Harry Wood shares his celebratory week with familiar Grimsby's giant-killers

WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT: Shelbourne's Harry Wood celebrates after the match. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

Harry Wood shared the best week of his career with some of former Grimsby Town teammates.

Two days after Grimsby dumped Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup, Wood helped Shelbourne progress to the Conference League phase by opening the scoring against Linfield.

He made 10 appearances for the Mariners on loan from Hull City last year and was watching with interest the giant-killing feat of the League 2 side.

“I used to carshare with Harvey Rodgers,” Wood said of the defender who started against United.

“I don't speak to him as much now but I know a few of them. There's a lot of new faces but I'm buzzing for them.”

Two days later and the Englishman confirmed Shelbourne’s passage into the next phase which will see them face FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at home, along with hosting Drita (Kosovo) and BK Hacken (Sweden). 

Their three away matches are in the Netherlands against Alkmaar, Celje (Slovenia) and Shkenija (Macedonia).

Wood was signed by Damien Duff last year for a fee after impressing in an initial loan stint.

“Even when I was at Hull, I never thought I would be able to get the chance to play in the Conference League, one of the biggest stages in European football,” said the 23-year-old.

“For it to happen here at a club that I've loved being a part of ever since I've come into 2023, it's just surreal.

“I knew we had the quality of players when I came in 2023. It was just you never think that you're going to do it. To do it with this squad and the staff and the whole club, it's special.

“It feels class. I can't get my head around it at the moment. I'm still in a bit of shock.

“For it to happen, for us to win the league last year and to qualify this year, it means a lot.”

Wood admits the lure of European football – difficult to attain in a field of 92 English clubs – was a pull factor in him returning to Ireland.

“I just looked at how much I could develop my own game and the chance they had to play in these competitions,” he explained.

“We got through the Conference League first round last year, which was a massive achievement, but to go further this year is a dream come true.”

Shelbourne’s league game against Galway United on Sunday has been postponed due to the funeral taking place of Ollie Horgan, the Galway assistant who passed away on Thursday at the age of 57.