minutes had elapsed when Matthew Fitzpatrick, the centrepiece of Linfield’s attack, was gifted a golden opportunity to take the lead in the game and to square up the tie via a scuffed mishap courtesy of Shels keeper Conor Kearns but his own scuffed effort drifted wide to his dismay and to Kearns’ delight. Mark Coyle, Shelbourne captain, made way, in the twenty second minute, after appearing to accrue an injury of sorts, but he was replaced by the ever dependable Sean Gannon. Not long after Gannon’s arrival Shelbourne found themselves in front after the nimble and lively Ali Coote, from a central position just outside the box, emphatically dispatched a right-footed rocket beyond the reach of Linfield keeper Chris Johns. The goal helped in further settling Shelbourne and led to them asserting a further degree of authority over the game. This was demonstrated via a couple of adventurous sequences of play and the creation of a couple of chances that really should’ve stretched Shelbourne’s lead but the chances were squandered and their momentum was stunted temporarily when, in the 31st minute, goalkeeper Conor Kearns pulled up and lay down after appearing to aggravate an injury. Lorcan Healy entered the fray, replaced Kearns and was probably fairly pleased with his introduction as it passed off without incident due to the assured nature of Shels’ passing. With the first half nearing its close though, a little bit of trickery on the left hand side of Shelbourne’s box through Millar and McGee resulted in McGee finding enough space to loft a cross toward the 6 yard box where Shels defender
Tyreke Wilson’s upwardly projected arm made contact with the ball and resulted in the awarding of a penalty kick that was duly dispatched by Linfield stalwart Chris Shields. The following sequence of play saw Shelbourne fashion themselves a corner, from which, they fashioned a slick, sophisticated set piece resulting in a Kerr McInroy goal in which McInroy swivelled sufficiently from a sideward angle to cooly finish the piece but, inexplicably, the goal, after VAR surveillance, was ruled out after the referee adjudged Linfield’s Ben Hall was, in some way, illegally held from defending McInroy’s movements. You’d forgive the Shels for feeling hard done by as over the 45 minutes they were the more assured of the two sides and the ruled out goal, a slick, innovative creation, appeared to have been ruled out on the most minor of grounds.
Lorcan Healy, Shels goalkeeper, within a minute of the 2nd half restart, under very little pressure, exhibited nervousness when he practically gifted a gaping-net opportunity to Linfield forward Callumn Morrison but, from 25 yards or so, the Scottish striker failed to capitalise when his effort was saved comfortably by Healy. Mipo Odubeko, Shels’ striker, endured a quiet and frustrating first half derived of quality service but he more than made up for it in the second half. Released in space on the 50 minute mark he showcased pace and patience when he retrieved the ball out wide and attacked inward before releasing his teammate Mark Wood at just the right time through a well-weighted pass only for Woods to finish oh-so tamely. A more subdued contest ensued between minutes 50-60 before Shelbourne broke from deep in their own half, earned a corner and then mounted a little pressure through a Sean Gannon effort from 12 yards or so. A minute later, after a sharp series of Shels passing, goalscorer Coote found himself in space, in the box, but blazed his effort hopelessly high. Moments later, energetic as ever, Odubeko dispossessed Matthew Orr close to the halfway line only to be unceremoniously bundled over by Ben Hall and as Hall was deemed to be the last man, referee Andrew Hadley brandished his red card and Linfield were, in the blink of an eye, reduced to 10 men. Shels spurned yet another opportunity, when, in the 70th minute, after a neat one-two, Evan Caffrey screwed his shot wide from all of 7 yards. Goalmouth action was a little short in supply between minutes 70-85 but, what was noticeable was the assured command of the ball Shelbourne regularly displayed. Odubeko, with 90 mins played, received the ball in Shels’ own half, played a one-two with Sean Boyd and proceeded to bear down on goal before swinging his left boot through the ball but was denied from close range by Chris Johns’ outstretched left foot. The remainder of the game was professionally seen out by Shelbourne and to much red and white fanfare the players and supporters celebrated a close but rather convincing aggregate scoreline of: Shelbourne 2 Linfield 1.
In conclusion, over the piece, Joey O’Brien’s Shelbourne were commanding and assured throughout. They were defensively stoic and in Kerr McInroy they possess a competent and tenacious midfield general. Upfront, Mipo Odubeko scored in the 1st leg and showed lots of class, poise and touch for a man of 22 years of age. Conversely, for Linfield, they’ll probably feel a little underwhelmed as even though they battled well-attacking-wise, over the piece, they were devoid of imagination and ideas.
Nonetheless, both ties were an insight into what all-Ireland affairs could and should be like.
More, please!!