When the Shelbourne class of 2000 ended the League of Ireland’s 18-year hoodoo in Europe

The Reds’ return to Skopje this week brings back memories of a landmark away day

Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely, centre, celebrates with goal scorer Richie Baker, left, and his brother Dessie after their Champions League qualifier victory over Sloga Jugomagnat in Skopje, Macedonia in 2000. Photo: David Maher/Sportsfile

A quarter of a century has passed since a group of Shelbourne players visited a place etched into the consciousness of Ireland fans as a graveyard for dreams.

The summer of 2000 would have been spent at a European Championships in Belgium and the Netherlands if it wasn’t for the last-minute collapse in Skopje the previous October that allowed Goran Stavreski to power in a bullet hea

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