Baker revives old days

A late free-kick winner from Richie Baker, coupled to a superb defensive display, ended an 18-year wait for an away win by an Irish side in Europe as Shelbourne recorded a rousing victory in Macedonia.

Dermot Keely's side are now favourites to advance through to a second round meeting with Rosenborg of Norway, with the second leg of this tie still to come at Tolka Park next Wednesday.

Not since Shamrock Rovers won 3-0 away to Fram Reykjavik in 1982 has a League of Ireland team tasted victory on their travels in Europe. "This has to be one of my best moments in football," said a delighted Keely afterwards. "All the players were quite simply superb. To play in those hot, humid conditions and come away with a win against a technically good side speaks volumes."

Having defended doggedly, with goalkeeper Steve Williams in superb form, Shelbourne struck for the only goal seven minutes from time. Baker was fouled out wide on the right by Zoran Sterjoski. He took the direct free himself, totally deceiving keeper Jan Nikoloski at his near post with a low shot.

The 25 degree heat didn't appear to affect Shelbourne early on as they took the game to their nervous opponents in Skopje's National Stadium, a graveyard for Mick McCarthy's senior team twice in recent years.

Sloga, with three full Macedonian internationals in their side, gradually settled and soon caused Shelbourne problems.

Williams had to be at his best to react to a close range shot on the turn from Goran Maznov on 28 minutes.

Bruno Presilski then shot wide, while Richie Baker made a superb tackle to block Oldzaj Bajram's shot.

That was about as good as it got for Sloga as Shelbourne, who reshuffled by bringing in Pat Scully and Garry Haylock at half-time, were never seriously threatened again.

FC Sloga Jugomagnat: Nikoloski; G. Jovanoski, Zdravevski, Z. Jovanoski; Mustafi, Maznov, Ramadan, Bajram, Sterjoski; Presilski, Beciri. Subs: Nuhiji for Presilski and Janevski for Bajram (both at half-time), Ramadani for Ramadan (76 mins).

Shelbourne: Williams; Heary, Raeside, McCarthy, Hutchison; R Baker, Fenlon, Doolin, Keddy; D. Baker, S Geoghegan. Subs: Haylock and Scully for Doolin and Raeside (both half-time), Foran for Geoghegan (77 mins).

Referee: W Sova (Austria).