Linfield boss David Healy last night admitted he was ‘proud’ of his players – even though they were sensationally dumped out of the Europa Conference League by Latvian side RFS in a night drama at Windsor Park.
The Danske Bank Premiership champions were attempting to write their own little piece of history by becoming the first Irish League to qualify for the group stages for any European tournament and pocket a financial jackpot in the region of £3m.
And, they were only seconds away from their dream. Leading through an Kyle McClean extra-time strike, they had it all whipped away from them right at the end when Blues defender Jimmy Callacher, making his first appearance of the season, smashed the ball into his own net, sending the game to a dreaded penalty shootout.
Read more: Linfield suffer penalty shootout agony as they miss out on Europa Conference League group stages
It got worse for Healy and his braves as they managed to score only two spot kicks, through McClean and Eetu Vertainen, with Matty Clarke and Ethan Devine fluffing their lines.
RFS made no mistake. Kevin Friesenbichler, Andrej Ilic, Petr Mares and Stefan Panic all netted from the spot, leaving the Blues and Healy in total agony.
“I’ve been in football a long time and that defeat was hard to take,” said Healy. “The way things transpired the way they did tonight it will take time to digest.
“The one thing I will do is front up the performance and I thought we were exceptional from start to finish. Some of our play and some of our movement was top class.
“We will look at the game and we will dissect it. It was a cruel way to lose, it’s too soon and it’s very raw and it was hard to take.
“I was proud of our performances, I thought we were exceptional. It is gut-wrenching to be beaten in that manner. I felt extreme disappointment for the players, I was proud of every one of them.
“Tactically, I think we got it spot on. We really should have been ahead at half-time and at full-time.
“I’m proud and privileged to manage this great football club. The players gave me the lot, which we needed and which we wanted. It’s a hard one to take in anybody’s book at any level in any sport.”
Healy refused to point the finger at his botched penalty takers, adding: “It’s not a crime for anyone to miss a penalty, they are a lottery. It was an incredible opportunity for us to reach the group stages, but one that got away from us.”
READ NEXT:
- Linfield vs RFS live score updates from Europa Conference League play-off
-
Determined Healy urges his Blues to become European history makers
-
Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey: Increased gates a shot in the arm for Irish League
-
From Croke Park to Windsor Park, 10 GAA stars who have lit up the Irish League
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
