Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal straight passage to the last 16, particularly after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved no match even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
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