Shelbourne prepare for next season

The past two days have seen the club already put plans in place for next years’ First Division campaign with the news that Kevin Doherty will be staying on as manager preluding thirteen players signing on.

A former Red near the start and end of his playing career, Kevin took over the reins of Shelbourne in December 2014 after Johnny McDonnell took up his place in the dugout of Drogheda United. In his first season, Doherty’s side just missed out on a play-off spot as they finished fourth on forty-five points, four behind UCD in third.

He finished the season with fourteen wins, six draws and twelve losses in all competitions and the club also confirmed along with his staying on that John Martin and Davy O’Connor will also both remain a part of his backroom staff.

Nine players were announced as having re-signed in the same press release with joint top goalscorer of last season Gareth Coughlan, who netted seven in twenty-five, joining midfielder Daire Doyle and goalkeeper Greg Murray in signing on at the club.

Defenders Ryan Robinson and Adam O’Connor, who played twenty-one and twenty-three league games respectively last season, will also both be turning out in Tolka Park while Alan Kehoe, who was signed from Shamrock Rovers at the beginning of 2015, also re-signs after making thirteen appearances in the First Division.

Mark Sandford, who was also signed from Shamrock Rovers ahead of last season, joins fellow striker James English in staying at the Dublin club for the 2016 campaign. Both scored five goals in twenty-two and thirteen league appearances respectively.

Jack Brady, Conor Keeley and Dylan Grimes made their league debuts for the club in the last game of the season against Cobh Ramblers. Their fine performances helped the side to a 3-1 win and all three have signed on for the 2016 season with the latter duo being promoted from the u19 squad along with midfielder Robert Duggan.

And finally, the club followed up with the news that Gavin Boyne had signed from First Division rivals Athlone Town. Gavin has experience in the First Division having played nine games for the Shamrock Rovers B team in 2014 before adding a further twenty-four in Athlone colours, while also chipping in with three goals from midfield.