Shelbourne secured a 3-1 home win over Linfield at Tolka Park to take a two-goal lead into the Windsor Park return. Harry Wood, Evan Caffrey and Mipo Odubeko scored for Shelbourne after Odubeko had missed a first-half penalty. Linfield were reduced to 10 men after Fitzpatrick received a straight red for a high tackle on Milan Mbeng, and Kieran Offord converted a second-half penalty to make it 2-1. Offord then missed a later penalty, and Caffrey added a late third. The sold-out crowd witnessed three penalties and intense drama, with national team manager Heimir Hallgrimsson watching from the VIP area.
Shelbourne officials worked hard to satisfy UEFA and ensure this occasion was held at Tolka Park and while it more than delivered on the drama front, this win will only be remembered if they finish the job in Belfast next week. In a breathtaking first-leg tie, Joey O'Brien's Reds edged this all-island rematch but much like their Champions League clash five weeks ago, it wasn't exactly straightforward as the sold-out crowd were treated to three penalties, while an early red card came Linfield's way too.
But in Shelbourne's quest to reach a first European league phase in their history, they now take a two-goal advantage up to Windsor Park courtesy of strikes from Harry Wood, Evan Caffrey and Mipo Odubeko, the latter redeeming himself after blazing a first-half penalty over the bar. One step away from a minimum sum of €3.8m. One step away from securing six more European ties all the way to December. One step away from glory, but it's still only halfway.
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