Even though embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal straight entry to the last 16, particularly following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
This match provided a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
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