Why Shels Should Succeed
Credit:
In the first of four articles on the favourites for promotion, Gordon Hunt looks at why Shelbourne should be considered favourites to go up to the Premier Division in November.
Shelbourne 1-1 Limerick 37. Saturday, November 15, 2008:
Last November saw one of the most agonising moments in Shels’ history. Considering the last few years, that is certainly saying something.
For those unaware of what happened, Shels needed just a win at Tolka Park against Limerick on the last day of the season to win promotion. The ground was buzzing before kick off and the biggest attendance of the season witnessed what was supposed to be Shels return to the big time. But at 1-0 up, Shels missed countless opportunities in front of goal and nerves crept into the ground. As the fans tried to sing their way through the uncomfortable nervousness of the occasion, disaster struck - Limerick equalised in the 93rd minute and Dundalk won promotion.
Seven players who started that night remain at the club this season. That experience is one which will stay with them for years to come. That experience is one which should drive the club on throughout the tougher times this season.
Excellent Start to the Season:
At the time of writing, Shels have won three from three this season - without yet performing to their full potential it must be said. With a home tie this Friday against Limerick offering a chance to cast away the memories of last year, if only momentarily, Shels really should make it four wins from four. Given that we at extratime.ie can only see four sides competing this year in the shape of Shels, Sporting, Waterford and UCD, any dropped points against lowly teams will be costly. The win against Waterford on Friday was a fantastic result and one which throws down a marker to the rest of the division that Shels mean business.
A quick look at the fixtures for the season shows an ideal finish for Shels this year. In early October they host UCD before travelling down the road to face Sporting Fingal. Should Shels carry a lead at the top after those two games, then the remaining four fixtures against Athlone, Finn Harps, Longford and Kildare will be mouth-watering for the players and fans alike.
Stronger First Division Squad:
“I’ve strengthened the squad. We are shorter in numbers but better in quality. What I’ve seen in preseason is when I replace someone on the pitch, there’s no gap in quality. You make the choice of getting in numbers, or getting in quality in smaller numbers,” said Dermot Keely in February.
It already shows. Shels have so far made the difference in each of their opening three games when calling on fresh legs from the bench. This ability was lacking in certain areas last year, with a lack of depth up front resulting in an over reliance on one man’s goals, Anto Flood.
Paddy Madden’s pace and Peter Hynes' strength are just two of the new facets to Shels attacking approach this season. The addition of Richie Baker and David Cassidy should also bring goals from midfield.
David McAllister:
Shels have assembled a strong squad, as mentioned, but no player will be as valuable to this club as David McAllister. Signed on loan last summer, McAllister was fantastic as Shels ultimately failed in their bid to get promoted.
McAllister possesses all the traits of a Premier Division player: agile; quick; skilful; strong; a good header of the ball; and an eye for goal. Indeed Keely himself has admitted his surprise at the ease with which Shels signed the midfielder in the off season. A fine player.
Dermot Keely:
In Dermot Keely, Shels hold their most valuable asset. Keely is as experienced as possible, as committed as they get, and as confident as ever this year. No one felt last season’s heartache as much as this man. Speaking before this season’s start, Keely admitted that he sulked for days following the last minute catastrophe. But that, most certainly, will spur him on this season.
All pre-season Keely has opined about how certain he was that Sporting Fingal should run away with the league. This served two purposes; it took pressure off of Shels, and piled more on the side who many feel are most likely to be Shels' main rival for promotion. Looking at the squad he has assembled, it is clear that Keely noticed where his side was lacking last year, and has addressed those issues accordingly. He knows the league, he knows the players, and more importantly, he knows the club.
Shelbourne 1-1 Limerick 37. Saturday, November 15, 2008:
Last November saw one of the most agonising moments in Shels’ history. Considering the last few years, that is certainly saying something.
For those unaware of what happened, Shels needed just a win at Tolka Park against Limerick on the last day of the season to win promotion. The ground was buzzing before kick off and the biggest attendance of the season witnessed what was supposed to be Shels return to the big time. But at 1-0 up, Shels missed countless opportunities in front of goal and nerves crept into the ground. As the fans tried to sing their way through the uncomfortable nervousness of the occasion, disaster struck - Limerick equalised in the 93rd minute and Dundalk won promotion.
Seven players who started that night remain at the club this season. That experience is one which will stay with them for years to come. That experience is one which should drive the club on throughout the tougher times this season.
Excellent Start to the Season:
At the time of writing, Shels have won three from three this season - without yet performing to their full potential it must be said. With a home tie this Friday against Limerick offering a chance to cast away the memories of last year, if only momentarily, Shels really should make it four wins from four. Given that we at extratime.ie can only see four sides competing this year in the shape of Shels, Sporting, Waterford and UCD, any dropped points against lowly teams will be costly. The win against Waterford on Friday was a fantastic result and one which throws down a marker to the rest of the division that Shels mean business.
A quick look at the fixtures for the season shows an ideal finish for Shels this year. In early October they host UCD before travelling down the road to face Sporting Fingal. Should Shels carry a lead at the top after those two games, then the remaining four fixtures against Athlone, Finn Harps, Longford and Kildare will be mouth-watering for the players and fans alike.
Stronger First Division Squad:
“I’ve strengthened the squad. We are shorter in numbers but better in quality. What I’ve seen in preseason is when I replace someone on the pitch, there’s no gap in quality. You make the choice of getting in numbers, or getting in quality in smaller numbers,” said Dermot Keely in February.
It already shows. Shels have so far made the difference in each of their opening three games when calling on fresh legs from the bench. This ability was lacking in certain areas last year, with a lack of depth up front resulting in an over reliance on one man’s goals, Anto Flood.
Paddy Madden’s pace and Peter Hynes' strength are just two of the new facets to Shels attacking approach this season. The addition of Richie Baker and David Cassidy should also bring goals from midfield.
David McAllister:
Shels have assembled a strong squad, as mentioned, but no player will be as valuable to this club as David McAllister. Signed on loan last summer, McAllister was fantastic as Shels ultimately failed in their bid to get promoted.
McAllister possesses all the traits of a Premier Division player: agile; quick; skilful; strong; a good header of the ball; and an eye for goal. Indeed Keely himself has admitted his surprise at the ease with which Shels signed the midfielder in the off season. A fine player.
Dermot Keely:
In Dermot Keely, Shels hold their most valuable asset. Keely is as experienced as possible, as committed as they get, and as confident as ever this year. No one felt last season’s heartache as much as this man. Speaking before this season’s start, Keely admitted that he sulked for days following the last minute catastrophe. But that, most certainly, will spur him on this season.
All pre-season Keely has opined about how certain he was that Sporting Fingal should run away with the league. This served two purposes; it took pressure off of Shels, and piled more on the side who many feel are most likely to be Shels' main rival for promotion. Looking at the squad he has assembled, it is clear that Keely noticed where his side was lacking last year, and has addressed those issues accordingly. He knows the league, he knows the players, and more importantly, he knows the club.
About Gordon Hunt
Gordon Hunt is one of extratime's Dublin based reporters. Having worked with the site since it's inception, Gordon's name is carved into the foundations of extratime's tower block. View Full Profile