Shelbourne 0 - Deportivo La Coruña 0

Shelbourne: Williams; Heary, Harris, Rogers, Crawley; Jason Byrne, Moore, Houlihan, Stuart Byrne, Cahill; Fitzpatrick (Ndo 61')
Deportivo: Molina (Munúa 40'); Manuel Pablo, César, Andrade, Romero; Sergio (Duscher 66'), Mauro Silva; Víctor, Valerón, Luque (Munitis 79'); Pandiani. 4-2-3-1.

Goals: None.

Deportivo La Coruña came through a tricky tie with Shelbourne unscathed, although the goal-less draw means they will have to win the return leg in a fortnight's time to go through to the league stage. Concern that the Irish side already halfway through their season whereas as Depor had not yet played a competitive match led Irureta to put out a first choice line up, only missing the suspended Tristán and Naybet (who will shortly be moving to Spurs). That meant that Luque was in the side, thereby making him cup-tied for European competitions and hence effectively putting an end to any possibility of a move to Barcelona this summer.

Irureta's fears were confirmed when the locals started strongly, pinning their opponents back in their own half. However the Spanish defence coped well, and there were no really dangerous attempts throughout the first forty-five minutes. Depor though were clearly lacking match practise, and only a cross from Víctor and a long shot from Sergio troubled Williams in the Irish goal.

Depor suffered a blow when Molina limped off shortly before the break after picking up a knock earlier on, Munúa coming on to replace him. But they could have taken the lead only two minutes after the restart when Luque got through only to roll the ball just wide of the post. By now the Spanish side were starting to take control, although they were almost caught out when Moore got a header on target, Munúa doing well to scramble the ball away.

Irureta brought on Muntis for the last ten minutes, and the ex Real Madrid forward could have scored when he made space on left of goal but shot wide. It probably didn't matter in the end, and with two weeks more training before the second leg, Depor are expected to finish the job in the Riazor stadium. But the Irish fans went home happy, still in with a chance having matched one of Europe's finest sides on the day.