Buoyed by recent courageous performances in Europe and twinned with lessons learned from some less than impressive sojourns, Shelbourne would appear in good shape to progress past Lithuanian rivals FK Vetra at Tolka Park tonight.

Pat Fenlon's side are certainly a cannier outfit on the continent these days but memories of that Champions League defeat to Maltese minnows Hibernians four years ago still haunt many of the squad who, although confident of victory, are wary of another potential banana skin.

"If we avoid defeat we are through," says winger Ollie Cahill. "We have to be professional and try to keep possession as we did that fairly well over there last week."

Cahill is confident, if still a little cautious, that Shelbourne - who hold a 1-0 lead following Sean Dillion's away goal - will progress to meet Danish side Odense in the next round.

"For 20 minutes at the start of the second half they put us under pressure and showed us what they are capable of," he reflects. "If they produce that for 90 minutes, we'd be in for a tough game.

"The Hibernian match was one of the biggest disappointments I've ever had in football but if we play to our capabilities, like we know we can, then we should go through."

Fenlon is likely to stick with the 4-5-1 formation he favours in Europe but must plan without striker Gary O'Neill who is out for six weeks with a knee injury. Greg O'Halloran returned to training this week but the game comes too soon for him.

Vetra's task is made all the more difficult by the fact some of their squad were unable to travel because of food poisoning.

Meanwhile, Cork City will play Cypriot team Apollon in the first qualifying round of the Uefa Champions League at Turners Cross on July 12th.

The Limassol-based club finished their season unbeaten, winning the league by a single point from rivals Omonia and two clear of third-placed APOEL.

Should Cork progress they will meet 1991 European Cup winners Red Star Belgrade of Serbia and Montenegro in the second qualifying round.

In the Uefa Cup, Drogheda United are away to HJK Helsinki on July 13th before playing hosts to the Finnish side at Dalymount Park in Dublin a week later.

Stephen Kenny's Derry City face a tough trip to Swedish side Gothenburg before the return leg at the Brandywell.

Like HJK, Gothenburg's season is already under way but Kenny will note that the Swedish league is currently in recess for two months during the World Cup finals.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: First Qualifying Round: Elbasani (Alb) v Ekranas (Ltu); TVMK (Est) v Hafnarfjordur (Isl); Metalurgs (Lat) v Aktobe (Kaz); MyPa (Fin) v TNS (Wal); Cork City (Irl)v Apollon (Cyp); Sioni (Geo) v Baku (Aze); Dudelange (Lux) v Rabotnicki (Mkd); Shakhtyor (Bls) v Siroki (Bih); Brijeg Birkirkara (Mlt) v B36 (Far); Linfield (Nir) v Gorica (Slo); Pyunik (Arm) v Sheriff (Mol).

First-leg matches will be played on July 11th/12th. Second-leg matches will be played on July 18th/19th.

UEFA CUP: First Qualifying Round (selected): HJK Helsinki (Fin) v Drogheda (Irl), Gelfe IF (Swe) Llanelli (Wal); Glentoran FC (Nir) v SK Brann (Nor); IFK Gothenburg v Derry City.

l First-leg matches will be played on the July 13th. Second leg matches will be played on and July 27th.