Having been beaten in the play-off round in 2019 by Qarabag and in 2022 by RFS, Linfield were hoping to go one further this time when they faced Shelbourne at Windsor Park last Thursday for a place in the UEFA Conference League, league phase.
However, it was not a case of third time lucky for the Blues as they lost to Shels. Having lost the first leg 3-1 at Tolka Park a week prior, David Healy’s men needed a fast start and the first goal, but it didn’t pan out like that.
It was an even opening 20 minutes. Sam Roscoe went close for the Blues inside two minutes, latching onto a free-kick at close range, but was denied by a great block by Sean Gannon. There was little else to report in the opening stages, although the intensity was high.
Shelbourne then took a decisive lead in the 23rd minute with a well-worked goal as star winger Harry Wood made a run in behind to be found by an inch-perfect pass from Ali Coote before guiding a volley into the corner.
The goal took the wind from the Blues’ sails and they took another blow seven minutes later as the Dublin side doubled their lead as the ball was teed up to Ali Coote whose low shot took a slight deflection on its way into the far corner. The tie was effectively over after half-an-hour with a 5-1 aggregate margin.
The Blues, stunned and below par, were eventually glad too hear the half-time whistle as they struggled to get a hold of possession. The suspension of Matthew Fitzpatrick who was controversially sent off in the first leg was proving costly, with his hold-up play a miss.
The second half petered out with the end outcome almost inevitable, barring a miracle. The Blues did keep trying but it was a night where they just never really got going. Recent signings Sam Taylor and Matt Yates both came on for Linfield debuts in the second half.
Shelbourne’s prize for progression, along with the signifiant cash windfall, is matches against Hacken (SWE), Shkendija (MKD), Drita (KOS), AZ Alkmaar (NED), Crystal Palace (ENG) and Celje (SVN).
Linfield return to the bread and butter of domestic action with a Co. Antrim Shield R1 tie against H&W Welders on Tuesday evening.
FT: LINFIELD 0-2 SHELBOURNE (1-5)
LINFIELD: Chris Johns (GK), Ethan McGee, Ben Hall, Sam Roscoe (Charlie Allen 59’), Euan East, Kirk Millar (Sam Taylor 59’), Josh Archer (Sean Brown 59’), Chris Shields ©, Kyle McClean (Callumn Morrison 72’), Kieran Offord, Chris McKee (Matt Yates 72’)
Unused: David Walsh (GK), Scot Whiteside, Matthew Orr, Dane McCullough, Jamie Mulgrew
SHELBOURNE: Wessel Speel (GK), Sean Gannon, Sam Bone (Kameron Ledwidge 81’), Patrick Barrett, James Norris, Jonathan Lunney, Ali Coote, Kerr McInroy (Mark Coyle 62’), Milan Mbeng (Evan Caffrey 62’), Harry Wood (Daniel Kelly 74’), Ademipo Odubeko (John Martin 62’)
REFEREE: Julian Weinberger (AUT)