Cassidy focused on promotion for Shels
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We’ve all heard it at this stage- Shels are favourites to go up this year.
And while that makes some fans feel a bit queasy (Shelbourne have, of course, been in this position before), it’s something that the squad has to deal with.
According to David Cassidy, the tag of favourites is a justified one because the aim in the squad was always focused on one thing- going up. The ambition is “a given with the squad we have” says Cassidy. “Alan [Mathews] wouldn’t accept anything less. It’s all we’re building towards, every day in training.”
At this stage Cassidy is one of the longer-serving members of the Shels squad, having originally come to Tolka Park in 2009. He is also one of a band of Reds players with experience of winning the First Division before- having first won it with Shamrock Rovers in 2006 before going up a second time with Dundalk in 2009.
Does that experience stand to Cassidy? “Definitely, the league doesn’t change that much” the Ringsend native says. “It doesn’t matter that much which teams are in it. Obviously I’d rather be up in the Premier Division though.”
The Premier Division is one thing which crops up again and again when talking to Shels players (many of whom have played in the top tier before), and Cassidy is no different. “The Premier Division is a different level to the First Division” he admits, before saying that he believes that “the squad we have is ready for promotion- we wouldn’t need to change too much if we went up.”
But the squad isn’t the only thing ready for life in the Premier Division, says Cassidy. “This year it is different. The whole club is being run like a Premier Division club. I have noticed a different feel about the place, all the standards in the club are very high.”
Sadly, attendances at Tolka Park aren’t what they used to be, but Cassidy is confident that the fans will come back to Shels as the promotion campaign really kicks into gear. “There is a bit of a buzz around, hopefully as the season goes on people will begin to believe [in Shels] again... and come back.”
Before Shels reclaim their place in the Premier Division though, there is the small matter of getting there. Most fans and observers see Cork City as Shels’ main rivals for promotion, and Cassidy agrees. But it’s not so clear cut to the attacking midfielder- “I wouldn’t write off Monaghan either. They’ve had as good a start as us. Limerick, Waterford and Longford as well.”
“It’s going to be so close though” says the former Home Farm youth. “Every team is going to have a bad run so we have to make sure we’re prepared for that.”
Still, confidence is fairly high in the Shels camp. Cassidy says that this squad is “one of the best I’ve ever been in.” Depth is often earmarked as something required to go up and stay in the Premier Division, and Cassidy believes that depth is one of the Shels’ squad best attributes. This squad is “not one where you have lads who’ll definitely play every week” he says. “Every one of the players is as strong as each other. The eleven lads who play are the lucky eleven. At the moment I think the squad we have is better than any team in this division and some teams in the Premier Division too.”
This year has seen a considerable change in the formations used by Shels- with the 4-5-1 becoming the one most used by Alan Mathews in the first part of the season. This formation gives the midfield a big role, and Cassidy says that this is natural with the players Shels have. “To be honest there’s a big emphasis on midfield because there has to be. We have a talented midfield but only one or two strikers- you have to play with the players you’ve got. Guys like Barry Clancy and Conan Byrne are versatile and it’s good to have that ability to mix things up in the team. We have players that can move around and that’s another sign that we’re Premier Division quality.”
Cassidy came to Shels in 2009 as reigning First Division player of the year, and wasn’t initially expected to leave Oriel Park following their promotion. “I was offered a year contract, and I was going to stay but what was on the table wasn’t for me” he says. “Going full-time didn’t suit, I have a young family and family always comes first. Dermot [Keely] contacted me then and it just seemed like a good move for me.”
Did winning the Player of the Year award come as a bit of a shock to Cassidy? Yes, he says- especially as a player he now shares the Shels dressing room was also in the running. “I was surprised to win it” he says. “We had a good start to the year and had a very good team too. Conan [Byrne] was up for it too s I was very surprised to win it, I thought he was a shoo-in.”
Cassidy was the subject of a lot of transfer rumours in the summer, but moving was never really an option for him, he says. “A lot of people know that I spoke to two clubs last summer, but I was always going to stay at Shels. I know the club is a great one.”
