'When you think you're safe, you're unsafe'
Shelbourne manager Joey O'Brien implored his players not to fall prey to tension as they seek to secure league phase football in Europe for the first time.The 2024 Premier Division champions head to Windsor Park for the second time this summer, holding a 3-1 advantage from the first leg after last week's occasionally nervy win in Drumcondra.Leading 2-0 early in the second half and playing against 10 men following Matthew Fitzpatrick's first half second off, Shels almost let things slip, Kieran Offord pulling a goal back after 53 minutes.Moments later, David Healy's side had a chance to level it after Paddy Barrett handled the ball at the back post under pressure from Sam Roscoe. Wessel Speel's penalty save preserved their lead and Evan Caffrey subsequently doubled their advantage in a dominant final quarter.O'Brien is anxious that Shels learn the lessons of the second-half wobble in the opening leg, reminding his charges not to get "too safe"."You saw how tight the game was last week. The difference between 2-2 and 3-1 was a penalty save," O'Brien said in an interview on Shelbourne's YouTube channel."It's all about getting a fast start ourselves. Attacking the game early and getting on the front foot."We have a small advantage going into it. But that mentality of just sitting back and thinking we're OK... that was a lesson learnt from last week.Wessel Speel's penalty save kept the game at 2-1"I think at 2-0 the lads probably felt on the pitch they were a little bit safe. But when you're safe, you're unsafe. Within the space of five or ten minutes, they've a big opportunity to turn it into a 2-2 and it's a different game completely. That was the big takeaway last week for our lads."It's about both teams going out and going after that first goal. That first goal has a big say in the overall tie.""When you're safe, you're unsafe. Within the space of five or ten minutes, they've a big opportunity to turn it into a 2-2 and it's a different game completely."Provided they can avoid a two-goal defeat, Shelbourne will progress to the league phase of a European competition for the first time, 21 years after they famously got to within one round of reaching the Champions League group phase.While Conference League qualification wouldn't be on a par with it, the achievement would be a major boon for the club, financially and otherwise, and guarantee a lengthy European odyssey for the remainder of 2025."It's been great (the European run). From the club point of view, from the players point of view, from the fans point of view, you want that to continue."You're greedy. But here, it's not just about talking about it. You have to go out and perform."It's a massive, massive game. It probably defines this last couple of months. But as I keep saying, that can't be a tension. That has to be a motivation. To go out and perform and enjoy it and embrace it. You want more of these moments because this is what it's all about."Half-time: Shelbourne 1-0 LinfieldA second penalty in four minutes for the hosts and Harry Wood converts this one📱 Updates: https://t.co/1ZFoQYkCwI📺 Watch live on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer#UECL pic.twitter.com/fhTMr0pkN6 — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 21, 2025Six weeks ago, Shels came to Belfast and booked their progression to the next phase of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw following a composed performance.Since then, the Irish League champions have had wins over Zalgiris of Lithuania and Faroese outfit Vikingur and were highly competitive in Tolka Park, despite the 3-1 reversal.Shelbourne midfielder Harry Wood, who slotted the penalty just before half-time last Thursday, stresses that they have to be wary of the hosts."If we can score three (at home), then they can score three. We know they're a good team, a top side. Been at this level for a long time, longer than us."We have to take them seriously like we have for the last three (games) and bring our A-game."Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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