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Shelbourne v Linfield (19: 45 BST) Evan Caffrey twice goes close in early stages Shelbourne awarded penalty in 21st minute but decision overturned by VAR Paul Kelly Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield The hosts have started the first half on top, like they were for the majority of the opening 45 minutes. Linfield won their first corner of the game moments ago, but it came to nothing as Kirk Millar's cross doesn't beat the first man. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield We're back underway for the second half at Tolka Park. The Blues will attack from left to right this half from the camera position. Still all to play for in north Dublin, so who will take the game by the scruff of the neck and make the difference? Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield The four added minutes of the first half are up and it's goalless at the break between Shelbourne and Linfield. The hosts have dominated proceedings in the opening 45 minutes, but the Blues have stood firm so far. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Callumn Morrison almost catches Conor Kearns out with a lob just before the break. That was Linfield's best chance of the first half, and Morrison may feel he could do better. Chances have been few and far between for the Blues, so being clinical in the final third is a must tonight when they do create an opportunity. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield The Blues have taken the sting out of the game in the closing stages of the first half. Shelbourne have been firmly on top in the first half though and will be looking to find a reward for their dominance before the break. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Less than 10 minutes to go to the break and it remains goalless at Tolka Park. The Blues are struggling to keep hold of the ball when they do get it, with constant Shelbourne attacks coming their way. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Chance for Linfield as Ethan Mc Gee latches onto a loose pass in the Shelbourne defence, but fires wide of the target from just outside the area. Mc Gee will be frustrated with himself there for not hitting the target at least. Instantly the hosts go up the other end with a quick attack, with the visitors once again forced into the own box with more defending to do. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Shels have the Blues firmly pinned back in their own half and have done for the majority of the opening 30 minutes. That being said, it remains goalless at Tolka Park which will be one huge positive for David Healy and co. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield The referee overturns the penalty decision and Shelbourne will not have the opportunity to break the deadlock from 12 yards. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield The hosts have a penalty! Referee Luís Miguel Branco Godinho points to the spot for handball on Ben Hall. With VAR in play at Tolka Park, there is a review underway. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Another yellow card for Linfield, this time it's skipper Jamie Mulgrew who's cautioned for his late tackle on Ali Coote. That's two of the Blues central midfielders both in the book in the opening 20 minutes. Concern for David Healy early on with his midfield duo. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Linfield's Josh Archer is the first player in the referee's book as he is cautioned for his late challenge on Shelbourne captain Mark Coyle. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Linfield have managed to weather the early Shelbourne storm, at least for the time being. Joey O'Brien will be the happier of the two managers so far, with his side firmly in the ascendancy. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Chris Johns comes to Linfield's rescue with a superb save to deny Evan Caffrey from opening the scoring. Caffrey beats the offside trap, latches on to a cross and heads at goal but is denied by a great Johns save. Two headed efforts in as many minutes from Caffrey, both being denied. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Evan Caffrey gets on the end of a corner and his header strikes the near upright! Early spell of dominance from the hosts. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Drawing concern for David Healy, Euan East is down receiving treatment. It looks like the ball struck East on the head at some pace while he was on the ground. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield Evan Caffrey spots Chris Johns off his line, attempting to catch the goalkeeper off guard with his long-range effort from just inside Linfield's half. His effort sails over the crossbar. Shelbourne 0-0 Linfield We're underway at Tolka Park for the first leg of Champions League first round qualifying action between Shelbourne and Linfield. Shelbourne v Linfield (19: 45 BST) Shelbourne skipper Mark Coyle says tonight's game is an opportunity to make "new memories" after last month's departure of manager Damien Duff. Duff, who won 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland, led Shelbourne to their first League of Ireland championship since 2006 last season, but their title defence proved a disappointment and the former Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers winger surprisingly quit last month with the side fifth in the table. New manager Joey O'Brien, Duff's former assistant and international team-mate, earned his first victory at the third attempt at home to Cork City on Friday night, giving the side momentum going into their tie against David Healy's squad. "It's been very good, " said Coyle of the team's mood since Duff's shock departure. "We obviously have huge respect and love for the ex-manager but now we're excited for the new era. "The gaffer [O'Brien], it's been great. He's put his own stamp on things and you can see around the ground, there's obviously an excitement and it's just about creating new memories now. " Read more. Shelbourne v Linfield (19: 45 BST) Linfield boss David Healy has said it would be "wrong" to play on any derby element to tonight's tie. "It's certainly not talked about north v south, that would be wrong of me to do that, " he told BBC Sport NI yesterday. "You have to play with a little bit of passion, a little bit of fire, but you also have to control that emotion. "Like any European game, anything reckless, anything silly, will be punished, so play with ice in your veins and make sure we stay fully focused for 90 minutes. " Read more. Manager: Joseph O'Brien Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: David Healy Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Joseph O'Brien Formation: 4 - 4 - 2 Manager: David Healy Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 UEFA Champions League All competitions All competitions All competitions Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.