Potential Ajax and Besiktas ties the motivation for Shelbourne and Bohemians

Alan Reynolds arrives before the UEFA Conference League Second Qualifying Round first leg match between Bohemians and Ballkani at Dalymount Park. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

Glamour Conference League ties against Ajax and potentially Besiktas will be the motivation Shelbourne and Bohemians possess to protect leads in Thursday’s away second legs.

Whereas Shels look assured of their third-round berth against the Dutch giants, having racked up a three-goal buffer heading to Nõmme Kalju in Estonia (5pm, Irish time), the slenderest of margins separates Bohs and Ballkani.