Shelbourne Returns to Skopje: Revisiting Past Irish Soccer Struggles Under Mick McCarthy

Shelbourne FC is gearing up for an important European campaign as they shift focus from domestic competitions. Under the guidance of Joey O’Brien, the team has achieved impressive success recently, winning seven out of their last ten matches. This positive streak started with a decisive victory over Linfield, earning them their first spot in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.

Shelbourne’s European Ambitions and Upcoming Matches

To secure another year of European football, Shelbourne needs to earn just one win from their next two league games. They will face Bohemians on Sunday and St Patrick’s Athletic the following week. The club’s goal is to build on their recent performance, including a scoreless draw against Swedish Cup holders BK Hacken at Tallaght Stadium.

First Away Match in Skopje

Shelbourne’s debut away match will be in Skopje, North Macedonia. This city holds a history of challenging results for Irish teams, especially during Mick McCarthy’s previous tenure. Shelbourne will face KF Shkëndija, a team of Albanian descent that attained recognition after a 3-1 aggregate victory over FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest.

The match will be held at the 33,500-seater Todor Proeski Arena due to stadium issues in Tetovo. Both teams reached this stage through UEFA’s qualification processes, with Shkëndija falling to Qarabag and subsequently moving to the Europa League, where they met defeat against Ludogorets, pushing them into the Conference League.

Financial Stability and Future Prospects

After their scoreless draw against BK Hacken, Shelbourne added €133,000 to their impressive gross of €3.8 million. The club aims to bank an additional €400,000 on Wednesday with their upcoming matches. Joey O’Brien remains optimistic, stating that every game is winnable for his squad.

• Upcoming Matches:
  • Home against Drita (Kosovo)
  • Home against Palace
  • Away at AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands)
  • Away at Celje (Slovenia)

O’Brien’s confidence is reinforced by the club’s financial stability, which has allowed them to secure contract extensions for key players like John Martin and Ali Coote. Newly acquired talents such as Milan Mbeng from Cork City, ex-Arsenal trainee Jack Henry-Francis, and Dutch goalkeeper Wessel Speel have also bolstered the team’s depth, setting the stage for a strong 2026 season.