Season Preview 2017 - Shelbourne

Manager: Owen Heary

Stadium: Tolka Park

Players In: Chris Lyons (Bray Wanderers), Jason Caffrey (Bohemians), Dean Delany (Bohemians), Derek Prendergast (Bohemians), Aaron Ashe (Drogheda United), James Quinn (Athlone Town), Robert Bayly (Bluebell United), James O’Brien (Bluebell United), Niall Lanigan (Moyle Park).

Players Out: Jamie Doyle, Greg Murray (Bohemians), Gavin Boyne, Jack Brady (Longford Town), Daire Doyle, Conor Keeley (Cabinteely FC), Ryan Robinson (St. Mochta’s).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Dean Delany

The prodigal son makes a welcome return to Tolka Park, where he was the man between the sticks from 2005 to 2012. Delany made a total of 192 appearances for Shels (177 league and 15 FAI Cup matches) and was an integral part of the team that lost out to Sligo Rovers on a penalty shoot-out in the 2011 FAI Cup final.

Delany’s vast experience could prove to be invaluable in the dressing room with Shelbourne’s relatively young squad and his shot-stopping ability could play a significant role in Shelbourne’s bid for promotion and a return to the top flight for the first time since 2013.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: James English

The fleet-of-foot striker was one of Shels outstanding talents last season and finished as the club’s top scorer in all competitions with eleven goals in 25 appearances. Shels fans were relieved to hear the news that English re-signed for the club in November 2016.

English started out with Ayrfield United in the AUL Premier A before moving onto Kilbarrack United in 2013/2014 and then to Darndale United, where his whopping 45 goals in the 2014/2015 season alerted Shelbourne, who snapped him up in June 2015.

He went on to net five times in his first 13 games for Shels as they finished fourth that season in the SSE Airtricity First Division. English will be relied upon to provide the goals that will help Shelbourne mount a serious challenge for promotion folllowing the departure of striker Jamie Doyle to rivals Bohemians during the close season.

How they did last season:

SSE Airtricity First Division: 6^th

Shelbourne had arguably one of their poorest seasons since dropping to the second tier of Irish football finishing disappointingly in sixth place ahead of Athlone Town and Cabinteely. Despite a promising start with four points from a possible nine in their opening three league matches, Shelbourne’s ambitions for promotion were dogged by inconsistency and a leaky defence that saw them concede 40 goals in 28 league matches.

A heavy 5-1 thrashing at the hands of runaway SSE Airtricity First Division champions Limerick and a narrow defeat to promotion contenders UCD in April were followed up with a brace of convincing away wins over Waterford United and Athlone Town.

Shelbourne remained in with an outside chance of catching UCD and Drogheda United but a dreadful run of 4 defeats in a row in August scuppered their hopes. Shels could only manage one win in their last 5 league games over Cabinteely to finish in 6^th place with 30 points.

EA Sports Cup: Quarter-finals

Shelbourne enjoyed a rollercoaster run in the EA Sports Cup reaching the last eight thanks to a resounding 5-0 defeat of Cabinteely in the 2^nd round at Tolka Park. Shels were drawn against their fiercest rivals Bohemians in the 3^rd round at home and gallant and courageous display by the home side saw them frustrate the Gypsies to a 0-0 draw after extra-time. Shelbourne held their nerve to progress 4-3 on penalties after Daire Doyle had converted his and Keith Buckley could only blaze his effort high over the bar.

Shelbourne drew Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park in the quarter-finals and again produced a fine performance that saw them take the lead courtesy of an own goal by Danny North only to have it cancelled out by a Dean Clarke strike. The game went to penalties with Shelbourne unable to replicate the heroics of the previous round eventually bowing out 3-2 on penalties.

FAI Cup: 2^nd Round

The draw in the FAI Cup was not kind to Shelbourne who were given the thankless task to travel to Oriel Park to face the SSE Airtricity Premier Division league leaders Dundalk. The champions won 2-0 thanks to goals from Daryl Horgan and Ciaran Kilduff.

What to expect this season:

Shelbourne will go into the league season feeling optimistic about their chances of mounting a serious challenge for promotion this season. There is a good mixture of youth and experience throughout the squad with the return of experienced goalkeeper Dean Delany and former Bohs players Jason Caffrey and Derek Prendergast alongside exciting young prospects like midfielder Dylan Kavanagh and defender Adam O’Connor.

The loss of striker Jamie Doyle to Bohemians means last season’s top scorer James English will be relied on even more to provide the firepower in front of goal but the midfielders will need to chip in with their fair share to give Shelbourne any hope. Shels cannot afford a repeat of last season’s inconsistency and will need to shore up the gaps at the back that saw them concede 40 goals in the league last year.

Shelbourne will face stiff competition in the race for promotion with the likes of Longford Town, Wexford Youths and UCD all fancied which could mean that the Richmond Road side face the prospect of narrowly missing out on a place back in the top flight.

Title odds: 14/1.

First game: Longford Town (home), Friday 24^th February (kick-off 7.45pm).