Mid Season Report Card - Shelbourne

Club: Shelbourne.

Manager: Kevin Doherty.

Stadium: Tolka Park.

Highest attendance this season: 728 vs. Finn Harps (March 6^th, 2015).

Highest league goalscorer: Gareth Coughlan (six goals).

Mid Season Position: 4th

How we thought they would do

Before the start of the current campaign, the Reds were widely expected to challenge for the First Division title and automatic promotion to the League of Ireland top-flight following their near-miss in 2014. Under Johnny McDonnell, Shels were beaten in the 2^nd v 3^rd place play-off by Galway United, who eventually went on to secure a Premier Division berth with victory over UCD. Defeat to the Tribesmen condemned Shels to another season in the second tier, their seventh in the last nine years.

How they really have done

McDonnell's assistant from last season, Kevin Doherty, was appointed to the Tolka Park hotseat and the initial signs were promising if unspectacular. Shels drew one and won two of their opening three league games without conceding a goal and dumped Premier Division side Drogheda United – now managed by McDonnell – out of the EA Sports Cup in the first round with a 1-0 win at United Park.

However, the wheels came off with a 3-1 home defeat to Athlone Town, which was the beginning of a seven game winless run in all competitions. During the last four games of that barren spell, the Reds went over 348 minutes without scoring in the league – Shels didn't find the net once between Conor Earley's 52^nd minute strike in the 4-2 loss to Wexford Youths on April 10^th and Adam O'Connor's 41^st minute match winner against Cabinteely on May 8^th.

That victory over Cabo was the beginning of a strong finish to the first half of the campaign for Shels. They took 13 points from a possible 18, losing just once (2-1 to UCD in Belfield) in their final six games before the break. This leaves them sitting in fourth place in the table, just seven points off table-topping Finn Harps and five behind the Students in the play-off places.

Moment of the season so far

Had they won the game, it would have been bouncing back from floodlight failure to defeat Wexford Youths at Tolka in early April. As it happened, the failing of the lights actually occured while the Reds were in the ascendancy and Youths recovered from one goal down to win 4-2. Shels' moment of the season did come against Shane Keegan's side, though, in the aforementioned 3-2 victory at Ferrycarrig earlier this month.

Star Player – Gareth Coughlan

Only one of the winger's six goals was a consolation, with Coughlan's current tally earning seven of Shels' 21 points in this campaign – he scored twice in two games against Waterford United to help secure a 1-0 home win in May and a 2-2 draw at the RSC in April; and he netted all three goals against Youths in Ferrycarrig to ensure his side won that game. Whenever Coughlan steps up to take a free-kick within 25 yards of goal, there is a genuine expectation that he will score.

Surprise star player – Dylan McGlade

The 20 year old winger is finally getting an extended run of first-team football after serious injuries saw him leave Championship club Middlesbrough and hinder his progress at Shels, for whom he signed in 2013. Having bided his time, his recent inclusion in the starting XI has actually coincided with Shels' upturn in form, with his 88^th minute match-winner in the 3-2 away win over Athlone Town a highlight.

Young player – Evan Osam

The loanee from Shamrock Rovers has firmly established himself in the left-back position of the Reds' defence. The son of St. Patrick's Athletic legend Paul will probably never be able to escape comparisons with his father, but the 17 year old is already proving himself to be a decent player in his own right and will return to Tallaght Stadium at the end of his loan spell improved for his experiences in the First Division.

Star signing – Daire Doyle

The 34 year old was signed by Doherty in the off-season and handed the captain's armband – an acknowledgement of the key role Doyle would play over the course of the season, one which he has fulfilled valiantly to date. The former Bray Wanderers and Drogheda United man has only missed one league game this season, playing at both full-back and in the heart of the Reds midfield where required.

What they need to do in the transfer market

Realistically, Shels won't be able to do anything unless players leave the club. If it was financially feasible and somebody was available, though, Doherty would probably think about signing a striker. Despite the partnership showing glimpses of promise recently, Philly Hughes and Mark Sandford have scored just five league goals between them so far, while Alan O'Sullivan has yet to get off the mark.

Where we see them finishing

While they are not fulfilling pre-season expectations, Shels are still on the coat-tails of the promotion race – just. League leaders Harps had their first wobble before the break, losing back-to-back games, while Youths can only win or lose games at the moment – they've yet to draw this season. UCD will have the Europa League to distract them at the end of June, while fifth-placed Athlone Town are still an unknown quantity under new manager Alan Mathews.

However, if Shels really are to stay in the shake-up, they need to sort out their profligacy in front of goal, which also hampered their promotion charge last season, and their home form – only two of their six wins have come in Tolka Park. If they fail to do this, fourth may very well be the position Shels find themselves in at the end of the season.