Shels Score Historic Euro Point! Boss Reveals Motivation Behind the Draw!
Shelbourne FC has secured its first-ever point in European league competition, drawing 0-0 against Swedish champions Hacken in the Europa Conference League. The match, played at Tallaght Stadium due to Shelbourne's home ground not meeting UEFA standards, marks a significant milestone for the North Dublin side.
Shels Earn Hard-Fought Draw Against Hacken
The game was a tense affair, played in challenging conditions. Shelbourne had several near misses in the first half. Mipo Odubeko had a goal disallowed for offside, and Kerr McInroy's shot was saved by the Hacken goalkeeper. Harry Wood also came close, shaving the post just before halftime. The second half saw fewer chances, with Hacken dominating possession in the stormy weather.
Joey O'Brien's Reaction: 'Great for the Club!'
Shelbourne boss Joey O'Brien expressed his delight at the result, highlighting the significance of securing their first European point and keeping a clean sheet. "We want to keep on pushing the boundaries at this club, and to get our first point in European football is great," O'Brien said. "It is great for the club really, a clean sheet in Europe. (I am) really happy... a lot of positives."
O'Brien also revealed that personal stories about the club's progress inspired the team. He even mentioned seeing a tweet from six years ago about selling Christmas trees at Tolka Park, highlighting the club's journey.
Expert Analysis: A Valuable Point
Former Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham praised Shelbourne's pragmatic approach, acknowledging the value of the point given the competition they face in the Europa Conference League. "You have to accept the reality of the situation sometimes," Cunningham said. "You want to be on the ball, but sometimes you have got to get everyone around you to dig in and don't concede, and maybe get them on the break a little bit later on. But if you don't, you take what you have with a point."
This draw is a major achievement for Shelbourne, providing a solid foundation as they continue their European campaign.