WNL Season Preview: Shelbourne

Manager: Dave Bell

Stadium: Tolka Park

Players in: Ciara Grant.

Players out: Rebecca Creagh, Alannah McEvoy.

Extratime.com Key Player: Emily Whelan

Shelbourne’s 2019 Women’s National League top scorer Emily Whelan will be hoping that she can build on an impressive 2019 with similar exploits in 2020.

Whelan was a member of Shelbourne’s inaugural under-17s women’s squad, and has risen through the ranks at Tolka Park in recent years.

Whelan played a pivotal role and scored goals at crucial times last year (15 league goals in total) for the Reds and she will be hopeful that she can once again push on in the 2020 season.

Extratime.com One to Watch: Isibeal Atkinson

Along with fellow teenage teammate Jessica Ziu, Isibeal Atkinson has begun to forge her name as one of the most feared young players in the Women’s National League.

Atkinson is an Irish under-17 women’s international and has impressed suitably when called upon for Dave Bell’s side.   

The former Enniskerry FC underage star joined Shels in July 2017 and is likely to push on during the 2020 campaign once again.

How they did last season:

League: Despite being one of the most consistent sides in the 2019 Women’s National League, Shelbourne will be left ruing what might have been as they were pipped to the title by Peamount United.

Dave Bell’s side had a decent overall record against the Peas, but it was games against Galway WFC and Wexford Youths that cost them dearly in the end. 

While they looked close to securing the title, Peamount rarely looked like they would have slipped up when push came to shove – and Shelbourne will be hopeful that they can avoid a similar fate this term.

WFAI Cup: There was further disappointment against Peamount for Shelbourne in the Women’s FAI Cup, as they lost against James O’Callaghan’s side in the final four stages of the tournament.

The Reds reached the semi’s following a 3-2 win away to Cork City in the last eight, but it was in vain as they succumbed to a two-nil defeat in Greenogue.

League Cup: Prior to missing out on both the WFAI Cup and League title, Shelbourne secured the League Cup with an away win over Wexford Youths in the final at Ferrycarrig Park.

The Reds reached the final following a two-nil win over Peamount United, which came after their 3-1 win away to Cork City in the last eight.

What to expect this season:

After going so close last season on two fronts, and winning the league cup, Shelbourne must be considered as one of the favourites in clinching the shortened 2020 Women’s National League season.

The Reds have a number of exciting attacking talents within their squad, with the likes of Jessica Ziu, Isibeal Atkinson, Emily Whelan, Noelle Murray and Jamie Kavanagh all expected to shine.

While their front-line is more than capable of proving a real menace to opposition defences – their defensive line is also one to be mindful of too.

Pearl Slattery and Jess Gargan are two of the best defenders in the Women’s National League – and Dave Bell will be delighted to have them both on board for the 2020 campaign.

While the Reds are capable of winning the league title, they will be aware of the threat that a strengthened Peamount possess, although that will be unlikely to faze them.

They have history of defeating Peamount before and it is likely that they will lean on whatever past experience they have of defeating them again.

Shels look well-primed for a league title success, but the question lies whether or not they can do it or not.