Post Match ReactionNil-nil to Shelbourne. Quite quickly it became clear that the Spanish side just wanted to get home, alive. They will be a different prospect in La Coruna but last night was a glimpse at a possible future for Irish soccer. Also, Shelbourne made plenty of money and gained some new fans as well.

For 90 minutes Shelbourne lived comfortably with giants of Europe. Riding the crest of a wave, as National League rivalries, even the normally-vitriolic Dublin divisions, were put to bed for the night. A Bohemians flag here, a Shamrock Rovers flag there.

For Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon it was a job well done and like the true professional he was already back focusing on the return leg.

"We are capable of going there and causing a surprise but tonight it was great to see people there in different coloured shirts supporting us. Great for Shelbourne but great for the whole league as well. Now we have a bigger game down in Cork (on Saturday). We want to win the league again so for me that is a bigger game."

Wesley Hoolahan finally proved his worth at the highest level with a mature performance. A nice change from the domestic hustle.

"In the Eircom League it's all push, you know, everybody running after you like headless chickens. In the champions league they give you the ball. We lost our concentration in the first 10 minutes of the second-half. Playing in front of almost 30,000 is an unbelievable experience, the best I've had in my life."

Maybe Deportivo got scared into their shell by the Lansdowne roar. Nobody wants this sort of game in the middle of the pre-season. Wasn't the Irish league supposed to be part-time? Liverpool native Dave Rogers can walk tall around Merseyside now.

"Across the water people think this is a mickey-mouse league. Hopefully they'll start taking notice now. We're on the map and long may it continue. I know they had a lot of players out injured but it's 11 against 11 and on the night. The pressure is on them now - there is no pressure on us," he said.

"It's a one off game now. Away goals count double and there is a lot of money on it. It's a credit to Pat Fenlon and I can't speak highly enough of my team-mates."