Season Preview: Shelbourne

Shelbourne

Year founded: 1895
Stadium: Tolka Park
Manager: Alan Mathews
Key Player: Philly Hughes

Expectations for Shels this season will be to secure a mid-table position. The board and manager Alan Mathews have said that club will be operating on a much lower budget this year than last. Coupled with the fact that they have lost a number of important players during the off-season, it could be a tough year for Shels.

Players such as David Cassidy (who moved to Drogheda United), Kevin Dawson (Yeovil Town) and Paddy Kavanagh (Derry City) have not really been replaced. Instead Mathews has brought in players such as Graham Gartland and Robert Bayly. The new signings will also be accompanied by players from the under-19 squad, such as Stephen Sheerin.

Three wins and three draws in pre-season is a relatively good record for The Reds, albeit against what would be considered lesser opposition. Three goals in the four games for Philly Hughes is a good omen for Shels as he will be vitally important this year. With the loss of the key players mentioned previously, it is difficult to see where the goals might come from so keeping Hughes (who was Shels’ top scorer) fit is paramount.

The first two games of the league campaign will be massive for Shels as they come up against Bray Wanderers and Dundalk. Two good results in those games will be very important to ensure that they don’t slip too far behind, before a tough run of fixtures that include matches against St. Patrick’s Athletic, Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers in four of their next five games.

Shels season will be a fight to ensure survival, but a similar finish to that of last year would be acceptable for Alan Mathews’ men.