Season Preview 2014 - Shelbourne

Manager: Johnny McDonnell

Stadium: Tolka Park

 

Players In: Greg Murray (Bohemians), Philip Hand (Drogheda United), Stephen McDonnell (Dundalk), John Sullivan (Dundalk), Shane Dolan (Ballymena United), Michael Duffy (Mervue United), Conor Murphy (Bohemians), Robbie Gaul (Salthill Devon) Willo McDonagh (Longford Town), Keith Quinn (Longford Town), Jordan Keegan (Cherry Orchard), Gareth Coughlan (Sacred Heart) Nathan Murphy, Sean McGrane, Mattie Taylor, Dylan Connolly, Dylan Cashin, Lee Desmond, Jake Donnelly, Ryan Robinson, Simon Dixon, Adam McDonnell (All Shelbourne U19s).

 

Players Out: Robert Cornwall (Shamrock Rovers), Carl Walshe (Drogheda United), Paul Andrews (Drogheda United), Sean Brennan (Athlone Town), Ian Ryan (UCD), Dean Kelly (Shamrock Rovers), Robert Bayly (Shamrock Rovers), Lee Murphy (Bohemians), Jack Memery (Bohemians), Pat Flynn (Longford Town), Paul Crowley (Drogheda United), Philip Hughes (Drogheda United), Niall Burdon (FC Differdange 03), Jamie McGlynn (Bray Wanderers), Adam Hanlon (Bray Wanderers).

 

Players Released: Glenn Cronin, Derek Doyle, Gareth O’Connor, Mark Leech, Brian Shorthall, Stephen Hurley, Graham Gartland.

 

Extratime.ie Key Man: Jordan Keegan



Shels have done well to get Keegan to put pen to paper at Tolka Park as he has already impressed many despite being just 22 years of age. The former Scunthorpe United man made six appearances for Dundalk last season, helping them to a second place finish. The winger will be an important part of Johnny McDonnell’s squad this year with the Shels manager already opting for height up front with the signing of Conor Murphy from Bohemians and the re-signing of Lee Murtagh. The fact that Shels have lost the impressive Adam Hanlon to Bray Wanderers also means that there is a big gap to fill on the wing. Keegan has been known to score goals himself as well however, netting seven in 25 appearances for Monaghan United during the 2012 season which saw them promoted to the Premier League.

 

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Dylan Connolly

Another winger who could play a big part for Shels this season is 18-year-old Dylan Connolly. Connolly was signed by Johnny McDonnell in December from Shels’ Under-19 squad, although he has already made five first team appearances for The Reds. Connolly featured for Shels towards the end of last season, looking especially impressive in a 1-0 loss away to Limerick on the second last day of the season. Having started his career at Navan club Johnstown FC, Connolly signed for Bohemians before joining Shels in January 2013.

 

How they did last season:



League: 12th.

FAI Cup: Quarter-final.

EA Sports Cup: First round.

Top League Goalscorer: Dean Kelly – 9 goals.

 

What to expect for 2014:

The recent inclement weather has meant that Shels have played just three pre-season friendlies so far. A 5-0 loss to Shamrock Rovers was followed by a 1-1 draw with Bohemians before the Leinster Senior Cup clash with UCD also fell afoul of the weather. The Reds also defeated Shamrock Rovers B by three goals to nil.

 

This year will be another tough one for The Reds as they come to terms with being back down in the First Division, the league from which they were promoted just two seasons ago. A boost for the squad will certainly be the fact that Johnny McDonnell has committed to staying with the team. Fortunes began to change when McDonnell took over from Alan Mathews midway through last season although they did fizzle out in the final round of fixtures. Premier Division standard signings such as John Sullivan and Keith Quinn will also give the Drumcondra side a lift but it will be a tough campaign as both Longford Town and Waterford United will again be pushing for returns to the top tier.

 

With the introduction of a Shamrock Rovers ‘B’ team into the league there is the possibility of finishing fourth in the league and still securing a playoff spot, providing Rovers finish in the top three as they are not eligible for promotion. This should provide some hope for Shels fans as a fourth placed finish could be attainable.

 

Title Odds: 13/2.

First Game: Versus Wexford Youths (Tolka Park – Friday 7th March 8.00pm).

    About Ruaidhri Croke

    Ruaidhrí has been writing for ExtraTime.ie since February 2012. He is currently studying Journalism in DCU and has been an avid League of Ireland fan since a very early age. He hopes to one day … View Full Profile