David Healy’s Linfield suffered a 1-0 defeat to Shelbourne at Tolka Park in their Champions League qualifier.
Linfield manager David Healy expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience, stating they “stood firm” to limit the damage to a single goal ahead of the second leg of their Champions League first qualifying round tie against Shelbourne at Windsor Park.
The League of Ireland Premier Division champions secured a narrow victory at Tolka Park, thanks to Mipo Odubeko’s second-half goal.
Given their limited preparation, with only the Charity Shield final against Dungannon Swifts preceding the match, and facing a Shelbourne side already 25 games into their domestic season, Healy commended his team’s ability to prevent their opponents from converting possession into a multitude of scoring opportunities.
Despite close chances for Evan Caffrey and substitute Sean Boyd, Linfield’s defense remained resolute for extended periods.
“It was always going to be a difficult task coming here, they are a very good side with talented players,” Healy acknowledged.
“It’s disappointing, of course, but considering where we are in our season, it’s our first real competitive game. I’m proud of the players’ effort and organisation; we stuck together.”
“The atmosphere at Tolka Park can be intense, and we stood firm, limiting the deficit to a single goal.”
Linfield will welcome back Chris Shields from suspension for the second leg, with Cammy Ballantyne also expected to be available.
While Healy praised Shelbourne’s style of play, describing it as “some of the best football” he has witnessed in Europe as Linfield manager, he believes his team has “nothing to lose” at Windsor Park next Wednesday. The game will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
“We’ll be in better shape for the game next week at Windsor,” the former Northern Ireland international stated.
“We’ll give it our all; we have nothing to fear and nothing to lose.”