History was made at Tallaght Stadium on October 2, 2025, as Shelbourne stepped onto the European stage for their first ever group phase match in the UEFA Europa Conference League, facing off against Swedish side BK Hacken. Amid swirling wind and rain, the Reds battled to a gritty 0-0 draw, earning not only a valuable point but also a significant financial boost—and a whole lot of pride.
For a club that hadn’t seen European group stage action in over two decades, the night was always going to be special. And while the scoreboard might not have lit up, the contest was anything but dull. Shelbourne, under the guidance of Joey O’Brien, showed both nerves and resilience, holding their own against a Hacken outfit boasting a strong European pedigree—including a recent demolition of Cluj and a tough run through Anderlecht in the Europa League.
"We are buzzing with a point as it was the club’s first game at this level in their history. A point’s a point, though we were a bit deflated because it looked like it was there for the taking," admitted Harry Wood, the former Hull City midfielder who has quickly become a fan favorite at Tolka Park. "In the second half we didn’t control the ball enough and didn’t get on the ball as we had in the first half. We weren’t brave enough. They had more of the ball and we had to defend, but we got there."
And defend they did. Despite Hacken’s 62 percent possession, Shelbourne’s backline, marshaled by captain Paddy Barrett—who earned Man of the Match honors—and Kerr McInroy, stood tall. The Swedish visitors pressed hard, with Mikkel Rygaard testing goalkeeper Wessel Speel early and often, but the Irish champions refused to yield.
The hosts thought they had snatched an early lead in the 15th minute when Mipo Odubeko pounced on a loose ball and found the net, only for the assistant referee’s flag to cut short the celebrations. Odubeko, reacting to a deflected drive from Ali Coote, was judged offside—a decision that was met with groans from the home crowd but accepted without protest.
Wood himself came close to etching his name into club folklore, unleashing a shot just before half-time that took a deflection and whistled narrowly wide of the post. "Obviously it was the first game at this level for most people in the dressing room so it was nice to get a feel of what it’s like to play in European competition," Wood reflected. His energy in midfield was matched by the tireless running of McInroy, who also forced Hacken’s keeper Etrit Berisha into action with a skimming shot on the greasy pitch and later rippled the side netting with another effort.
Hacken, for their part, had their chances. Rygaard’s curling effort early in the second half nearly found the target, and Isak Brusberg squandered a golden opportunity after a clever cutback from Danilo Al-Saed. But as the minutes ticked by, Shelbourne’s defensive shape and doggedness saw them through the storm—both literal and metaphorical.
The significance of the draw extended beyond the pitch. Shelbourne’s share of the spoils brought in an extra €133,000 in UEFA prize money, bumping their European earnings close to the €4 million mark. For a club with ambitions of growth and stability, such windfalls make a tangible difference.
Manager Joey O’Brien, whose tactical adjustments and faith in his squad have been widely praised, was quick to highlight the positives. "We want to keep on pushing the boundaries at this football club. So to get our first point in European group-stage football on the board is a great night for the club. Also, a clean sheet in Europe is really hard to come by. There were a lot of positives," he said. Still, O’Brien saw room for improvement: "I thought we could have played a little bit better and showed a little bit more personality on the ball. But they are things to work on now as we go forward. The learnings over the last few games in Europe and getting to this stage is something different for the lads. I felt we were a bit nervy, but that’s only natural for a lot of them. Again, a lot of positives and I hope in the next game we can be better again. The first ever point on the board, a clean sheet in Europe—loads of positives."
For Wood, the night was another step in a season that has seen him top the club’s scoring charts with ten goals, including two in earlier European qualifiers. His confidence has grown with each continental outing. "I said to the gaffer when we played against Qarabag and Rijeka, you are comparing yourself to them when you are playing against them, seeing how far you are off them because they are playing at a top level year in, year out. In those games I felt I did quite well, so coming into these games I have a bit more confidence having played against the likes of Qarabag who are doing well in the Champions League. You notice the differences as you can’t make as many mistakes because they will punish you. You have to be more careful on the ball and be more defensively solid."
Shelbourne’s European adventure is just beginning. Next up: a daunting trip to Skopje on October 23 to face North Macedonian side Shkendija. The group stage will also see them test themselves against Kosovan outfit Drita, Dutch giants AZ Alkmaar (featuring Irish international Troy Parrott), English Premier League side Crystal Palace, and Slovenian club Celje. With every match offering not just potential points but also invaluable experience, the Reds are determined not to rest on their laurels.
"We want to win as many games as possible as a collective, and on a personal level to score some goals to help the team as I feel I have been doing in the league. Bring that form into the European games, get a few goals and assists," Wood said, his ambition echoing the club’s newfound confidence.
As the rain cleared and the lights dimmed at Tallaght Stadium, Shelbourne’s players and fans alike could reflect on a night that was about more than just a result. It was a statement of intent, a show of resilience, and a taste of what European football can offer. With a clean sheet, a point, and their dreams still very much alive, the Reds march on—ready for whatever challenges lie ahead in this historic campaign.
