SEÁN BOYD would watch pals playing Champions League football with envy in previous years.
But he insisted that it is important Shelbourne do not let the moment become too big for them on Wednesday.
The Reds face Linfield at Tolka Park on Wednesday in the club’s first Champions League tie in 20 years.
Whatever happens, there will be another tie. But beat Linfield over two legs and it is the ‘champions path’ – a guaranteed three ties where one win will secure group stages.
It is potentially career defining, and Boyd has watched former Shamrock Rovers teammates do it in the Conference League, and Dundalk previously in the Europa League.
And he admitted that there is no hiding away of how big a moment this could be in the career of everyone at Shelbourne.
He said: “It’s very exciting. It’s something everyone in the league wants to be involved in.
“I’ve seen Rovers for the last couple of years, and teams have done it in the past, Dundalk obviously.
“I would have watched the Champions League game, it’s mid-week so I’d be at home in bed or on the couch watching, it’s a great thing to be involved in for now.
“It’s something in this league you want to do, it’s a big pull in players coming here.
“It’s a big addition to winning the league. On top of it, you get a chance, if you get a couple of favourable draws, you have a chance.
“It’s something I’m really forward to and something as a team we’re really looking forward to.
“It’s going to be exciting, hopefully we can perform and step up when it matters and hopefully get the job done. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s something we’ve got a chance at doing.”
Boyd, 27, admitted that he was pleased when Linfield were drawn out as Shelbourne’s opponents, though he is sure David Healy’s outfit had the same feeling.
But he insisted that while a north-south derby is one where both sides will believe they can win, it is crucial that they do not let the occasion become too big.
He continued: “Experience is huge. Last year, we played Zurich (in the Conference League) and we went down after 60 seconds or whatever over there and it made it difficult.
“We drew 0-0 at home but they were 3-0 up from the first leg. I think if we brought them back to Tolka, I think we could have a rattle off them.
“So that experience could stand to is, it’s important. We’ve got players like Ganno (Seán Gannon) and Paddy (Barrett) who’ve been through it.
“But also you know the lads got the league over the line last year, and that will stand to people. There were doubters and it was the players that stood up (last year).
“That’s something we had and the players can play off.”
