Shelbourne’s dream of playing in the group stages of the Champions League came to an end tonight as the eircom League side went out on a 3-0 aggregate scoreline to last season's semi-finalists Deportivo La Coruna.
Pat Fenlon’s men matched Deportivo in the first half, keeping the score goalless at the break. However, a second half double from Victor Sanchez and a late free kick by Walter Pandiani sent the relieved Spaniards through to the lucrative pool stages for the fifth successive season.
Shelbourne were expecting a difficult opening as Deportivo looked to grab an early goal to settle the nerves of their fans and the opening minutes of the match went entirely to script.
Juan Valeron shot straight at Steve Williams within 90 seconds of the opening while Williams was again called into action to stop a powerful Albert Luque shot which almost beat the goalkeeper at his near post after the winger had slipped into the penalty area unnoticed.
Luque then hit the sidenetting with a viciously curling free-kick in the 13th minute.
But at this stage Shelbourne were defending well - allowing the Spanish side possession but nicking in quickly to dispossess them any time they came close to their goal.
Even when Deportivo did threaten to open up the Shelbourne defence, the Dublin side's defenders made fine tackles, most notably when Owen Heary and then Jamie Harris thwarted the lively Luque.
Shelbourne's solidity made Deportivo increasingly nervous and too often they lost possession carelessly and were almost punished by the Tolka Park men in the 25th minute.
Ollie Cahill did well on the left wing, racing to the by-line before crossing to Jason Byrne - who headed straight at Jose Molina after momentarily wriggling free of Jorge Andrade's tight marking.
The home side continued to be frustrated with Pandiani firing well wide in the 38th minute, before Shelbourne gave them another scare moments later when Andrade cleared the ball from out of his goalkeeper's hands when a Harris header threatened to fall for Jason Byrne.
But Deportivo finished the half the stronger of the two sides with Dave Rogers conceding a corner with Pandiani close to getting on the end of a Luque cross, before Pandiani was just over with a snapshot.
The Spaniards started the second half in the same vein, though once more Shelbourne defended strongly conceding ground on the wings but defending any crosses very well.
However, they were almost punished in the 58th minute when Sergio Sanchez's cross picked out Pandiani - who headed only inches wide with Williams beaten.
But less than 60 seconds later, Deportivo were in front. Shelbourne were caught in possession deep in their own half allowing Victor to race in and beat Williams at his near post with a low angled drive from the edge of the area.
Seven minutes later, Victor grabbed his second with a wonderful 35-yard strike which gave Williams no chance and from then on, a Shelbourne comeback looked unlikely.
Byrne went close with a deft lob which drifted wide after a mistake by Aldo Duscher allowed him a clear run on goal, before the Spaniards wrapped up the game when Pandiani scored with a deftly curling free-kick with two minutes remaining.
The game ended on a sour note for Shelbourne as manager Fenlon was ordered from the dugout and Alan Moore was sent off for a second booking.
Moore is now likely to miss Shels' next European clash in the UEFA Cup.
Filed by James Boylan
