Shelbourne picked up their first ever point in European league competition after holding Swedish champions Hacken to a 0-0 draw in the Europa Conference League.
The North Dublin side had to settle for Tallaght Stadium as their home venue as they welcomed Hacken in dire conditions in Dublin.
The fixture marked Shels’ first ever major European league fixture, having beaten Irish Premiership side Linfield to reach the Europa Conference League.
Mipo Odubeko has the ball in the Hacken net but it was disallowed for offside, while Kerr McInroy broke away well from Ali Coote’s pass but could only shoot directly at the goalkeeper.
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Harry Wood shaved the post just before the break before McInroy had another dangerous effort just miss his target.
The second-half was a more tame affair with little chances for both teams, Hacken dominating most of the ball in stormy weather.
Joey O’Brien Hails ‘Great’ Shelbourne Point
Shelbourne boss Joey O’Brien summed up the achievement of his side after claiming their first ever point in Europe and clean sheet to go with it.
“We want to keep on pushing the boundaries at this club and to get our first point in European football is great,” he said after the draw.
“It is great for the club really, a clean sheet in Europe. (I am) really happy… a lot of positives.”
Former Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham shared his pragmatic view that the point is a good result for Shelbourne given the quality they will face in the Europa Conference League.
You have to accept the reality of the situation sometimes,” Cunningham reflected on Premier Sports.
“You want to be on the ball but sometimes you have got to get everyone around you to dig in and don’t concede and maybe get them on the break a little bit later on. But if you don’t, you take what you have with a point.
“It builds the momentum going forward.”
It was not a memorable night for Shamrock Rovers however, as they were beaten handily 4-1 by Sparta Praha in Prague.
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