'BAG IT UP

Coyle backs Shels to learn from midweek Euro woes

- MARK McCADDEN

SHELBOURNE captain Mark Coyle reckons the harsh lessons learned on Wednesday against Qarabag can help the club's league phase qualification ambitions.

The Reds are all but out of Champions League contention after the concession of two late goals in the first leg at Tolka Park saw them slump to a 3-0 defeat.

For much of the second half, the League of Ireland champions were on the front foot, chasing a goal to cancel out Leandro Andrade's 12th-minute opener.

However, they were hit by two sucker punches in the final nine minutes as the Azeri side capitalised on a couple of lapses.

With two more opportunities to come to make league phase football, in the Europa League and Conference League, Coyle believes the Reds will be stronger for their exposure to the European regulars.