Can Park’s Electric Atmosphere Propel Shels to Victory?
Shelbourne stand just 90 minutes away from sealing European league stage football. Tonight, they host Croatian side Rijeka at Tolka Park with a 2-1 advantage from last week’s first leg. That away win was a statement performance, and now Joey O’Brien’s team can secure at least a place in the Conference League group stage, while also moving into a Europa League play-off against either PAOK of Greece or Wolfsberger of Austria. For the Reds, this would be a remarkable milestone, and both Richie Towell and David McMillan believe the home crowd will be crucial.
ICYMI: European Dreams: Shelbourne Poised for Breakthrough
The Value of the First-Leg Win
Speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, Towell described the result in Croatia as one of the best by a League of Ireland side in European competition. Drawing on his own experience playing against Hajduk Split with Dundalk, he highlighted how big-match atmospheres can drive teams to another level. For Shelbourne to secure that win away from home, he said, sets them up perfectly for the decisive return leg.
The Advantage of Tolka Park
Unlike St Patrick’s Athletic, who had to relocate to Tallaght Stadium for their Conference League tie, Shels will play this match at their own ground. Towell believes Rijeka will find it tough in the tighter, more compact surroundings of Tolka Park. He also noted that lessons from their earlier tie with Qarabag should help, suggesting Shels will apply more pressure without leaving themselves exposed.
Lessons from Past Successes
McMillan, who famously scored twice for Dundalk against BATE Borisov to reach the Champions League play-off round in 2016, also stressed the value of playing at Tolka. He pointed out that the smaller pitch and less pristine surface could frustrate Rijeka, while allowing Shels to make use of their pace on the counter through players like Mipo Odubeko and Dan Kelly.
Balancing Attack and Defence
Both former players agreed that Shelbourne must avoid becoming overly defensive, even with their first-leg lead. The away leg showed they can hurt Rijeka on the break, and keeping that threat alive will be key. For O’Brien and his squad, this is a rare chance to make history—and the atmosphere tonight could be the decisive factor.
