Even though embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding win that all but secures them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to seal direct passage to the knockout stages, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
This match offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were outmatched against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner.
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
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