Shelbourne's Europa Conference campaign ended with a hard-fought draw at last season's beaten quarter-finalists NK Celje.
In a topsy-turvy game in which both sides created good opportunities, Shels proved again, bar the Crystal Palace game, that they have nothing to fear at this level and arguably had the clearer chances on a cold night in Slovenia.
Prior to kick-off there was much on the line for both sides. Looking to end their extended season on a high, Reds boss Joey O’Brien opted for a relatively attacking side with both Sean Boyd and Mipo Odubeko named in attack as they searched for that all elusive first goal in the competition and hopes of avoiding finishing bottom of the pile.
It was the visitors who duly made a positive start and had the first shot in anger in the fifth minute, as Kerr McInroy swivelled inside from the right hand side but on his left foot opted for power with the shot always rising.
Even though the hosts - who had already conquered Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght back in October - had the security of a play-off spot in their back pocket, they hadn’t given up hope of an automatic qualifying spot and knew a victory at the hostile Stadion Z’dezele’s would put them right in the mix.
Following Shels’ bright start and high press, the hosts began to show their quality and speed of play in the final third with a quarter of an hour gone.
Some sharp build up play ended with a clever cut back to Nikita Iosifov who cuffed his shot on the uneven surface under foot.
The runaway Slovenian league leaders began to build a head of steam, as corners began to rain in on the Reds rearguard and racking up eight attempts after just 22 minutes, mainly potshots from distance as the expectant home crowd began to really find their voice.
But to their credit the 2024 League of Ireland champions, who boasted seven academy graduates in the matchday squad, defended stoutly.
The competition’s joint top-scorer Franko Kovacevic, who netted twice against Stephen Bradley’s double winners, looked in the mood to add to his tally and midway through the first half. He showed his pace and power to run in behind and round Speel, but saw the angle dissipate at the crucial moment.
Having halted the home side’s momentum, Shels went agonisingly close to taking the lead when Odubeko flashed a thunderous volley just wide of the near post before McInroy forced Zan-Luk Leban into a sharp stop with another powerful strike.
Just five minutes after the restart former Liverpool man Albert Riera saw his side squander a massive gilt-edged chance to take the lead.
On the break, Danijel Sturm found space down the right and played an inch-perfect pass across the box finding the unmarked Ivica Vidovic. With all the time in the world, the Croatian midfielder saw his side-footed effort brilliantly saved by the long legs of Speel.
With a draw not ideal for the home side, there was a sense of tension in the air as they looked to avoid the dreaded play-offs and began to go a little more direct, swinging in a number of dangerous crosses to the danger man Kovacevic, but found Speel equal to his endeavours.
With 17 minutes remaining the chance Shels, and their much travelled fans, wished so hard for finally arrived and much like his big chance away at AZ Alkmaar, substitute John Martin found himself with a clear sight of goal having been slipped in by Odubeko.
The front man looked on in disbelief as his glorious chance came off Leban and dribbled wide.
As the game entered the final minute of normal time, O’Brien was on his knees as it seemed the ball just wouldn’t go in for his side.
Martin showed a cool head having broken free, before cutting back to the relentless McInroy who made a lung-bursting run to support. Sliding in with every ounce of energy remaining, he couldn’t direct his toe-poked effort into the bottom corner.
Despite not getting the goal their efforts deserve over a campaign, O'Brien and his charges can be proud of their efforts, with the slight consolation in the fact they didn't finish with the wooden spoon as their better goal difference saw them finish ahead of Aberdeen at the foot of the final table.
NK Celje: Zan-Luk Leban; Juanjo Neto, Damjan Vuklisevic (Matija Boben, 80’), Darko Hrka (Florjan Jevsenak, 52’), Lukasz Bejger; Mario Kvesic (Andrej Kotnik, 72’), Milot Avdyli, Ivica Vidovic; Danijel Sturm, Nikita Iosifov, Franko Kovacevic
Subs not used: Luka Kolar, Gasper Vodeb, Vitali Lisakovic, Rudi Pozeg Vancas, Matej Poplatnik
Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Sean Gannon, Mark Coyle (Lewis Temple, 83’), Paddy Barrett, Kameron Ledwidge; Harry Wood (JJ Lunney, 80’), Kerr McInroy, Jack Henry-Francis, Daniel Kelly (Evan Caffrey, 46’); Mipo Odubeko, Sean Boyd (John Martin, 72’)
Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, Ali Topcu, Daniel Ring, Aaron Moloney, Raymond Offor, Alex Flynn
Referee: Sandi Putros (Denmark)