And while that makes some fans feel a bit queasy (Shelbourne have, of course, been in this position before), it’s something that the squad has to deal with.
According to David Cassidy, the tag of favourites is a justified one because the aim in the squad was always focused on one thing- going up. The ambition is “a given with the squad we have” says Cassidy. “Alan [Mathews] wouldn’t accept anything less. It’s all we’re building towards, every day in training.”
At this stage Cassidy is one of the longer-serving members of the Shels squad, having originally come to Tolka Park in 2009. He is also one of a band of Reds players with experience of winning the First Division before- having first won it with Shamrock Rovers in 2006 before going up a second time with Dundalk in 2009.
Does that experience stand to Cassidy? “Definitely, the league doesn’t change that much” the Ringsend native says. “It doesn’t matter that much which teams are in it. Obviously I’d rather be up in the Premier Division though.”
The Premier Division is one thing which crops up again and again when talking to Shels players (many of whom have played in the top tier before), and Cassidy is no different. “The Premier Division is a different level to the First Division” he admits, before saying that he believes that “the squad we have is ready for promotion- we wouldn’t need to change too much if we went up.”
But the squad isn’t the only thing ready for life in the Premier Division, says Cassidy. “This year it is different. The whole club is being run like a Premier Division club. I have noticed a different feel about the place, all the standards in the club are very high.”
Sadly, attendances at Tolka Park aren’t what they used to be, but Cassidy is confident that the fans will come back to Shels as the promotion campaign really kicks into gear. “There is a bit of a buzz around, hopefully as the season goes on people will begin to believe [in Shels] again... and come back.”
Before Shels reclaim their place in the Premier Division though, there is the small matter of getting there. Most fans and observers see Cork City as Shels’ main rivals for promotion, and Cassidy agrees. But it’s not so clear cut to the attacking midfielder- “I wouldn’t write off Monaghan either. They’ve had as good a start as us. Limerick, Waterford and Longford as well.”
“It’s going to be so close though” says the former Home Farm youth. “Every team is going to have a bad run so we have to make sure we’re prepared for that.”
Still, confidence is fairly high in the Shels camp. Cassidy says that this squad is “one of the best I’ve ever been in.” Depth is often earmarked as something required to go up and stay in the Premier Division, and Cassidy believes that depth is one of the Shels’ squad best attributes. This squad is “not one where you have lads who’ll definitely play every week” he says. “Every one of the players is as strong as each other. The eleven lads who play are the lucky eleven. At the moment I think the squad we have is better than any team in this division and some teams in the Premier Division too.”
This year has seen a considerable change in the formations used by Shels- with the 4-5-1 becoming the one most used by Alan Mathews in the first part of the season. This formation gives the midfield a big role, and Cassidy says that this is natural with the players Shels have. “To be honest there’s a big emphasis on midfield because there has to be. We have a talented midfield but only one or two strikers- you have to play with the players you’ve got. Guys like Barry Clancy and Conan Byrne are versatile and it’s good to have that ability to mix things up in the team. We have players that can move around and that’s another sign that we’re Premier Division quality.”
Cassidy came to Shels in 2009 as reigning First Division player of the year, and wasn’t initially expected to leave Oriel Park following their promotion. “I was offered a year contract, and I was going to stay but what was on the table wasn’t for me” he says. “Going full-time didn’t suit, I have a young family and family always comes first. Dermot [Keely] contacted me then and it just seemed like a good move for me.”
Did winning the Player of the Year award come as a bit of a shock to Cassidy? Yes, he says- especially as a player he now shares the Shels dressing room was also in the running. “I was surprised to win it” he says. “We had a good start to the year and had a very good team too. Conan [Byrne] was up for it too s I was very surprised to win it, I thought he was a shoo-in.”
Cassidy was the subject of a lot of transfer rumours in the summer, but moving was never really an option for him, he says. “A lot of people know that I spoke to two clubs last summer, but I was always going to stay at Shels. I know the club is a great one.”
About Niall Farrell
Niall Farrell is our correspondent at Tolka Park, covering the goings-on at Shelbourne. You can visit Niall's website for further information and contact details- niallf.net. View Full Profile