Europa Conference League Preview: St Joseph’s -v- Shelbourne

Will Jarvis in action for Shelbourne during last week's first-leg at Tolka Park

Will Jarvis in action for Shelbourne during last week's first-leg at Tolka Park Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

Shelbourne will be looking to seal their place in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League when they visit St Joseph’s of Gibraltar on Thursday evening (kick-off is at 5pm Irish Time). 

The Reds lead the tie from last week’s first-leg 2-1 and know that a victory will secure a date with Swiss side FC Zurich in the next round. 

But they will be aware that St Joseph’s will not let them have it easy.

ST JOSEPH’S 

St Joseph’s boss Abraham Paz insists his side still have lots to play for heading into Thursday’s second-leg in Gibraltar. 

The Gibraltarian outfit fell behind in the first-leg after just 22 seconds last week when Mark Coyle opened the scoring. 

But they equalised through Javi Paul before a Will Jarvis spot-kick handed the Reds a slim advantage.

“It’s very much all to play for,” Paz said when speaking to his club’s media team. “We need our supporters right behind us from the first whistle to the last.

“We’ll be going out there and giving it everything we’ve got to try and progress into the next round.

“It will be tough, of course, our opponents are well into their League season and doing well, but we know what we have to do and we have worked hard in preparation.



“Just like the first leg, we will have to be tactically disciplined and keep doing the right things. Our attitude and mentality will need to be right, as I am sure it will be.”

SHELBOURNE 

Shelbourne assistant boss Joey O’Brien has called on his side to stay focused on the task at hand when they visit St Joseph’s for Thursday’s second-leg. 

And they will be backed by around 200 supporters who have descended on the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula for the game.

“It's a huge opportunity for the club and the players,” O’Brien said. “I think back to them myself as a player and you don't want any regrets, looking back in a few years thinking you let one go by. I'm sure they are highly motivated for it.

“The manager touched on it before we went away, we're going over here to take care of business. The boys are paid, they are professional footballers. You're coming here to do a job and that's what they have all dreamt about.



“For League of Ireland players to get an opportunity, it's a massive carrot I suppose and you chased it all last year to be here, so you have to take advantage of it and seize the day. Tomorrow is that moment."

Referee: Ladislav Szikszay (Czech Republic).

 

PREDICTION

St Joseph’s 1-1 Shelbourne

 

St Joseph’s

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful:N/A. 

Suspended:None.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful:None. 

Suspended:None.

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