2018 Season Preview - Shelbourne
Credit: Eoin Smith (ETPhotos)
Manager: Owen Heary
Stadium: Tolka Park
2018 Players In: Gavin Boyne (Longford Town), David O’Sullivan (Longford Town), Dave Mulcahy (Drogheda United), Aaron Molloy (Free Agent), Lee Steacy (Bray Wanderers).
2018 Players Out: Adam O’Connor (Longford Town), Chris Lyons (Drogheda United).
Extratime.ie Key Man: Adam Evans
Evans was an ever-present in the SSE Airtricity First Division for Shelbourne last season and made a vital contribution from notching 11 goals in all competitions (eight in the league and three in the LSC) in 35 matches (28 league games, 4 Leinster Senior Cup, 1 League Cup and 2 FAI Cup games). If he can maintain the impressive displays and goal return of last season then Shelbourne could well be in the hunt for promotion this season.
Extratime.ie One to Watch: Aaron Molloy
Aaron Molloy might be only 19-year-old but he already has a lot of experience having been part of the Bohemians u-19 squad in 2014/15 season where he was awarded player of the year for his efforts. Shelbourne have a long history of developing talented young players and Molloy has the potential to add his name to that illustrious list.
How they did last season:
League: 4th
With only one promotion spot up for grabs following the revamping of the league structure it was always going to be a mammoth task for Shelbourne to push for a place in the top flight.
Shelbourne didn’t get off to the best of starts failing to win any of their first 4 league matches including a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of UCD at the UCD Bowl in only their 2nd league outing. Shels' luck was about to change with three wins on the spin over Athlone Town, Wexford and Cabinteely which kept them very much in the hunt for automatic promotion.
Unfortunately this followed a dreadful run of form which saw the Drumcondra side lose four on the bounce and find themselves well off the pace. Shelbourne were dogged by inconsistency throughout the league campaign which unravelled any prospects of a return to the Premier Division.
Owen Heary’s side managed to steady the ship going on a five-match unbeaten run which included an impressive 2-1 away win over UCD gaining revenge for the earlier defeat. Shels followed this up with further patchy form but finished the league season on a high, winning three and drawing one of their last four games.
FAI Cup: Second Round
Shelbourne produced arguably the performance of the first round with a swashbuckling 3-0 demolition of Waterford at the Regional Sports Centre. Three second-half goals from Chris Lyons, Jamie Doyle and James English saw Owen Heary’s side romp to the next round despite going down to ten men when Niall Lanigan was dismissed after 66 minutes.
Shels were drawn against arch rivals Shamrock Rovers at home in a mouth-watering tie in the second round but it was a bridge too far for Shels with Rovers comprehensively booking their place in the quarter-finals thanks to second half goals from Brandon Miele, Graham Burke, and James Doona which saw them run out 3-0 winners.
EA Sports Cup: 2nd Round
Shelbourne were drawn at home to Longford Town in the 2nd Round but came unstuck at Tolka Park. Shels enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but were unable to really put Longford under any sustained pressure and create many clear cut chances. A-first half goal from Gavin Boyne saw the Midlands side go in ahead at the halftime interval and put the seal on the win thanks to Dylan McGlade’s goal with 15 minutes remaining and saw Shels dumped out at the first hurdle.
What to expect this season:
Shels fans can be hopeful that their side can reach the level of consistency required that eluded them last season to really mount a challenge for promotion to the Premier Division this season.
Owen Heary has kept faith with his squad from last year and managed to retain the bulk of the team including veteran goalkeeper Dean Delany who produced some heroics last season and strikers James English and Jamie Doyle.
Shels have also strengthened their squad particularly at the back with the additions of experienced defender Dave Mulcahy from Drogheda United, Gavin Boyne from Longford Town and highly rated Aaron Molloy.
The departures of Adam O’Connor and Chris Lyons has left a void in the squad but striker David O’Sullivan has been recruited from Longford Town to provide much needed firepower up front. If key players can avoid injury and the new players gel early then Shelbourne could well be challenging for the SSE Airtricity First Division title.
