Shels boss puts Palace mauling into context - 'We left it behind in earlier defeats'

Defeats to Shkëndija of North Macedonia and Kosovans FC Drita sting Joey O'Brien

Shelbourne head coach Joey O'Brien after the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 league phase match between Shelbourne and Crystal Palace at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

It wasn’t exhibitions meted out by Crystal Palace that halted Shelbourne’s march in Europe, admits Joey O’Brien.

The former English Premier League defender knows the Palace of today are of a different calibre to the version he faced.