DAVID HEALY is under no illusions about the size of the task facing his Linfield side – because he is a regular at League of Ireland games.
The Blues will be cheered on by just 280 fans at Tolka Park but that is because Shelbourne knew they would have no problem shifting the remainder which does not surprise Healy.
He said: “I watch the league and I know Jamie Mulgrew and quite a few of the other lads who would watch the league quite frequently, certainly when it’s on TV or maybe take it in.
“Myself, the chairman, Jamie and some of the players make the effort to come down to the FAI Cup final most years. I can’t remember the last one I missed.
“I like the league, I like the way it’s played, I like the way it’s advertised. You go to most grounds and there is a brilliant atmosphere, there’s a brilliant crowd.
“It’s something that everyone is trying to encourage in our league – to get people out, get the crowds coming to watch the games, and hopefully in time we can.”
Healy claimed Shamrock Rovers’ comprehensive defeat over Larne was not relevant to this tie although did point to Shels winning the league ahead of the Hoops as a sign of their quality.
He admitted Shels were favourites but insisted he was approaching it as he would any other European tie.
He said: “Other people will talk about it because it’s looking at you straight in the face, it’s north v south, but it’s not something we’ve talked about in the dressing room.
“It’s not something I’ve spoken about to the players to try to gee them up because they shouldn’t need to be geed up. It’s the first round of the Champions League.”
