Shelbourne Secures Historic Victory as O’Brien Honors Ollie Horgan

UPDATE: In a thrilling match on July 26, 2023, Shelbourne surged to a 2-0 victory over Linfield at Windsor Park, securing their place in the league phase of the Europa Conference League for the first time with a 5-1 aggregate scoreline. This historic win has sent shockwaves through the League of Ireland, marking a significant moment in Irish football.

Amidst the excitement, Joey O’Brien, the manager of Shelbourne, paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Ollie Horgan, who recently passed away at the age of 57. “It’s a great night for Irish football with Rovers also qualifying,” O’Brien said. “But a legend has passed, and it was a really fitting night. Please God his family are all right, and maybe he’s smiling down.”

O’Brien reflected on Horgan’s influence, stating: “Not many people would have thought five years ago that you’d have two teams in European group football. It’s a magical night, a fitting tribute to Ollie.” As Shelbourne prepares for the draw later today, the emotional weight of the night was palpable.

Additionally, O’Brien took the opportunity to commend former manager Damien Duff, who left the club in June. “His handprint is all over this team,” O’Brien noted. “I stopped playing football at Shamrock Rovers because he rang me, and I don’t think I would have done that for anyone else.” Their personal bond remains strong, as O’Brien added, “We speak regularly and will share a beer together soon.”

The loss was difficult for Linfield, with manager David Healy acknowledging the disparity between the League of Ireland and the Irish League. “The gap is big,” Healy admitted. “People might argue that Shels are not doing well in their league, but they put a lot of effort into their European games.” He congratulated both Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers for their successes, highlighting the progress of Irish football.

Healy also reflected on his team’s performance, stating, “The game was done at half-time.” After conceding the second goal, he recognized the uphill battle ahead. “I’m not a defeatist person, but it was gone,” he said.

As Shelbourne celebrates this monumental achievement, all eyes will be on the upcoming draw for the Europa Conference League, marking a pivotal moment in their history. Football fans everywhere are buzzing with excitement, eagerly anticipating what this means for the future of Irish football.