Ten-Man Shelbourne Stare at Conference League Exit After Defeat to FC Drita

Shelbourne’s hopes of prolonging their UEFA Europa Conference League journey were left in tatters as they fell 1-0 at home to FC Drita — a result that leaves them on the brink of elimination.

Two weeks ago, the Dublin side were left heartbroken by an injury-time own goal in North Macedonia, but they could have few complaints this time. Their night unravelled early, as they were reduced to ten men after just 16 minutes before missing a gilt-edged chance to take the lead.

Even Drita’s winning goal early in the second half came with a cruel twist of fate for Joey O’Brien’s men. Alamir Ajzeraj’s effort took two wicked deflections off Shelbourne defenders before nestling in the back of the net.

It was simply one of those nights for the Reds.

Having drawn at home to Häcken in their opening fixture and then lost to Shkëndija, Shelbourne went into this match knowing that only victory would realistically keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

That task was made even more pressing given their challenging run of fixtures ahead. After this defeat, they face a daunting trip to AZ Alkmaar before hosting Crystal Palace and finishing away to an in-form Celje.

Typically, a seven-point tally is enough to secure progress beyond the league phase, but Shelbourne now require a remarkable sequence of results for that to happen.

The home side started brightly, enjoying early control of possession. Harry Wood — often Shelbourne’s man for the big occasion — brought intensity and determination, especially after admitting his disappointment at missing out on the PFA Ireland Team of the Year.

Wood nearly opened the scoring directly from a corner, only for Jorgo Pellumbi to clear off the line.

However, Shelbourne’s momentum was halted when James Norris received a straight red card. VAR replays clearly showed the on-loan Liverpool full-back raking his studs down the shin of match-winner Ajzeraj, leaving the referee with little choice. Norris accepted the decision without protest, and neither did his manager.

Joey O’Brien’s frustration instead stemmed from a missed opportunity minutes later. In the 33rd minute, Drita defenders Pellumbi and Egzon Bejtulai failed to deal with Kerr McInroy’s long ball, allowing Mipo Odubeko a clear sight of goal. With goalkeeper Faton Maloku stranded, the striker inexplicably missed the open net — the ball rolling wide to the disbelief of the strong Shelbourne contingent in the North Stand.

That moment proved a turning point. The visitors grew in confidence and could have led before half-time, with Wessel Speel denying Raddy Ovouka and Rron Broja’s header crashing off the crossbar.

Drita eventually made their dominance count 12 minutes after the restart. Ajzeraj’s low strike from the edge of the box deflected off JJ Lunney and then Lewis Temple, wrong-footing Speel as it trickled into the net — the only goal of the game.

To their credit, Shelbourne refused to capitulate. Substitute John Martin headed narrowly over, while Evan Caffrey forced Maloku into a fine double save late on. Yet, in keeping with their luckless evening, nothing would fall their way.

Shelbourne: Speel; Mbeng, Barrett, Coyle (Temple 45), Norris, Kelly (Ledwidge 20); Henry-Francis (Caffrey 78), Lunney (Martin 63), McInroy; Wood (Coote 78), Odubeko.
FC Drita: Maloku; Krasniqi, Bejtulai, Pellumbi, Sheji; Ajzeraj (Arthur 90), Broja (Mustafa 81), Limaj, Ovouka; Souamhoro (Abazaj 71), Dabiqaj.
Referee: Oliver Reitala (Finland).