The upcoming Uefa Conference League qualifier will see FC Zurich, who placed fourth in the Swiss Super League last year, take on Shelbourne this Thursday at 6pm at the Letzigrund stadium. The match will mark the second round of the competition.
In preparation for this crucial game, Shelbourne’s manager, Damien Duff, reminisced about the heyday of Ireland’s youth football, metaphorically invoking Brian Kerr’s name to inspire his team. The past two and a half years have seen Shelbourne become a disruptive force in the league, frequently surprising their competitors. Now, Duff encourages them to carry this energy onto international and global stages.
Setting himself up as Brian Kerr’s follower among several other mentors, Duff strives to motivate his players and instil faith in them. He credits Kerr as the epitome of emotional inspiration and hopes to channel such spirit into the forthcoming encounter with FC Zurich, an esteemed Swiss club. Rather than instilling fear, Duff keeps a clear focus on the significance of embracing this formidable challenge, cautioning his team against approaching it tentatively.
Despite being seen as “massive underdogs,” Shelbourne is not just there for a jolly trip. Duff asserts that they represent their league and Ireland, and thus, aim to make more than a mere respectable attempt. They fully intend to advance in the tournament, he assures.
Among an interesting subplot, Armstrong Oko-Flex may be lining up for FC Zurich. The Dublin-bred ex-Celtic winger had previously been coached by Duff, who praised the athlete’s dedication and achievements, proclaiming a profound respect for him. As a coach, Duff declared that he had given Oko-Flex constant support and coaching, resulting in mutual esteem and success.
Should Shels cause a surprising disruption in the European competition, they’re set to face off against the victors of the match between Floriana from Malta and Vitória de Guimaraes. This is but one step away from the qualification round they need to enter the group stages of the Conference League.