SHELBOURNE WERE beaten 3-0 away to FC Zurich in tonight’s Uefa Conference League second-round first-leg clash.
The Premier Division leaders got off to the worst possible start as Ifeanyi Mathew scored after 28 seconds.
Antonio Marchesano registered a second just before the half-hour mark as the hosts were rewarded for their dominance.
The same player was on target again in the 58th minute to complete a convincing win for the hosts.
Zurich were well worth the victory as the visitors struggled to have an impact in attack.
Stuttgart loanee Juan José Perea set up Mathew to finish clinically and ensure a disastrous start for the visitors.
The goalscorer then turned provider as Marchesano latched on to Mathew’s through pass and doubled his side’s advantage.
The influential Marchesano added a third in the second half, meeting Mirlind Kryeziu’s delivery at the back post.
Barring a minor miracle at Tolka next week, Shels’ European adventure looks set to end.
There was at least one Irishman on the winning side, as Dubliner Armstrong Oko-Flex came off the bench in the 71st minute to help his side see out the win.
Boss Damien Duff afterwards told Shels TV that it was a “really difficult scoreline” but said: “We’re only dead when we’re six feet under.”
He added: “One thing I said to the guys at half-time, you’ll be kicking yourselves when you look back at the first two goals, even the third, as brilliant as it is from their point of view, it’s poor from our point of view.
“As mad as it sounds — we’ve lost 3-0 to a brilliant team — I love nights like this. I might think I’m a half-decent manager or half-decent coach, but if I were to, it’s sobering. I can be better, the staff can be better, the players. They might think I’m big, strong and quick, I’m technical. Well, we saw the levels tonight. So when we’re all back home, I can’t disrespect how I work. The players can’t disrespect a gym session, a speed session, a technical session with the ball. So that’s what I mean by I love nights like this.
“It shows us that we can do better. But I couldn’t have been prouder of the guys, a massive few months ahead of us and there’s nothing for them to be disappointed about. We’ll absolutely have a good crack off them next Thursday.”
On the gap in quality, Duff continued: “My difference is not only Shelbourne but the league and Irish teams [to be at a similar standard].
“How far is it away? You just told me Zurich have 300 people working for them outside of the technical department. I think we have seven. So a long way to go. How do we do it? I’m absolutely not getting into it. But the Shelbourne fans should be proud of the players tonight. A disappointing result but they’ve given everything.”
FC Zürich: Yanick Brecher; Nikola Katić, Mariano Gomez, Mirlind Kryeziu, Silvan Wallner, Ifeanyi Mathew, Cheick Conde, Antonio Marchesano (Armstrong Oko-Flex 71), Bledian Krasniqi (Mounir Chouiar 59), Juan José Perea (Fernand Goure 71), Umeh Emmanuel (Calixte Ligue 82).
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Tyreke Wilson (Sean Boyd 46), Sam Bone, Shane Griffin, Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge, Jonathan Lunney, Mark Coyle (Evan Caffrey 61), Will Jarvis (Rayhaan Tulloch 76), Harry Wood (Ali Coote 64), John O’Sullivan (Matty Smith 76).
