Shelbourne face an uphill task if they are to become the first Eircom National League side to reach the third qualifying round of the Champions League when they take on Hadjuk Split in Croatia tonight.
Boss Pat Fenlon is expecting a tough time. He said: "It is a real step-up in class for us after winning our first round tie against KR Reykjavik thanks to a 2-2 draw out there and then a scoreless draw in Dublin. We don't want to rely on the away goals rule this time. The incentive is marvellous as if we come through this tie we could meet the likes of Manchester United or Real Madrid in the next round. If we can keep this tie alive for the return game at Tolka Park next week, I would have real hopes of making progress in the competition. We have been in Croatia since Sunday, highly important with temperatures up to 30 centigrade."
Fenlon is hopeful striker Glen Fitzpatrick will play a part in the match.
He explained: "Glen could start alongside Jason Byrne, the lad will be given every chance to recover from his groin injury."
Otherwise Fenlon, a veteran of 33 European clashes during his days with Shamrock Rovers, Linfield, St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians as either manager or player, will stick to the same side which hammered First Division Finn Harps 4-1 in the FAI Cup third round on Saturday.
Filed by Mark O'Neill-Cummins
