Byrne's role vital to Keely's gameplan

Davy Byrne will complete his footballing renaissance in Trondheim tonight as Shelbourne chase the seemingly futile ambition of making it through to the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

With Norwegian champions Rosenborg 3-1 up from last week's first leg at Tolka Park, Shelbourne are admirably refusing to accept defeat at the Lerkendal Stadium tonight in the face of what appear insurmountable odds.

And Byrne, back at Shelbourne after a nightmare year at Dundee United, plagued by injuries and a falling out with manager Paul Sturrock - which hastened his move back home - knows any hope lies in snatching an early goal.

"We deserved something from the first game," said Byrne. "The 3-1 scoreline was an injustice to us. When you think of the number of chances we had compared to them, it was disheartening at the finish."

Byrne, along with Shelbourne's goalscorer, Richie Foran, made an immediate impact on their introduction at half-time in that first leg. Resulting from that performance Byrne will start alongside James Keddy and Pat Fenlon in central midfield tonight with Foran very much in Keely's plans as he mulls over whether to start him in place of Stephen Geoghegan to play "in the hole" behind the Baker brothers, Richie and Dessie, in a three-man attack.

With a three-year contract secured on his return on a free release from Tannadice, 20-year-old Byrne, a mobile, ball-winning sixfooter, is just looking forward to playing again.

"That 45 minutes was my first in four months, so it was great to get back," said Byrne. "I just want to get out and start enjoying my football again. And that's saying something. Last year was a bit of a joke for me. I even considered giving up. There was no enjoyment and I just didn't want to be there.

"Because I've had the chance and it didn't work out my dreams are not shattered. I've come back to the best club in Ireland. I thought it would take me a year to re-establish myself, but Dermot (Keely) has been great and brought me straight back in."

Keely will field perhaps his most attacking side possible tonight as Shelbourne chase the game from the first whistle. Holding their own in the central-midfield triangle and attacking Rosenborg straight down the middle with three quick strikers is Keely's gameplan.

"Fear of losing has never affected me," said Keely. "I want to give us the best chance of an early goal as it's obviously something we need if we are to unnerve them and get ourselves back to within a chance of winning the tie.

"I believe, from having watched them now three times, that they are vulnerable straight down the middle. I will play three strikers in tight with (full backs) Owen Heary and Mark Hutchison under instructions to get forward."

The centre of the field is the crucial area Keely knows he must nullify with Keddy, Fenlon and the powerfully built Byrne expected to counter the impressive Ojan Berg, Bent Skammelsrud and Roar Strand, while Jan Derek Sorensen's raids down either flank will have to be shackled.

"They've won the central midfield battle in each of the games we've seen them, including at Tolka Park, so we can't allow them to dominate in there again tonight."

Central defender Tony McCarthy, the only injury doubt, trained on his sore ankle yesterday and should be fit to start.

Shelbourne - (probable): Williams; Heary, Scully, McCarthy, Hutchison, Byrne, Fenlon, Keddy, D Baker, S Geoghegan, R Baker.

Shelbourne yesterday agreed in principle with Rosenborg to a mutual alliance between the clubs after a meeting between manager Dermot Keely, Gary Brown, Shelbourne chairman, and Rune Bratseth, Rosenborg's "sports director". Keely will initiate the link when he visits Trondheim for a week later this month.

Cork City centre-back, Derek Coughlan, yesterday joined Luton Town on trial with the offer of a two-year contract as incentive. Coughlan was two years with Brighton as a teenager while Liam Brady was manager at the seaside club. He returned to his native Cork three seasons ago and was a big success with Cork City over the past three seasons.