Shelbourne look set to receive a £100,000-plus bonanza should they qualify for the second round of the UFEA Champions League.

Their 1-0 victory over Macedonian champions Sloga Jugomanat last Wednesday has given them a strong chance of advancing to meet Rosenborg of Norway.

That would generate a huge increase in money to the club, who have already received £100,00 for entering the competition. Resulting TV rights and further cash from UFEA could earn Dermot Keely's men as much as £215,000.

But this could increase even further should a bidding war erupt between Norwegian TV companies for the Rosenborg match.

Chairman Gary Browne said: "At this stage, it is difficult to assess how much we could earn". He added that the notion of the club earning around another £200,000 was "realistic".

Apart from the money, Shelbourne's win over Sloga Jugomagnat is a major step forward in Irish football, seeing as this is the first away victory by an Irish side in Europe in 18 years and the first in the Champions League/European Cup in 21 years.

Although it's too early to get overambitious about the win, it does show that improvements are occurring. If they continue to be successful, it would be a huge boost for their self-respect and for the league that they represent.