UEFA Conference League Qualifier Report: Shelbourne 0- 0 FC Zürich (Zurich progress 0-3 on aggregate)

Luke Jordan reporting for extratime.com from Tolka Park

Damien Duff’s Shelbourne bowed out of Europe despite a much-improved performance against FC Zurich at Tolka Park on Thursday evening.

Shelbourne knew they needed a European miracle coming into the second leg after a disappointing 3-0 loss away in Switzerland last week.

Duff spoke pre-match of the importance of the game next Monday against Derry City and, with one eye on a potential title decider, made four changes to his side.

Evan Caffrey, Matthew Smith, John Martin, and Ali Coote all came into the side for the second leg. Sean Boyd and Dean Williams were ruled out with injury, while Sean Gannon was suspended after his red card in Gibraltar.

In the first leg, Shels conceded within 28 seconds in Zurich. Duff wanted a much better start from his side on Thursday evening.

The Reds started well, pressing high and showing much grit and determination, which we have come to expect from Duff’s Shelbourne.

John O’Sullivan epitomised that in the first half as he put himself about, flying into tackles and raising the voices of the Tolka faithful.

Juan Jose Perea went down after a duel with Paddy Barrett, but to his bemusement, referee Robertas Valikonis made the hand signal to ‘get up,’ which went down well with home fans.

Shels had the better of the chances in the first half. A Barrett free kick from deep sailed over the Zurich defence and found Jarvis, but he put his effort wide of the mark.

Great work down the Shels right-hand side by Wilson and Coote saw the ball pulled back into a dangerous area, but Smith mistimed his run, and the opportunity went begging.

There was niggle in the game with the Lithuanian official having to dish out cards to stop tempers from boiling over.

Barrett had the best opportunity of the first half as he met the corner kick, but his shot just went by the post. A let-off for the visitors.

The home side made a change at the break with Sam Bone introduced for Shane Griffin, who is only back from injury.

Just after half-time, Ifeanyi Oneyedika had a shot from distance, but it just went past Conor Kearns' post.

Zurich, while not at their best, showed glimpses of their quality. Bledian Krasniqi showed some nice touches throughout but never hit their stride.

A flare-up near the dugouts saw the Lithuanian official called into action once again to ease tension, as he handed out yellow cards to Marino Gomez and a member of the Shelbourne technical staff.

The Swiss side hit the post after a Krasniqi corner found Gomez who connected with the cross, but his effort hit the bar and bounced clear.

Emmanuel Umeh had two good chances late on, one from a header, and another as he was slipped through on goal, but on both occasions, Kearns stood strong.

There was a late introduction into the match for Zurich’s Irishman Armstrong Oxoflex, who looked dangerous on the break for the visitors.

No goals on the night in the end. A much-improved Shels performance; Barrett had the best of the opportunities on the night for Shels, but it is Zurich who go into the hat for the next round of the UEFA Conference League. In truth, the damage was done in the first leg last week in Switzerland.

Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic remain as the League of Ireland’s representatives in Europe this season, with the Saints winning 4-2 on aggregate against Vaduz. A trip to Baku awaits the Inchicore men, while Rovers are off to Sloevenia.  

Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Patrick Barrett, Shane Griffin (Sam Bone 46), Kameron Ledwidge, Tyreke Wilson; Evan Caffrey, Alistair Coote (Jonathan Lunney 72), John O'Sullivan (Harry Wood 63); William Jarvis (Rayhaan Tulloch 62), John Martin (Liam Burt 64), Matthew Smith.
Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, Mark Coyle, Sean Boyd, Mark Isong, Dan Ring, Ali Topcu.
Booked: John Martin (43), Evan Caffrey (50).
Sent off: None.

FC Zurich: Yanick Brecher; Mariano Gomez, Nikola Katic, Mirlind Kryeziu, Silvan Wallner; Mounir Chouiar (Cheick Conde 46), Bledian Krasniqi, Antonio Marchesano, Ifeanyi Onyedika (Cheveyo Tsawa 72); Juan José Perea (Jonathan Okita 81), Emmanuel Umeh (Armstrong Oko-Flex 80).
Subs not used: Živko Kostadinović, Silas Huber, Lindrit Kamberi, Doron Leidner, Selmin Hodza, Bi Irie Fernand Couré, Calixte Paul Ligue, Labinot Bajrami.
Booked: Mounir Chouiar (37), Mariano Gomez (70).
Sent off: None.

Referee: Robertas Valikonis (LTU)
extratime.com Player of the Match: Paddy Barrett (Shelbourne)