It has been a rollercoaster European experience for Shelbourne this summer, however, manager Joey O'Brien is confident that his side will be 'ready to rock' come kick-off at Tolka Park this evening.
The League of Ireland champions welcome their counterparts from the North, Linfield, for the first leg of the Conference League play-off.
The victors over the two legs – the return game will be played at Windsor Park next week – progress to the league phase of the competition, which brings millions to the club as well as a guarantee of six more games throughout the coming months.
And while Shelbourne have already accounted for Linfield in the early stages of the Champions League qualification process, the Belfast team look set to be a much-improved unit for the game in Dublin with a lot more football played since the early July fixtures.
The first leg of European double-headers tend to be a touch cagey with both sides looking to remain competitive through to the deciding game, however, O’Brien is promising front foot, high-tempo football to whet the appetite of the boisterous Drumcondra support from the opening exchanges.
"I expect at the start of the game, it's a bit of a feeling out each other again, even though we are familiar with them and they are with us," said O’Brien, speaking at the pre-match press conference.
"We want to try and attack the game at a really high tempo, and get on the front foot and try and impose ourselves in the game. This is a massive opportunity, so I suppose the hangover, all that, that's gone, it's all about this now.
"The prep has been done, and the last few days, it's been about Linfield, and making sure we’re ready to rock. It's going to be a tight game, it's going to be tough. There wasn't a lot in it in both games. I think it will be very similar.
"So they'll have a game plan, we'll have a game plan, but here at quarter to eight, it's just going to be up to the lads on the pitch.
"Hopefully, the lads go out and nail their performance and that should be enough."
There have already been plenty of highs and lows for this Shelbourne side throughout the summer, from the Windsor Park celebrations to the away win in Croatia, coupled with the disappointing home defeat to Qarabag and eventual Champions League exit, however, O’Brien will ask his players to try to stay in the moment throughout the build-up and into the game, trying not to dwell on what might have been.
Similarly, the former West Ham, Bolton and Shamrock Rovers man will focus the minds on the here and now and not what might come with another two-leg victory over Linfield.
"It's about going out and making sure you enjoy the moment," said O’Brien. "I think if you start thinking about all the outside stuff and what might happen, 'if I do this and do that', you don't enjoy the moment.
"I think when you stay in the moment, you stay in the present, you're able to perform at your best. That's what we've been banging on about to the lads, really, is making sure that you stay in the present, you perform, you'll have no regrets then.
"The outside noise, there's a lot of people wishing you the best of luck and stuff like that. You need to use that as a motivation. It's a privilege that we're in this position. It's not a pressure."
O’Brien did, however, acknowledge the magnitude of the situation and what it might mean for the club should they progress to the league phase and enjoy a season extension to December and perhaps beyond.
"It's a massive opportunity for the football club and for us as staff and players; the lads know that and they want that. Like the way Linfield know that and their players want it.
"It comes down to making sure you perform, not really thinking about the magnitude of the performance and what it means.
"It's about ultimately being able to go out, embrace it and put your best foot forward. Focus on your performance, and if you nail your performance down across the two legs, what will be will be."
Watch Shelbourne v Linfield in the Conference League play-off round on Thursday from 7.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on this game and Santa Clara v Shamrock Rovers on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
