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Shels go to Windsor Park in control but far from safe

Mipo Odubeko could be key at Windsor Park
Mipo Odubeko could be key at Windsor Park

Shelbourne will take a 3-1 lead to Windsor Park for the second leg of their Conference League play-off against Linfield in control but far from safe.

That's the verdict of both Alan Cawley and Barry Murphy, who previewed the mouthwatering collision on this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

Shels won a wild contest at Tolka Park last week thanks to goals from Harry Wood, Mipo Odubeko and Evan Caffrey. However Linfield had Matthew Fitzpatrick sent off after 20 minutes and would have made it 2-2 if Kieran Offord had converted a second-half penalty that Wessel Speel saved.

It'll be frantic in Belfast as Linfield chase an early goal that would blow the tie wide open. However, Cawley saw enough last week to believe Shels will be okay.

"He made a substitution, Joey O'Brien, at half-time, an absolutely brilliant substitution," he said.

"Sam Bone was finding himself in an outside left position towards the latter part of the first half, getting on loads of ball. You don't want your centre-half on the ball in those positions, building up the play or finding themselves in attacking areas.

"He put Norris back there as a left-sided centre-half, brought on Evan Caffrey at left wing-back, and it was a brilliant change, impacted the game straight away. He got on loads of ball, he's a very clever player Evan... and he set up a goal straight away. That was huge for them.

"I still don't think they're over the line... they're 70, 80% over the line now, but if they were to concede a goal in Windsor Park like they did the last day (when the teams met in the Champions League first-round qualifier), and I was up at the game, they never put it to bed, it was a nervy finish for them, if that was the case and Linfield get the first goal, it's game on again.

"Even though I fancy Shelbourne to go through, I don't think it'll be as easy as the two-goal cushion suggests."

16 July 2025; Mipo Odubeko of Shelbourne in action against Euan East of Linfield during the UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round second leg match between Linfield and Shelbourne at Clearer Twist National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Shelbourne secured a 1-1 draw and aggregate win in last trip to Windsor Park

Murphy identified one aspect of the game that could really suit Shelbourne: the size of the pitch.

With a two-goal cushion to protect, O'Brien might instruct his men to sit deep and counter, using the pace of Odubeko as an out-ball.

"It's such a massive pitch up there it's made for Mipo to get in behind," Murphy said.

"He's got speed, he's got the run on the centre-halves.

"It's definitely not done. I've never seen a game fluctuate so much in terms of luck.

"Linfield made some chances, Offord looks like a really good player, they've just got to get him on the ball more. I just think Shels can sit back, hit them on the counter-attack a little bit and it'll suit Shels going up there on that massive pitch to go and put the game to bed."


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